Blue Lagoon Tour Review: Is a Full Day with Lunch Worth It?

Planning a trip to Iceland? Almost definitely the Blue Lagoon is popping up on your radar, right? It’s that dreamy geothermal spa you always see in pictures, and quite a few tours offer a “full day with lunch” experience. But the question is that, is it really worth it to spend so long there and splurge on the meal? I took that very tour and can give you, like your own personal travel confidant, the honest lowdown, so keep reading, will you?

Booking Your Blue Lagoon Adventure: What to Think About

First things first, getting those tickets! It’s basically a must to book well in advance, maybe weeks or even months, truly, particularly if you’re planning on traveling during peak season or want a specific time slot. See, the Blue Lagoon operates on a timed entry system, just to help keep it from getting too crowded, more or less. You can book tickets straight from the Blue Lagoon website, so, too, a number of tour operators offer package deals. Consider what works best for you – tour packages might include transportation from Reykjavik, and, at the end of the day, that can make things a lot easier.

There is the matter of different ticket tiers too. The “Comfort” package gives you entrance, a towel, a drink at the lagoon bar, and a silica mud mask. Stepping up from there, the “Premium” package adds a bathrobe, slippers, and access to a quieter lounge area. For ultimate luxury, there are packages with access to the exclusive Lava Restaurant and other perks, basically. Think about what you truly want out of the experience and what level of pampering fits your budget. Basically, I selected the Comfort package this time around and it was very sufficient, alright?

A Morning Soak: Experiencing the Blue Lagoon’s Geothermal Waters

Alright, stepping into the Blue Lagoon for the first time definitely feels a little bit surreal. The milky blue water, the steam rising into the cold Icelandic air – it’s just, that’s a whole mood. The water stays at a toasty 37-39°C (98-102°F), so even on a chilly day, it is really rather comfortable, okay?

Spend a while just drifting around and soaking up the mineral-rich water. Slather on the silica mud mask they provide (there are stations where you can grab some) – it’s great, very smooth on the skin. The lagoon is surprisingly large, very ample space, even when there are quite a few people around. I particularly liked finding the little nooks and crannies where the water was a bit warmer and the crowds thinned out a bit. Just, like, that’s where I really parked myself.

That’s when it became a lot of fun to swim over to the in-water bar and get that included drink, more or less. They have everything from smoothies to beer, so there is a choice to hydrate after spending so long in the naturally heated pool. Honestly, sipping a drink while bobbing around in a geothermal lagoon? Pretty unforgettable, in fact!

Lunch at Lava Restaurant: A Culinary Experience

So, part of the full-day tour experience I took was lunch at Lava Restaurant, alright? The restaurant is constructed right into a lava cliff, and, apparently, that’s where it got its name. They give you really amazing views of the lagoon. That’s when the food is, like, innovative Icelandic cuisine with a focus on fresh, regional ingredients, okay?

Let’s discuss what I had! I started with the arctic char, and as a matter of fact it was really delightful, followed by the lamb. They have vegetarian options too, and so on, just if meat’s not really your thing. Obviously the food is, let’s face it, a bit pricey, especially when compared to restaurants in Reykjavik. But you are paying for the location and the overall experience, too it’s almost. And for what it is, honestly, the service was genuinely top-notch.

In summary, make sure to remember to book your Lava Restaurant reservation ahead of time, really, particularly if you want a window seat. It is a popular spot, more or less, so it’s worth securing your table, and stuff. Is it the most amazing meal I’ve ever had? Might be not. However, it was really quite good, so very fitting with the unique atmosphere of the Blue Lagoon, you know?

More Than Just a Soak: Exploring Other Activities

So, if you’re there for a full day, you might want to explore a bit more than just soaking in the water and chowing down. They have a sauna and steam rooms which is really perfect for heating up before a cold dip in the cooler areas of the lagoon, you see? Additionally, there are relaxation areas where you can lounge and chill.

For that more holistic experience, see about checking out the Blue Lagoon shop; I was surprised. They give you pretty excellent skincare products made with ingredients sourced right from the lagoon, and things like that. I personally picked up a silica mud mask to bring home. Who knew that this skin care store might be there, anyway?

Now for all of those photography lovers: The scenery alone makes it an A-number-1 backdrop, very amazing, but be cautious bringing expensive camera gear close to the water (splashes occur!). There is the option to arrange for specialized photography tours so, too, which allow you get really unique angles and views, really and truly.

Is the Full Day Tour Worth It? My Personal Thoughts

At the end of the day, whether the “full day with lunch” tour is “worth it” definitely hinges on what you are looking for, basically. If you genuinely want a very relaxing, unhurried spa day and want to immerse yourself totally in the Blue Lagoon experience, that is, that option may be right for you. The lunch at Lava Restaurant really added a bit of culinary flair to the experience, okay?

In my opinion, that, spending the better part of a day at the Blue Lagoon made me feel less rushed and like I totally soaked everything in. Now if you are on a pretty tight budget, just remember the basic admission is cheaper. As a matter of fact, you might be okay with just a couple hours at the lagoon without the extras. It’s completely okay too, it’s just that, what feels right for you. For some it is just, really just, checking a tourist spot off the list.

One more thing that will impact value is weather! Going during sunshine could drastically change your experience from an overcast cold day. Consider that when you plan to stay the full day so that you’re, just, that much more happy about everything.