This afternoon we visited one of Iceland’s biggest tourist attractions on our day off, Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon was created in 1976 with the water coming from the neighboring geothermal power plant. While the lagoon was formed and is thus not naturally occurring, the water does completely renew itself every 48 hours. The average temperature of the water is 102 degrees Fahrenheit all year. Additionally, the water contains minerals such as silica that are said to be great for your skin. With the basic entry to the lagoon, we were given a towel and a locker for our things as well as a complimentary drink and silica mask once we entered the pool. Additional drinks and masks were available for purchase without leaving the water.

We left our hotel at 4:30 pm and were taken to the Blue Lagoon by bus where we arrived around 5:30 pm. After checking in, showering, and changing, we finally made it to the lagoon. With the chilly weather, the water felt wonderful, and I can hardly imagine how great it would feel during the winter as well as how pretty it would be with snow on the ground. We stayed at the lagoon for about three hours to soak in the warmth and minerals and enjoy the relaxing water. While there were many people, the vast expanse of the lagoon made it feel less crowded. Going to the Blue Lagoon and having a morning to rest was a great way to care for ourselves in the midst of all our busy touring and learning. While there are many lagoons and thermal pools in Iceland, I can see why so many people want to visit the Blue Lagoon.