The Golden Circle is one of those must-see places in Iceland, whether on a 3-day getaway or on a longer adventure. Waterfalls, hot springs, geysers, amazing landscapes, national parks and much more await you on this incredible tour. Below we are going to tell you about our experience doing this route and we will tell you everything to see and do on the Golden Circle of Iceland.
Put on comfortable shoes, dress well and don't forget a raincoat, because you are in the land of fire and ice, but also water!
What to see in Iceland's Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is the name given to a circular route in the south of Iceland that passes through some of the most beautiful places in the country. It is located just a few kilometres from Reykjavik , so it is usually the starting gun for an epic journey through Icelandic lands. And the truth is that it is a perfect appetizer to the wonders of the island.
There are so many things to see and the landscapes are so brutal that you will stop every few metres. For this reason, we believe that it is worth exploring it with time, so we recommend getting up early and dedicating a whole day to it . We visited it at the end of April and, although there was some snow, it did not spoil our day at all, in fact, it gave it an even more special touch.
⭐ Still wondering what the country's must-sees are ? Here are the 15 best things to see and do in Iceland on a first trip .
Note : If you rent a car, you can easily make the trip, stopping at the places we indicate below. But if you don't drive or are looking for a tour to join, this excursion to the Golden Circle from Reykjavik seems like a perfect solution!
Now, let's delve into the 5 essential stops of the Golden Circle :
1. Thingvellir National Park
This national park is an enclave of great importance since it is located in the valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, on the fault line between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates . Which means that, in geological terms, you will be between America and Europe. This fault line is the main reason why Iceland has such active and incessant seismic activity .
Both plates are separated by 7 km of distance, remember this when taking the photo with your arms outstretched, because in reality you will NOT be touching both continents at the same time, hehe. In the extension of the park there are several trails of all levels and distances , which allow you to explore the valley freely at your own pace, as well as several parking lots. We recommend that you go to the Visitor Center and get a map to familiarize yourself with the surroundings.
We stopped for an hour to walk part of the main trail and had time to see Lake Thingvallavatn , the largest in the country, the Öxarárfoss waterfall and walk through the canyon. But you should know that the most adventurous can even opt for a unique experience: snorkeling in Silfra , a fissure of crystal-clear water where you can swim between the two tectonic plates.
Thingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, in addition to its natural interest, it also has a historical curiosity: in 930, the Althingi (Icelandic parliament) was founded here, one of the oldest in the world. It is located just 47 km from Reykjavik, so it is usually the first stop on a route around the Golden Circle. Here we tell you about other interesting facts about Iceland .
2. Geysir Geothermal Area
Did you know that geysers get their name from this geothermal area? Here you will find the Great Geyser , the first one documented in history and whose literal translation would be “spring”. It is currently off, but it is still a legend. But be careful because surprises await you…
Visiting this geothermal park is easy, free, and one of the best things to do on the Golden Circle. The most amazing stop is the Strokkur geyser , which erupts approximately every 5-10 minutes, spewing hot water up to 40 meters high. It's really impressive, and if you're half-prepared, it's quite a scare. Plus, to get there you'll pass through a super photogenic trail , with steaming fumaroles and landscapes that look more like they're from another planet than Earth. The parking lot is right next door.
3. Gullfoss waterfall
Just a 10-minute drive away, we'll reach another key point on the Golden Circle route: Gullfoss Waterfall, one of the most impressive and loudest waterfalls in all of Iceland, and there are quite a few. The waters of the Hvítá River rush into a deep canyon in two sections, creating a spectacular panoramic view and the perfect opportunity to take photos that speak for themselves. A short path with several viewing points starts from the main parking lot , and there is another parking lot in the lower area with equally impressive views.
If you are lucky enough to visit on a sunny day, the reward will be double: a rainbow will appear over the waterfall , framing the scene with a touch of colour. We missed this magical moment, but at least we were able to take a relaxing stroll without the rain 😉 It was our first encounter with an Icelandic waterfall and the truth is that we were shocked by the amount of water, the sound and the landscape. So it is clear that Gullfoss is an unmissable stop to see on the Golden Circle.
By the way, on the road from Geyser to Gullfoss, keep your eyes peeled because there are usually quite a few Icelandic horses , yes, those short ones with their manes blowing in the wind. It won't be the only opportunity, in fact you'll find them in practically every corner of the country, but since they were the first ones we saw there, we were amazed. What a horse!
Tip : We found the Gullfoss restaurant to be a good option for lunch and the prices, for Iceland, are not super high especially considering the location. Here is a photo of the menu and the vegetarian burger we ordered. Even so, we did not include it on our list of our favorite restaurants in Iceland .
4. Relax in one of the best hot springs in the Golden Circle
Did you know that on this incredible route there is also the opportunity to soak your mountain body in warm, thermal waters? These are the most well-known:
- Secret Lagoon , it's not so secret anymore but this geothermal pool is one of the favorite options for travelers to enjoy a moment of tranquility. Price: 25€ approx .
- Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths , on the shore of Lake Laugarvatn we find these hot springs, another popular destination where, in addition to immersing yourself in several geothermal pools, you can see how they cook bread underground. And try it, of course. Price approx. €35 .
- Hrunalaug Hot Spring is a small hot spring with a Viking-style hut (or so it seemed to us hehe) surrounded by fields, which allows for a more intimate and peaceful experience. Go early in the morning because it tends to get crowded throughout the day. Price: approx. €13 .
⭐ We tell you which are the best thermal pools (paid and free) in Iceland .
5. Kerið Crater
This was one of the most surprising stops on our route through Iceland's Golden Circle. It is a volcanic crater with a green lake hidden inside , although we were completely frozen when we arrived, and it offers an impressive panoramic view of the surroundings.
Getting to the main viewing point is easy and is only a few metres from the car park, but if you have the energy and time we recommend completing the trail around the crater and then descending the stairs that will take you to the edge of the small volcanic lake. We were content with seeing it from above hehe. Entry costs 500 ISK per person (about €3 at the current exchange rate) and you already know that, as in the rest of Iceland, you pay by card.
Remember to get the Revolut card ( with a €10 promo ), the best option to avoid commissions when paying and withdrawing money abroad
There are more things to see and do on the Golden Circle, a handful of other waterfalls like Brúarfoss or Urriðafoss and even a tomato farm with a restaurant ( Friðheimar ) that, for some reason, has become very fashionable. But these 5 are the must-sees to make a note of on your tour of Iceland's Golden Circle.
Iceland Golden Circle Map
Below is a map with the location of the places to visit in the Golden Circle to help you plan your route:
One day is enough time to see them, but make the most of your time by starting early in the morning: the Golden Circle is one of the busiest areas in the country and there is a lot of tourism. And you? Have you been there? What did you think? Do you know of any more places to see on Iceland's Golden Circle ?
And if you want to know about our entire trip, this was the 10-day route we took in Iceland along the Ring Road .
