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Is the Blue Lagoon a wonder of the world?
Discover why National Geographic recognized Iceland’s iconic geothermal spa among the world’s natural wonders.
The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most famous attractions and has been recognized by National Geographic as one of the world’s natural wonders. Known for its mineral-rich geothermal seawater and dramatic volcanic landscape, the Blue Lagoon offers a bathing experience found nowhere else on Earth. Discover what makes this geothermal spa so unique, why its blue water is world-famous, and how it earned global recognition.
The Blue Lagoon: why is it so special?
The Blue Lagoon is a world-renowned geothermal spa located on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula. It is known for its one-of-a-kind blue water, set against a dramatic black lava landscape. This is what makes Blue Lagoon different from any other bathing destination in the world.
The Blue Lagoon featured among the world’s natural wonders
In 2012, National Geographic included the Blue Lagoon in its list of "Wonders of the World: Earth's Most Awesome Places," placing it among some of the planet’s most extraordinary natural attractions.
National Geographic divided 25 natural wonders into three categories: Sky, Land, and Water. The Sky category featured iconic beauties like California’s soaring redwood trees and the majestic Mount Everest. The Land category named Arizona’s Grand Canyon, North Africa’s Sahara Desert, and Hawaii’s volcanoes.
The Blue Lagoon was featured in the Water category and shared this recognition with esteemed company.
What other sites share this recognition?
- Australia's Great Barrier Reef
- The Norwegian fjords
- Lake Baikal in Siberia
- Victoria Falls in southern Africa
The Blue Lagoon: water of wonder
So, why did National Geographic include the Blue Lagoon among the world’s natural wonders? The answer is simple: the water.
The Blue Lagoon’s iconic blue water is made up of 70% ocean water and 30% freshwater, enriched with silica, algae, and minerals. This unique geothermal combination is found nowhere else on the planet and is one of the main reasons the Blue Lagoon has become one of Iceland’s most famous attractions.
But the water is more than just beautiful to look at. Warm, mineral-rich, and skin-healing, it’s known for leaving visitors feeling relaxed, refreshed, and rejuvenated. Combined with the surrounding black lava landscape, it creates a bathing experience found nowhere else on earth.
We’ll give the official word to National Geographic, as it describes the wonder of The Blue Lagoon’s water:
Iceland straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart. Upwelling magma built the island and heats its vast reservoirs of water, creating a geothermal paradise. First among the country’s many simmering geothermal pools is the Blue Lagoon, a turquoise vision in a black basaltic moonscape. The geothermal spa is fed by seawater 6,500 feet (1,981 m) beneath the surface, where it reaches a searing 464⁰F (240⁰C). Capturing silica and other minerals on its way to the surface, it emerges from the ground at a balmy 100⁰F (38⁰C), just right for pampering visitors.
National Geographic Wonders of the World, 2012
A brief history of world wonders
For centuries, travelers have been fascinated by the world’s most extraordinary places. Long before modern travel guides and bucket lists existed, the Ancient Greeks created one of the first famous rankings of remarkable destinations: the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
That original list included legendary sites like the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt and the Temple of Artemis in present-day Turkey.
Fast-forward a few millennia, as countless lists continue the tradition of highlighting the world’s many wonders; natural or human-made, ancient, medieval, modern, and so on. From ancient monuments to geothermal landscapes like Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, these places capture the imagination of travelers across generations. Wonders never cease to amaze us, and we are honored that our water counts as one.
For more on these lists, you can check out an overview at WorldAtlas.