Blue Lagoon Vs Secret Lagoon – Iceland Hot Springs Tips

Last Updated on 20/01/2022

Debating whether to visit the Blue Lagoon or Secret Lagoon on your upcoming Iceland trip? I’m here to help! It’s Blue Lagoon Vs Secret Lagoon – Iceland’s hot springs battle! In this post, I will be outlining the pros and cons of both The Blue Lagoon and Secret Lagoon, giving you tips to help you decide which of Iceland’s hot springs you want to visit on your trip to Iceland.

This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a small commission but come at no extra cost to you. This helps with the costs of running my blog so I can keep my content free for you. Thanks as always for your support!

Read: Iceland: 11 Things to Know Before Visiting Iceland for the First Time

If this is your first time in Iceland, visiting the Blue Lagoon is a must! Instagrammers from all over the globe have been perfecting their poses at Iceland’s most coveted Blue Lagoon and now it’s your turn! But whether you have picture-perfect curves or not, The Blue Lagoon can be enjoyed by everyone, even those looking to visit The Blue Lagoon with kids.

Ready to find out all the Blue Lagoon tips, pros and cons? Find out below…

Pros of visiting The Blue Lagoon

Read More: Driving in Southern Iceland: Essential Parking, Car Hire & Fun Road Trip Tips

READ: Travel Hack BackPack Review 

If you’re lucky enough to be enjoying a free stopover in Iceland, again The Blue Lagoon could not be more ideal. In fact, I’d go as far to say that with a cheap flight to Iceland, I’d much rather enjoy the Icelandic surroundings and hot baths of The Blue Lagoon than a normal spa day in the UK. Did I mention, you can now stay at The Blue Lagoon Retreat Hotel?

Not Driving? It couldn’t be easier to visit The Blue Lagoon – Take the Flybus to The Blue Lagoon and then back to Reykjavík.

It’s easy to get to The Blue Lagoon even if you are not driving as you can take the Flybus directly from Keflavik Airport or alternatively you can catch the Flybus from Reykjavík and back again. The airport-Blue Lagoon-Reykjavík Flybus route is flexible to best suit your needs when visiting Iceland. Plus, as the cost for the Flybus is only £12.30 per person, why not!

In the Winter season, the sun does not come up until around 11am so you can literally watch the sun come up at The Blue Lagoon. With a late closing time of 10pm from 21st August – 1st October, it is possible to visit The Blue Lagoon at night. I mean, who wouldn’t want to experience seeing the Northern Lights from The Blue Lagoon?! Definitely, something I want to see!

Cons of visiting The Blue Lagoon

The prices to visit the Blue Lagoon are certainly more expensive than the Secret Lagoon in Iceland. However, as I mentioned previously, I would have quite happily spent the entire day in The Blue Lagoon and, so with this in mind, I didn’t find the £61 Blue Lagoon entry fee (which included a towel, mud mask and free drink) that expensive. Though, those looking to visit Iceland on a budget may find the cost to visit The Blue Lagoon a tad on the expensive side compared to the cost of the Secret Lagoon (which I share further down this post.) With this in mind, you may prefer to visit some alternatives to the Blue Lagoon and explore some of Iceland’s natural hot springs for free or at a lower price.

One of the things I mentioned in my 11 Things to Know Before Visiting Iceland for the First Time post is that eating out in Iceland is expensive! It goes without saying, eating in The Blue Lagoon Restaurant is no exception! There are a few dining options at The Blue Lagoon, with Spa Restaurant, Lava Restaurant & Moss Restaurant to choose from. Unless you have a few kronas to spend, I’d suggest eating before you visit as it can be dehydrating being in the hot water so you want to make sure you’re hydrated and fed before you bathe! Though, as I mentioned in my Top Tips for Budgeting & Saving Money Visiting Iceland post, there is a fountain under a bridge at The Blue Lagoon so bringing a refillable water bottle similar to the one below, which retains a cold temperature will save you money.

Despite lathering my hair in conditioner, I couldn’t resist laying back in the warm water (big mistake) which left my hair dry and straw-like for days afterwards!

There are a few things you can do to help your hair (if like me, you can’t resist laying on your back!)

• Thoroughly rinse your hair in the Blue Lagoon showers as your hair will absorb less silica, thus preventing the dreaded mineral build-up!
• As I mentioned, make sure you completely lather your hair in the conditioner at The Blue Lagoon and don’t wash it out…leave it in!
• Take a protein-free shampoo and deep conditioner with you to use during your time in Iceland to prevent your hair from feeling too dry after visiting The Blue Lagoon.

I’d recommend this protein-free shampoo and conditioner as they have great reviews on Amazon:

After bathing in The Blue Lagoon, wash your hair a couple of times (straight after) and deep condition the ends, in particular! You can still enjoy all The Blue Lagoon has to offer and, to ensure your hair stays hydrated keep deep conditioning on the days following your visit!

I must add, my hair is fine now so perhaps stating that The Blue Lagoon destroyed my hair is a bit of an over-exaggeration!

Another thing to add, you do have to shower naked in the Blue Lagoon shower cubicles (something you have to do before visiting hot spas in Iceland in general), though the showers at the Blue Lagoon are enclosed for privacy.

The Blue Lagoon is a man-made lagoon, not a natural phenomenon despite its lava location. The hot water comes from Svartsengi, a neighbouring power-plant built in the natural volcanic landscape. Drilling for steam and hot water accidentally created what is now known as The Blue Lagoon and the water (which completely renews after 48 hours) is completely safe.

Whilst The Blue Lagoon does get busy, what you might not be able to see in photos is that it’s huge! Plenty of room for those who want to get some Instagram snaps, line up for drinks at the bar and those that just want to lull about in the water.

Address: Blue Lagoon

Norðurljósavegur 9, 240 Grindavík

Website: https://www.bluelagoon.com

Blue Lagoon Iceland Entrance Fee: 6990 ISK per person

Opening Hours: 8am – 8pm (times vary according to season)

Located 50 minutes from Reykjavík

Here’s a little on the pros and cons of this geothermal spa to enable you to decide whether it is worth visiting The Secret Lagoon:

Pros of visiting The Secret Lagoon

In fact, the geothermal spas and hot springs in Iceland are frequented by locals most evenings after work and it has become something of a tradition for Icelanders to bathe in the warm water.

Nothing quite relaxes you more than laying back in one of Iceland’s hot springs to rest your tired body after a full day exploring.

Read my 4-day Iceland Trip Itinerary (maps included) to help you plan your visit to Southern Iceland.

If you visit both The Secret Lagoon and The Blue Lagoon, please let me know which of these geothermal spas you think is the hottest!

Cons of visiting The Secret Lagoon

Address: Hvammsvegur – 845 Flúðir

GPS:  64° 8,238’N, 20° 18,557’W (ISN93: 436.251, 404.485)

Website: https://secretlagoon.is

Entry Price for The Secret Lagoon: 3000 ISK per person (towel hire 700 ISK)

Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm

I think The Blue Lagoon and Secret Lagoon are both worth a visit. I could literally feel my muscles relax and all the pain I had experienced in my shoulders from the days before melted away from visiting both these hot spas. In fact, I have been having withdrawal symptoms ever since!

Will you be choosing the Blue Lagoon or Secret Lagoon?

I’m intrigued – after reading this post which Blue Lagoon or Secret Lagoon Iceland spa will you be choosing? Or, have you visited The Blue Lagoon or The Secret Lagoon and already have your own opinion? Let me know in the comments 🙂

I hope you found this post useful for choosing which geothermal hot spas you want to visit in Iceland. If you enjoyed this post, please share it using the social media share buttons (on the left or underneath this post.) Every share helps my little blog be seen by a wider audience – let’s share the Icelandic magic!

Jaz

Looking for somewhere to stay in Iceland? Read my review of The Swan House Apartments.

Check out my Iceland Archives or Read more about Iceland below:

11 Things to Know Before Visiting Iceland for the First Time

Driving Southern Iceland – Essential Parking, Car Hire & Fun Road Trip Tips

Chasing Beautiful Waterfalls & Rainbows in Southern Iceland

13 Reasons Why Visiting Iceland in September is Best for First-Timers

How to save money in Iceland – Iceland Budget Tips!

Pin this post!

Sharing is caring!