Review · BLUE LAGOON & GEOTHERMAL SPAS
Blue Lagoon: Admission Package with Drink, Towel, and Mask
The Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s great spa spectacle: milky-blue geothermal seawater spread across 8,700 square meters of black lava and moss. You walk through a lava corridor, change, shower, and step into warm water that feels almost unreal against the cool Reykjanes air.
I like two things especially. First, the included silica mask and drink turn a simple soak into a proper spa visit. Second, you can move around rather than sit in one small pool, stopping at the sauna, steam room, massage waterfall, and mask bar as the mood takes you.
The catch is the price, about $109 per person, with transport, food, extra drinks, robes, and upgraded treatments not included. It can also feel crowded, especially later in the day, so your choice of time matters.
In This Review
- Key points to know before you book
- The lava corridor sets the mood
- Changing rooms and the first step into the water
- What the Blue Lagoon water feels like
- The silica mask bar is more than a photo stop
- Sauna, steam room, and massage waterfall
- How much time should you allow?
- Price and what the $109 package really buys
- Families, access, and the best type of visitor
- Opening hours and timing choices
- Should you book the Blue Lagoon Comfort package?
- FAQ
- Where is the Blue Lagoon located?
- What is included in the Comfort admission?
- Is transportation included?
- What should I bring?
- How long is the visit?
- Can children use the Blue Lagoon?
- Is the Blue Lagoon wheelchair accessible?
- What are the opening hours?
Key points to know before you book

- The 8,700-square-meter lagoon feels like an outdoor spa town, with different temperatures, a sauna, steam room, waterfall, mask bar, and swim-up bar.
- Your electronic wristband handles both your locker and purchases, so you do not need to carry cash or a wallet into the water.
- The Comfort package includes one non-alcoholic drink, such as a juice, smoothie, or soft drink, plus a silica mud mask and towel.
- Early and late time slots are usually your best bet for a calmer visit, while late morning and afternoon can bring more people and more photo-taking.
- Allow at least two to three hours, since rushing through the water, mask bar, and heat rooms defeats the point.
- Children aged 2 to 8 must wear free inflatable armbands, and one guardian may supervise no more than two children under 13.
The lava corridor sets the mood

The Blue Lagoon sits at Svartsengi, near Grindavik on the Reykjanes Peninsula, rather than in central Reykjavik. From the arrival area, you walk roughly 300 meters through a lava corridor to the main building.
This first approach is practical rather than grand. The setting around the entrance can look industrial, and construction in the parking area has sometimes made the walk feel longer. Do not judge the place from outside. The calm spa atmosphere begins once you enter the building.
At check-in, you receive an electronic wristband. It opens your locker and records purchases at the swim-up bar and other on-site facilities. This is one of those small systems that makes sense once you are in a bathing suit with nowhere to put a purse or phone.
The wristband also means you should pay attention when ordering. The included drink is a non-alcoholic choice, such as juice, a smoothie, or a soft drink. A cocktail, alcoholic drink, second beverage, robe, or extra treatment may cost more, so check the price before tapping your band.
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Changing rooms and the first step into the water

You need to bring swimwear. After changing, you shower before entering the lagoon, as required at Icelandic bathing facilities.
The changing rooms are large, with lockers, private changing spaces, private shower stalls, and several vanities with hair dryers. Blue Lagoon bath products are available in the shower area, including body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizer. The facilities are clean and well organized, though some people find the changing rooms less comfortable than those at newer or smaller Icelandic spas.
You can enter the water from inside through a ramp. This is especially helpful on a windy, rainy, or snowy day, since you do not have to walk outside in your swimsuit before reaching the warmth.
Remember the towel arrangement. You receive the towel when you are ready to leave the lagoon, with towel stations near the changing rooms. It is not necessarily waiting for you beside the water when you arrive, so bring only what you need into the bathing area.
What the Blue Lagoon water feels like

The water is the main event, and it looks exactly as dramatic as you hope: a creamy, pale blue pool surrounded by dark lava. The color comes from the lagoon’s mineral content and suspended silica, not from artificial dye.
The temperature varies across the large bathing area. Some sections feel warmer, while others are more comfortable if you want to stay in for a longer stretch. The water is warm without being uniformly intense, although individual comfort varies and some people may find the hottest areas too hot for extended soaking.
I suggest moving slowly rather than trying to see everything at once. Float for a while, walk to another section, pause at the edges, and let your body adjust. You can socialize, take photos, meditate, or simply stare across the water at the moss-covered lava.
The lagoon is touristy. That is not a secret, and the famous setting attracts people who want the classic Iceland photograph. At busy times, you may find someone waiting for you to move from a particular corner or waterfall so they can take a picture. If quiet relaxation matters most, book one of the earliest available times or visit later in the evening.
A 9 a.m. entry has worked well for a calmer morning, and an 8 a.m. slot can be even better when available. An early afternoon arrival may also begin quietly, though the lagoon can fill by the time you leave. Sunset and nighttime visits offer a different feel, with steam becoming more noticeable as the air cools and the surrounding sky grows dark.
The silica mask bar is more than a photo stop
The included silica mud mask is one of the best parts of this package. At the in-water mask bar, you apply a sample of the lagoon’s silica mud to your face, then allow it to work while you continue relaxing in the water.
The mask is tied closely to what makes the Blue Lagoon distinctive. Silica is one of the lagoon’s signature natural elements, and the treatment is intended to cleanse and strengthen the skin. You may notice a fresh, smooth feeling afterward, though it is still a spa treatment rather than a medical remedy.
The mask bar also offers products based on algae, minerals, and lava. Those extra masks are not part of the basic package. You can buy them separately or choose a higher admission level that includes more masks.
For most people, one mask is enough during a two-hour visit. You do not need to upgrade simply to collect treatments, particularly if your main goal is soaking. The higher package may make sense if you enjoy skincare and want several different products, but a robe and multiple masks are not essential to understanding the Blue Lagoon.
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Sauna, steam room, and massage waterfall
The lagoon includes more than open-air soaking. A sauna and steam room provide a change of pace, and both are useful if the weather outside is cold or if you want to dry off mentally as well as physically.
The steam room is a highlight for many people because the cool air, hot water, and heavy steam create a strong contrast. The sauna offers a drier heat and a quieter break from the main bathing area. Conditions can vary depending on how many people are inside, so keep your visit flexible rather than planning a strict spa circuit.
The massage waterfall is another easy stop. Stand beneath the falling water and let it work across your shoulders and back. It is not the same as booking a professional massage, but it adds a pleasant physical element without an extra charge.
There are also in-water facilities for refreshments and masks. You can order your included drink without leaving the lagoon, then return to soaking. The arrangement is convenient, but remember that your standard drink is non-alcoholic. Extras are charged to your wristband.
How much time should you allow?
The stated duration is one day, but you do not need an entire day to enjoy the Comfort admission. Two hours gives you time for the lagoon, one mask, one drink, and a quick visit to the heat rooms. Three hours feels more comfortable and lets you slow down.
I would allow at least three hours if you are visiting after a flight, meeting friends, or adding a meal. One person spent six hours at the site after purchasing additional services, but that is a full spa day rather than a basic admission visit.
Try not to schedule the Blue Lagoon too tightly against another activity. You need time to change, shower, use the facilities, and leave the water 30 minutes before closing. The warm water can also make you feel sleepy, which is useful after an overnight flight but less useful if you have planned a packed afternoon.
Price and what the $109 package really buys
At about $109, this is expensive for a hot-water soak. Iceland’s famous sights rarely come with a low price tag, and the Blue Lagoon charges for its setting, size, facilities, staffing, and polished spa operation.
The Comfort price is easier to justify because it includes the entry ticket, towel, silica mask, and one non-alcoholic drink. You also receive access to the sauna, steam room, massage waterfall, swim-up bar, and mask bar without paying separate admission for each area.
Still, the package is not all-inclusive. Food, extra drinks, robes, body exfoliation, massage, and additional services cost more. If you want lunch, the Lava Restaurant is on site, and there is also a cafe, but budget separately.
Transport is another cost to plan. The admission does not include your ride to Svartsengi. Bus transfers can be arranged separately, and you should book one ahead of time rather than assume you can sort it out at the last minute. A taxi can become very expensive, particularly if you are traveling from Reykjavik or the airport.
The value depends on what you want. If you see the Blue Lagoon as one of Iceland’s signature sights and plan to stay for several hours, the package offers a practical introduction. If you want the cheapest possible local pool or a small, quiet bathing spot, this is not the right purchase.
Families, access, and the best type of visitor

The Blue Lagoon is wheelchair accessible, and the indoor ramp into the water can help people who would rather avoid walking outside in swimwear.
Children under 2 are not permitted. Children aged 2 to 8 must wear inflatable armbands, supplied free of charge, even if they are confident swimmers. One guardian may supervise no more than two children under 13, and adults must watch children closely throughout the visit.
Families can enjoy the large bathing area, but the rule about guardians matters when planning who will supervise. The warm water, mask bar, and spacious pools can keep older children interested, while very young children may find the armbands inconvenient.
The experience suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and anyone who wants an easy first or last stop in Iceland. It works particularly well after an overnight flight, before a long drive, or at the end of a busy sightseeing day.
It is less suited to someone seeking solitude, a low-cost public pool, or a strongly local atmosphere. You can find quiet corners, but you cannot count on silence. Even the designated quiet area may include talking, and the most photogenic spots attract people with phones.
Opening hours and timing choices

Summer hours, from June 20 through August 20, are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Winter hours change by season:
- August 21 through January 31: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- February 1 through June 19: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
You must leave the water 30 minutes before closing. Check the available starting times for your date, since the schedule and price can vary by time slot.
For the quietest feel, choose the earliest possible entry. An evening booking can also work well, especially when you want steam, darkness, and a more atmospheric visit. Midday may be convenient for a driving route, but it carries a greater chance of crowds.
Weather does not ruin the visit. The contrast between cold air and warm water is part of the appeal. Snow, wind, rain, sunrise, sunset, and stars all change the mood, while the water remains the reliable center of the experience.
Should you book the Blue Lagoon Comfort package?
I would book it if this is your first Iceland visit, you want the famous blue water, and you value having a drink, mask, towel, heat rooms, and a large bathing area included in one admission.
I would choose an early or late time, arrange transport in advance, and allow three hours. Bring swimwear, expect to shower before entering, and keep room in your budget for food or extra services only if you truly want them.
Skip it if the $109 price feels uncomfortable, if crowds would spoil the day, or if you want a quieter and less polished hot-spring experience. For many people, though, the Blue Lagoon earns its place as a once-per-trip Iceland stop: touristy, costly, and still genuinely memorable.
FAQ
Where is the Blue Lagoon located?
The Blue Lagoon is at Svartsengi on the Reykjanes Peninsula, near the town of Grindavik.
What is included in the Comfort admission?
The package includes entry, one silica mud mask, one non-alcoholic drink, and a towel. It also gives you access to the lagoon facilities, including the sauna, steam room, massage waterfall, in-water mask bar, and swim-up bar.
Is transportation included?
No. Transportation is not included in the admission, so you need to arrange your own transport or book a separate bus transfer.
What should I bring?
Bring swimwear. You receive an electronic wristband for your locker and cashless purchases during the visit.
How long is the visit?
The admission is valid for one day. Allowing two to three hours gives you time to enjoy the lagoon, mask, drink, sauna, and steam room without rushing.
Can children use the Blue Lagoon?
Children under 2 are not permitted. Children aged 2 to 8 must wear inflatable armbands, which are provided free of charge.
Is the Blue Lagoon wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the Blue Lagoon is wheelchair accessible. An indoor ramp leads into the lagoon.
What are the opening hours?
From June 20 to August 20, opening hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. From August 21 to January 31, hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. From February 1 to June 19, hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You must leave the water 30 minutes before closing.
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