Skip to Content

The BEST Blue Lagoon alternatives in Iceland

The BEST Blue Lagoon alternatives in Iceland

Looking for an alternative to the Blue Lagoon? Then read on for our recommendations.

The Blue Lagoon is considered an absolute must for anyone visiting Iceland. It’s milky blue therapeutic waters certainly look inviting and photos alone show why National Geographic named it as one of the top 25 Wonders of the World. Seemingly everyone who visits Iceland works it into their itinerary, typically on the way to or from Keflavik Airport as it’s conveniently close by.

That is, except us. We missed it out on our first trip to Iceland with kids, then again on our North Iceland road trip a year later, despite almost driving past the Blue Lagoon on both occasions.

Blue Lagoon Iceland
Blue Lagoon Iceland

Why we decided not to visit the Blue Lagoon

Well firstly its is extremely expensive. Kids under the age of 14 are free, but adults can expect to pay upwards of €67 per person, depending on the time you go. You also need to book your entry slot well in advance as it does sell out almost every day.

Secondly, the most popular tourist attraction in Iceland is, of course, very touristy and very busy. Expect long queues to even get into the locker room.

Thirdly, children 2-8 years of age must wear inflatable armbands so as to ‘increase their visibility in the lagoon’. Armbands are provided free to children. Now our two boys who are 4 and 6 years old are little fish and are very capable without armbands and would want to be diving under the waters. It would be a nightmare trying to make sure they kept the armbands on. Also, if you have children under the age of two, they’re not allowed in at all.

And fourthly, there are so many fantastic alternatives to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, for much cheaper and with fewer crowds.

You could argue that I shouldn’t really judge a place that I haven’t visited. But one of the reasons we can afford to travel so much with our kids is that we always make our choices based on cost/benefit. It may be the top attraction in Iceland, but I would rather try out the Blue Lagoon alternatives. And put it this way, you won’t see many Icelanders at the Blue Lagoon.

Why is the Blue Lagoon so popular?

Well it is a truly unique experience. Yes there are some cheaper but equally luxurious alternatives to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, but, bathing in that milky blue water, relaxing with a face mask on, beer in hand, and surrounded by moss-covered lava in the middle of nowhere… well it does sound idyllic! Plus there is that kudos of been able to tell people you have been to the famous Blue Lagoon.

Blue Lagoon Iceland

So really it comes down to whether you are willing to suck it up and pay, or are happy to admit to your friends that you went to Iceland, but didn’t go to the Blue Lagoon. Because trust me, EVERYONE will ask.

What are the best alternatives to the Blue Lagoon?

If you do decide to give it a miss there are some fantastic Blue Lagoon alternatives, each with their unique selling point. Like the Blue Lagoon, these are all man-made, with natural water sourced from nearby geothermal springs.

As with all geothermal spas in Iceland, take a swimming costume and towels with you to avoid having to hire on arrival, and ensure you wash all your ‘bits’ thoroughly in the shower (without your swimwear) before entering. It is quite a faux pas not to do so. Also, ensure you keep hydrated with free water provided.

Pre-booking is advised for all these alternative geothermal spas in Iceland, especially in the high season, and all allow children to enter (under 12’s must be accompanied by an adult). Website addresses are provided below for online booking.

1. Secret Lagoon

Prices: Adults ISK3600, children 14 and under are free
Visit the Secret Lagoon website to book your visit online. 

Made in 1892, the Secret Lagoon is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, and is perhaps not so secret anymore. It’s the most common suggestion when people are looking for an alternative to the Blue Lagoon and is often included in a Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik.​

Secret Lagoon Iceland

Despite being on the tour group agenda, The Secret Lagoon is still much quieter than the Blue Lagoon and is no where near as crowded. The naturally hot waters come from the nearby village of Fludir and stays at a temperature of 38-40°C all year round. In the surrounding area there are several geothermal spots, as well as a little geyser which erupts every five minutes to show off for guests relaxing in the hot spring.

2. Krauma

Prices: Adults ISK6800, teenagers aged 13-16 are ISK3400, children 12 and under are ISK450
Visit the Krauma website to book your visit online. 

Krauma offers more of a spa rather than swimming pool experience. A series of hot tubs of varying temperatures invite you for a dip with water fed directly from Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring. The 100°C hot water is mixed with icy cold water from a nearby glacier (called ‘Ok’) which creates the different temperatures. There are six baths in total, from an icy cold plunge pool to a steamy 42°C pool. We felt just right in the 38°C pool.

There are also two separate steam baths and make sure you allow some time for the relaxation room for a quiet read by the fire. ​​

This is a good geothermal spa to stop at if you are visiting Into The Glacier or nearby Hraunfossar. It features on both our Golden Circle and Snæfellsnes Peninsula itinerary, as well as our North Iceland itinerary.

3. Fontana

Prices: Adults ISK4990, youth aged 10-16 are ISK2990, children 9 and under are free
Visit the Fontana website to book your visit online. 

Situated on the shores of the beautiful Lake Laugarvatn and conveniently enroute to the Golden Circle, Fontana offers guests a selection of relaxing pools, steam rooms and a Finnish-style sauna.

Fontana Geothermal Baths
Photo credit: Fontana

The three steam rooms, have been built over a natural hot spring, and thanks to grids in the floor you can hear and smell the boiling natural hot spring underneath. There are also three mineral baths of varying temperature. One of these has a spurting whale feature especially for the kids.

If you need to cool off, take a walk down to the lake. The beach has warm black sand, but the lake will be rather ‘refreshing’.

4. Mývatn Nature Baths

Prices vary according to season, but start from: Adults ISK6900, teenagers aged 13-15 are ISK3390, children 12 and under are free.
Visit the Mývatn Nature Baths website to check prices and book your visit online.

If you’re visiting North Iceland, you will no doubt head to the starkly beautiful Mývatn region to explore it’s lunar landscape, belching mudpots, strange lava formations, and steaming fumeroles, all set around a lake. There’s a road that takes you right around the lake, and along the route you will come across Mývatn Nature Baths.

Mytvan Nature Baths, Iceland

With its milky blue waters, Mývatn Nature Baths are Northern Iceland’s answer to the Blue Lagoon. Its waters are supplied straight from the National Power Company’s bore hole in Bjarnarflag making it one of the best natural hot springs in Iceland. Although its much smaller, it’s also much quieter and the entrance fee is more than half than that of its counterpart. Take your jewellery off before you enter though, as the water is high in sulphur and can turn brass and silver black!

There are also two steam rooms built straight on top of a geothermal area, allowing  steam to rise up through holes in the floor. Typically the temperature is around 50°C and the humidity is close to 100%.

5. Geosea

Prices: Adults ISK6490, children ISK3290
Visit the Geosea website to book your visit online. 

Not many geothermal pools in Iceland can compete with Geosea in Húsavík for its incredible natural setting, which overlooks the open expanse of Skjálfandi Bay across to snow capped mountains and the Artic Circle on the horizon. If you peer very closely over the edge of the cliff, you might even see some whales also enjoying a swim. In fact a visit to Geosea combines nicely with a morning whale watching tour.

Geosea - North Iceland itinerary

Drilling for hot water here in the mid-20th century revealed water that turned out to be hot seawater, too rich in minerals to be suitable for heating houses. Instead of letting this hot water go to waste, an old cheese barrel was installed for Húsavík residents to enjoy the health benefits of bathing in hot seawater.

The water in the GeoSea sea baths comes from two drillholes. One located by the cheese barrel and the other by Húsavík harbor. There is no need to use any cleaning agents or equipment, as the steady flow of water from the drillholes, between the three main pools and into the sea ensures that the water stays clean and hygienic. Check out our full Geosea Húsavík review.

6. Public swimming pools

If you’re planning to travel Iceland on a budget, do as the locals do and visit a sundlaug (heated outdoor swimming pool) found in almost every town in Iceland. Most pools also offer heitir (small hot tubs for soaking), suanas, jacuzzis, and some even have a kids play area.

swimming pool in Iceland

These are very affordable, usually only IKR1000 per adult, and it’s perhaps the most real Icelandic experience you can have.  This is where locals come to catch up and socialise, and where you’re unlikely to see any tourists. Check out this guide to the best local swimming pools in Iceland.

Final thoughts

The Blue Lagoon is indeed a unique experience, but it’s also well marketed resulting in big crowds and inflated prices. There are some fantastic Blue Lagoon alternatives dotted around Iceland for more than half the cost and a fraction of visitors. And if you want to experience the milky blue waters of the Blue Lagoon, perhaps visit Mytvan Nature Baths instead.

But if you want to experience the real Iceland and save the kronas, get yourself to a local swimming pool. Every town has one.

So hopefully I’ve given you some ideas for some alternatives to the Blue Lagoon.  Have you been to the Blue Lagoon or one of these Blue Lagoon alternatives? Or are there any alternatives to the Blue Lagoon I’ve missed out? Let me know!


Where would we be without our Lonely Planet Guide? There’s also a specific Iceland Road Trip edition.

Sale
Lonely Planet Iceland (Travel Guide)
  • Thiruvengadam, Meena (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 352 Pages – 03/15/2024 (Publication Date) – Lonely Planet (Publisher)
Sale
Lonely Planet Iceland’s Ring Road: Discover the freedom of…
  • Averbuck, Alexis (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 128 Pages – 04/15/2022 (Publication Date) – Lonely Planet (Publisher)

We also recommend you purchase a good Iceland road map (click here), in case your tablet or Google Maps fails.

Iceland Marco Polo Map (Marco Polo Maps)
  • Marco Polo (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 1 Page – 03/25/2020 (Publication Date) – MAIRDUMONT GmbH & Co. KG (Publisher)

You may also like to read:
North Iceland itinerary
20 things for kids to do in Iceland
How to save money on a family trip to Iceland