Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon (Bláa Lónið) is Iceland's most celebrated geothermal spa, set in a moss-draped black lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula, roughly 20 minutes from Keflavík International Airport and about 50 minutes from Reykjavík. Open since 1992, it has grown from a bathing spot beside the Svartsengi geothermal plant into a full resort and spa destination.

Geothermal seawater, silica & temperature

The lagoon is filled with a natural blend of roughly two-thirds seawater and one-third fresh water, drawn from deep underground where it is superheated by the region's volcanic geology. After passing through the geothermal system it is cooled to a comfortable bathing temperature of about 37-40°C. The water's signature milky-blue colour comes from silica, along with algae and minerals suspended in it, and the silica settles as a soft white mud prized for its effect on the skin.

The lagoon & its attractions

• The lagoon itself - a vast open-air geothermal bathing lake surrounded by lava, warm year-round.
• In-water Mask Bar - a bar set within the lagoon where bathers collect skincare masks; a silica mud mask is included with admission, with algae masks and lava scrubs also available.
• In-water bar - swim up for drinks without leaving the warm water.
• Sauna, steam rooms and a relaxation area complement the bathing experience.

Retreat Spa

The Retreat Spa is a separate, exclusive part of the complex offering a private secluded lagoon carved into the lava, in-water spa treatments and a subterranean spa journey, for a quieter and more indulgent visit than the main lagoon.

Hotels

• The Retreat Hotel - a luxury hotel built into the lava with suites overlooking the landscape, connected to the Retreat Spa.
• Silica Hotel - a more relaxed hotel a short distance from the main lagoon, with its own bathing lagoon and views over the volcanic terrain.

Dining

• Moss Restaurant - a Michelin-recognised fine-dining restaurant showcasing innovative Icelandic cuisine.
• Lava Restaurant - gourmet dining built into an 800-year-old lava cliff on the shore of the lagoon.
• Spa Restaurant - casual all-day dining and breakfast, no reservation needed.

Lava-field setting

The entire resort sits amid the stark black basalt lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula, a UNESCO Global Geopark, giving the vivid blue water a dramatic, otherworldly backdrop of moss-covered rock and volcanic mountains.