Visit The Blue Lagoon for FREE – Iceland’s Beauty without the Crowds

If you are planning a trip to Iceland, I’m sure you are looking in to visiting the Blue Lagoon. It’s one of Iceland’s biggest attractions, and it should be. It’s beautiful and an incredible experience. Because it’s so cool, it is also really expensive. I’m going to share how to visit the Blue Lagoon for free, and I’ll tell you why it can be just as awesome as paying $100 to visit. (I’ve done both!)

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About The Blue Lagoon

First, let’s talk about why the Blue Lagoon is incredible. It’s a natural wonder of the world. I am horrible at explaining anything scientific – this is a travel/outdoor blog, not a science one. Here’s my explanation: Iceland is a volcanic country. The water at The Blue Lagoon comes from deep deep in the earth, rises, and is full of restorative, healing things. It’s called “geothermal seawater.” The water is a milky turquoise blue, and it gets its color from the way the silica in the water reflects sunlight. It’s warm, it’s pretty, and it’s scientifically awesome.

Here’s what National Geographic said about The Blue Lagoon in 2012 when it named it one of the wonders of the world:

“Iceland straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart. Upwelling magma built the island and heats its vast reservoirs of water, creating a geothermal paradise.

First among the country’s many simmering geothermal pools is the Blue Lagoon, a turquoise vision in a black basaltic moonscape.

The geothermal spa is fed by seawater 6,500 feet (1,981 m) beneath the surface, where it reaches a searing 464⁰F (240⁰C). Capturing silica and other minerals on its way to the surface, it emerges from the ground at a balmy 100⁰F (38⁰C), just right for pampering visitors.”

Turquoise water cloud reflections at The Blue Lagoon Iceland with a toddler
Seriously, look how cool this place is!

How to Get to The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is SO easy to get to when visiting Iceland. It’s only 20 mins from the main airport in Keflavik and 50 mins from downtown Reykjavik. There are highway signs everywhere, or you can follow your GPS.

If you have a vehicle, there is a large free parking area out front.

There are also tons of tours/airport transfers/buses that include a stop at The Blue Lagoon.

Taxis are also available in Iceland and can take you here.

The Best Time to Visit The Blue Lagoon to Hike

Any time of year is a great time to visit The Blue Lagoon. The water and whole area is pretty year-round. 

The best time of day, though, would be at dawn or dusk. The golden hours. In winter, you get extended golden hours because of the really short days. In mid-summer, the golden hours are around midnight, and it is epic. Check the sunrise/sunset times for Iceland when you’re visiting and try to go then.

How to Visit The Blue Lagoon for FREE

It’s actually really simple, but many people don’t know about this secret. I didn’t know the first time I visited.

When you arrive to The Blue Lagoon, you can park anywhere for free. There is a main entrance to the resort/paid area. To the left of this, there’s a little trail, and you can walk around the water outside of the resort. It’s so pretty! And it’s open 24/7.

There is a 0.9 mile loop, and it’s all pretty. The water is truly stunning.

Walk slow, take photos, and relish the beauty.

You aren’t allowed to swim here, so you can get great photos without people in the water/background.

I highly recommend going at sunrise/sunset to get the prettiest skies.

Also, this is the best and only way to take an infant or small toddler to the Blue Lagoon. Children under 2 are not allowed in the swimming area. You can still experience the Blue Lagoon if you’re adventurous and took your little one to Iceland with you. I think it’s one of the best places to visit with a toddler.

How to Visit The Blue Lagoon Resort

If you want to swim in the water, you do have to pay to visit the resort. This gains you access to the changing rooms, a mud mask, use of a towel, and one drink of your choice. Prices start at $65. If it’s a more popular time to visit, the prices go up. And the time slots do sell out. You should book this far in advance if it’s something you have your heart set on doing.

They also have a Retreat Spa, expensive but awesome accommodations, and a restaurant, cafe, and gift shop.

Make sure you bring your swim suit and allow yourself enough time to really enjoy your swim.

Here are their hours:

January-May, from 08:00-21:00

1 June-20 August, from 07:00-24:00

21 August-January, from 08:00-22:00

The closing time of the lagoon changes from season to season. But guests must always exit the water 30 minutes before closure.

When is the Best Time to Visit Iceland? Let me tell you… Definitely visit The Golden Circle while you’re there. Always remember to Be Kind to Iceland.

Why Visit The Blue Lagoon for Free instead of Visiting the Resort?

  1. Children under 2 years old are not allowed to enter The Blue Lagoon. We visited Iceland with our toddler who was just under 2. Hiking around the free area was the perfect option for us.
  2. The resort is expensive. If you have a family of 4, you could be looking at $400 just to swim and visit the resort. You might want to skip this expense but still see the water.
  3. Timing. If you’re short on time or have early/late flights, you can visit this area even if the resort is closed. It’s open 24 hours a day.
  4. It’s better for photographs! It’s hard to bring your phone and get great photos inside the resort area. Plus, it’s crowded with people in the water. You can get better photos without people in the water ruining your shot.
  5. It’s peaceful because of the lack of crowds.
  6. The Midnight Sun is a beautiful thing, so you can be hiking here at 1am with orange skies.

Yes, you don’t get to experience everything The Blue Lagoon has to offer, and you don’t get to swim. But I still think it’s an awesome way to visit this spot.

I paid to enter The Blue Lagoon years ago when I visited Iceland. I hate to say this, but I’m not sure it was worth the $100. I, unfortunately, had freezing rain when I was there, so that was a bummer. But I think the cost of things can sometimes diminish how much I enjoy them….. so I knew I had paid a lot of money, the weather sucked, and I felt kind of rushed. I was on a bus transfer to the airport, and I didn’t want to miss my flight. I honestly enjoyed the midnight walk with our toddler more, but that’s just me. 

I definitely think it’s worth visiting the resort if you have the money and time (and hopefully good weather!), but I don’t think it’s necessary.

Visit the Blue Lagoon for free and enjoy it just as much 🙂

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