Whether you have a day to explore the Icelandic countryside or a week, the Golden Circle is a classic route that is a must see for all visitors to Iceland. One of the most popular tours in Iceland, the sites on the Golden Circle are open to visitors year-round, although by far the most popular time to visit is during the summer months when temperatures are warmer and conditions of the roads are easier to handle.
There are three main stops at the Golden Circle: veingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal field, and Gullfoss waterfall, one of the most impressive in Iceland. In addition to these major sites, you can customize your trip with a traditional dip in a thermal bath, a volcanic crater collapsed, thermal river and even a filming location for Game of Thrones. Here you will find everything you need to know about the Golden Circle of Iceland.
Golden Circle location
With your first stop just 40 minutes east of Reykjavik, a visit to the Golden Circle is the perfect day trip out of the city. From bubbling geysers and warm hot springs to the crossing of two continents and mighty waterfalls, this popular tour is the perfect way to breathe in all that Iceland has to offer. Due to the distance and the amount of things to see on this trip, schedule at least 7-8 hours to allow enough time at each destination.
Things to see in the Golden Circle
Veingvellir national park
The first stop on the Golden Circle outside of Reykjavik is Þingvellir National Park. One of the main attractions of this beautiful park is that it sits between the tectonic plates of North America and Europe, which means that you can (technically) stand between two continents at once. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even snorkel or dive between the plates and witness some of the clearest waters in the world.
As well as taking a dip in the crystal clear waters, you can also hike to the impressive Öxarárfoss waterfall to see where the main river plunges through the valley you walked through just a few minutes ago. Fans of Game of Thrones will be delighted to discover that just a few minutes to the right of the waterfall in Öxaárfoss Trail are three scenes of season: A Wildling camp where Ygritte and Tormund were filmed, and the famous Bloody Gate scene, the narrow path that Arya and the Hound take to visit their aunt.
- Cost and Hours: Full-day parking: 750 ISK (about USD $ 7). There are several parking lots throughout the park, so if you’re not prepared to walk, you can drive and park to see the main sites. Open 24 hours.
- Duration of the visit: 45 minutes – 2 hours.
Geysir Geothermal Field
The next official stop on the Golden Circle tour is the Geysir Geothermal Field. One of the most popular stops on the tour (and definitely the busiest), this historic site is home to the well-known Geysir, plus many bubble and steam pools. Although the original geyser is no longer active, the new show, Strokkur, is the main attraction here. With an eruption of approximately 50 feet in the air every 10 minutes, tourists tend to flock to this site looking for the perfect photo. Depending on how many eruptions you want to see, this can easily be a quick 20 minute stop before setting off for your next destination.
- Cost and Hours: Free; Open 24 hours.
- Duration of visit: You can spend between 20 minutes and 1 hour in Geysir, depending on how many times you want to see the geyser going and if you want to go up the mountain to get a more aerial view of the geothermal area.
Gullfoss Cascade
Just 10 minutes from Geysir is the massive Gullfoss waterfall. There are two main viewing areas to view the falls and each has its own parking lot, so if you’re short on time it’s easy to see just one part (but we recommend seeing both!). The lower path of the falls leads to the water; Dress warmly or wear a trench coat here as it will be sprayed with constant fog and wind when the falls crash in front of you. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting while the sun is shining, watch out for rainbows as you descend for the perfect photo.
Unfortunately this section is closed in winter as ice can make the hike dangerous and slippery so plan according to your travel dates.
The second viewpoint is always open and provides a much wider view of the falls and the narrow river it collides with. On a clear day, look for glaciers and more rainbows in the distance.
- Cost and Hours: Free; Open 24 hours
- Duration of the visit: 1 hour
The pot
Believed to have formed about 6,500 years ago, this crater is what remains of a volcanic cone that collapsed and filled with water. The crater is surprisingly colorful, with green moss and red rocks that contrast perfectly with the bright blue water. Although it can be seen in a quick stop if you are short on time on your way back to Reykjavik, a walk around the edge or by the lake is additional work.
- Cost and Hours: Entrance fee: 400 ISK (about USD $ 4) with parking included when staffed. Open 24 hours.
- Duration of the visit: 30 minutes. The area is small so it doesn’t take long to hike the crater rim or hike to the lake at the bottom.
Laguna Secreta (Gamla Laugin)
Although it is far from a secret, this relaxing hot spring bath is a great way to break up your tour of the Golden Circle with a dip in the soothing 100 degree waters. Just a 10-minute drive from the main Golden Circle route, a dip in the waters of one of Iceland’s oldest swimming pools is a great reward after hours of driving.
- Cost and Schedule: Admission: Adults 3000 ISK, Children under 14 years free. Open every day from 10 am to 10 pm during the summer months and is open from 11 to 8 pm from October to May.
- Duration of the visit: 1-2 hours.
Río Termal Reykjadalur
If you are feeling more adventurous and have time for a hike, the trip to this warm thermal river is perfect for you. A little over a two-mile hike in one direction, this trail is beautifully nestled between smoky slopes, but because the area is so geologically active, it’s important to stay on your designated trail. Once you arrive, there are a few huts to change into and a cafe if you need to grab a bite before taking a dip in the shallow, warm waters.
- Cost and Hours: Free; Open 24 hours.
- Duration of the visit: 2-3 hours. It is an hour hike to the river, allow more time to soak and relax once you are there and time to walk back
How to get there
There are two main ways to travel the Golden Circle; Self-driving or guided tour. If you are short on time or are traveling alone, scheduling your half or full day tour with one of the many available tour companies operating from Reykjavik will be your best option. Although your time at each site will be limited to the pre-programmed route, you will be able to see the main sites without the added stress of planning your day, and you will be driven back to the city in time for dinner.
If you have more time to explore or are traveling in a small group, renting a car and driving the day tour is another great and affordable option. There are two different routes you can take to get there from Reykjavik: a longer, more scenic route that takes Highway 1 and Highway 435 through a beautiful mountain range, and a shorter, direct route via Highway 1 and the Highway 36 if you prefer to go directly to the main sites.
What to expect and bring
If you drive the circle yourself, it is important to fill your gas tank before leaving the Reykjavik area. Although there are gas stations along the Golden Circle, most are beyond the National Park, about a two-hour drive away. Don’t run out of food and an empty gas tank.
If you plan to hike and get close to the waterfalls, hiking boots and a hooded rain jacket are highly recommended if you are visiting in the summer months. If traveling during the off-season fall and winter months, it’s important to have substantial boots and bundle up for snow and slippery roads. Regardless of the month you plan to visit Iceland, it is important to be prepared for the unexpected; Because the weather in Iceland is always changing, prepare with multiple layers that you can remove and adjust as the day warms up.
There are several food options at the gas stations between the national park and Geysir and between Gulfoss and Kerið. You’ll find famous Icelandic hot dogs, French fries, and even ice cream there, each for the bargain price of $ 5 or less. If you’re traveling on a budget, stopping at a gas station for a meal is a great way to stock up on necessities and indulge yourself while avoiding the pricier coffees you’ll find at each of the major stops.
If you are traveling with a tour, you are unlikely to stop at a gas station, so be prepared to stop at a coffee shop before your tour so you can pack your own snacks or sandwiches. If you forget or don’t have time to prepare ahead of time, there are cafes with lunch options at each of the main stops in the Circle with different prices.
