Blue Lagoon & Reykjanes

The Blue Lagoon is Iceland's most visited attraction — and despite the hype, an unforgettable experience. The milky-turquoise thermal water (38–40°C), rich in silica, algae, and minerals, lies in a surreal lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Steam rises, black lava frames the bright blue water, and in winter, the Northern Lights sometimes dance over the scene.

What you need to know

• Location: 47 km southwest of Reykjavik, 23 km from Keflavík Airport — perfect as the first or last stop of your journey.
• Opening hours: Year-round, daily 7 AM–10 PM (seasonally varying). Recommended stay: 2–3 hours.
• Reservation: MANDATORY! Spontaneous visits are not possible. Tickets must be booked online in advance, often weeks ahead, especially in summer and during holidays.

Ticket Options

Is it worth the price?

The Blue Lagoon is expensive and touristy — no question. But the experience is unique: floating in the milky water, surrounded by lava rocks and steam, with a face mask on your skin and a drink in hand, as the Icelandic wilderness begins around you — there's nothing like it anywhere else. Tourist trap? Maybe. Still amazing? Definitely.

The Sky Lagoon (2021) is Reykjavik's answer to the Blue Lagoon — and for many visitors, the better choice. The geothermal infinity pool is located at the edge of the city (15 minutes from the center) and offers a breathtaking view over the Atlantic. Less touristy, more modern, intimate, and atmospheric than the Blue Lagoon.

The Skjól Ritual

The heart of the Sky Lagoon experience is the Skjól Ritual — a 7-step spa experience that combines Icelandic bathing traditions with modern wellness:

1. Relax in the infinity pool and gaze at the ocean
2. Cold plunge pool (the Icelandic kick!)
3. Steam sauna with a sea view
4. Body scrub with Icelandic sea salt
5. Cold plunge pool again
6. Warm up in the steam sauna
7. Back to the warm pool — deep relaxation

Tickets

Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon? The Blue Lagoon has the more iconic setting (lava field, milky water). The Sky Lagoon has the better atmosphere (infinity pool over the sea, fewer tourists, the ritual). If you can only do one and are on a budget: Sky Lagoon. If you want the full Iceland experience and have the budget: both.

The Reykjanes Peninsula is the landmass between Reykjavik and Keflavík Airport — and is usually only driven through by most travelers on their way to or from the Blue Lagoon. A mistake. The peninsula is a geological wonderland: active volcanoes, steaming geothermal fields, solidified lava flows, and the bridge between continents.

Highlights

• Fagradalsfjall / Litli-Hrútur: Since 2021, a volcano has been regularly erupting on the Reykjanes Peninsula — the youngest volcanic activity in Iceland. If an eruption is currently happening (check vedur.is for updates), the sight of glowing lava flowing into the night is one of the most spectacular natural spectacles ever. Hikes to the lava field are regulated by authorities during active eruptions — always check the current status!
• Bridge Between Continents: A small pedestrian bridge over a fissure marking the Mid-Atlantic Ridge — symbolically, you stand here between the North American and Eurasian plates. Touristy, but a cool photo.
• Gunnuhver: Iceland's most intense geothermal source — huge steam columns, boiling mud pots, and the smell of sulfur. Named after the ghost of the witch Gunna, who, according to legend, was banished here. Boardwalks safely lead through the area.
• Reykjanestá: The southwestern tip of Iceland with the Reykjanesviti lighthouse (Iceland's oldest lighthouse) and spectacular cliff landscape. Bird colonies, waves crashing against the rocks, and the vastness of the Atlantic.
• Seltún: Another geothermal area with colorful solfataras — the earth in yellow, orange, and green, steaming holes, and the constant impression that the ground beneath you is alive.