Vikingtravelblog

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland is the Blue Lagoon (in Icelandic: Bláa lónið).  If you engage in conversation with someone about Iceland, the Blue Lagoon is likely to be one of the few things they know about Iceland – if they know anything at all.

My question is, does it deserve such fame?  In a country that is absolutely filled with natural wonders, I think it’s a shame that many Iceland tourists would only see this one.

The Blue Lagoon was not planned.  Back in the late 1970′s, when the Svartsengi geothermal power plant came online, they used to just let geothermal hot water run-off from the plant.  This run-off started to collect in pools.  This eventually created pools large enough to bathe in.  In 1981, people started bathing in the pools (Icelanders have been utilizing geothermal hot springs for a nearly a thousand years so, this wasn’t a stretch).  But this water was different.  The water that created the Blue Lagoon came from geothermal wells almost 2 km deep and was rich in minerals and silica.  People with Psoriasis noticed that it helped their skin – boom an industry was formed.

Over the years, the Blue Lagoon went from a public bathing facility to a full-fledged spa, restaurant and hotel.  Skin care products were launched, shops were opened in Reykjavik and elsewhere and before you know it, the Blue Lagoon was famous.

Don’t get me wrong, the Blue Lagoon is worth seeing and experiencing.  The setting is other-worldly.  The milky-blue water is soothing and relaxing (no folks it’s not clear water).  There are waterfalls and saunas; even a lava cave you can swim into.  But if all you saw during your Iceland trip was the Blue Lagoon, you are seeing only the “commercialized” version of Iceland’s natural wonders.  I think many Icelander’s would agree.  Some are perfectly content to shuttle tourists to and from this place – and keep the other gems to themselves…  Well, sorry Islendingur (Icelandic people), I am going to blow the lid on this conspiracy.  Just joking.  Icelanders are extremely proud of their nation and its scenic wonders.  To list them all would take a book-literally. 

So, is the Blue Lagoon overrated?  Yes.  And, no.  You won’t find anything like it anywhere.  But that same sentence can be said about much of Iceland.  If you are planning a trip to Iceland, my advice is to experience the Blue Lagoon by booking a tour that allows you to explore the Reykjanes peninsula (where it is located), one of the most volcanically active areas in Iceland.  Here’s a link to that Iceland Blue Lagoon tour. 

But do yourself the favor of seeing more of this beautiful and exotic natural paradise.  Book a day tour, take the Golden Circle tour, visit the South Coast with it gorgeous waterfalls, see Skaftafell National park, walk on a glacier.  Do the Blue Lagoon.  Then go see some more.