Is Iceland’s Blue Lagoon Worth It?

Volcanic rock and snow mark the walk to the Blue Lagoon's entrance in Grindavik, Iceland. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini. — Volcanic rock and snow mark the walk to the Blue Lagoon’s entrance in Grindavik, Iceland.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.

Headed to Iceland, a visitor cannot help but wonder whether a visit to the Blue Lagoon will be worth it. Will it be too crowded? Too touristy? Too expensive? Not sufficiently authentic? All of these concerns drift through my head as I board a bus headed to the Blue Lagoon.

Truth be told, I expect the Northern Lights to highlight my trip to Iceland, but my visit to the Blue Lagoon in Grindavik turns out to be even more heavenly.

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What Is the Blue Lagoon in Iceland?

A geothermal spa, the Blue Lagoon features large pools of 100-degree bluish-white water, thanks to silica, algae, and minerals—all of which are great for your skin (especially for people who have psoriasis), but not so much for your hair, bathing suit, or jewelry.

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A table at Lava restaurant at the Blue Lagoon overlooking the spa pools. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini. — Lava restaurant at the Blue Lagoon overlooks the spa pools.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.

How is Lava, the Blue Lagoon Restaurant?

After a quick lunch at Lava, where I learn that Icelandic restaurants do a great job preparing vegetables for non-meat-eating crowd, the Brawny Sherpa and I change into our swimsuits and dash into the water.

Celeriac, cous-cous artfully presented at Lava restaurant at the Blue Lagoon, Iceland. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini. — Celeriac, cous-cous artfully presented at Lava restaurant at the Blue Lagoon, Iceland.
Photo credit: M. Ciavardini.

How Is the Blue Lagoon Experience?

It’s instant bliss—steam rising from the water, the relative quiet, the open skies. This place is a large attraction, but we do not feel overwhelmed by any crowd. We rub silica on ourselves, and then algae, and have a cocktail, and then an in-water massage. We have almost melted by the time our visit is over. I could come back here every day. I could live here. Iceland might be in the far north, cold, icy, dark, but this place is heavenly.

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For Bashful Adventurers

A Blue Lagoon excursion most definitely is worth while, but you will need to plan ahead. Make reservations, and remember to book a massage or other treatments at the spa. Make a reservation at the Blue lagoon restaurant Lava, or, for an experience even more fancy, at Moss Restaurant. More casual options also are available at the Blue Lagoon.
Some super-motivated travelers head straight from the airport to the Blue Lagoon for a brief visit. If possible, stay for a day.
The Blue Lagoon is fairly shallow. Visitors can bob and walk about in the water if they are not so interested in swimming at the Blue Lagoon.
Private changing rooms are available in the spa (for a fee) for super bashful adventurers.

Blue Lagoon Iceland, Norðurljósavegur 11, 240 Grindavík, Iceland

—Lori Tripoli

Lori Tripoli is the editor and publisher of Bashful Adventurer. Based in the New York City vicinity, she writes about travel for a variety of publications.