Blue Lagoon Iceland: What to Know Before You Go

Jo Roberts

30 August 2026

Home » Blue Lagoon Iceland: What to Know Before You Go

The Blue Lagoon was one of the main reasons I wanted to visit Iceland – a bucket list dream. The photos looked incredible on social media and for me the reality didn’t disappoint. We went as a family – 2 adults and 3 children and we all loved it.

We visited on New Year’s Eve, and drinking prosecco in that warm, milky-blue water surrounded by ice and snow was every bit as magical as I’d imagined. For me, it was one of those pinch me travel moments.

If you’re thinking about visiting, worried about the showers, your hair or even if it’s just too touristy – here’s everything I wanted to know before we went.

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Booking Blue Lagoon Tickets

We booked directly through the Blue Lagoon website and paid around £57 for each adult and a lot less for the children. It included an alcoholic drink in the water bar and we paid separately for our dinner at Lava Restaurant. It now costs from £76 for a basic package.

Since our visit, the pricing structure has changed. Prices vary depending on the date, time and package you choose, so you need to way up which package will suit you best.

As of 2026, admission comes in three main tiers: ‘Comfort’ (entry, mud mask, towel, one drink), ‘Premium’ (adds a second mask, a bathrobe and slippers), and ‘Signature’ (extra masks and lounge access). Starting prices are roughly £70 for Comfort up to around £115 for ‘Signature’ – always check the official site for your dates, since prices climb during busy periods.

Two more options are the ‘Lagoon and Lava Package’ and ‘Retreat Spa’. I personally would go for the Lagoon and Lava package (from £167 per adult), which includes everything we did.

If you’re visiting as a family, the good news is that children 2-11 pay a lot less (from £13 at time of writing) and under-2s go free.

The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most popular attractions, and tickets regularly sell out during busy periods, especially over Christmas, New Year and the summer months. I definitely wouldn’t leave it until you arrive in Iceland.

Opening Hours

The opening hours change according to the season and range from 0700 to 2300 in summer and 0800 to 2000 in winter. On New Year’s Eve it opens 0800 to 1800.

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How to Get There

We drove from Reykjavik – a simple drive along Grindavikurvegur (road 43). Renting a car for our trip was much cheaper than relying on transfers.

If you don’t have a rental car, you can book a transfer bus or take a taxi.

What to Bring

You don’t need to bring much, but I’d recommend packing:

Swimwear
Flip-flops
A waterproof phone case if you want photos in the lagoon
A hairbrush
A dressing gown or comfy lounging clothes if you go with the Comfort package

The Blue Lagoon provides a towel, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and moisturiser.

Things to Know Before Your Visit

A few things surprised us when we arrived.

We’d read reviews describing communal showers. They said that you had to shower naked in front of everyone, which I was dreading! But there are in-fact private shower cubicles available if you’d prefer more privacy.
Before entering the lagoon, everyone is asked to shower thoroughly. It’s a normal part of Icelandic spa culture. This means showering without your costume on. I’d also read about ‘shower inspectors’ but again this wasn’t our experience!
You’ll receive an electronic wristband when you check in. This opens your locker, acts as your room key for changing facilities and lets you buy food and drinks without carrying cash or cards.
Your complimentary drink is also added to your wristband, so claiming it is really easy.
If you want an exclusive experience, there’s a VIP area called the Retreat Lagoon.

🍸 The swim-up bar was one of my favourite parts. Standing in warm geothermal water with a glass of prosecco felt sensational.

Hair Care

It’s recommended to leave conditioner in your hair before entering the lagoon and to keep your hair out of the water. The water contains high amounts of silica and although it wont damage your hair permanently it will make it feel dry and matted. My son stuck his head in the lagoon and his hair wasn’t damaged – it just felt a bit straw-like afterwards.

Entering the Lagoon

You can walk into the lagoon from inside the building without ever stepping into the cold but for a more memorable experience, do what we did. Step outside first. You’ll feel absolutely freezing for a few seconds, and then submerge yourself into that steaming hot water – makes the whole experience more fun!

“the kind of cold-to-warm shock that makes you feel alive”

The Silica Mud Mask

One thing that’s included with every admission package is the famous silica mud mask.

There are stations around the lagoon where you can scoop it onto your face before washing it off a few minutes later. It’s a bit of fun and makes for some brilliant photos too.

If you opt for a more expensive package you get two additional masks.

Facilities at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is much more than just an outdoor pool.

You’ll also find:

Luxury spa treatments
Saunas and steam rooms
Relaxation areas
Restaurants and cafés
On-site accommodation if you want to stay overnight

If you’re planning a relaxing day rather than just a quick visit, you could easily spend three or four hours here. We spent 2 hours in the lagoon and an hour dining in Lava restaurant.

We agreed that it would have been nice to stay overnight so that we could experience watching the Northern Lights in the lagoon and have a few more Proseccos!

Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon?

The Sky Lagoon opened after our trip, so I can’t compare them from personal experience.

From what I’ve read, the Sky Lagoon offers a more intimate spa experience closer to Reykjavík and is famous for its seven-step spa ritual.

The Blue Lagoon, meanwhile, is Iceland’s iconic geothermal spa and is surrounded by dramatic lava fields.

If you only have time for one, I’d still choose the Blue Lagoon simply because it’s such an iconic Iceland experience.

Is The Blue Lagoon Too Touristy?

I’m not going to lie – yes, the Blue Lagoon is really touristy. The lagoon is kind-of manmade. Originally, it was just the overspill water from the Geothermal powerplant. Icelanders would soak in the waters for free but as it got more popular, the company that own the plant transformed the waters into a luxury spa complex, complete with restaurants and hotel.

So, yes it is touristy and you won’t find Icelanders there but it’s an incredible spa experience. If you’re looking for a more authentic experience without the luxury, there are plenty of options like Sundhöllin and Vesturbaejarlaug.

Other luxury options are Sky Lagoon and Laugarás Lagoon (on the Golden Circle route).

Blue Lagoon Restaurant Options

Blue Cafe

For a quicker bite between soaks, Blue Café is the casual option near check-in – think fresh soups, sandwiches, pastries and coffee, the kind of thing you grab if you’re not looking to sit down for a full meal. It’s ideal if you’re just popping in for a couple of hours rather than making a day of it.

Spa Restaurant

Spa Restaurant sits within the Retreat Spa and leans into lighter, health-focused dishes built around Icelandic produce – so if you’ve booked the Retreat experience and want food that matches the wellness vibe rather than a heavy sit-down meal, this is where you’d eat.

Lava Restaurant

For our visit, we chose to eat at Lava Restaurant as a treat because it was New Year’s Eve.

It was definitely one of the more expensive meals of our entire trip, but the food was exceptional and there was a good children’s menu too.

After a few hours relaxing in the lagoon, sitting down for a leisurely meal overlooking the water was the perfect way to finish the experience.

I’ve honestly never felt so relaxed.

Moss Restaurant

If you’re celebrating something really special, there’s also Moss Restaurant, the Blue Lagoon’s Michelin-starred restaurant. It’s a much more luxurious experience, serving seasonal tasting menus inspired by Icelandic ingredients, with incredible views over the surrounding lava fields.

It was a little beyond our budget, so we didn’t eat there, but if you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime foodie experience, it’s worth taking a look before your trip. Just bear in mind that reservations are essential and it’s significantly more expensive than Lava Restaurant.

Is the Blue Lagoon Worth It?

For us, absolutely. Even though it’s touristy and expensive – sometimes the most famous attractions are famous for a reason.

Soaking in naturally heated water while surrounded by black lava fields, icy air and falling snow is something I’ll never forget. If you’re visiting Iceland for a few days, I’d happily dedicate half a day to the Blue Lagoon rather than trying to squeeze it in between other activities.

It’s one of those experiences that genuinely deserves its place on an Iceland itinerary.

Top Tips for Visiting the Blue Lagoon

Book your tickets well in advance.
Visit early in the morning or later in the evening if you prefer it a little quieter.
Bring swimwear and conditioner.
Use your free drink at the swim-up bar.
Don’t rush – allow at least three hours to enjoy the experience properly.
If you’re flying home afterwards, the Blue Lagoon is conveniently located between Reykjavík and Keflavík Airport, making it an easy stop on your arrival or departure day.

The Blue Lagoon was one of the highlights of our 4-day Iceland winter itinerary, where we also explored Reykjavík, the Golden Circle and some incredible frozen waterfalls.

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