Blue Lagoon

Set in Iceland's dramatic, almost extraterrestrial, volcanic landscape, the Blue Lagoon offers visitors a truly unique bathing experience. 

Surprisingly, the lagoon is not a naturally occurring hot spring but rather a man-made geothermal spa. Its water is heated by a nearby power plant, which harnesses the Earth's volcanic activity. The result is a milky-blue, mineral-rich water that is thought to have therapeutic properties.

After a soak in the lagoon, elongate your visit by relaxing in the lagoon’s steam room, sauna, cold showers, and swim-up bar where you can enjoy drinks while floating in the mineral-rich waters. Guests can also indulge in DIY silica mud masks, either supplied by attendants or scrapped directly from the lagoon’s walls. 

If you prefer to leave your skincare to the pros, we recommend booking a stay at The Retreat, a luxury hotel located within the Blue Lagoon complex. It offers a high-end experience with elegant suites, private terraces, and access to the Blue Lagoon Retreat Spa. Guests can also enjoy in-water massages and the Retreat Lagoon, a quieter section secluded from the main lagoon area.

Most travelers choose to visit the lagoon for just a few hours, returning to other accommodations at the end of the day. But for the flossy few who want to splurge, make a reservation at the Silica Hotel. This world-class hotel is just a short walk, an even shorter shuttle ride, to the Blue Lagoon. It features chic, well-appointed rooms and suites, many of which have views of the surrounding lava fields. 

Guests at the Silica Hotel enjoy complimentary access to the Blue Lagoon during their stay. However, if you’re searching for solitude, you can avoid the crowd and enjoy the hotel’s private silica mud lagoon, a mini Blue Lagoon if you will, available to guests only. A highlight is a delicious all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, complete with every breakfast food imaginable, that will satisfy even the most discerning palate.