The Golden Circle is one of Iceland’s most visited regions. This 300-km loop takes you on a journey to explore three of Iceland’s major natural sites: Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geyser area, and Gullfoss Waterfall. In addition to these three sites, you can add other stops along the way to explore the Golden Circle region in greater depth.
Located near Reykjavik, the Golden Circle offers a taste of what Iceland has to offer and can be easily incorporated into a road trip along the South Coast or through the West.
Visiting Golden Circle in Iceland : the map
The 3 Main Sites of the Golden Circle
Thingvellir National Park (Þingvellir)
Thingvellir National Park, or Þingvellir in Icelandic, is the first stop on this mini road trip through the Golden Circle. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, not for the beauty of the place or its geology, but for its history. In fact, it was here in 930 AD that Europe’s first parliament was formed. It remained in existence until 1798. It was here that the first laws were enacted and where criminals were tried and often executed.
Despite its bloody and violent history, this Icelandic national park is a wonderful place to go for walks and enjoy the beauty of the Golden Circle’s landscapes. It is also one of the points where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
There are several places to see in Thingvellir National Park:
- Hakid
- Hike along the Almannagja Fault
- Öxarárfoss Waterfall
- The Church at Thingvellir
- Diving in the Silfra Fissure
Here is a map showing the main points of interest in Thingvellir National Park.
In addition to the geyser, which is magnificent, especially in winter, you’ll also find the Öxarárfoss waterfall in Thingvellir National Park. Its flow isn’t very strong, and it isn’t as large as Iceland’s other waterfalls, but it’s one of my favorites. The rocks at its base give this waterfall a special charm. It’s very easy to reach, as it’s less than a 10-minute walk from the parking lot.
Additional information :
– 2026 PRICES : Paid parking at this location : 1,000 ISK.
– Free restrooms on site
The Geysir Geothermal Area : A Must-See on the Golden Circle Tour
Located 60 km from Thingvellir, the Geysir geothermal area—part of the Golden Circle—is a place where you can see fumaroles, steam vents, and, most notably, the Strokkur geyser. In Icelandic, “Geysir” means “to gush.” However, the geyser that gave the site its name—Geysir—erupts only rarely. Its neighbor, Strokkur, on the other hand, erupts about every 10 minutes. As it gushes forth, the water forms a large blue bubble before bursting and propelling the water high into the air. The geyser can reach heights of up to 30 meters. It is the most famous site on the Golden Circle and one of Iceland’s most famous attractions.
Strokkur is the main attraction in the Geysir geothermal area, but don’t just stay in front of Strokkur, the rest of the geothermal area is also well worth exploring. And when you venture a little further away, there are far fewer people.
What is a geyser?
Geysers are rare natural phenomena. For a geyser to form, three conditions must be met:
- A source of intense heat. The magma must be close to the Earth’s surface for the rock to be hot enough to bring the water to a boil.
- A water source. An underground stream is essential for water to flow to the surface.
- A network of pipes. An underground reservoir should allow water to accumulate, and a vent should allow water to rise to the surface.
Additional information :
– 2026 PRICES : Paid parking at this location : 1,080 ISK
Payment accepted via parka.is
– Free restrooms on site
– Food and souvenir shops available on site
Strokkur is very impressive, but to me, the geothermal sites on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula are more beautiful and colorful. However, Geysir is the only place where you can see a geyser.
To read my article on the geothermal areas of Reykjanes :
-> Iceland: Things to Do on the Reykjanes Peninsula <-
Gullfoss Waterfall
The last of the three must-see sites on Iceland’s Golden Circle: Gullfoss. Located not far from the Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls. Its name means “Golden Falls” in Icelandic. It is so named because of the rainbow that is visible above the falls. Personally, I’ve never seen the rainbow; I’ve always seen this waterfall in the rain.
Gullfoss consists of two impressive waterfalls. The first is 11 meters high, and the second is 21 meters high. The Hvítá River flows into a ravine, forming the Gullfoss waterfall, which is 32 meters high and 70 meters wide.
Additional information :
– 2026 PRICES : Paid parking at this location : 1,080 ISK
Payment accepted via parka.is
– Free restrooms on site
– Food and souvenir shops available on site
Other points of interest along Golden Circle in Iceland
Brúarfoss Waterfall
Brúarfoss Waterfall is the bluest waterfall in Iceland. It’s a true little gem of Iceland, tucked away in the middle of the Golden Circle. Well, it’s not really that hidden anymore, since a new parking lot has been built not far from the waterfall, but it’s definitely worth a visit.
It’s my favorite spot in the Golden Circle and one of my favorite waterfalls in Iceland; its color is stunning, the blue contrasts sharply with the volcanic black of the rock.
To access it, you have two options:
- The first option is to park directly at the new paid parking lot that has been built. It’s just a 5-minute walk from there to the waterfall.
- The second option takes you on a hike along the Bruara River, where you’ll see two other small waterfalls before reaching Brúarfoss: Hlauptungufoss, followed by Miðfoss. Parking is free this time, and the hike is about 3 km long. It will take you about 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete the round trip.
Additional information :
– 2026 RATES: Paid parking at this coordinates
750 ISK for 4 hours + 2,000 ISK per additional hour
Payment accepted via parka.is
– No restrooms on site
– Free parking is available at this coordinates, allowing you to go on the hike.
The Kerid (Kerið) Crater
Kerið is a small, 3,000-year-old crater in Iceland. What makes Kerið unique is its 55-meter-deep crater, which is filled with a small lake ranging in depth from 7 to 14 meters. You can descend into the crater and walk around the lake.
There’s an admission fee to enter the site, it might be a little pricey for the short amount of time you’ll spend there, but it’s still a very pretty little crater. The range of colors there is magnificent. For us, it’s perhaps the least essential stop on the Golden Circle, and if you don’t have time to visit it, this might be the one you can skip.
Additional information :
– 2026 PRICES: Admission fee: 6,000 ISK per person
– Free parking at this location
– Free restrooms on site
The Golden Circle in Iceland : Practical Information
When is the best time to explore the Golden Circle, and how much time should you set aside for it?
The Golden Circle is open to visitors year-round. Whether in summer or winter, the roads are easily accessible and are often cleared of snow quickly. For us, there’s no better time to visit. In fact, summer is perfect for hiking, and winter offers breathtaking scenery.
One day is enough to visit the Golden Circle and take this mini road trip. If you leave in the morning, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the sites I’ve mentioned in this article. However, if you’d like to make the most of it and take the time to go hiking, especially in Thingvellir National Park, two days are ideal.
Rent a car to explore the Golden Circle
The best way to explore the Golden Circle at your own pace is to rent a car. The advantage is that, unlike other regions of Iceland, the roads are in good condition, so you don’t need a 4×4 to visit the Golden Circle, a compact car will do.
🚗 Rent a Car at the Best Price in Iceland 🚗
Join a day trip from Reykjavik to explore the Golden Circle
However, if you don’t want to drive in Iceland, whether because you’re not comfortable on the road or because you don’t want to drive in the winter, you can always take a day-long tour of the Golden Circle departing from Reykjavik.
🏔️ Find day trips to the Golden Circle departing from Reykjavik 🏔️
Where should you stay when visiting the Golden Circle?
As for us, we’ve never stayed at the Golden Circle. Since we’ve always included this region in one of our road trips, whether exploring the south in winter or touring Iceland in September, we’ve always chosen accommodations located outside the Golden Circle. So I wouldn’t be able to recommend any to you.
However, if you’d like to explore the Golden Circle over several days and enjoy it a little more, there are several hotels in the area. Be sure to book as early as possible, though: since this is a very popular tourist destination, accommodations fill up quickly.
🛎️ Find a hotel on Booking 🛎️
Things to Do at the Cercle d’Or
There are some activities you can add to your Golden Circle tour. I should point out that we haven’t tried the activities I’ll be discussing below. They’re included in this article to give you an idea of what you can do on the Golden Circle in Iceland.
In any case, to find and book your activities, I recommend the Guide to Iceland platform. It has been Iceland’s leading travel agency for eight consecutive years, and this platform offers the widest selection of excursions in Iceland.
Snorkeling in the Silfra Fissure
One of the most popular activities, and one we’d really love to do, is snorkeling in the Silfra fissure.
Iceland straddles two tectonic plates: the Eurasian and North American plates. The Silfra Fissure is located within Thingvellir National Park. It is one of the points where these two plates are moving apart. It is also a place where you can go diving.
You can go scuba diving, but snorkeling is also an option (and more accessible). It is one of the clearest dive sites in the world. In fact, visibility can reach 100 meters.
Enjoy the Fontana Geothermal Spa at Lake Laugarvatn
It’s not as cold as snorkeling in a tectonic fault, and you can also enjoy the geothermal spa in Fontana. We haven’t tried this spa, but we love Icelandic spas. This one offers access to the hot springs located beneath Lake Laugarvatn, right in the heart of the Golden Circle, with the option to swim in the lake as well.
♨️ Book your admission to the Laugarvatn Fontana Spa ♨️
Secret Lagoon
Secret Lagoon is a spa located near the Golden Circle route. Unlike the Fontana Geothermal Spa, it’s located near Kerid, so you can easily enjoy it at the end of your day as a final stop before heading back to your hotel. Secret Lagoon is Iceland’s oldest hot spring. It was built in 1891. The water temperature ranges from 38 to 40°C year-round, making it the perfect place to end your day.
♨️ Book your ticket to Secret Lagoon ♨️
Taste some geothermal rye bread
And finally, right next to the Fontana spa at Lake Laugarvatn, you can sample some rye bread. Geothermal rye bread is a traditional Icelandic culinary specialty. The bread is baked for 24 hours while buried in hot volcanic sand, where geothermal heat allows for slow baking.
🍞Taste some geothermal rye bread 🍞
Visiting Golden Circle in Iceland : What Did We Think?
Is it worth visiting the Golden Circle in Iceland ? The answer is yes! A giant fissure, a waterfall with impressive force, and a geyser, the perfect trio for a concentrated glimpse of Iceland. The Golden Circle is a must-see when visiting Iceland. Plus, given its proximity to Reykjavik and the fact that you can explore it in a single day, it would be a shame not to add it to your list if you’re coming to discover Iceland.
However, the Golden Circle is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Expect to see crowds at every stop. That’s the only reason it isn’t our favorite place in Iceland. But in any case, the beauty of the Golden Circle is undeniable.
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