A spa day at Blue Lagoon Iceland

Stuart Forster enjoys a spa day at Blue Lagoon Iceland dining at the resort’s Lava Restaurant after steeping in the mineral-rich water of the geothermally heated pool.

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Iceland’s Blue Lagoon has evolved into one of the world’s best-known spas. Would a visit to the island really be complete without soaking in the geothermally heated seawater of the popular spa?

Visiting the Blue Lagoon

The volcanic landscape around the Blue Lagoon makes a dramatic impression. Even under an overcast sky, I was tempted to pause the car to photograph plumes of steam rising from the vents of the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power plant, which heats the water of the spa. Green moss tops the black stone of the lava field.

The water of the Blue Lagoon’s freeform outdoor pool is warm and milky blue. The heated water is rich in minerals that are reputedly good for the skin.

Spa at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland

After stepping out from the changing rooms into the cool air of an autumn day I hung my white bathrobe on one of the outdoor hangers and headed to the pool.

I’m not a fan of immersing myself in cold water but had nothing to fear. The air over the pool was misty due to the rising heat of evaporating water. Even if I’d known somebody on the far side of the pool I’d have struggled to recognise them.

Submerging myself in the Blue Lagoon was like stepping into a vast bathtub. A sign informed me that the water temperature, where I entered, was 38°C. I could feel the temperature rise and fall as I moved slowly around the pool.

Cold beer in Iceland

I kept myself submerged from my shoulders down, to maximise my enjoyment of the pool’s heat. Occasionally I’d dip deeper. When my eye level was close to the surface of the water I noticed that the volcanic rock was caked in white minerals.

After a few minutes in the pool, I rubbed my hand over my shoulder and noticed that my skin felt smooth.

I popped to the bar and ordered myself a drink while still in the water. It seemed beautifully indulgent to be sipping a cold beer while floating in a warm pool on a Wednesday afternoon. After licking my salty lips, the beer seemed especially refreshing.

Mud mask in the Blue Lagoon

Silica mud masks were also being distributed from a poolside fridge.

“You’ll feel 10 years younger,” said the smiling woman who handed to cold, grey-white clay-like lump to me. She explained that I should knead the mud to warm it and apply it after wetting my face. After a few minutes, my cheeks and forehead felt silky smooth.

Dining at Lava Restaurant

For the next couple of hours, I enjoyed relaxing and then showered before heading into the Blue Lagoon’s poolside Lava Restaurant. The dining room’s floor-to-ceiling windows offer views onto mounds of dark lava and the pools of the spa.

Lava serves modern Icelandic cuisine. The restaurant provides a chic setting and a relaxed atmosphere.

It strikes me as the kind of place that’s ideal for treating a partner to a surprise meal while on the road. In addition to a la carte options, it’s possible to choose two or three courses from the restaurant’s vegetarian, seafood and Icelandic gourmet menus. (If you’re considering dining while at the Blue Lagoon view the Lava Restaurant menus online.)

For my main course, I selected the grilled Icelandic lamb. The flavour and texture were spot on. Deliciously, the meat was pink in the middle. It was accompanied by crunchy chickpeas, cubed apple, crispy cabbage and a rich jus.

It proved such a pleasant place to while away time that I opted for the cheeseboard before coffee.

The Blue Lagoon warranted the 40-minute drive out from Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city. My time in the pool and Lava Restaurant proved an enjoyable and relaxing way of spending an afternoon.

Blue Lagoon Iceland tickets

See the Blue Lagoon Iceland (Norðurljósavegur 9, 240 Grindavík, Iceland; tel. +354 420 8800) website for information about opening times (which vary according to the time of year) and entry prices.

Blue Lagoon tickets are available from the website. It is necessary to pre-book the time you want to visit.

Map of the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon Iceland is set amid a remarkable volcanic landscape. Unsure of the location of the famous spa? Plan your visit by zooming into or out of the map below:

Google Map of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland.

Getting to the Blue Lagoon Iceland

The Blue Lagoon is approximately 40 minutes’ drive from Reykjavik and 15 minutes’ drive from Keflavik Airport, the hub of Icelandair.

Want to travel from Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon? Drive along Highway 41, join Highway 43 then follow the signs to the Blue Lagoon.

Bus 55 travels between Reykjavik and Keflavik, stopping near the Blue Lagoon. GrayLine is one of the companies offering excursions to the Blue Lagoon.

Blue Lagoon Iceland hotels

The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland is a five-star hotel. Search for hotels near Blue Lagoon Iceland via Booking.com:

Booking.com

Books about Iceland

Planning a trip to Iceland? You may find the following books worthwhile:

Icelandic Folk Tales:

 

Lonely Planet Iceland :

 

Walking and Trekking in Iceland: 100 days of walking and multi-day treks:

 

Iceland’s 1100 Years: History of a Marginal Society:

DK Eyewitness Top10 Iceland:

Further information

For more ideas about things to do and see in Iceland, take a look at the Visit Iceland website.

Thank you for visiting Go Eat Do and reading this post about the Blue Lagoon Iceland. If you enjoyed this post you may like this post about going naked at a sauna in Germany

Stuart Forster, the author of this post, is an award-winning journalist. He was named Digital Influencer of the Year at the 2018 Holland Press Awards. Stuart is based in North East England and available for magazine, newspaper and online commissions.

Photographs illustrating this post are by Why Eye Photography. Looking for a North East England photographer? Commission a shoot by calling 07947 587136 or making contact via the Why Eye Photography website.

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A version of this post was first published on Go Eat Do on 15 October 2018.