Iceland's Golden Circle: the ultimate guide
The Golden Circle attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year, making it one of the most popular tourist routes in Iceland. No wonder! The approximately 250-kilometre loop invites you to discover the country’s top visited natural attractions in a relatively short amount of time.
With a number of tours offering to check off the likes of Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and the Gullfoss waterfall from your bucket list every single day, it’s most certainly not an off-the-beaten path kind of destination.
Nonetheless, the Golden Circle has its charm. It is a perfect starting point for your Iceland adventures and a great introduction to the island’s fascinating landscapes and geological history. Plus if you take the time to go beyond the hot spots, you’ll discover wonderful little gems along the entire route.
In this guide, we’ll look at not only what makes the destinations around the Golden Circle so special, but also run through some tips to make the most of your visit.
Stunning landscapes will keep you entertained throughout the whole drive
How much time do you need for the Golden Circle?
Because the Golden Circle has only around 250 kilometres, you can manage to do the route and check out the main attractions in just one day.
However, if you want to craft a more unique and personal experience and venture beyond the tourist hot spots, you should plan at least two days.
Plan at least two days for the Golden Circle if you want to explore some hiddgen gems
Where to stay on the Golden Circle?
All along the Golden Circle, there are various types of accomodation from affordable to luxury ones. My personal recommendation would be Blue Hotel Fagrilundur. It’s located a 15-minuted drive from the famous Geysir Geothermal Area, has small jacuzzis to relax in after a day of exploring, and offers breakfast.
Best places to see on the Golden Circle
From well known tourist spots to more off-the-beaten, less visited gems, there is plenty to keep you entertained as you make your way around the Golden Circle. Let’s look at the places you shouldn’t miss.
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir National Park is the first major spot you’ll visit on the Golden Circle. Its geological and cultural significance makes it an ideal place to start your adventures.
The park is located on the Mid-Atlantic ridge, which separates the North American and the Eurasian Plate. This gives you a unique opportunity to observe the faults and fissures resulting from the rifting of the earth’s crust. This resource dives into more detail about the movement of tectonic plates and what that leads to.
The local rift valley lake, Thingvallavatn, is the largest natural lake in Iceland and the majority of its catchment area is covered by lava. You can observe this fascinating place from underwater by snorkeling or diving at the popular Silfra or the lesser-known Davíðsgjá.
Views of lake Thingvallavatn
Besides geological significance, Thingvellir is also important for the country’s history. In 930, it became the meeting point for the ruling chiefs of Iceland’s various tribes. From then, it continued to be the site of Iceland’s annual parliament until 1798.
For your visit to Thingvellir, plan for at least one hour. Leave your car at P1 and start walking towards Öxarárfoss waterfall. It’s a short walk of about 1.7 kilometres.
Before heading back to the car, take a little detour to a lookout point where you can see the split between the two rocks from above.
If you’re visiting in the winter, try out some of the cross country skiing tracks to see the area from new perspectives.
Öxarárfoss waterfall
Rift between the two rocks from above
Bruarfoss
Brúarfoss is a relatively small waterfall compared to many others in Iceland. However, its magic lies in its incredibly clear, aqua-blue glacial water. The name translates to “bridge waterfall” and comes from a stone bridge once used to cross the river Brúará.
There’s nothing like having Icelandic landscapes all to yourself
There are two ways to visit Brúarfoss. The first is to leave the car at Brúarfoss Parking, which opened in 2023, and walk for five minutes. The other is to park the car off the main Golden Circle road at the Brúará Trail parking and hike 3.5 kilometres to reach the waterfall.
If you have the time, I highly recommend the second option. The hike is easy and flat, has some amazing views, and, at least in the winter, you’ll have the place pretty much to yourself.
At a good pace, you can complete it in one to two hours. Just remember to bring crampons in the winter. On this trail, you’ll also get to see two other waterfalls — Hlauptungufoss and Miðfoss — which you would otherwise miss.
The roaring Hlauptungufoss
The aqua-blue water of Bruarfoss
Geysir Geothermal Area
Pits with boiling water, spouting geysers, and the smell of rotten eggs characterise this popular geothermal valley of Haukaladur in Iceland.
The place was first described in historic records at the end of the 13th century and is thought to have originated from an earthquake. Now it’s one of the most popular spots on the Golden Circle.
Strokkur is currently the main attraction of the Geysir Geothermal Area
The most famous geyser in this geothermal area used to be the Great Geysir, which is currently inactive. Its crown as the most impressive attraction was snatched by Strokkur, which spouts water every few minutes and whose blasting boiling water jet reaches up to 30 metres.
To avoid crowds, come early in the morning around sunrise or in late afternoon for sunset. The beautiful golden glow these times of the day lend to the steam coming out of the water pits is absolutely worth it.
Observe the little details in and around the pools
Golden sun of the afternoon
Gullfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss (Golden Fall) waterfall is an impressive two-tier waterfall on river Hvita. Its roaring water plummets 32 metres into the river gorge. It’s the last of the “big three” on the Golden Circle and an absolutely unique place, as you’re actually looking at the waterfall from above.
In the 20th century, there were desires to use Gullfoss for electricity generation. Whether it was thanks to the activist work of Sigríður Tómasdóttir, or the lack of money on the part of the investors, (or both), these plans never came to fruition and Gullfoss was turned into a conservation site.
Golden or blue hours are an ideal time to visit for fewer crowds and beautiful light. It’s located just a 10-minute drive from Geyser.
The impressive Gullfoss waterfall at sunset — great place to end your first day on the Golden Circle
Langjökull Glacier
Located not too far from Gullfoss waterfall is the Langjökull glacier, Iceland’s second-largest ice cap. Its name means “the Long Glacier” and from north to south, it measures more than 50 kilometres. The ice sheet was supposedly formed about 3500 years ago!
In the summer, you can explore the fascinating landscape by hiking. In the winter, there are countless adventure activities and tours on offer, from snowmobiles to visiting ice caves and skiing.
Snowmobil adventure on Langjökull
Iceland’s landscapes are everchanging
Faxafoss
Faxafoss, nicknamed Faxi, is like a little cousin of Gullfoss. Located on the Tungufljot River, it’s not particularly high (seven metres) but it is particularly wide — a whopping 80 metres.
While it doesn’t have the wow factor of the other stops on the Golden Circle, it is a great place to enjoy peace and tranquility for a small entrance fee.
On the waterfall’s left-hand side, you’ll find a series of pools cascading upwards. This is a so-called salmon ladder, which helps salmon migrate upstream during breeding season.
The area around Faxafoss is very calm…
…and the views are wonderful
Skálholt
Sálholt is not just a name of a hotel but one of the largest historic sites in Iceland. In 1056, it became the place of residence of Iceland’s very first bishop.
Thermal springs on the Golden Circle
Iceland is famous for thermal baths and hot springs and you can actually find a whole bunch of them on the Golden Circle. They’re an ideal place to rest and reenergise during your trip. Here are some that you can chose from:
Secret Lagoon
Known as Gamla Laugin among locals, the Secret Lagoon in Flúðir is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. The entry fee is 3600 ISK (around 25) for an adult.
Hrunalaug Hot Spring
Hrunalaug is a small hot spring located right outside Flúðir. The friendly entry fee of 2500 ISK (16,8) makes it a great alternative to other, pricier options.
A limited number of people are allowed to enter at a time, which gives visitors enough space and retains an intimate atmosphere. You can stay up to one and a half hours.
Hrunalaug is pretty much in the middle of nowhere
Fontana Spa
The Laugarvatn Fontana is located on the way between Thingvellir and Geyser, the main attractions of the Golden Circle. It offers a combination of baths, thermal pools, a sauna, as well as a possibility to dip in the adjacent lake. It costs 4990 ISK (33,6) to enter.
Reykjadalur Hot Springs
The Reykjadalur Hot Springs in the Reykadalsa river are an ideal place to relax. There is no entry fee, the only place you have to pay at is the parking lot. The hike to the river is about three kilometres and might be tricky to do in bad weather.
Kerid Crater
Kerið (Kerid) is a 6500-year-old volcanic crater lake. Interestingly, it was not formed by a volcanic explosion. Instead, it was a volcanic cone that collapsed into an emptied magma chamber which made Kerið into what it is today.
The pool at the bottom of the crater
Epic views all around
The vivid crimson of the rock and hypnotizing blue of the water is what makes this destination so attractive.
You can walk around the caldera and even venture further to explore the neighbouring craters. Unless the path is too slippery or covered with snow, it’s possible to walk all the way down to the water. The entrance fee is 500 ISK.
The vivid crimson and the hypnotising blue are what makes this landscape so fascinating
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Driving the Golden Circle is the perfect way to start your Iceland adventure. While the its main attractions can be visited in a single day, try to plan at least two days to explore this region and venture off the beaten path. After all, there are many fascinating spots along the Golden Circle.
Have you driven the Golden Circle in Iceland? What were your favourite spots? Share them in the comments below!