Source
r/VisitingIceland•
FaceToKeyboard13

Laugarvatn Fontana versus Blue Lagoon for spa/hot springs

Initially, it looked like Laugarvatn Fontana was the easy choice because of the price difference while still providing a nice hot spring and suana, but it looks like prices have increased since last year; now there's only a ~2200 ISK difference between the two.

Is Blue Lagoon worth the additional cost? Are their facilities that much better?

Edit:

Laugarvatn Fontana it is! Thank you for input, everyone.
An actual quiet and relaxing experience is what I'm after, and it sounds like Blue Lagoon is a bit more touristy than I would prefer.

Secret Lagoon is tempting, and maybe I'll change my mind later, but for now I want some simple facilities like sauna and restaurant on site, and Laugarvatn is a little bit closer.

Posted Nov 18, 2017, 5:25 PM UTC · edited

710
SubspaceBiographies•

There's also the Secret Lagoon along the Golden Circle, it's around an hour from Reykjavik and has much fewer people.

7
numba1dmxfan•

This place is beautiful and close to an awesome tomato restaurant.

1
lmridge34•

Blue Lagoon is certainly much bigger and pretty cool. But I preferred Laugarvatn because there was basically only about five or so other people there. To me, Fontana was much more relaxing.

4
FaceToKeyboard13OP•

Great point. And I'll be visiting in the winter so hopefully it'll be nice and quiet just like that.

Easy choice; thanks!

1
PlayerPiano1•

They're different experiences, but both fantastic. Blue lagoon is a bit more like a Waterpark , but much larger and more natural terrain.

Laugarvatan is more like a spa, all man made pools and spas, but is quieter and also has some very nice views off the deck.

It really depends what you're looking for.

1
bananacrumble•

Agree with above and the view was nice while chillin'

1
marksfam•

and no huge power plant in the background.

1
FjordsOrBust•

We did both and I agree that while Blue Lagoon was huge and impressive, the relative quiet and simplicity of Laugarvatn was much nicer. Laugarvatn had very few people when we were there, so we felt like we had the place to ourselves. We moved through different temperature baths, enjoyed the sauna, and since it was September, it was just barely warm enough for me to jump in the lake. Which I did, twice, with bone chilling effect. And finally, the view of the lake and mountains from the baths is beautiful, much more engaging than the desolate lunar view around Blue Lagoon. If we had more time we would have stayed and explored the town of Laugarvatn more than we did.

Also, Linden restaurant next door. Reindeer burgers.

2
FaceToKeyboard13OP•

Oh wow that's perfect - an actual quiet bathing experience is exactly what I'm after.

And thank you for the tip regarding reindeer burgers!

1
workthrowa•

Laugarvatn's geothermal bakery is really cool, but we ended up doing both. Blue lagoon is a tourist trap but for good reason - it's really nice. I just got back from there an hour ago and it was worth it.

1