The Blue Lagoon is a well-known and most visited attraction in Iceland, located 47 km away from Reykjavik and 23 km from International airport. This is an amazing place to visit and can’t be missed. It is easy to get there with transfers from the capital city and KEF airport. The busses run every hour all year round.
History of Blue Lagoon
The Blue lagoon in not a natural wonder. It is a man-made pool fed by the waste water from the Svartsengi geothermal power plant that was built in 1976 to provide a continuous supply of electricity and hot water to residential buildings. People, bathed in warm lagoon water, noticed a unique healing property of water on their well-being, deep relaxation, prevention of skin aging, and a miraculous cure of skin conditions and diseases such as psoriasis and eczema. Various studies and researches on the Blue Lagoon mineral-rich water and its ecosystem were done. The results were encouraging. The first public bathhouse was opened in 1987. New facilities, waterfall, steam bath and sauna were built in 1999. Blue Lagoon skin care was launched in 1995.The outpatient clinic for skin disease at Blue lagoon was opened in 1994 and a psoriasis clinic in 2005. Exclusive Lounge and private area were added in 2007.
5 stars luxury the Retreat at Blue Lagoon hotel, built in the heart of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, was opened in April 2018. The hotel offers 62 unique modern designed suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, Moss restaurant, rooftop terrace where you can enjoy the northern lights, and recreation facilities that include a sauna, full-service spa with luxurious treatments, and a 24-hours fitness center. All rooms have different views. You can choose the Moss suite with a view on the volcanic horizon, Lagoon suite where you will enjoy your private lagoon or Lava Junior suite with a view of lava landscape.
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon is an excellent hotel for relaxation and an extraordinary experience in a magic setting. Experience a unique in-water massage, morning yoga session, or rejuvenation ritual treatments with cycles of algae, silica, minerals, and mineral-rich geothermal water.
What makes the Blue Lagoon special?
The Blue Lagoon is fantastic. The surrounding, unlike anywhere else on the earth, looks like a moon landscape. It is a very romantic place to see the Northern Lights and sunset. Get unique experience in a geothermal spa, bordered by a black lava landscape, and relax soaking and floating in the warm salt water. The lagoon depth varies from 0.8 m to 1.6 m. The lagoon contains 9 million liters of warm milky blue water with temperature about 37 C. The lagoon water is rich in minerals like silica, sulfur, etc. and algae - photosynthetic organisms. The silica concentration in water is about 140 mg/kg. The lagoon's water average pH is about 7.5 and its salt content 2.5%. The water is self-cleansing and renews itself every 40 hours. The Blue Lagoon has an unusual ecosystem. There is no alternative to the Blue lagoon. There are many hot springs in Iceland and worldwide. However, chemical compositions of their water and curative properties are not similar to the Blue Lagoon water.
Unique spa experience
The Blue Lagoon geothermal wellness spa is a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation. Due to the high content of active components, the water in the Blue Lagoon has a health beneficial effect on the skin and the entire human body. The main components of spa treatment are silica mud and algae that strengthen the skin’s natural barrier function, prevent degradation of collagen, and stimulate the skin’s own collagen production. Blue Lagoon Resort & Spa offers a complete spa experience - different type of massages, nourishing algae treatment, energizing & strengthening silica scrap & wrap treatments, and beauty spa.
Scientists from the Blue Lagoon research and development center have been providing studies on Blue lagoon therapeutic benefits and developing skin care products and treatments. Blue Lagoon skin care line has a complete range of face and body natural products which purify, protect and revitalize the skin, enhance radiance and prevent aging signs, treat a very dry skin, psoriasis, and eczema.
The Blue lagoon in not a natural wonder. It is a man-made pool fed by the waste water from the Svartsengi geothermal power plant that was built in 1976 to provide a continuous supply of electricity and hot water to residential buildings. People, bathed in warm lagoon water, noticed a unique healing property of water on their well-being, deep relaxation, prevention of skin aging, and a miraculous cure of skin conditions and diseases such as psoriasis and eczema. Various studies and researches on the Blue Lagoon mineral-rich water and its ecosystem were done. The results were encouraging. The first public bathhouse was opened in 1987. New facilities, waterfall, steam bath and sauna were built in 1999. Blue Lagoon skin care was launched in 1995.The outpatient clinic for skin disease at Blue lagoon was opened in 1994 and a psoriasis clinic in 2005. Exclusive Lounge and private area were added in 2007.
5 stars luxury the Retreat at Blue Lagoon hotel, built in the heart of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, was opened in April 2018. The hotel offers 62 unique modern designed suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, Moss restaurant, rooftop terrace where you can enjoy the northern lights, and recreation facilities that include a sauna, full-service spa with luxurious treatments, and a 24-hours fitness center. All rooms have different views. You can choose the Moss suite with a view on the volcanic horizon, Lagoon suite where you will enjoy your private lagoon or Lava Junior suite with a view of lava landscape.
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon is an excellent hotel for relaxation and an extraordinary experience in a magic setting. Experience a unique in-water massage, morning yoga session, or rejuvenation ritual treatments with cycles of algae, silica, minerals, and mineral-rich geothermal water.
What makes the Blue Lagoon special?
The Blue Lagoon is fantastic. The surrounding, unlike anywhere else on the earth, looks like a moon landscape. It is a very romantic place to see the Northern Lights and sunset. Get unique experience in a geothermal spa, bordered by a black lava landscape, and relax soaking and floating in the warm salt water. The lagoon depth varies from 0.8 m to 1.6 m. The lagoon contains 9 million liters of warm milky blue water with temperature about 37 C. The lagoon water is rich in minerals like silica, sulfur, etc. and algae - photosynthetic organisms. The silica concentration in water is about 140 mg/kg. The lagoon's water average pH is about 7.5 and its salt content 2.5%. The water is self-cleansing and renews itself every 40 hours. The Blue Lagoon has an unusual ecosystem. There is no alternative to the Blue lagoon. There are many hot springs in Iceland and worldwide. However, chemical compositions of their water and curative properties are not similar to the Blue Lagoon water.
Unique spa experience
The Blue Lagoon geothermal wellness spa is a haven of relaxation and rejuvenation. Due to the high content of active components, the water in the Blue Lagoon has a health beneficial effect on the skin and the entire human body. The main components of spa treatment are silica mud and algae that strengthen the skin’s natural barrier function, prevent degradation of collagen, and stimulate the skin’s own collagen production. Blue Lagoon Resort & Spa offers a complete spa experience - different type of massages, nourishing algae treatment, energizing & strengthening silica scrap & wrap treatments, and beauty spa.
Scientists from the Blue Lagoon research and development center have been providing studies on Blue lagoon therapeutic benefits and developing skin care products and treatments. Blue Lagoon skin care line has a complete range of face and body natural products which purify, protect and revitalize the skin, enhance radiance and prevent aging signs, treat a very dry skin, psoriasis, and eczema.
Medical tourism
Medical tourism is growing in Iceland. Thousand patients visited the psoriasis clinic to cure psoriasis and atopic dermatitis/eczema. The first study on the curative properties of water was done on 28 psoriasis patients in 1992 and indicated that bathing was a very good treatment for them. The patients bathed daily in the lagoon and rubbed silicon mud from the lagoon on their skin while bathing. The second study was conducted on 23 patients. The research has shown that patients bathing in the Blue Lagoon water and supported by UV light therapy treatment recovered much faster. Obviously, it was verified that this method is more effective for psoriasis treatment.
The beneficial effects and healing power of Blue Lagoon water and natural treatment of psoriasis were scientifically proven. Various studies, that were published, indicated significant improvement on skin disorders for even the most severe symptoms of psoriasis. Three weeks treatment at the Blue Lagoon is recommended. The patients have two choices – be treated at the psoriasis clinic or outpatient clinic. The treatment includes deep relaxation bathing in salt water, UV light therapy, and specific skin care products and is provided under the supervision of nurses and dermatologists.
The Blue Lagoon clinic is one of the leading treatment centers for psoriasis in the world. The clinic has facilities with a separate private treatment lagoon. The Blue Lagoon Clinic Hotel provides 35 double rooms with verandas and it is a wonderful and private place to stay.
Tips and advices
1. When planning a trip from North America to Europe or vice versa, consider a one-day stopover in Iceland to visit the unique healing Blue Lagoon. It can be both a time-saving and cost-effective option.
2. If you are considering a short trip to Iceland, it would be wise to booking day tours that offer multiple activities in one package. Recommended activitiy combines a visit to the Blue Lagoon with other exciting experiences. Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, these popular destinations are sure to impress. This can be a perfect way to save time and money. To help you plan your itinerary, here are some suggestions to get you start.
Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon Including Admission & Kerid Volcanic Crater
The Blue Lagoon Including Admission and Northern Lights Tour
Full-Day Golden Circle & Kerid Volcanic Crater Tour with Blue Lagoon Transfers
Full-Day Tour with 1hr ATV Adventure in Blue Lagoon with Admission
If you prefer to explore Iceland with private tours, click here to book.
3. Are you looking for a unique experience and great relaxation? Consider visiting the Blue Lagoon. It's conveniently located near the airport (just 20 min from Keflavik airport), so you can make it your first stop after landing or a last one before you depart from Iceland. This geothermal spa offers healing water, stunning views, and spa treatments variety. Book Blue Lagoon ticket with optional transportation from the airport here.
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References:
1. Ólafsson JH, Guðgeirsson J. The Blue Lagon and Psoriasis. A Comparative Study. 1991:1-5. Unpublished report. The University of Iceland, Department of Dermatology.
2. Ólafsson JH, Sigurgeirsson B, Pálsdóttir R. Psoriasis treatment: Bathing in a thermal lagoon combined with UVB, versus UVB-treatment only. Acta Derm-Venereol. (Stockh); IN PRESS.
3. Solveig K. Petursdottir, Snaedis H. Bjornsdottir, Gudmundur O. Hreggvidsson, Sigridur Hjorleifsdottir, Jakob K. Kristjansson. Analysis of the unique geothermal microbial ecosystem of the Blue Lagoon. First published online: 5 November 2009
1. Ólafsson JH, Guðgeirsson J. The Blue Lagon and Psoriasis. A Comparative Study. 1991:1-5. Unpublished report. The University of Iceland, Department of Dermatology.
2. Ólafsson JH, Sigurgeirsson B, Pálsdóttir R. Psoriasis treatment: Bathing in a thermal lagoon combined with UVB, versus UVB-treatment only. Acta Derm-Venereol. (Stockh); IN PRESS.
3. Solveig K. Petursdottir, Snaedis H. Bjornsdottir, Gudmundur O. Hreggvidsson, Sigridur Hjorleifsdottir, Jakob K. Kristjansson. Analysis of the unique geothermal microbial ecosystem of the Blue Lagoon. First published online: 5 November 2009
Article was updated in December 2021.
