pirouette

We will be in Reykjavik for 5 nights at teh end of July. We plan to take a series of Day tours (including a flight to Greenland) rather than renting a car. One attraction simply does not capture our enthusiasm-the Blue Lagoon. I understand that it is a man-made creation and that water from a nearby geo -thermal plant has been piped into an old lava field to create the lagoon. Reviews on the "other" website have been variable of late. They refer to long queues, disorganization and disturbing "finds" at the bottom of the lagoon. As to the properties of the mud, I am sure it is very nice on the skin, but we have already had complete mud experiences on both the Jordanian and Israeli sides of the Dead Sea.

The Blue Lagoon sounds like a spa-like Disneyland tourist trap. I think we would prefer something more natural and authentic. Are theri other options? Are we crazy to skip the Blue Lagoon?

powhatangal

I will be in Iceland for only 2 days in July, and am interested in this question as well. I have an excursion already booked to the Blue Lagoon but it's just to get there and doesn't include admission.

I'm also not sure I'm that interested in experiencing the lagoon but would like to hear others' thoughts.

Ackislander

I know people who have had great experiences there, albeit people who find it pleasant to interrupt a flight for a couple of hours to stand around in hot water. Your mileage may vary. Mine does.

OP, everything in the first part of your post is true but your interpretation of it is not.

You are correct. It is not a " natural" pool, I.e., a naturally occurring basin in the rock. Think of it as a very large municipal swimming pool, like the one in Coconut Grove, scooped out of volcanic rock when the natural basin proved too small for the number of people who wanted to use it.

Yes, the water flows into the lagoon having passed through a geothermal power plant. The lagoon has always existed because the power plant exists. The power plant doesn't DO anything to the water except absorb some of its heat. It goes into a pipe at one end really hot and comes out at the other end somewhat less hot. Nothing in the process does anything that would lower the quality of the water, and it is ecologically sound. What are they going to do, pump it into the ocean?

All (well, most, maybe a great many) hot springs have naturally occurring biological activity -- algae, bacteria -- some of which may be harmful to humans. The Blue Lagoon tests; random natural hot springs out by the roadside, whether in Iceland or California, may not.

As to what " they" are saying over on the "other" forum, I don't know. If any pool admits people in diapers, young or old, you don't want to think about it. As to other adults, your experience is as good as mine.

Short version: people who expect a German spa or a California hippie hot spring will be disappointed. People who want to soak the pains away or swim outdoors in comfort as the snowflakes fall won't be. Neither will be harmed by the fact that the water has passed through a geothermal plant before it gets to them. Stainless steel pipes add nothing.

bilboburgler

There are spas all over the place, basically you need a large enough town and a fault line. They tend to look like swimming pools (and may even have the trad long pool) but they may also have hot-pots, steam and dry sauna. Prices are normally reasonable as it is part of the culture to bathe. (See also Hungary).

The Blue Lagoon is not unique (you can do similar in Tuscany for instance) and it is pricy.

Natural spas, there are some out in the country areas (use google), but don't go just jumping into what looks like hot water, parboiled tourist is not pretty and if an area has be roped off it is for a reason. Normally these natural spas are charged for or you need to rent a cabin.

Cattail

You are not alone, pirouette. Unless I learn something compelling, I'm probably skipping the Blue Lagoon too.

mikeyred242

I think it is overpriced and from what I hear these days extremely crowded. A much cheaper option is to just check out one of the many outdoor local swimming pools and relax in a hot pot. A very similar feeling but for a fraction of the price

Mamma_Love

I visited Iceland twice and then lived there for a few years (long ago as a kid, before much tourism) and never went to the blue lagoon. I guess it never was a huge priority and I don't feel as if I missed out. That being said, if I was planning a trip with my kids, I'd probably consider it if they wanted to go.