Iceland Spa Weekend: A Relaxing Blue Lagoon Getaway

Sometimes the best trips are the ones where you intentionally plan… almost nothing.

When Jeff and I booked a long weekend in Iceland, we decided to try something different. Instead of packing our itinerary with tours and road trips like our previous visits, this trip had one simple goal: relaxation.

Four days. One country. Two cities. And a lot of time spent soaking in geothermal water.

Our Iceland spa weekend took us from Reykjavík’s cozy streets to the surreal lava fields surrounding the Blue Lagoon, and it turned out to be one of the most peaceful trips we’ve taken.

Day 1: Exploring Reykjavík

We arrived in downtown Reykjavík early in the morning — around 9:30 AM — and it was still dark outside. Icelandic winters have a way of making the mornings feel quiet and mysterious, like the city hasn’t quite woken up yet.

Two people in winter jackets and hats smile for a selfie outside at night in front of a modern glass building with colorful lights inside. Another illuminated building is visible in the background. — Me (left) and Jeff (right) standing in front of Harpa concert hall and our hotel.

A modern hotel with angular black and white facades is illuminated at dusk, with large windows and warm lights. The courtyard features stone walls and patches of dry grass, beneath a deep blue sky. — The courtyard of our hotel, The Reykjavik Edition

Modern glass buildings illuminated at night, with a clear dark blue sky above. A crescent moon is visible in the background, and a few people walk through the open plaza between the buildings. — It’s 9:30 am and still dark outside.

Luckily, we were able to check into our hotel early at The Reykjavik Edition, which gave us time to settle in before exploring the city.

Once we dropped our bags, we headed out to wander through downtown Reykjavík.

One of our first stops was Baka Baka, a bakery that quickly became a highlight of the morning. I ordered a cardamom roll, and it was easily one of the best pastries I’ve ever had.

A bakery window displays shelves of powdered and glazed donuts. Inside, people wait at the counter under warm yellow lights, and reflections show the street outside. — Looking into the window at Baka Baka before breakfast.

From there we wandered through the streets of Reykjavík:

colorful buildings lining the harbor
murals scattered throughout downtown
the famous Rainbow Street leading up to Hallgrímskirkja

A street scene at dusk shows people walking under holiday decorations, with a large bell ornament hanging above. Buildings line both sides and a tall, pointed church rises in the background. Strings of lights are visible along the street. — The famous Rainbow Street with Hallgrimskirkja church in the distance.

Colorful buildings with red and green facades stand beneath a large mural of two polar bears shaking hands under the northern lights on a white building. The sky is blue with scattered clouds, and a leafless tree is visible. — Murals scattered throughout downtown Reykjavik

A small harbor with red and white boats docked, calm water, and a wooden pier in the foreground. Snowy mountains and a building are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky. — View of the harbor right outside of our hotel.

Even in winter, Reykjavík has an energy that feels warm and welcoming.

Later that evening we decided to stay close to the hotel and have dinner at Tides, the restaurant inside the Reykjavik Edition.

The meal turned into a full Icelandic culinary experience:

creamy fisherman’s soup with langoustine, scallops, and mussels
root vegetable salad with salsify and rutabaga
Icelandic lamb filet
and a Basque skyr cheesecake for dessert

Not a bad way to start a relaxing weekend.

A warmly lit, modern restaurant interior featuring wooden tables and chairs draped with white faux fur throws, elegant table settings, tall curtains, and large windows showcasing an evening city view. — The view of Tides Restaurant, Reykjavik from our table.

Two Yorkshire puddings on a wooden board beside a small plate with a swirl of butter, set on a marble table with cutlery and a blue plate in the background. — These popovers before our meal were served with lava salt butter.

A shallow bowl of creamy yellow-green soup garnished with herbs, with clams in their shells and pieces of seafood visible in the center. — This creamy fishermans soup was delicious.

A dark ceramic plate with a gourmet dish featuring thinly sliced, translucent vegetables, golden crispy lotus root chips, green sauce, and small fresh greens, all artfully arranged on a textured surface. — The salad was made from root vegetables. It had more of a texture of coleslaw than salad.

A plate with three slices of seared lamb, red cabbage slaw, dollops of brown sauce, and a pool of reddish-brown sauce. A person’s hands with a fork are visible in the background. — This was the best lamb dish I’ve ever eaten!

A slice of cake topped with orange zest is served on a plate alongside a scoop of bright yellow sorbet. A persons hands are visible in the background on the marble table. — This Skyr cheesecake was delicious. Skyr is an Icelandic yogurt.

Day 2: From Reykjavík to the Blue Lagoon

The next morning we spent a little more time exploring Reykjavík.

One stop we couldn’t miss was Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, the famous hot dog stand that’s been serving customers in the same spot since 1937.

We split one of their famous hot dogs, topped with crispy onions, sweet mustard, remoulade, and Icelandic ketchup made with apples.

Simple. Delicious. Totally worth the stop.

A small hot dog stand with bright red accents, Bæjarins beztu pylsur, sits on a quiet street at dusk, with empty red tables and benches nearby. Modern buildings and mannequins in store windows are in the background. — This hotdog stand has been in the same spot since 1937!

A person holding a hot dog with a long sausage and a line of mustard in a bun, wrapped in paper, over a red table. — The hotdog was unique and delicious. Made with a mix of lamb and beef.

A man in a dark jacket and jeans stands smiling in front of the famous Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hot dog stand in Reykjavik, Iceland, pointing at the sign. It is evening with streetlights on and buildings in the background. — It was too early for a hotdog, but Jeff was excited to check this one off of our list.

By late morning it was time to head toward the real focus of this trip: the Blue Lagoon.

The drive out of Reykjavík quickly transforms into something otherworldly.

As you approach Grindavík, the landscape becomes a stretch of black volcanic rock and moss-covered lava fields. We even passed areas affected by recent volcanic eruptions, which added a dramatic reminder of Iceland’s constantly shifting landscape.

A barren, rocky landscape stretches under a cloudy sky, with a distinct conical hill and smaller mounds in the distance, lightly dusted with snow. The scene is muted and cold, evoking a remote wilderness.

A rugged landscape with moss-covered lava rocks and patches of snow in the foreground, set against distant snow-capped mountains under a cloudy sky.

Rocky, moss-covered ground stretches toward distant, dark volcanic hills under a cloudy, gray sky, with patches of snow scattered across the landscape.

Arrival at the Blue Lagoon Retreat

When we arrived at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, the experience immediately felt special.

We were greeted with champagne in the lobby before a host walked us through the property and escorted us to our room.

Our room — called a Lava Room — overlooked the lagoon and the surrounding lava rock landscape.

One thing we loved about the design: there were no televisions in the rooms. Instead, the focus was entirely on the view and the peaceful environment outside.

It felt more like a sanctuary than a hotel.

A gray taxi van parked outside a modern building with a sign reading The Retreat. The structure features wood paneling, white walls, and a curved awning with rocks and pavement in the foreground.

Modern white building with tall windows sits beside a rugged landscape of dark volcanic rocks and moss under a partly cloudy sky at dusk.

A modern dining and living area with a long wooden table, white chairs, built-in dark shelves filled with books and decor, and large windows overlooking an outdoor pool and natural landscape.

A modern restaurant with round tables set for dining, featuring a dramatic rocky wall and a large window revealing a cave-like, illuminated rock formation outside. Warm lighting and minimalist decor create an elegant atmosphere.

Modern lounge area with armchairs and small tables by large windows overlooking a pool and minimalist white buildings under a cloudy sky; wood floors and walls create a warm atmosphere.

A modern hotel room with a large bed, two armchairs, a freestanding bathtub, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of a rocky landscape and a pool outside.

Modern bathroom with a round mirror above a white sink, wooden vanity, towels on a rack, toiletries, tissues, slippers, and neatly folded towels on shelves below the counter. Soft lighting creates a cozy ambiance.

Modern bathroom with dark walls and soft lighting, featuring a white oval bathtub near a large window that overlooks an outdoor rocky landscape and cloudy sky. A rolled towel is on the floor by the tub.

Modern wooden cabinets with built-in shelves featuring wine, glasses, a coffee maker, and cups, all illuminated by warm yellow lighting; a door with a control panel is on the right side.

A modern building with glass railings overlooks a milky blue geothermal lagoon, surrounded by dark volcanic rocks under an overcast sky.

Modern buildings with large windows border a light blue geothermal pool, surrounded by volcanic rocks under a cloudy sky. Steam rises in the distance, blending with the rugged landscape.

Soaking in the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most famous destinations, but experiencing it as a hotel guest is something completely different.

The mineral-rich water is naturally heated by geothermal energy and stays around 100°F (38°C) year-round.

Outside, it was cold, windy, and rainy.

But once you step into the lagoon, everything changes.

Steam rises off the water. Lava rocks surround you. The air smells faintly of minerals and salt.

Floating there in warm water while Iceland’s dramatic landscape surrounds you is surreal.

People relax in a large, steamy geothermal lagoon surrounded by dark rocks at sunset. Mist rises from the blue water, and scattered lights illuminate the scene, creating a tranquil, atmospheric setting.

A wooden walkway with railings leads over bright blue geothermal water, surrounded by dark volcanic rocks and moss, with steam rising in the distance and a sunset sky in the background.

Geothermal hot springs with steaming pools set among dark volcanic rocks under a cloudy sky, with a few people bathing in the water and distant hills in the background.

Steaming blue geothermal water bordered by mossy rocks, framed by modern concrete buildings under a partly cloudy sky at sunset or sunrise.

A geothermal spa with milky blue water surrounded by dark volcanic rocks and modern buildings, with steam rising in the background under a cloudy sky.

Inside the Retreat Spa

One of the highlights of the trip was spending time inside The Retreat Spa.

Photos aren’t allowed inside, but the spa includes:

multiple geothermal pools
steam rooms
quiet relaxation areas
treatment spaces built directly into the lava rock

My favorite space was the lava spring room, where water slowly dripped from a glass ceiling above a heated stone area.

It was one of those rare travel moments where you actually fall asleep because you’re so relaxed.

The spa also offers a nine-step experience called “The Ritual”, where guests move through different rooms using mineral scrubs and treatments designed to nourish the skin.

It’s equal parts spa treatment and meditation.

A modern, dark-gray entryway labeled Retreat Spa leads to a dim corridor with scattered warm lights on its walls, creating a tranquil and inviting atmosphere. — The private entrance to the Retreat Spa

Two men in white bathrobes smile at the camera while standing on a balcony overlooking a blue geothermal pool with rocky terrain in the background. — Us standing outside on a covered balcony overlooking the blue geothermal waters.

Quiet Moments Around the Lagoon

One of the best parts of staying at The Retreat is access to the private lagoon reserved for hotel guests.

Compared to the main Blue Lagoon, it feels incredibly peaceful.

There were moments where we stood on the terrace overlooking the lava fields and the water felt almost perfectly still.

At one point we even watched a helicopter flying across the volcanic landscape in the distance — possibly heading toward the eruption sites nearby.

Everything about the environment felt dramatic yet calming at the same time.

A turquoise geothermal lagoon bordered by jagged black rocks and moss, set against a mountainous landscape at sunrise or sunset.

A serene geothermal pool with milky blue water sits in the foreground, surrounded by dark volcanic rocks and moss. Rugged hills rise in the background under a cloudy sky at sunset.

A cloudy sky over a rocky, volcanic landscape with a few buildings and parked cars in the distance; a rectangular glass structure is in the foreground.

A concrete building edge overlooks a vast, moss-covered rocky landscape under a cloudy, overcast sky. A faint blue stream is visible below, and distant hills fade into the mist.

A serene yoga studio with mats, bolsters, crystal singing bowls, and gongs on a wooden floor, next to large windows overlooking a mossy landscape. Natural light fills the peaceful space.

A geothermal spa with steaming pools set among dark volcanic rocks under a cloudy sky, with modern buildings and distant hills visible in the background.

Geothermal pools with milky blue water surrounded by dark volcanic rocks and mossy terrain under a cloudy sky, with buildings and steam visible in the distance.

Our Final Morning

On our last morning, we woke up early and headed back to the lagoon around 8:00 AM.

It felt like we had the entire place to ourselves.

By the time we were leaving later that morning, the lagoon was starting to fill with visitors — a reminder that early mornings are truly the best time to experience it.

We spent a little more time enjoying the views before checking out and heading back toward the airport.

Why This Trip Was Different

What made this Iceland trip special wasn’t the number of places we visited.

It was the fact that we slowed down.

Instead of chasing waterfalls or driving the Golden Circle, we spent most of our time:

wandering Reykjavík
enjoying incredible food
soaking in geothermal water
and simply taking in Iceland’s surreal landscapes

Sometimes the best travel experiences come from doing less.

Final Thoughts

Iceland has always felt like a magical place to us, but this trip showed a different side of it.

Instead of adventure, this weekend was about rest, quiet moments, and reconnecting with nature.

And honestly?

Floating in a geothermal lagoon surrounded by lava fields might be one of the best ways to reset.

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