Blue Lagoon

The lagoon is an unintended product of geothermal energy. The Svartsengi power plant, which began operating in 1976, draws hot water from deep underground to generate electricity and heat for nearby communities. Excess geothermal seawater spread into the surrounding lava, where silica and minerals sealed the porous rock and the water pooled.

Locals began bathing in the early 1980s, and people with psoriasis reported improvements in their skin. Bathing facilities opened in 1987, the Blue Lagoon company was founded in 1992, and research has identified silica, algae and minerals as its key components, which are now also used in skincare products.

Bathing in warm water is a deep-rooted Icelandic tradition, from neighbourhood swimming pools to natural hot springs, and the Blue Lagoon grew from locals simply wading into warm runoff water. Icelandic bathing etiquette applies here too: showering thoroughly before entering the water is the norm at pools and lagoons across the country.