The Blue LagoonBlue
Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions and a world-renowned open-air geothermal spa. Located about 39 kilometers from the capital Reykjavik, it lies in the southwest of Iceland. Although Iceland is globally famous for its natural landscapes, the iconic Blue Lagoon is actually a man-made site. It is an artificial lake built on an extinct volcano, filled with warm seawater discharged from a nearby geothermal power plant — essentially a byproduct of electricity generation. However, the geothermal process enriches the seawater with minerals such as silica, silicon dioxide, and sulfur, which medical experts have proven to help relieve stress and offer certain therapeutic benefits. As a result, various products derived from the Blue Lagoon are also highly sought after. In addition, the high silica content gives the water its enchanting pink-blue hue that captivates visitors (myself included).
As Iceland’s tourism has grown increasingly popular, visiting the Blue Lagoon has shifted from “it’s best to book in advance” to “you must reserve several days ahead for peak times.” The operators do not set aside any walk-in quotas, and there have definitely been cases where travelers arrived only to find that all slots for the day were already full (I booked two days in advance and barely made it, getting in just two hours before closing — phew!).
Iceland experiences extremely long daylight hours in summer and very short ones in winter, so the operating hours of the Blue Lagoon are longer in summer than in winter.
Tickets are divided into Standard, Comfort, Premium, and Luxury, and are also priced according to age and season. Guests aged 16 or above are considered Adults, 14 & 15-year-olds are Teens, and 2–13-year-olds are Children. Booking times are scheduled by the hour, but the Blue Lagoon does not limit how long you can stay once you’re in. In other words, the later you enter, the less time you’ll have for soaking, so the operators have kindly reduced the price of tickets for entry within the last two hours before closing by €10.
Now let me break down what each ticket package includes:
- Entrance to Blue Lagoon
Well, this one’s pretty self-explanatory XD I just want to add that admission includes a locker for each person, and the Blue Lagoon has showers equipped with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and body lotion. Upon entry, staff will give you a wristband that indicates your ticket type by color.
- Silicon Mud Mask
Silica mineral mud is available at stalls around the lake, where unlimited amounts are offered at scheduled times. It is said to help treat certain skin conditions, such as psoriasis. I tried it but didn’t feel much difference XD
- Use of Towel
Standard tickets do not include towels, so bring your own.
-1st Drink of your choice
There’s a water bar by the lake, which is quite important because soaking in hot geothermal water for extended periods can lead to dehydration — something to watch out for. With Comfort tickets or higher, you can get drinks from the water bar without additional charge.
There are actually several options to choose from.
I personally loved their berry-flavored wine the most.
Later I found the same drink at the duty-free shop.
-Algae Mask
The Algae Mask is different from the unlimited Silicon Mask — visitors need to present a Comfort or higher wristband to claim a small portion from the stall. Again, I didn’t feel much effect XD
- Reserved table and sparkling wine at LAVA
LAVA is a five-star restaurant inside the Blue Lagoon. Its decor isn’t particularly lavish, but it features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the dreamy pink-blue waters. Icelandic food is notoriously not very tasty (I think any visitor would agree), but LAVA is on par with a decent Western restaurant.
Beautiful scenery.
Personally, I think dining during the day is more worthwhile, since this restaurant is all about the view. Also, the lunch menu is reasonably priced because even Premium or higher tickets only include table reservation and sparkling wine, not the meal itself.
- Use of bathrobe & slippers
It’s convenient for guests who want to dine in their bathrobes after bathing.
- Spa Journey product set
Beyond being a tourist spot, the Blue Lagoon has expanded to include a restaurant, a hotel, and even a skincare brand, with products highlighting the lagoon’s mineral-rich mud. Aside from the main store at the lagoon, multiple branches can be found around the city.
- Exclusive Lounge
By the way, the price for renting one of these by yourself is 375 euros.....
No explanation needed, just check out the official website XD
http://www.bluelagoon.com/blue-lagoon-spa/exclusive-lounge/
(Official website photo)
Apart from the ticket options above, there are two activities at the Blue Lagoon that my friend and I regret not booking earlier.
The first is the In-Water Massage.
The second is the Silica Hotel at the Blue Lagoon, which has its own private lagoon area where you can soak in peace, away from the crowds, and take great photos...
(Official website photo)
Although the Blue Lagoon is known for treating skin conditions, the high volume of visitors may dirty the water, and both my friend and I felt our skin became more sensitive after soaking. Also, the high concentration of silica tends to stick to hair — ladies, remember to use plenty of the unlimited conditioner provided in the showers, or you’ll really regret it.
Read more: Journey to the Center of the Earth — the World’s Only Volcano You Can Actually Descend 120 Meters Into, Big Enough to Fit the Entire Statue of Liberty Inside.
http://sailor-travel.blogspot.hk/2016/09/120.html
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sailortravel
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sailortravel