If you are planning a trip to Iceland, you probably have done some research by now and heard of the Blue Lagoon. And you probably have read mixed reviews on it – that it’s too commercial, it’s nothing like the photos, or there are a ton of people there. I’m sharing my honest review below on why the Blue Lagoon is not overrated.
set realistic expectations
You may have heard myths that lead you to believe the Blue Lagoon is overrated. This review will help you have realistic expectations on what to expect. Once you have realistic expectations, the experience will be entirely worth it.
Myth #1: You will have the place to yourself, as documented in many Instagram photos
Reality #1: There will be people there and it may even be crowded. Visitors usually fully book the Blue Lagoon throughout the entire year.
Realistic Expectations #1: We arrived to the Blue Lagoon early to walk around the exterior and take photos. There are roped off areas outside that you can visit. We had this space mainly to ourselves. We still got to see some of the iconic teal blue water and enjoyed a moment alone. However, once you go inside the Blue Lagoon, you may feel overwhelmed with the amount of people that are there.
The first thing you will do is check in at a desk. Once you have checked in, you can head to the locker rooms. The locker room can be busy! I remember feeling a little rushed in here with all the people. And remember – many people from different backgrounds will be in the locker room. You will see people of all ages in the locker room with you. Visitors may not be as conservative or respect your privacy when it comes to you changing clothes.
Don’t worry about your items. The Blue Lagoon provides lockers for you to use to put any personal items in. You will not have to share a locker with anyone! After putting your stuff away, you’ll be to keep the key with you on a wrist band that they provide.
Myth #2: It’s a natural wonder in Iceland.
Reality #2: It’s actually not a natural wonder. The Blue Lagoon is man-made and fully commercialized. It’s run-off from the local geothermal power plant.
Realistic Expectations #2: Yes, you are swimming in run-off from a power plant. And yes, it’s completely safe (and wonderful!). The Blue Lagoon is not some natural lake in Iceland. They capitalized on the run-off from the geothermal power plant and have turned it into a spa, relaxation oasis, and it even has a restaurant on site. Think of it as if you are going to a swimming pool for the evening, just a way more awesome swimming pool.
Myth #3: It’s cheesy.
Reality #3: It’s only cheesy if you let it be cheesy.
Realistic Expectations #3: Do you feel cheesy going to the beach in a bathing suit with a bunch of strangers? No!
So don’t feel cheesy at the Blue Lagoon, even with a face mask on while sipping prosecco. If you think you might feel cheesy, let those feelings go! Go in with a positive attitude and the experience will be what you make it. Personally, my then-fiance-now-husband and I had so much fun painting each others faces with the face mask that’s included. There were also water features at the Blue Lagoon that mirrored waterfalls and were so relaxing to sit under to ease our aching muscles after our adventurous trip.
Do I have to book in advance?
Yes! The Blue Lagoon says that they are typically fully booked year round. I would recommend booking ahead as far in advance as you can to get the best date / time of your visit.
For 2020 specifically, there may be more flexibility for last minute availability.
Alright, you got me to book a trip. How long should we plan to stay?
There are a few different package options available for you to choose from that offer you different things. We chose the Comfort package that included our first drink, a silica mud mask, and a towel. We stayed at the Blue Lagoon for a couple of hours. This felt like enough time to relax and fully enjoy everything we had purchased. There’s only so long that we could stay in the water! The other packages include a restaurant reservation at their on-site restaurant, Lava, and access to more private areas of the Blue Lagoon.
//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US&adInstanceId=dd5abc65-cc74-4aaf-b029-a4dca8c202a6How can I get to the Blue Lagoon?
A rental car is the easiest and quickest option. This is what we used. They have an extremely large parking lot for you to park in while visiting the Blue Lagoon. If you don’t have a rental car, they also offer a bus from Reykjavik that you can book in advance.
So when would be the best time to visit the Blue Lagoon in Iceland?
If your early in your planning and your schedule allows it, plan for this to be your last item on the itinerary that you plan. We traveled to Iceland in 2017 and chose to go to the Blue Lagoon the evening before our flight. We didn’t know it at the time, but this was the best decision.
Activity and adventure filled our Iceland itinerary. There were hikes, waterfalls, a snowmobiling excursion, and a snorkeling trip through the continental divide. To top it off, our trip was filled with early mornings and long nights. After so much, “go, go, go!”, we were exhausted. And this was only the first half of our trip! We went to Germany for a week after this.
Having a relaxing evening at the Blue Lagoon was the best thing for our muscles and minds. It allowed us to truly reset and appreciate everything that we had just seen and experienced during our time in Iceland.
Final verdict:
The blue lagoon is not overrated, and is definitely worth a visit!
You can always find reasons to not do something. Take a chance and add the Blue Lagoon to your itinerary! As a couple without kids, I highly recommend this activity.
Hopefully this guide has given you realistic expectations for the Blue Lagoon. If you liked this article, follow me on Pinterest and Instagram below!