MAIN Travel Tourist Attractions Iceland Blue Lagoon Spa

Close to the city of Reykjavik, but seemingly in a different world, you'll find Iceland's Blue Lagoon. Television viewers may be familiar with it from the BBC's Top Gear or The Amazing Race 6.

A bus or car ride takes you to the stone pillar that marks the spot where you leave your vehicle...and the world you know. As you pass into the lava walled walkway that leads to the blue waters you realize that this is going to a different spa experience than any you've ever had.

As you walk you catch sight of the bright blue waters glowing in their dark lava bed. The water is a stunning shade of milky aquamarine. It has been described as "Gatorade Blue" and "Fabric Softener Blue". You'll learn that the color is the result of the same combination of mineral salts, silica and blue-green algae that give this spa water its unique properties.

Mineral salts balance and relax, the algae nourish and soften the skin, and white silica mud cleanses and exfoliates. Those suffering from psoriasis in particular have noticed remarkable improvements from the treatments. This thermal spa is well known throughout the world for its line of Blue Lagoon beauty and bath products produced from the same ingredients found in the waters.

Showers, without suits, are required before using the pool but there are some stalls that allow for privacy. After the shower you'll pull back on your bathing suit for the short walk to the water. In cold weather you'll move quickly to get into the warm water! The geothermal seawater is brought up from 2,000 meters, about 6,000 feet, beneath the surface. The water in the spa is kept at between 98 - 102°F / 36 - 39°C and outside bathing is comfortable even in the coldest weather.

Hitaveita Suðurnesja drills for the geothermal fluid found in the region. The wells are as deep as 2000 meters and the fluid attains 243°C. This geothermal fluid is then used to heat fresh water for central heating purposes and to produce electricity. This unusual and ecologically sound power plant, the only one of its kind in the world, provides, in a sustainable way, about 17.000 people with hot water for central heating. Some 45.000 people get their electricity from the power plant. The geothermal seawater is piped directly from the original source to BLUE LAGOON geothermal spa where people enjoy relaxing in the geothermal seawater and benefiting from its active ingredients: mineral salts, silica and algae.
	Natural Blue Lagoon silica mud mask to cleanse, exfoliate and revitalize the skin, leaving it silky smooth.	The man made waterfall at the Blue Lagoon Spa provides an energizing massage.

The Blue Lagoon complex also is home to a very nice restaurant that overlooks the scenic pools. The fish comes from a nearby fishing village and is incredibly fresh. A serve yourself style cafeteria is also available for those in a hurry.

Visitors to the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa often make a detour to The Rift (Gjáin). This is a dramatic exhibition of geology, geothermal heat, and conservation of energy, located in nearby Eldborg which features an exhibition on how Iceland was formed.

A travel hint - Blue Lagoon Express buses allow you to take your luggage along and go directly from your hotel to the spa. After relaxing in the warm waters board the same bus to Keflavík International Airport to catch your flight. Buses leave the Blue Lagoon at 14:10 (2:10 PM) which gives you enough time to clear security, redeem your tax refunds, stop in the duty free shop, and still catch a late afternoon flight. What a great way to end a trip and relax before travel.

iExplore Community Review - This reviewer gives the Blue Lagoon Spa in Iceland a 'Very Highly Recommended' rating and explains why.

Iceland's Blue Lagoon - Luxury Spa And Psoriasis Treatment - A review of the spa that includes comments on the psoriasis benefits and plenty of pictures of the blue waters.