Disappointing photos show what Iceland's famous Blue Lagoon looks like in real life

• The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is one of the country's most popular destinations.
• Nearly 1.2 million people came to swim in its milky blue waters in 2017, a Blue Lagoon representative told Business Insider.
• But these disappointing photos show that the Blue Lagoon is not always as idyllic and photogenic as it seems.

The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is one of the country's most famous and visited attractions, seeing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

But for all its fame and for all the idyllic Instagram photos, the manmade pool can be overcrowded, unphotogenic, and underwhelming. One person on TripAdvisor called it "a dirty, lukewarm, crowded disappointment."

It's also not cheap. A swim in the milky blue waters will cost you a minimum of $64, which includes a silica mud mask, towel, and a drink. You can upgrade to a premium package for $91, which includes a second mask, use of slippers and a bathrobe, a table reservation at the lagoon's Lava Restaurant, and sparkling wine if eating at the restaurant. You can also shell out $268 for four-hour exclusive entry to the spa in addition to the pool.

These disappointing photos show that the hot springs experience isn't always as picture-perfect as it seems.

SEE ALSO: 12 surprising differences between Icelandic and American culture

The Blue Lagoon is known for its milky blue water, rock formations, and skin-nourishing clay that visitors apply as face masks.

Source: Blue Lagoon

It's one of the most-visited attractions in Iceland, with nearly 1.2 million visitors in 2017.

Source: Blue Lagoon

But what most Instagram photos don't show are the industrial-looking buildings that surround the pool.