Blue Lagoon Wellness

Internationally famous for its otherworldly landscapes, penchant for troll hunting and opportunities to view the breathtaking Northern Lights, Iceland’s most recognizable attraction is the Blue Lagoon. Actually manmade and filled with byproduct water from a nearby geothermal power plant, the lagoon’s light blue water draws more than 1 million visitors annually, some of whom visit during layovers from Keflavik Airport, just 12 miles away. While many visit simply for the photo-friendly nature of the lagoon — steaming, opaque blue waters bordered by a ring of white mud amid the lava fields of Iceland — the lagoon’s mineral content and unique makeup have garnered it a cult-like following by those who experience skin benefits, including relief from conditions like psoriasis. Dermatological studies supported such claims, bolstering the popularity of the lagoon’s psoriasis clinic and line of skincare products containing the native algae, salt and silica (components that give the water both its alluring color and silky feel).

Today, the Blue Lagoon operates as a multimillion-dollar spa enterprise offering sauna and steam room facilities, a mud mask bar and must-try in-water massage performed on a floating mat that suspends your body just at the surface of the lagoon. Transportation to the lagoon is easily achieved through transfers from Reykjavik, or directly to and from the airport, and lagoon costs vary from simple admission to spa packages ranging from simple to ultra-luxurious. If you happen to find yourself on a layover in Reykjavik but don’t have enough time for a quick trip to the lagoon, you’ll find an outpost within the airport itself, where you can enjoy massage and body treatments with the lagoon’s proprietary products.