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Set in a desolate landscape strewn with black lava boulders covered in moss, the Blue Lagoon steams ethereally in an otherworldly setting. Its milky-blue waters and ghostly cloud of mist are broken only by the bobbing heads of leisurely bathers.

The lagoon is artificial, its waters superheated by thermal vents, exploited by the nearby Svartsengi Power Station and then fed into the water as they cool to a bath-like 37°C (99°F). It’s Iceland’s most popular attraction, but visitor numbers are limited so it never feels too busy, but you’ll need to book in advance.

Basic thermal baths are an everyday facility throughout Iceland, but the Blue Lagoon is a complete complex with a spa, bars, restaurants and hotels. Its composition of 70% seawater and 30% freshwater contains a rich mix of blue-green algae, mineral salts and fine silica mud, all of which give it its milky pallor.

Bathers liberally smear their skin with the pale lagoon mud, which is said to cure skin disorders. A hot-water waterfall pummels your back, but you’ll emerge with softer-feeling skin even if you only lounge by the in-water bar.

The water stays a constant temperature year-round, so you can still visit in midwinter, when clouds of billowing steam rise off the water. An indoor entrance to the lagoon provides a more comfortable introduction to the pool, especially if you’re put off by the thought of full immersion in the winter air.

General admission to the lagoon includes entry to the main pool, but we recommend opting for admission to the Retreat Spa. A hidden section of the lagoon, it offers a more exclusive experience with private changing rooms, dimmed indoor relaxation spaces, and access to a sauna and steam room. It also includes the Blue Lagoon Ritual: a self-applied series of silica and algae masks and mineral salt rubs to rejuvenate your skin. You could also opt to have an in-water treatment or a massage.

Only an hour’s drive from Reykjavík and close to Keflavík International Airport, the Blue Lagoon is a great place to while away a few hours before or after a flight. If you have more time, you can easily explore the coastline, geothermal fields, natural hot springs and lava fields of the surrounding Reykjanes Peninsula, a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Best time to visit the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is open all year, with the water temperature staying a constant 37°C (99°F). In summer, the surrounding lava fields are covered in bright-green moss and the lagoon stays open late to make the most of the long daylight hours. In winter, the steaming water and long twilight hours give your visit an extra dimension.