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Iceland Blue Lagoon with Kids: The good, bad and the naked

We knew this was going to be unlike any country we’ve visited so far.  We were in Iceland two weeks ago during a four-day stopover on our way to the Scandinavia region.  There is so much to amazing Iceland that I can’t wait to write about it and share.  This first series post is about its most recognized attraction – the Blue Lagoon.

Iceland Blue lagoon sign
After a hearty brunch at our hotel, a stroll on the nearby harbor, picking up our rental car and some grocery shopping, we were off to the spend our first Iceland day at the Blue Lagoon. We were looking forward to a relaxing afternoon after being on two long plane rides and battling a bit of jet lag.  The kids equated the lagoon to a giant pool so they were excited.

Iceland Blue lagoon sign

The Blue Lagoon is a unique geothermal spa.  The nearby Svartsengi power plant pumps geothermally heated seawater from thousands of feet below the earth’s surface and uses this to produce heat and electricity for the nearby towns.

The excess water (supposedly totally clean) is pumped into the lagoon and renewed every 40 hours.  Yes, it was man made but seeing the lava field, one can easily believe it was all supernatural.  Its mineral-rich waters are believed to contain some healing powers for skin ailments like psoriasis and eczema.  The blue color is said to come from the blue-green algae.

Iceland Blue lagoon
Getting There
Much of what we had seen so far of Iceland’s landscape were moss-covered volcanic rocks sprinkled with purple, bluish looking flowers.  It was surreal and many people’s description of being “otherworldly” was absolutely right.

iceland scenery

The Blue Lagoon was located 20 minutes from the Keflavik International Airport making this a popular stop for visitors when arriving or right before leaving Iceland. Rising in a valley in the middle of nowhere, we knew we were nearby upon seeing the billowing smoke from the power plant.  Somehow, the power plant usually gets left off in those idyllic marketing images.

iceland blue lagoon Svartsengi power plant
As we drove through the entrance, we saw a few people taking pictures of a small body of blue water on the side of the road.  I thought of Windex blue (the glass cleaner) and my kids thought light Gatorage Blue (the drink). Of course, being the tourists that we are, joined them.

The beauty is overpowered by the strong scent of sulfur or what my kids call “bad egg smell” here though.  This was the last place we smelled the sulfur and surprisingly, it wasn’t that bad at the lagoon.

Iceland Blue Lagoon

The paved walkway to the lagoon center was surrounded by sharp, volcanic rocks.  We decided to follow the pathway to the left before entering the building.

Iceland Blue Lagoon path

It was worth the detour for some fantastic scenery of the blue pools in the midst of black lava rocks.  This wasn’t a swimming area so the trail gave us an idea of what to expect and some stunning photo spots despite the cold and wind.

Iceland Blue Lagoon

Upon entering the building and paying, we were issued electronic bracelets to enter/exit and to open the modern lockers for storage. These could also be used as a virtual money to charge drinks, food, massages, etc. which was very convenient.

It was pretty pricey to enter at EUR 35 ($44) for adults and kids, 13 years and younger, were Free.  Teens 14 & 15 were EUR 15($19).  This admission price didn’t include towels (EUR 5/$6) and robes (EUR 9/$11).

Iceland Blue lagoon trail
Iceland Blue lagoon trail

The Naked Part
My daughter and I went into our locker room which was actually really nice, modern and clean.  There were various partitions with seats in the middle surrounded by lockers.  Shoes had their own wall compartment and rows of dressers and mirrors lined the walls.

We entered one of the first spaces we found.  Then, I caught a glimpse of the first naked lady and then another changing out there in the open.  Despite growing up in the islands, I’ve never been comfortable in a bathing suit. Walking around naked among strangers was definitely not going to happen. It was admirable to see all these people shed all inhibitions though.

Iceland Blue Lagoon locker hall

We knew this was the norm before coming here.  Frankly, I was a bit worried about my kids’ reactions to seeing all this stranger nakedness. My 6-year-old son is a bit more spontaneous but I hoped my 9-year old daughter had enough self-control with her thoughts.  But, these were also the same kids who laughingly point at naked statues’ private parts.  So, we were hoping for no pointing and no embarrassing comments.

I was trying to gauge my daughter’s reaction and thankfully it didn’t seem to affect her too much.  Afterwards, she said it was “gross” to see all the naked people. I didn’t go into “a body is a beautiful” speech but she does realize that some cultures and people are just more comfortable with publicly showing their bodies.  We’re just not one of them.  My husband shielded our son as much as possible so we don’t think he’s overly traumatized.

Iceland Blue Lagoon lockers
Iceland Blue Lagoon lockers

Luckily, we found a private room to change in.  It is mandatory to shower (preferably nude) before entering the lagoon.  Communal showers had separate stalls and they provided shampoo and body wash.  I had never seen so many naked people in one area during that short time.

They came in all shapes and sizes – old and young – and letting everything hang out.  My husband said it was the same in the men’s room but mostly the older men. I felt like a prude showering in my bathing suit but grateful that there were quite a few who shared my modesty.

The Blue Lagoon experience with kids
My son was given arm band floaties to use even though he knew how to swim. He was a little disappointed but they were very strict with having kids under 7 years old wear them.

We witnessed the lifeguards hunt down a couple of families around the lagoon and personally give the kids floaties.  The few lifeguards walking around were the warmest dressed people out there – looking like they just came down from the ski slopes.

Iceland Blue Lagoon lifeguard

Iceland’s summer was still cold with a steady wind gust and the sun sometimes hiding behind the afternoon clouds.  There was a small indoor water section for the kids to swim by the cafe.  We made our entrance to the lagoon through here and it led to a small cave with shallow waters perfect for kids.

Iceland Blue Lagoon cave
The lagoon was so comfortably warm everywhere.  Its waters are constantly kept at 37-39°C (98-102°F).  As we wandered into the main pool, I was surprised at the water’s depth.  Most of the time we were sitting and to get around, squat walked.  There were varying degrees of depthness throughout the lagoon so we had to be careful when taking the kids around.

Iceland Blue Lagoon

There were six million liters of geothermal seawater in the lagoon. It was big enough and wasn’t as crowded when we got there that we were able to find some private areas.  There were certain sections made to look like hot tubs while steam rooms and saunas were also available.

Iceland Blue Lagoon
We semi-floated around to find a good spot.  You could sit or you could float.  Water temperature fluctuated throughout the lagoon.  Some areas were warm, some really hot.  The bottom portion of the lagoon is not all smooth.  I didn’t check but it sure felt like volcanic rocks and were pretty sharp in some areas.

iceland Blue lagoon with kids
Maybe you’ve seen those pictures of people at the lagoon with white facial masks.  Those white substance are silica mud.  Contrary to what we’ve read, they’re not at the bottom of the lagoon you could scoop up.

Although, there were probably some mud you could get underwater.  I’d rather not think what that contained though.  They had large silica tubs that the staff actually refilled.  It was very porous and you’re supposed to rub it on your face to act as a mud mask.

Iceland Blue Lagoon silica mud mask
I have sensitive skin so I didn’t dare rub anything on my face that will risk making me look like a red-faced blotch for the rest of my vacation.  My husband took on the challenge and generously applied it to his face.  He didn’t notice any significant smoothness.

So, I’m not sure if he left it on long enough.  It was a bit unnerving to be gliding around in the mist and fog and suddenly encounter people whose faces were completely covered in white mud.

Iceland Blue lagoon silica mud mask
We spent a couple of hours in the water – floating, relaxing, people watching and letting the smooth currents gently massage us.  Soaking for hours made our finger tips all wrinkly so some breaks were necessary.

After a long flight, it was understandable why this was a popular place for tourists to de-stress.  We highly recommend going to the man-made waterfall by the wall.  We sat there and had our backs against it and let the powerful flow massage us.  It felt heavenly!

iceland Blue lagoon bridge

Along with the fog and smoke rising, there was something mystical about this place despite it being mostly unnatural.  Surrounded by black lava rocks and the contrasting murky blue water, it was a very distinctive atmosphere.  There was even a swim-up bar to buy drinks so one doesn’t need to get out of the water.  We didn’t get any but drinks ranged between $8-$10.

Iceland Blue Lagoon bar
During our visit, the crowd was a mixture of tour bus groups of senior citizens, young couples, and fair amount of guys in groups.  There weren’t that many families and my kids were probably among the 15 floating around during a Saturday afternoon.

Did my skin feel smoother after soaking here? A little bit.  So, there may be something to the waters after all.  For smoother, silky skin, go to their gift shop and try out one of their lotions.

Iceland Blue lagoon trail

It may be touristy, expensive and can get crowded but definitely worth a visit.  Soaking in the Blue Lagoon has been on my husband’s travel bucket list and he enjoyed the experience a lot.  While I felt like I was sharing this giant bathtub with a 100+ people and the semi-germaphobe in me had some anxious moments, it was a pleasant surprise and very refreshing.

The kids had fun just playing and soaking.  If you’re going to be in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon is an attraction that should not be missed.  Relax and enjoy the unique and unforgettable experience.

iceland Blue lagoon

Tips for visiting the Blue Lagoon with kids

  • Bring a cover-up for the whole family and especially for the kids.  I brought a sarong which was enough instead of renting a robe. It’s pretty cold getting out of the water so the small ones for kids would be ideal.
  • Forget the bottled water.  Bring water bottle containers and get the cold water from the fountain. Iceland has the best tap water we’ve tasted (especially cold) and I’m picky about my drinking water.
  • Stash some slippers for the showers.  We had to leave our shoes outside of the locker rooms but it was somewhat slippery in the shower area.  It would have been great to have some flip-flops.
  • Bring food and snacks. We didn’t go to their cafe or the restaurant but expected everything to be overpriced on top of Iceland’s already high costs.

Iceland Blue lagoon cafe

    • Apply Sunscreen.  Depending on when you go, you may get lucky and the sun will be shining like it was when we were there.
    • Hair Beware.  Bring a hair net or a good clip or hair tie. I had my hair in a bun but there were times when it came loose just like my daughter’s hair and the ends got soaked. For days afterwards, those ends were pretty rough and stiff.  Hair dryers are provided.
    • Be Camera Ready.  Bring your waterproof camera.  We spent a majority of the time in the water so these are needed for those memorable shots.  We had a waterproof case for our small point and shoot camera.
    • Stake your place.  Space is at a premium to hang the towels and other belongings not stored in the lockers.  Grab a chair to hang a towel and robe by the cafe.  Nobody moves your stuff.
    • Observe. Go to the viewing/observation deck outside for pictures of the whole lagoon.  Just follow the signs once inside the building.
    • Go early or late. A friend went a couple of weeks before we did and came here when it opened. She said there weren’t that many people. We noticed that the number of people increased as the day progressed.  Though, I’ve also read reviews of the place not having many people after 6:00 PM.
    • Visit the Blue Lagoon website for more information.

iceland Blue Lagoon

*Have you been to the Blue Lagoon or other places like it?  What was your experience? 

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Where to Stay

  • Hotel Berg in Keflavik – This was the first hotel we stayed during our first visit and loved it. It’s close to the airport (2 miles), by the marina and offers free Wi-fi and airport transfer. It’s a small family-owned hotel. We had a split-level suite which fit our family comfortably.
  • Hilton Reykjavik Nordica – This hotel is located in the city and within walking distance of the center but shuttle buses are also provided. If you want the comforts of a modern hotel, this has it with buffet breakfast and Executive Lounge for Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members. A couple of friends have stayed here and recommend it.
  • Hlemmur Apartments  – We loved this spacious, two bedroom apartment located within walking distance to Reykjavik’s city center. It looked like an IKEA showroom, It was clean, well-equipped and furnished well with all the amenities we needed for our stay. It had free WI-fi and the owners were friendly. 

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Blue Lagoon Iceland with kids

53 thoughts on “Iceland Blue Lagoon with Kids: The good, bad and the naked”

    1. We’ve heard of the other hot springs and read they were cheaper and more authentic and natural. Next time…we’d definitely go to those. Thanks Mette!

  1. Great post and extremely informative. We’re tentatively planning a trip to Iceland next summer and hope to hear in further blog posts that it wasn’t windy and cold the whole time. That’s quite the get up of the lifeguard!
    Despite the number of tourists I think I’d head to the Blue Lagoon too – and just after long flights sounds perfect. I bet you slept well after this.

    1. Thanks Leigh! It was the perfect way to start a vacation and after a long flight. Yes, we all slept well after this. It wasn’t all cold and windy during our visit. I think you’d love Iceland.

  2. Great write-up Mary! Sounds like something great to see, but I’m not sure how I’d feel about the sulfur smells. I was wondering too why they didn’t have any sand for beaches, but then when I read the part about the mud, I realized the sand/mud combination probably wouldn’t go to well together.

    1. Thanks Justin! The sulfur was only at the entrance and wasn’t as bad at the lagoon. I think we got used to it after awhile and were too distracted about everything else.

  3. Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista

    I have wanted to do this ever since the Olympics were in Iceland! This seems like a wonderful way to relax and enjoy. Great write up!

  4. I never really realized just how big the lagoon was, and I have a hard time picturing it being crowded. It really does look like a lot of fun, although there’s certainly going to be no fun had oogling the lifeguards there.

    1. The lagoon was surprisingly big. We got lucky that it wasn’t as crowded. It was a lot of fun and yes, those lifeguards were something else to see.

  5. Looks like a great way to spend a cool day (but then, I’m a sucker for anything involving the water. Very detailed and helpful post – thanks!

    1. Thanks Micki! if you love water, this was a great way to spend the day and just relax. So different from a beach but definitely worth it despite the cold.

    1. I hope you get to visit Iceland and soak in the Blue Lagoon soon, Christine. It really was an unforgettable experience. Glad you found it useful.

  6. I was there last March and loved it. Being March, it chilly and so there were far less people around. Coming from Finland, the nudity in the showers/change room seemed totally normal. That’s how it is throughout most of Northern Europe in my experience. I also didn’t find the Blue Lagoon to be expensive – drinks and food were average – but then again this is in comparison with Finland which isn’t exactly known for being cheap.
    Absolutely loved the Blue Lagoon and will definitely go again!

    1. Thanks for stopping by Suzanne! I’m glad you enjoyed the Blue Lagoon too. I think it’s being Americans and my background that made the whole nudity a bit shocking. Europe in general is expensive for us North Americans but it seemed that Scandinavia was a bit more pricey. I bet that water felt so good during the March chills.

  7. OK, the Blue Lagoon is now on my bucket list. Great story anad pics — don’t think I’ve seen some of those views before. The water looks amazing. Extra points for the swim up bar!

    1. Thanks Cathy! The water was amazingly warm. I regret not taking advantage of the swim-up bar. I think you’d love Iceland!

  8. We’ve been wanting to visit Iceland for ages, but it’s hard to take the plunge because it’s just so expensive there. Maybe we can find a housesit or something? But when we do, we’re definitely spending a day at the Blue Lagoon! I wouldn’t mind my hair getting all crunchy, but I also wouldn’t put any of the mud on my skin. It would break out just looking at it, lol.

    1. Thanks for stopping by Christy! Iceland was such a beautiful country we’d gladly go back. If you fly to Europe using IcelandAir or Iceland Express, you can get a free layover for a few days in Iceland. We flew IcelandAir to Copenhagen and stopped in Iceland for 4 days. It was pretty expensive for everything. We rented an apartment in the city center for 90 euros but I’ve seen some cheaper. Camping was also pretty popular. Hope you two make it to Iceland soon and soak in the Blue Lagoon.

    1. Thanks Andi! Iceland, in general, was quite expensive. The Blue Lagoon was definitely worth the splurge though. Yes, those aching muscles are cured after a nice long soak here.

  9. What a great and thorough description! I’m heading there in September with my two 12-year-old girls, so I’m glad to read all these details so we know what to expect. I do want to try out some of the other natural hot springs, too.

    1. You and your girls are going to have such a great time in Iceland, Paige! We’ve heard the hot springs are a bit more intimate, less touristy and less pricey. Looking forward to reading your adventures in a few months.

  10. That is quite an interesting color. Looking at it, you’d never guess it’s man made. I’d be a little intimidated to take off my clothes in such a public way but sounds like you got over it and had fun

    1. Thanks Marcia! Yes, it was beyond intimidating but I got over it quickly after soaking in the lagoon. These pictures don’t do the color justice.

  11. I loved the Blue Lagoon. It being POURING when I was in Iceland, it wasn’t overly crowded (and the rain let up for just the time we had there). Good call wearing your hair up. Your hair WILL feel like straw if you get it wet! An additional piece of advice would be to bring your own detangler and leave in conditioner and wide tooth comb, so you can immediately start your hair repair before you walk out of the locker room. It’s such a unique experience floating there in the mountains that, you’re right, even though technically it’s unnatural, it’s totally worth going to.

    1. Thanks for the great hair tips, Koren. Our hair ends were so rough when we got out of there. I’m glad the rain let up in time for you to enjoy the Blue Lagoon.

  12. Shame on you for your attitude about nudity. I was raised with a much more healthy view of it and my kids certainly won’t find it “gross” or be “traumatized.” God, I’m glad I didn’t grow up in your household.

    1. I actually don’t need to be ashamed of my attitude regarding nudity. We’re all entitiled to our opinions and good for your parents for making that choice in raising you. I’m not even sure what “a healthy view” on nudity is. I don’t think you have kids yet or you would know “gross’ is a pretty common word used by children. My kids are perfectly fine being raised in my type of household and I feel comfortable knowing they have some modesty and humility when it comes to nudity. They have never seen that many naked people so many kids put in that situation would be “traumatized”. Heck, I was shocked. I respect your view in nudity but don’t tell me I need to be ashamed for expressing my opinion based on my culture and beliefs.

      Frankly, I found it a bit interesting that the one paragraph about my kids’ reactions in the 1000+ words in this post is the only thing you had to focus and comment on. I was writing about our experience and hoping to help other families traveling to the Blue Lagoon but I guess that was lost on you. Thanks for stopping by.

  13. I love this post, and was impressed that you took so many great shots WHILE SWIMMING. Great tips, too. (“The Naked Part” had me laughing out loud – you’re so funny! I’m right with ya on the prud scale – HA HA! ;)

  14. Thanks for posting all that info. I am looking to take my 4 and 6 year old there. Do you have any other kid friendly places that you would recommend?

    1. Glad it can help with your planning, Caroline! My kids loved the Golden Circle Tour and seeing the puffins. We were only there for 4 days so it was pretty busy but we got lucky that we had almost 24 hours of sunlight in June. There’s also the Family Park & Zoo, go on top of Hallgrimskirkja church, and the National Museum. Have you checked out my other Iceland posts? https://www.theworldisabook.com/category/guides/europe/iceland/ It’s a beatiful country and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we did. Please let me know if you have any more questions.

  15. I am going to Iceland with my husband and son next month and so appreciate all the details you have provided in this post. I will look for your other posts about this trip.

  16. Great post! We are headed tomorrow or the next day with our two little ones. It has been amazing in Iceland that places like the Blue Lagoon are so open to having the kids there. Thanks for the overview!

  17. Mary, I really enjoyed this post. Like your husband the Blue Lagoon has been on my list for, no kidding, years! The post was extremely informative. I have one question, was there only nakedness in the changing area? Everyone wore bathing suits in the lagoon, right? Nope, and another…it’s allowed to bring snacks from outside?

    1. I’m glad this post helped, Corinne. The Blue Lagoon was quite an experience. There was a lot of nakedness in the changing area but my daughter and I went into the private changing rooms. Many also shower naked but we showered with bathing suits. Yes, everyone wore bathing suits in the lagoon and some more skimpy than others :) We brought our own snacks from the outside but I don’t think they allow you to eat while in the lagoon but you can drink since there was a swim up bar. They had some chairs and tables on the decks.

  18. This was EXACTLY our experience! We were there this past Spring and an Icelandic friend met us at the airport and drove us there so that we could unwind after a week in London — and an aggravating trip to the airport during the tube strike. My adult daughter was a bit peeved at first because she did not like a stranger planning our trip, but two hours later I could hardly get her to leave! We also had taken pictures at the pond by the road, not knowing that the Lagoon water was just as blue! That path from the parking lot to the building thru the lava is fascinating. Yes, if you haven’t brought towels you WILL need to rent them. I was astonished that the air above the water is cold! It does not get heated by the water, so you will have to dash inside if you use the steps to the deck. I highly recommend instead that you enter through what looks to be a kiddie wading pool to the left of the doors to the deck. There is a door at the end of the pool which takes you directly out. If you enter and leave this way you can keep out of the cold! The floor of that part of the Lagoon is even and smooth, so you can more easily walk there. Your overhead pictures are better than the official ones, and I am adding them to my souvenir photo album! And nobody need worry about being naked in the locker room. Nobody cares about your body, you are all the same gender, and you will never meet them again!

  19. I loved my trip to the Blue Lagoon also.. Its amazing! Cant wait to go back,..

    One of my friends was told to take her swimming costume off in the shower, apparently in Iceland (after googling it) its not “preferred” to shower naked before the pools or Blue Lagoon, its mandatory. In the end my friends and I just decided it was easiest to go with the flow and try not to think about it.

    Great post Mary!

  20. Melinda Gustafson Gervasi

    This write-up is very helpful!!! We will be in Iceland this coming August with our children, ages 8 and 6. Did you rent a car and drive to the Blue Lagoon and Golden Circle, or did you take a bus tour? What would you recommend in terms of cost as well as flexibility.

  21. you might find there is a reason for nudity in showers and there is a requirement to wash in the nude and with soap prior to bathing: head, under arms, private areas and feet. this requirementis accross all icelandic pools, but blue lagoon and other touristy sites will have cubicles with curtains for the more prude.#
    icelandic pools use low amounts of chlorine, or salt or no sanitising substances, these washes reduce amount of bacteria going into water

  22. Many thanks to Philippe and the other poster pointing out that the rule about washing yourself without a swimsuit is mandatory for a reason. I am a tour guide and take many people to the Blue Lagoon, and was there in fact just a few days ago. The original post was written in 2012, and since that time, the Blue Lagoon has put doors on the shower stalls, so there is no reason not to take a proper shower without a swimsuit on. I think it is important to respect the customs and rules of a country, and especially be supportive of the fact that they don’t use any chlorine at the Blue Lagoon and want to keep it that way. This is the reason for the “wash everywhere” rule. Icelanders find it extremely “gross” when foreigners don’t take a full shower, by the way, and maybe get a little bit irked when they don’t. Big bottles of shower gel are freely available. Hair conditioner is also freely supplied which you should apply liberally to your hair. Don’t rinse it out, but go into the lagoon with your hair clipped up and when you are done bathing, take another shower and rinse out all the conditioner and your hair will be saved. Also, a note about the colour of the water, it’s blue because of the silica, but can turn a bit blue-green in summer because of the algae. The mineral rich geothermal seawater has been beneficial to sufferers of psoriasis and there is even a special clinic on the premises where people can spend time getting treatment for skin ailments. Many of your questions about the Blue Lagoon can be found on their website: http://www.bluelagoon.com

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