A 300-kilometre loop from Reykjavík covering three of Iceland's most visited natural sites — a geothermal geyser field, a two-tiered waterfall, and a national park sitting on the boundary of two tectonic plates.
Tours in Golden Circle
Hand-picked trips that showcase what this region does best.
What Is the Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is a driving route in southwest Iceland that starts and ends in Reykjavík. It covers roughly 300 kilometres and connects three main sites: Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall.
Most people complete it in one full day — around 8 to 10 hours with driving and stops. The route follows Route 36 east to Þingvellir, then Route 365 and Route 37 northeast to Geysir, and Route 35 onward to Gullfoss. The return runs south and west along Route 35 and Route 30. All roads are paved and signposted. In summer a standard car is fine. In winter, a 4WD with winter tyres is the safer choice.
The route works as a self-drive or a guided day tour. Self-drive gives you full control over timing. Guided tours depart Reykjavík daily year-round and include hotel pick-up, a driver, and a guide.
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir is the first stop, about 45 kilometres east of Reykjavík. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised for both its geology and its history. The park sits in a rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and pull apart at around 2 centimetres per year. The valley floor sinks by roughly 2 millimetres annually as a result.
The Almannagjá Fault Fissure
The most visited feature is the Almannagjá fault — a long fissure marking the edge of the North American plate. A path runs through it with rock walls rising up to 7 metres on both sides. Walking through puts you physically between two continental plates — the same geological boundary that runs the full length of the Atlantic Ocean floor.
The Althing — Iceland's Ancient Parliament
In 930 AD, Iceland's Norse settlers established the Althing at Þingvellir — one of the world's oldest parliaments. Chieftains gathered here every summer to pass laws and govern the island. The Althing met at this site for over 800 years.
Key decisions made here include Iceland's adoption of Christianity in 1000 AD and its declaration of independence from Denmark in 1944. The spot where the Law Speaker stood to recite the laws is still marked and visible today.
Diving and Snorkelling at Silfra
Silfra is a water-filled crack between the two tectonic plates inside the park. The water is glacial meltwater from Langjökull glacier, filtered through lava rock for 30 to 100 years.
It stays at 2 to 4 degrees Celsius year-round, with visibility regularly exceeding 100 metres — one of the top freshwater dive sites in the world. Snorkelling and scuba tours run daily. Drysuits are provided. Daily slots are capped by the national park, so book ahead in summer.
Öxará River and the Drowning Pool
The Öxará river runs through the park and was historically the site of executions ordered by the Althing. A pool called Drekkingarhylur — the Drowning Pool — was where women convicted of infanticide or adultery were executed by submersion. Men were beheaded or hanged at a separate site. The pool is still visible near the river.
Walking Trails and Visitor Info
The park has marked trails from short 30-minute loops to half-day hikes. The Almannagjá Trail runs 2.5 kilometres along the fault fissure to the Öxará river. The Flosagjá Trail follows another water-filled fissure with blue glacial water visible below. Entry to the park is free. Parking costs around 750 ISK (€5) per vehicle.
Geysir Geothermal Area
The Geysir geothermal field is in the Haukadalur valley, around 110 kilometres east of Reykjavík. It is where the English word "geyser" comes from — named after the Great Geysir, which has erupted here for thousands of years. The area covers a compact hillside of boiling pools, steam vents, and sulphur deposits that takes 30 to 45 minutes to walk in full.
Strokkur — The Active Geyser
Strokkur erupts every 5 to 10 minutes, shooting water 15 to 35 metres into the air. The eruption lasts about 3 seconds. The cycle is easy to read: the pool fills, a dome forms on the surface, then the column fires upward. Most visitors watch three or four cycles before moving on.
Stand upwind. The steam and water drift fast and soak anyone downwind within seconds.
The Great Geysir
The original Geysir now erupts only a few times per year. At its peak in the early 20th century it reached 80 metres high. Earthquakes in 2000 temporarily reactivated it. Today it sits mostly dormant — a large blue steaming pool surrounded by a silica mound built up over centuries. You can walk right to the edge.
The Geothermal Landscape
The wider area has boiling mud pools, fumaroles venting steam from cracks in the earth, and hot spring pools tinted blue, green, and orange from minerals and heat-tolerant microorganisms. The sulphur smell is noticeable throughout. Stay on the marked paths — the ground outside can be thin crust over boiling water, and burns happen every season.
Facilities at Geysir
A visitor centre at the site includes a hotel, restaurant, café, and gift shop. Parking is free and there is no entry fee. The field is open at all hours. Visiting early morning or in the evening cuts crowds significantly.
Gullfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss — meaning "Golden Falls" — sits 10 kilometres east of Geysir along Route 35. The Hvítá river, fed by the glacier Langjökull, drops in two stages into the Gullfossgjúfur canyon. The upper drop is 11 metres, the lower is 21 metres. The canyon is around 70 metres deep and 2.5 kilometres long.
At peak flow, roughly 140 cubic metres of water per second pass over the falls — making it one of Europe's most powerful waterfalls by volume.
Viewing Platforms and Paths
The upper path gives a wide view over both tiers and the canyon. The lower path takes you to the edge of the upper falls, close enough that spray reaches you within a minute. The lower path is slippery in wet or icy conditions — waterproof clothing is essential.
In summer the mist creates rainbows from multiple directions. In winter the edges freeze into ice formations while the main flow continues beneath them.
The Story of Sigríður Tómasdóttir
In the early 20th century, foreign investors proposed buying Gullfoss to build a hydroelectric plant. A local farmer's daughter, Sigríður Tómasdóttir, opposed the sale — reportedly walking barefoot to Reykjavík, about 120 kilometres, multiple times to lobby against it. She also threatened to throw herself into the falls if the deal went ahead.
The contract was eventually voided on a legal technicality. She is recognised as one of Iceland's first environmental advocates. A bust and plaque stand near the upper viewing area.
Facilities at Gullfoss
A visitor centre has a café, toilets, and a gift shop. Parking is free. The site is open year-round, though the lower path is sometimes closed in icy winter conditions. Allow at least 45 minutes at the falls.
Kerið Crater Lake
Kerið is a volcanic crater lake on the return leg of the Golden Circle, about 55 kilometres northeast of Reykjavík. The crater formed around 6,500 years ago when a volcano emptied its magma chamber and the summit collapsed inward.
It is approximately 270 metres long, 170 metres wide, and 55 metres deep. The lake sits between 7 and 14 metres deep depending on the season — spring snowmelt raises the level noticeably. The water is vivid aquamarine from minerals in the volcanic soil. The walls are deep red and black from iron-rich rock.
A path runs the full rim in 15 to 20 minutes. Another descends to the lake shore. Entry costs 400 ISK (around €3). The musician Björk once performed on a floating stage on the lake.
Additional Stops Worth Adding
Secret Lagoon, Flúðir
The Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, in use since 1891. It is a naturally heated geothermal pool at 38 to 40 degrees Celsius, set in an open field with small geysers bubbling nearby. Much quieter than the Blue Lagoon. Entry is around 3,000 ISK (€20). A 15-minute detour off the main route.
Laugarvatn Fontana
Laugarvatn Fontana is a geothermal spa on the shore of Lake Laugarvatn, directly on the route between Þingvellir and Geysir. Three steam rooms are built over natural geothermal vents. Outdoor pools sit at 36 to 42 degrees Celsius. The spa serves traditional geothermal rye bread — baked underground using geothermal heat for 24 hours. Entry is around 3,990 ISK (€28).
Faxi Waterfall
Faxi is a wide, low waterfall on the Tungufljót river, about 10 kilometres west of Geysir. Roughly 80 metres wide but drops only 7 metres. Free to visit, with a salmon ladder visible from the viewing area. A good spot for watching salmon run in summer. Adds about 15 minutes to the day.
Best Time to Visit the Golden Circle
Summer — June to August
Daylight lasts up to 22 hours around the solstice. The landscape is green, and Nootka lupine covers hillsides in purple from mid-June. Average temperatures run 10 to 15°C. This is the busiest period — sites fill up from mid-morning. Starting before 8 AM keeps you ahead of the tour groups. Roads are in their best condition.
Autumn — September to October
Crowds drop sharply after late August. Mosses and shrubs turn amber, red, and orange across the lava fields. Daylight sits around 12 hours in September, dropping to 10 by late October. Temperatures average 5 to 10°C. The Northern Lights become visible on clear nights from September onward. One of the best periods overall — good access, lower crowds, strong scenery.
Winter — November to February
Daylight shrinks to 4 to 5 hours in December. Black ice, snowpack, and blizzards are all possible. A 4WD with winter tyres is essential. Check conditions at road.is before departing and allow extra driving time.
The landscape is completely different — frozen waterfalls, snow-covered lava fields, and the highest chance of seeing the Northern Lights on the drive back. Sites are at their quietest; Gullfoss and Þingvellir can be nearly empty on weekday mornings.
Spring — March to May
Daylight grows from 13 hours in March to 20 hours by late May. Snowmelt pushes rivers to their highest volumes. Gullfoss is at its most powerful in April and May. Temperatures average 2 to 8°C. Roads can ice over in early spring. Visitor numbers stay low until late May. Sharp light, quiet sites, and the waterfalls at their most dramatic.
How to Get to the Golden Circle
Getting to Iceland
International flights land at Keflavík International Airport (KEF), 50 kilometres southwest of Reykjavík. Icelandair and PLAY are the main Icelandic carriers. Wizz Air and Ryanair also serve Keflavík from select European cities. The Flybus shuttle reaches Reykjavík and most hotels in about 45 minutes from the airport.
Renting a Car
A rental car is the most flexible option. Standard rentals start from around €50 to €70 per day in summer. In winter a 4WD with winter tyres is necessary and costs more. Book well ahead from June onward as availability drops quickly. Driving is on the right side of the road. Speed limit on paved roads outside towns is 90 km/h. Speed cameras are common and fines are high.
Guided Tours
Guided day tours from Reykjavík cover the full Golden Circle for around €50 to €90 per person. Tours run 8 to 10 hours with an English-speaking guide. Premium tours add Kerið, the Secret Lagoon, or a Northern Lights extension in winter.
Where to Stay
Most visitors use Reykjavík as a base and do the route as a day trip. Guesthouses and farmstays along the route — around Laugarvatn and Flúðir — put you in the landscape overnight, with earlier access to sites before day-trippers arrive and darker skies for the Northern Lights.
Practical Travel Information
Currency and Costs
Iceland uses the Icelandic Króna (ISK). Card payment is accepted everywhere. A mid-range restaurant meal costs around 2,500 to 4,500 ISK (€17 to €30). Petrol is roughly 250 ISK per litre (€1.75). Entry to Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss is free. Kerið charges 400 ISK. Budget around €80 to €120 per person for a full day including fuel, food, and one geothermal soak.
What to Pack
Icelandic weather changes fast — rain, wind, and sunshine can all happen within the same hour. Always pack a waterproof outer layer, warm mid-layers, and waterproof boots. The spray at Gullfoss soaks you quickly on the lower path without rain gear. In winter, add thermal base layers and insulated waterproof gloves.
Safety
The main risks are road conditions in winter and leaving marked paths at geothermal sites. At Geysir, ground off the paths can be thin crust over boiling water — burns happen every year. At Gullfoss, the lower path ices over and the spray makes rocks slippery. Check road conditions at road.is before any winter drive. Register travel plans at safetravel.is if going off the main route.