Iceland is famous for its glaciers, geysers, waterfalls and volcanoes. It's harsh and wild land, with incredible landscapes. But there is one place in the southwest of the country of elves that is truly magical.

Geothermal resort on the Reykjanes Peninsula business card Iceland and a favorite holiday destination for tourists. Every year 300 thousand people visit the Blue Lagoon. The waters of the lake change their color from sky blue to milky white. Neither snow, nor rain, nor the relatively shallow depth (from one to three meters) affect their temperature. 5 kilometers away you can see steam rising from the water.

The hot spring is always a comfortable 38-40 degrees. Silicon, quartz, white clay, mineral salts and blue-green algae make the composition of the water therapeutic. Any bacteria, including fungal ones, die in it. The exception is silicon bacteria, which exist only in the Blue Lagoon and strengthen human immunity.

Man-made miracle of nature

It is interesting that the Blue Lagoon appeared not thanks to Mother Nature, but as a result of the work of a geothermal power plant, which is still located here. Locals These waters have been used for heating houses and hot water supply for a long time, but relatively recently they became interested in their unusual color.

  • Do not miss:

So, in 1999, at the site of development, among the rocky lava shores, a spa complex and a medical laboratory grew up, in which unique cosmetics for skin care were developed.

Now the area around the hot spring is fully equipped for treatment and recreation. There is a dermatology clinic with a small hotel, a relaxation area, a shop with Blue Lagoon cosmetics, a restaurant and a cafe.

Huge crowds of tourists visit the lake just to gaze at the unprecedented beauty. The entrance ticket costs 10 euros. If you are planning a trip to Iceland and are just going to visit the resort, then you should contact local tour operators. They regularly organize sightseeing tours, the price of which is approximately 22 euros.

Prices for holidays and services

Few people can resist the temptation to visit the world-famous spa resort and, at a minimum, not plunge into the famous waters. In summer, a simple swim will cost 50 euros for an adult, 25 for a teenager (14-15 years old), children under 13 years old are free.

Children under 2 years old are prohibited from bathing in the hot spring, and each child or teenager must have an accompanying person (one adult for two children). In winter, prices for adults are 10€ lower.

Above are standard minimum prices. day tours. For a holiday in the Blue Lagoon there are also comfort, premium and luxury class tickets. Their cost ranges from 55 to 195 euros. The “comfort” package includes 1 cocktail of your choice, a towel and care products.

In the “premium” package, slippers and a robe will be added to the set, a table will be reserved for you in the restaurant and a free drink will be served there, so that it will not be so boring to wait for your order. You can take this opportunity to try some of Iceland's national dishes.

With a deluxe tour, visitors receive an extensive range of grooming products and access to an exclusive lounge where they can relax while gazing at the stunning landscapes of the Blue Lagoon.

Can be ordered separately Additional services. Unprepared tourists will be given a robe and slippers - 10 € each, a towel and swimsuit - 5 € each. Massages and other treatments cost from €15, but expect one standard procedure to cost €60–190.

There is plenty to choose from. For the face - these are masks, peeling, combined with the application of warm stones and rubbing in oils. For the body – a scrub of pure geothermal sea salt, peeling with a mixture of oil and silicon dioxide, massages, seaweed wraps.

There is even a special waterfall massage, massages for children and pregnant women. Current prices All services are listed on the official website of the Blue Lagoon - bluelagoon.com. You can also pre-purchase tickets there. However, the most profitable way to get to the blue lagoon is by tour. Then you won’t have to spend extra on transfers.

Blue Lagoon Tours

Cost of treatment at the clinic

It is also worth paying attention to the dermatological clinic of the Blue Lagoon. Her main focus is the treatment of psoriasis. To begin with, you can visit here for informational purposes. The nurse will tell you about the process and means of treatment, and will give you a try of special cosmetics developed in Iceland for patients with psoriasis.

A one-time visit to the clinic costs 130 € and is available for no more than three days. A trip with intensive treatment and full board for one costs 329 euros/day, in summer – 386 €. Duration – 1-2 weeks, with the option to pay for additional days of stay. To begin the procedure, a doctor's referral is required. In fact, this is translated into English language an extract from the medical record, which must indicate what you were treated with before.

In the clinic, patients are observed by a dermatologist who describes the treatment process. Nurses monitor compliance with recommendations. A patient with psoriasis will undergo mandatory individual bathing in water from a geothermal source 2 times a day, ultraviolet ray therapy, body wraps 5 times a week, aqua massage once a week, and procedures using special cosmetics.

To maintain good physical shape, a fitness room, mountain biking, and Nordic walking poles are available. Before leaving, the doctor will give advice on further treatment and give you a set of home care products for 4 weeks.

How to get to the Blue Lagoon

Unfortunately, or fortunately, Iceland is not one of the popular tourist destinations, where all-inclusive lovers strive. With all the uniqueness thermal resort, tours to the Blue Lagoon are not sold by any tour operator.

Blue Lagoon on the map of Iceland

Travel agencies usually call such destinations “ individual tour"and sell it at exorbitant prices to all naive comers. In fact, their function comes down to booking a hotel and air ticket for regular flight. So why overpay to an unnecessary intermediary if you can easily do it all yourself in a few simple steps.

Flights

The nearest international airport to the Blue Lagoon is Keflavik, just 15 km away. If you can find a convenient flight at a good price, this will be an ideal option. However, as a rule, it is more profitable to fly to the capital of Iceland,. From here to the resort a little further, about 40 km. The cheapest tickets are easy to find using a search engine Aviasales:

Transfer

Most cheap option– regular buses running between airports and the Blue Lagoon throughout the day. If you want it faster and more comfortably, you can order private transfer through or, it will cost less than taking a taxi on the spot.

Hotel

The most comfortable option is to stay in a hotel-clinic, which is located directly on the territory of the Blue Lagoon. You can book a room on the above-mentioned official website of the resort. However, due to the great popularity of the hot spring, there are not always free places. In addition, the prices are a little bit steep.

The Blue Lagoon geothermal resort, located in Iceland, is a true miracle of nature. Its water has healing properties. It can help cure serious diseases, strengthen the body and boost immunity. Guests of this unusual “hot spot” are promised an unforgettable experience.

In addition to the unusual landscapes, the Blue Lagoon geothermal resort has excellent healing properties. Visiting him improves the general condition of the body.

Enriched with minerals beneficial to the skin, water is perfect for various masks to nourish and cleanse the skin. It includes blue-green algae, quartz and sea salt. There are no harmful bacteria in the hot springs, and the lagoon is constantly renewed.

The turquoise color of the water is the result of high levels of silicon. Here it seems that Iceland itself is blue.

Thermal itself hot water is formed when ordinary water from the sea enters through the porous surface of lava. It is heated in underground tanks up to 200 ºС.

The Blue Lagoon is just 20 minutes from international airport Keflavik (50 minutes from Reykjavik). You will be surprised by the facts about this place that you will learn about by reading this text.

1. Visiting can be expensive

During high season (June to the end of August), standard admission will cost you $54. According to the site, the most popular package of the four offered is the third level - Premium ($90), which includes admission, silica mud mask, towel, drink, algae mask, robe, slippers, optional reservation to Lava Restaurant, and a glass sparkling wine if you decide to have lunch.

Looks like this the best option to get the most out of your investment!

2. Amazing spa amenities included in admission price

In addition to the free matte mud mask included in the standard package, you are given the opportunity to use special equipment. There are saunas, steam rooms, a waterfall and a relaxation area with soothing music, comfortable seating and stunning views.

If you really want the full treatment, Blue Lagoon also offers a relaxing water massage.

If you buy the Luxury package ($234), which includes everything Premium offers, you'll also receive a bundle of spa products and free access to an exclusive lounge.

Guests have access to a private shower and changing room, as well as free skin care products. The lounge features a fireplace, designer furniture and an outdoor terrace.

4. The hotel has a restaurant and cafe

The Lava restaurant is built on the left cliff. This perfect place to enjoy a relaxing lunch or a romantic gourmet dinner in the evening.

Blue Cafe's open space is perfect for grabbing a bite between meals or sipping coffee. It has a relaxed atmosphere. The cafe offers light snacks, fast food, sandwiches and healthy options. Seating is available both inside and outside.

5. You don't have to leave the lagoon to get a drink.

The Blue Lagoon Resort's floating bar serves cocktails, wine and beer. You don't even need to carry cash with you. List cash to your entry card and pay before leaving.

6. The lagoon isn't really a natural wonder.

You may not want to put your head in the water... Fact is that the lagoon was originally formed as a reservoir for runoff water from a geothermal power plant in 1974.

People noticed medicinal properties water and increasingly used it for bathing for skin diseases.

Although water is fantastically effective in treating psoriasis, it can seriously damage your hair. If you have them painted, the paint can come off easily. It is advisable to wear a shower cap.

The Blue Lagoon, also known as Blue Lagoon, was included this year in the list of 25 unique spa complexes that are worth visiting not only for those who know what the abbreviation spa stands for, but for everyone. I visited the Blue Lagoon in January of this year and am ready to honestly talk about the pros and cons of the famous spa complex Iceland.

Let me start with the fact that the custom of spending evenings (and sometimes days) in thermal pools is instilled in Icelanders from infancy. In Reykjavik, thermal pools can be found at every step; a visit (provided you buy a subscription) costs around 1.5 euros, and all Icelanders consider it their duty to lie in hot thermal water in the open air at least a couple of times a week.

Pictured: outdoor pool at Blue Lagoon

In the hot baths you can meet people of any age: from gray-haired elders to babies who still don’t know how to sit; The rules for visiting swimming pools are standard: come, undress, take a shower, dry yourself, run out into the street and dive into the water. The only fundamental difference. In Iceland, before taking a thermal bath, you need to not only rinse in the shower, but also wash your hair, and since our mother taught us all in childhood that only suicides who decided to get meningitis go out with wet hair, the rule of washing your hair is very confusing for novice bathers. Oddly enough, there is no need to be afraid, the danger of catching a cold, and even more so of getting sinusitis or meningitis, is greatly exaggerated; at least, I was convinced from my own experience that a wet head is not a hindrance to hot baths in the fresh air.

In the photo: Blue Lagoon thermal complex

Thermal complex Blue Lagoon It differs from all other pools not only in its surroundings, but also in the fact that the water of the Blue Lagoon is rich in clay, algae and all kinds of microorganisms beneficial to health and, as a result, beauty. Thanks to clay and algae, the water in the lagoon has a characteristic blue tint, hence the name of the complex. We discovered the Blue Lagoon, one might say, by accident. The fact is that in Iceland, renewable natural energy sources, mainly volcanic water, are used to generate electricity.

Near the place where the Blue Lagoon spa complex is now open, a power station was also built, by the way, it still functions to this day. Soon, water of an unusual blue color began to flow near the power plant. For the curious natural phenomenon Scientists became interested, and after some research they found out that local water, as well as clay, algae and microorganisms can improve the condition of skin, hair and nails. Since the principle of “everything goes” is close to the Icelanders, a spa complex was erected on the site of the fault, and after a while production was established.

In the photo: the famous photo of Bjork with her son in the Blue Lagoon

It is better to set aside a whole day to visit the Blue Lagoon. Firstly, the thermal complex is located outside of Reykjavik, about 30 minutes away by car. If you haven't rented a car, then bus tickets to the Blue Lagoon can be bought at one of the Reykjavik tourist offices, however, keep in mind the fact that the tour. buses are often late, if you are really unlucky, you can wait vehicle Thirty minutes. Second point. It is better to buy tickets to visit the Blue Lagoon in advance on the website. The basic ticket price only includes swimming. Want a robe, flip-flops, masks and drinks at the local bar located right in the middle of the pool? Then book a premium ticket.

Another funny moment. After purchasing a ticket, you will receive a confirmation email, in order to avoid unpleasant situations, it is better to print it out and bring it with you in paper form. The entrance to the Blue Lagoon is a path laid between solidified pieces of black lava. The edges of the pool are also decorated with the same massive pieces of lava; for this reason, you should be careful near the edges so as not to inadvertently get scratched by the lava.

Before diving into healing waters Blue Lagoon showers and hair washing are strictly required. A small bonus for those who are afraid to go outside with wet hair - in the cabins of the spa complex there are dispensers with gel and shampoo from the Blue Lagoon line, so you will not wash your hair with anything, but with the most expensive Icelandic shampoo.

Inside, the spa complex fully reflects the Icelanders' idea of ​​what luxury is, namely a stylish interior, which, unfortunately, is not thought out enough in terms of basic comfort. For example, for some reason there are only two benches in the locker room, as a result, guests of the Blue Lagoon have to change clothes while standing, touching their neighbor with her shoulder as she pulls off her tights. Or there are only three hairdryers in the rest room, as a result, during rush hours, queues of people wanting to dry their hair line up at the tables. The whole point is that the Icelanders themselves do not pay attention to such nuances at all; judge for yourself if your whole life is spent in harsh conditions. weather conditions, little things like an uncomfortable bench in the locker room cannot be bothered.

However, as soon as you find yourself in the thermal pool of the Blue Lagoon, any thoughts (especially about insufficient seats in the locker room) evaporate by themselves, and you understand, here it is, that very unearthly pleasure for which it was worth flying to Iceland in the middle of winter! Thick steam rises from the water, guests cruise around the lagoon (the depth is insufficient for swimming), trying to find areas where the water is not just warm, but hot. The fact is that the pool is not additionally heated, as a result, all guests of the Blue Lagoon, whether they want it or not, are included in the “hot-cold” game, they took a step - it was cool, walked a couple of meters - they fell into a stream of hot water.

In the photo: on the shore of the Blue Lagoon pool

There is a bar in the center of the pool. The bar’s assortment allows you to either improve your health by drinking vitamin cocktails or increase your energy levels - in addition to healthy drinks, there are alcoholic drinks on sale; by the way, guests of the Blue Lagoon order drinks of the second type with great enthusiasm.

Every now and then a young man appears on the side of the pool, his face and stately figure reminiscent of a Viking from the Scandinavian epic. Only the modern Viking is armed not with a battle ax, but with an iPad, and his job is peaceful - to take photographs of the guests of the Blue Lagoon and immediately send the photos to them by email in real time.

In the photo: a photo taken by a young Viking

In addition to drinks, the local bar sells blue clay scrubs and masks (if you book a premium ticket, you get a scrub and mask by default). They give out beauty products in plastic cups, these are usually used for draft beer at all kinds of music festivals. By the way, the Icelanders themselves don’t buy masks and scrubs at the water bar, they say, why spend money on something that lies under your feet for free? Indeed, blue clay accumulates at the edges at the bottom of the pool; Icelanders collect clay from the bottom and apply it to their faces. Remember what I said about the attitude of the country's residents to comfort? Here is a clear confirmation of my words.

Besides outdoor swimming pool The Blue Lagoon has saunas, a waterfall, and a grotto, which are mandatory for all thermal complexes, as well as a grotto, in which lights simulating candles are lit at nightfall, plus in the grotto you can turn on music, or listen to information about the Blue Lagoon. Perhaps, artificial grotto- the most romantic part of the thermal complex, associations involuntarily arise with the very cave where Jon Snow and Ygritte made love in “Game of Thrones” (by the way, this scene was filmed in Iceland). It’s a pity, really, the grotto of the Blue Lagoon is always full of people, so you won’t be fooled around like the characters in the series. By the way, one more important point. The water in Blue Lagoon is not only not additionally heated, but also not purified with any chemicals; it is completely renewed on its own within a day, so there is no need to add bleach or other disinfectants.

And finally, about the Lava restaurant, which is open right at the Blue Lagoon thermal complex. His visit caused mixed feelings. On the one hand, the kitchen, run by chefs Þráinn Freyr Vigfússon (recognized as the best chef in Iceland in 2013) and Viktor Örn Andrésson, is beyond praise. The local smoked salmon and rack of lamb are the best I've had on the island.

In the photo: rack of lamb at Lava restaurant

But the service, unfortunately, is unique in Icelandic: firstly, the restaurant manager, regardless of whether you have a reserved table or not, has to wait 15-20 minutes (you are not allowed to sit at a table on your own), secondly, waitresses move around the hall very sporadically. In short, it’s not that the appetite disappears, but the desire to leave a tip does not arise.

However, for the impression of the dubious service of the Lava restaurant to disappear, after lunch you just need to dive into the waters of the Blue Lagoon again. They are magical, they not only rejuvenate the skin and hair, but also instantly wash away irritation and dissatisfaction.

Did you like the material? Join us on facebook

Yulia Malkova- Yulia Malkova - founder of the website project. In the past, he was the editor-in-chief of the elle.ru Internet project and the editor-in-chief of the cosmo.ru website. I talk about travel for my own pleasure and the pleasure of my readers. If you are a representative of hotels or a tourism office, but we do not know each other, you can contact me by email: [email protected]

Iceland, Reykjavik

Reykjavik- This small town, size…. I even find it difficult to compare it with. Reykjavik is probably the size of Morshansk. Well, northerners no longer inhabit Reykjavik. At least in the city center in the evening I saw tourists, Indians, Chinese and even a woman from Bulgaria.

The city of Reykjavik dies out around 22:00, when the program “Good night kids” ends. Although I’m afraid that I might be wrong about the time, here essentially the white nights continue and it’s not clear whether it’s late evening or early morning.
The city is completely uninteresting and not worth visiting. However, I had to stay there, since the hotel base offers the best deals in Reykjavik

We had an apartment in the very center. From the window I could see the cross of the central church or church (to be honest, I don’t know what denomination Iceland belongs to). Literally a few dozen steps away is the central shopping street with shops and restaurants, which, by the way, already close their kitchens at 21:00, and turn visitors out at 22:00. Also not far from our apartment hotel there was a sex shop with broken glass in the door - it looked like someone was in a hurry to buy porn and broke the glass with their forehead.

By the way, I read in the news that the Prime Minister of Iceland spoke in favor of severing relations between the sister cities Moscow and Reykjavik due to the fact that Moscow passed a law banning the promotion of non-traditional sexual relationships. And the Prime Minister of Iceland is a lesbian woman, who also entered into a same-sex marriage...
By the way, some women in Iceland are of such a build that I would not be surprised to learn that the Vikings were women, and all those pictures that magazines and museums show are all an excuse and a lie. No, definitely Icelandic women were Vikings and kicked ass northern seas. Including Britons

Having said goodbye to Reykjavik, we headed north towards the fjords, but the road in gray clouds that clung to the Hummer antenna and poured rain on the windshield was so annoying that we decided to limit ourselves to hunting fur seals on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. It is 175 km from Reykjavik. By the way, I want to warn you that there are cameras on this section of Route 1 and it is not advisable to exceed the speed of 90.
The seals hid from the rain, so after hanging out in the towns of Olafsvik and Langanolt, we decided to turn back - we wanted to try the SPA in the Blue Lagoon, which is located near the town of Grindavik

From a distance of 5 km from the place, steam can be seen rising from the foot of the mountain, as if hundreds of bath attendants in this place are holding a symposium to exchange the custom of whipping naked bodies with brooms. The smell of hydrogen sulphide can be felt as soon as you leave the road to the airport.
The Blue Lagoon is a system of natural lagoons filled with volcanic lava. thermal waters, which in Iceland both provide heating and electricity. The species in the system of reservoirs occupying an area the size of a football field is pale blue in color. This effect is enhanced by white deposits of clayey consistency. Several of the largest reservoirs are reserved for public baths. There is a large parking lot in front of the Blue Lagoon complex. Tourists - mother, don’t worry.

A dozen buses replace a dozen other buses. The bulk of visitors are tourists, of course. We were lucky enough to meet the Chinese delegation. We didn't go swimming, although we took flip-flops and clothes with us. We just decided to see what we get for 65 euros per person (entrance fee, changing room and towel). You can easily enter the bathhouse area in boots and walk over the heads of people sitting in the water

I'm not very impressed - I'll tell you straight. The experience of sitting in a tank of water that circulates naturally without being purified... Well, the sight of dirty foam on the sides with floating plant organic remains was enough for me: midges, someone's hair, dandruff, etc. In addition, I imagined how many people are now pissing here at the same time, and having multiplied the number of people per hour by the size of the bathhouse, I decisively went to the exit

Since today we have an early flight to Copenhagen, we booked accommodation closer to the airport. The place is called Gardur and it has good apartments. Essentially a house with four bedrooms for the price of a regular double. The owner recommended a restaurant, which is located 200 meters away, next to the lighthouse.
I can recommend it - expensive, but cooked and served well.

I ordered a whale steak.
I will say this - the sole of an army boot will be more edible. Therefore, I will not recommend experiments with a whale. Moreover, it was fried with blood... But what if you order a medium - it’s scary to stand in front of your teeth.


The Blue Lagoon geothermal complex, formed around a complex of natural pools, is one of Iceland's most popular natural attractions. About 300 thousand people visit the resort every year. The first areas equipped for swimming appeared in the Blue Lagoon in the mid-80s of the last century. Hot springs of azure, soft blue and milky shades wash the lava piles, creating contrasting landscapes.

The complex of volcanic origin has unique healing and healing properties, known since 1976. The minerals contained in the water, sea salt, sulfur and even blue-green algae can cure skin diseases. People can swim here even in winter: the water in deep reservoirs maintains a comfortable temperature from +37°C to +40°C throughout the year.









Working hours

The Blue Lagoon is open daily, throughout the year. Opening hours from June 1 to June 30 - from 9:00 to 21:00, from July 1 to August 15 - from 9:00 to midnight, from August 16 to 30 - from 9:00 to 21:00, from September 1 to May 31 - from 10:00 to 20:00. An exception is the New Year and Christmas holidays; during the period from December 23 to January 1, the schedule should be checked on the Blue Lagoon website. Guests can stay in the thermal complex for 45 minutes after closing.

Cost of visit

The entrance ticket price depends on the season. From September 1 to May 31, the cost of visiting Blue Lagoon is 33 euros for adults, 15 euros for teenagers 14 and 15 years old. From June 1 to August 31, admission for adults will cost 40 euros, for teenagers 14 and 15 years old - also 15 euros. Children under 13 years old have free admission if accompanied by an adult.

More information about the cost of beauty treatments, as well as the rental of bathrobes and towels, can be found on the Blue Lagoon website.

All Blue Lagoon Resort guests receive a magnetic chip bracelet that serves as the key to their personal locker. You must have a swimsuit with you; Towels and bathrobes can be rented for an additional fee. The changing rooms are divided into men's and women's areas. There are showers (shampoo and shower gel are provided free of charge). Also, a bracelet with a chip is used to pay for drinks and snacks in the bar and restaurant of the thermal complex, so it is better to leave money and other things in the locker.

No special shoes are required to visit the Blue Lagoon; There are no rocky areas where you can injure your feet on the territory of the complex. Regular flip-flops will suffice.

The water in the pools is renewed every two days.

On the territory of the Blue Lagoon geothermal complex there is a hotel of the same name with 15 rooms. The cost of accommodation depends on the season and ranges from 190 to 280 euros per day for Double Room. An extra bed will cost 80 euros per night. Breakfast and access to the Blue Lagoon are included in the room rate.

There is a special section on the Blue Lagoon website where you can consult or ask questions about the features of the resort.

How to get there

The Blue Lagoon geothermal complex is located 38 kilometers southwest of; travel time from the capital's bus station is 45 minutes. The resort can also be reached from Keflavík International Airport, located 15 kilometers northwest of Blue Lagoon. Travel time is about twenty minutes. Shuttle Buses operate between Reykjavik, the airport and the thermal baths several times a day throughout the year. Tours to the Blue Lagoon are also organized by local tour operators Reykjavik Excursions and Iceland Excursions. The fare is from 3200 ISK (~$32.0) per person round trip; Teenagers from 12 to 17 years old usually receive a 50% discount. Children under 11 years old travel free of charge.

The resort has free storage rooms where you can leave suitcases and bags if necessary.

Location

The Blue Lagoon geothermal complex is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, in the southwest. Exact coordinates: 63°88 N, 22°45 W.