Before we even started planning our road trip around Iceland, I knew I wanted to see the Blue Lagoon. With that dazzling shade of blue and the mysterious look from the steam, the Blue Lagoon had to be a stop on any trip we took to Iceland.
Two things got in the way though – the opening hours and the cost. Tickets to enter the Blue Lagoon can cost anywhere from $57 (if you go in right before they close) to $98 (most of the times that you would want to go) per person.
While the price was steep, we might have still paid to go in if it was actually open when we were there. Luckily, I found an alternative option.
If you are planning to pay to go into the Blue Lagoon, my friend Sam from Find Love & Travel has all the details you need to know to visit the Blue Lagoon in Iceland.
Looking for more Iceland tips and tricks? Find our full 6 day Iceland itinerary for a Ring Road adventure here and our top 5 waterfalls in Iceland (plus a few bonus waterfalls) here.
FREE AREA AT THE BLUE LAGOON
Most pictures of the Blue Lagoon show the part that you have to pay to get into. However, if you see more natural looking areas with no one in the water, chances are that you might be seeing the free portion of the Blue Lagoon. This area is open 24 hours a day and requires no payment at all.
When you arrive to the parking log, you will see the visitor center. As you walk up, you will see some paths off to the left with rocks on either side of it. Follow this path to get to the free portion of the Blue Lagoon.
The main path winds around along the water for a while and loops back to the parking lot. This makes it easy to enter from one side, walk around to enjoy different views, and then head back to your car as you follow the path. Even if you pay to get in, it is still worth checking out this area. It is perfect for pictures and to enjoy a different view of the Blue Lagoon.
SEEING THE BLUE LAGOON WITHOUT THE CROWDS
This free portion of the Blue Lagoon will not have anyone in the water to obstruct the view. The color is still that iconic blue color, but you won’t have to deal with any people swimming by. The water felt cold to the touch when I put my hand in it. That means that it isn’t even temping to try to go in to swim. On top of that, I’m pretty sure it isn’t allowed, and I’m guessing the bottom probably hurts your feet.
We went at around 3 a.m., so we were the only ones on the paths at all. Since it was June, it was still light out the entire time. We even got to see the sunrise from the Blue Lagoon. However, this area probably stays fairly empty even during the middle of the day. Most people seem to only go to the paid portion of the Blue Lagoon.
Whether or not there are people around, it would be easy to get pictures without anyone in them. Even if you want to be in the pictures with the Blue Lagoon, you wouldn’t need a large space to get them by yourself. This area is actually surprisingly large, so you can find a spot away from the crowd if there happens to be one.
***
I’m not saying that you should not visit the paid portion of the Blue Lagoon. At some point, I would like to experience it. This time, it did not work out.
It was not a top priority as we wanted to see the entire Ring Road in 6 days and see as many waterfalls as we could. Because of that (and some car troubles), our only chance to see it was in the middle of the night. I’m so thankful that we were still able to at least see it thanks to finding out about this spot.
For more Iceland tips, check out our full Iceland itinerary, our list of the best waterfalls in Iceland, and our guide to hiking to the Sólheimasandur plane wreck.
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HK
Thursday 14th of November 2024
is the free area still open for public? visiting next week.
Christine Wheeler
Saturday 30th of November 2024
Yes, I had friends visit it last week!
24 Tips for New Bloggers: What I Wish I Knew 24 Months Ago - Live.Love.Run.Travel.
Thursday 31st of October 2019
[…] link to you. For example, Helene Sula linked to my Iceland post because of my advice about how to see the Blue Lagoon for free. She also linked to me in a post about Instagram engagement and another about lessons she has […]
The Ultimate Ring Road Adventure: A 6 Day Iceland Itinerary - Live.Love.Run.Travel.
Saturday 31st of August 2019
[…] Looking for more Iceland tips and tricks? Find our top 5 waterfalls in Iceland (plus a few bonus waterfalls) here and how to get into the Blue Lagoon in Iceland for free (and without the crowds) here. […]
Laureen Lund
Saturday 4th of May 2019
Great insider tip. And your photos are really pretty. Thanks for sharing.
Christine Wheeler
Saturday 4th of May 2019
Thank you! I appreciate it :-)
Olivia Dejeu
Saturday 4th of May 2019
omg Iceland is on my top must visit destinations and this post is really useful :D thank you!
Christine Wheeler
Saturday 4th of May 2019
Thank you! I hope you can go one day soon!