Get ready for the most sublime spa experience of your life.
Nobody would ever call the Blue Lagoon a hidden gem. With over 700,000 annual visitors (that’s double Iceland’s population), it regularly tops the list of the must-see destinations in the entire world. Considered by many to be a modern wonder of the world, its milky blue waters surrounded by volcanic rocks and green moss don’t just make for stunning photographs; the geothermal seawater is rich in microalgae, silica, and salt, and has long been acclaimed for its healing properties (these ingredients also make up the popular, and expensive, line of Blue Lagoon skincare products sold on-site).
The Blue Lagoon is actually not as unique as you might think, at least not in Iceland. The small island country is one of the most volcanically active spots in the world, thanks to its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This means the island is riddled with volcanoes that can and do erupt (most recently, Fagradalsfjall in 2023, just around the corner from the Blue Lagoon), but it also means that the country’s underbelly is filled with geothermal energy.
While the looming threat of volcanic eruption is not ideal, geothermal energy actually is. It helps literally keep the lights on in Iceland (almost 70% of the country now runs on geothermal energy), and it is also the reason for the existence of its hundreds of hot springs. These hot springs, or “baths” as they are often called, are both privately and publicly owned. Some of the private ones have entire set-ups with restaurants, spas, and hotels. Many of the public ones are in the middle of nowhere, and you only find out about them because someone told you exactly where to go, or you stumbled upon it on a hike.
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Long story short: you are spoiled for choice when it comes to relaxing in an Icelandic hot spring, but it seems like everyone still wants to come to the Blue Lagoon. Like with nearly all bucket list destinations, that means you’ll hear a lot about it being overrated, overcrowded, and that snarkiest of all snarky travel terms: a tourist trap. But unlike many other tourist traps, there is a secret trick to visiting the Blue Lagoon and embracing it in all its awe-inspiring glory: its on-site hotel and spa, the Retreat at the Blue Lagoon.
The Typical Blue Lagoon Experience
Most visitors to the Blue Lagoon enter via the main reception building after having booked a timed ticket in advance online. There are a few tiers of ticket options, and the least expensive gets you access to the lagoon, a mud mask, a rented towel, and a free drink. You can pay more money to add drinks, more masks, and a rented bathrobe. This can all feel more like an amusement park entrance than anything else: you’re going to pay extra for every little thing, and you’re going to be sharing space with a lot of other people.
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The smart advice is to book early or later in the day to avoid the crowds as much as possible, but chances are that you’re going to experience a Blue Lagoon that’s more of a public pool than a relaxing spa experience (albeit a very, very beautiful public pool).
The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon
To guarantee you have a quiet, relaxing experience at the Blue Lagoon, head to the Retreat Spa. Part of the Lagoon’s spectacular luxury hotel of the same name, hotel guests and non-hotel guests alike can take advantage of the spa treatments and private lagoon here. You’ll be able to enjoy the same hot blue waters in what often feels like a completely secluded environment (you still have access to the public lagoon in case you want to compare experiences). Quality spa treatments, all using the celebrated products from the Blue Lagoon’s skincare line, are available for booking, including a unique in-water massage where you float on a yoga mat in the serene waters.
But the highlight of a visit here is the Blue Lagoon Ritual, a four-step experience using the salt, clay, and algae found in the Blue Lagoon. The Ritual is included with your spa visit, as are a sauna, steam room, cold plunge, and several other relaxation rooms (including a darkened space where napping is encouraged), along with a private changing room for two people and one complimentary drink per person.
An on-site restaurant offers tasty lunches. Smartphones and photos are not allowed in the spa, which helps to keep you grounded in the breathtaking natural environment (staff are more than happy to take a photo of you and send it to your phone).
An afternoon at the Retreat Spa will certainly be more expensive than visiting the Blue Lagoon on its own, but it’s honestly not crazy (around $700 for two people for 5 hours), especially considering what you get. Being able to shower and nap immediately after a flight is, quite frankly, a revelation (most flights from the U.S. arrive early in the morning), and every part of the spa experience made me want to shout about the joys of a wellness vacation from the rooftop.
There is something really spiritual about the Blue Lagoon itself, with its misty steam, rejuvenating waters, and stark yet beautiful mossy volcanic landscapes. Being alone in the pools while at the Retreat is special, but so is venturing into the public area of the Blue Lagoon to share in the communal experience of wellness and relaxation, and to appreciate a beautiful place with complete strangers.
For a Real Splurge
And of course, if you really have money to spend, the Retreat Hotel is maybe just the best one in the country. Hotel guests have full access to the spa, and therefore the lagoon, at any time during their stay. The luxurious rooms (and at nearly $1,500 a night, we do mean luxurious) come equipped with luxe linens, a complimentary minibar, walk-in rainfall showers, and the ever-talked-about Blue Lagoon toiletries. All overlook either the lagoon or volcanic rock formations; some even have their own private hot pools.
Also on-site is the excellent Michelin-starred Moss Restaurant, serving a sublime six-course tasting menu featuring an always-changing line-up of high-quality Icelandic ingredients from chef Aggi Sverrisson. A vegan tasting menu is also available, as are impressive wine and non-alcoholic drink pairings. A seat at the restaurant won’t get you into the Lagoon itself, but it’s a delicious way to end your day there or to enjoy a meal with those magical blue waters in the background.
