Stop in Iceland on way to TA?

[bobbiwoz]

The last time we came home from a TA, it was from Copenhagen and we booked Iceland air and we stayed I think for three days in Iceland, and it was fun. We would like to do it en route to this year’s TA out of England.

We didn’t experience the Blue Lagoon, the last time, and would like to this time. Can you explain that experience? Also, has anyone seen the northern lights in September there? We did a two day land tour the last time, and those two things are what we would want to do this time. How many nights should we allow?

 

[BrianL]

The last time we came home from a TA, it was from Copenhagen and we booked Iceland air and we stayed I think for three days in Iceland, and it was fun. We would like to do it en route to this year’s TA out of England.

We didn’t experience the Blue Lagoon, the last time, and would like to this time. Can you explain that experience? Also, has anyone seen the northern lights in September there? We did a two day land tour the last time, and those two things are what we would want to do this time. How many nights should we allow?

I went to Iceland a while ago, and went to the Blue Lagoon. The water is lovely and it can be VERY hot. Because it's geothermically heated, I would sometimes find an area getting too warm, but it was easy enough just to move a bit. It was October and pretty cold outside, and they do have an indoor section with a door in the water if you prefer. They also have saunas, which I tried, though it got so hot that I had to leave, even though everyone was telling me not to. Seriously, my survival instinct forced me out the door! It wasn't for me. Otherwise, the facility is very nice and they have lockers, etc.

I was there in October and had bad luck with the Northern Lights. It was too cloudy, but I could see like glowing clouds. It was kind of cool, but not the amazing auroras that you see in pictures.

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

The Blue Lagoon is a spa experience that is geothermal water with minerals in it. There are several different levels you can book, but the basics are you arrive (getting there without a rental car can be a bit of a challenge but is doable) by car and park in the lot, and walk into the large welcome facility, Here you will find the restaurant, the beauty products store, the check in desk, and the locker facilities.

Once you check in (pre-booking is your best option because they often sell out of daily tickets) and get a wrist band, you head to the gender specific locker rooms, where you shower off, and change into your swim suit. You then enter into a holding room/entry way, and after that you go into a large large pool with warm very blue water.
You can stay as long as you want (at least when I went a few years ago) and there is no time limit. You get one free mud mask to put on at a booth inside the water, and one free drink at a booth inside the water. Anything extra you can charge with your wristband. There are lots of different areas to explore, I mean the pool is huge, with little nooks and crannies, and waterfalls. Different areas are hot or cold, and they also had different lectures going on throughout the day on the history of the lagoon etc. All while you are in the water. For extra fees you can even book an in water massage.

Is it full of tourists? Yes. Are there cheaper options for going in geothermal water in Iceland? Yes. Is it worth it? If you like soaking in hot water, and relaxing in the outdoors, I think so. The saunas are also a great addition.
In my option, the Blue Lagoon needs a half day not to feel rushed. 3-4 hours of non-stop soaking is a good amount. If you really enjoy the spa experience you can make it a full day deal by adding additional services and meals which comes with added costs of course.

Would I go to Iceland just for the Blue Lagoon..... probably not, but any excuse to go to Iceland is a good one in my option.

 

[msmama]

One thing to note about the Blue Lagoon (probably all spas in Iceland) is that you have to shower before and after getting in the lagoon, and you WILL see naked people walking around the changing rooms, lol.

You don't say if you're traveling with kids or not but I was traveling alone with my son who was about 8/9 and they didn't have family change rooms or anything which meant I had to send him into the mens locker room alone and he had to figure out how to work the lockers and showers and everything on his own. He did fine, but I found it stressful. And there was a bit of a mixup about where we were meeting on the other side that caused some stress (for me, he was fine).

I've never been in Sept, but if you've been there before you'll know many hotels have northern lights buttons where they will give you a wake up call if the northern lights are visible. I've been to Iceland several times, Norway, too, and I finally saw the northern lights from my home bathroom window last year!

The Norther Lights museum was fun, and you can pretend you saw the real ones. Also highly recommend The Lava Show! It was super cool.

 

[pjacobi]

Before entering the Blue Lagoon, you need to take a fully-nude shower. Yes, there are shower police!

There was once a video on YouTube with explanation on how to take a shower at the Blue Lagoon. The process was explained by a fully-nude, but partially pixelated, man. The man in the video was the mayor or Reykjavík!


-Paul

 

[bobbiwoz]

Before entering the Blue Lagoon, you need to take a fully-nude shower. Yes, there are shower police!

There was once a video on YouTube with explanation on how to take a shower at the Blue Lagoon. The process was explained by a fully-nude, but partially pixelated, man. The man in the video was the mayor or Reykjavík!


-Paul

Ok…thanks.