Iceland’s Beautiful Golden Circle – Detailed Guide for Your Next Trip!
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The Golden Circle is one of Iceland’s most popular scenic routes. It is a great short drive that presents a perfect introduction to the country. Made up of three beautiful locations representing the wide range of natural wonders Iceland has to offer. You’ll see waterfalls, geothermal activity, and a UNESCO national park. Read on to learn more!
Summary
What is the Golden Circle in Iceland?
When is the best time to visit?
How long does it take to drive the Golden Circle?
Can I do the Golden Circle as a day trip from Reykjavik?
Now that I’m here, what do I do?
Map
Locations
Thingvellir National Park
Geysir Geothermal Area
Gullfoss
Additional Sights
Faxifoss
Kerið (Kerid) Crater
Iceland’s Golden Circle
What is the Golden Circle in Iceland?
The Golden Circle is a popular circular route in southern Iceland. It gets its name from Gullfoss, one of the major waterfalls you will see while visiting. It is one of the most popular day tours from Reykjavik and can be done as a solo self-drive road trip or with an organized tour. The route stretches for around 186 miles/300 km and starts and ends in Reykjavik. You will find that many travelers flock to the Golden Circle due to its proximity to the capital and because many of Iceland’s top sights and attractions can be found here! Whether you are on a long trip or a quick one like this one, I would recommend the Golden Circle to anyone visiting Iceland.
When is the best time to visit?
Any time of the year! All seasons are beautifully different.
For new travelers that may not be the most comfortable in the snow, I would recommend staying within late spring to early fall. Ideally, summer would be the best, most amount of sun and the least amount of rainfall.
However, don’t let this deter you from exploring other times of the year. There is just as much magic in the winter, like the chance to see northern lights! (Click here for tips to see them - COMING SOON) No matter which time of year, make sure to keep your itinerary flexible and an eye on the weather report just in case of any sudden weather changes.
Visit this website to stay up to date on the quickly changing weather conditions.
How long does it take to drive the Golden Circle?
Starting in Reykjavik, round trip should take around 6-8 hours. This includes around 3.5 hours of driving time + however long you decide to spend at each attraction. Additionally, the Golden Circle does not require a 4x4 vehicle. You are able to reach each location easily with any car.
Can I do the Golden Circle as a day trip from Reykjavik?
Definitely! It is easy to squeeze the Golden Circle into a day. Due to its proximity to Reykjavik, there are many options available to you. Of course, you can rent a car and follow my itinerary below. If joining a private/group tour is more your thing, there are many for you to choose from that leave from the city. They might even pick you up right from your hotel!
Now that I’m here, what do I do?
Check out my itineraries!
7 Day Iceland Road Trip - COMING SOON
2 Week Ring Road Itinerary - COMING SOON
Map
Locations
Thingvellir National Park
Ready to be in two continents at once? Þingvellir National Park, pronounced Thingvellir in English, is one of Iceland’s UNESCO world heritage sites. The area is an important cultural and geological site to Iceland. A continental divide cuts right through the park. The rift valley is caused by the separation of two tectonic plates, the North American and Eurasian, marking the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Here is also where the country’s first parliament was located. For hundreds of years, 930 to 1798, Icelanders would meet here to discuss laws and politics. You can just feel the history here. Now, the parliament is located within Alþingishúsið in Reykjavík.
When you arrive, there is a parking lot that accommodates plenty of cars. Before continuing to the park make sure to stop at one of the pay stations located inside the visitor center. To the right of the building there is a viewpoint that I recommend making a stop at before following the path down between the two continents. The path is very well maintained and easy to walk with plenty of informational reading along the way.
Look for this area, the right leads to the viewing platform and the left leads down between the valley
If you follow the path all the way down you will see your first waterfall of the trip, Öxarárfoss. For anyone who is a Game of Thrones fan, nearby there is a rift through the rock that was used as a filming location. One way, the walk is about 20 minutes, but make sure to add to that time to allow for taking in the sights and reading the informational boards. If that is too time-consuming, I think walking about 10 minutes down and turning back lets you see plenty.
Up for some adventure? An even cooler way to see the rifts is by snorkeling! There are tours that bring you through the Silfra Fissure nearby. Very cold but definitely an adventure worth doing. If you do not have time to do both, I would recommend picking one or the other. The snorkeling would probably take around 3 hours or so.
Geysir Geothermal Area
The Geysir geothermal area is within Haukadalur Valley and in the northern part of the Golden Circle. When you arrive there is easy, free, parking by the visitor center. After parking, cross the street to enter the main geothermal area. As you follow the path you will be surrounded by many bubbling mud pots and steaming earth, but the main attractions are Great Geysir and Strokkur Geysir. Great Geysir is the earliest documented geyser in European literature and has been active for around 10,000 years. Now, it is pretty much inactive. However, before reaching Great Geysir, you will see Strokkur. This geyser erupts every 6-10 minutes, shooting boiling hot water almost 131 feet (40 meters) in the air.
As you walk up to Strokkur you can go right and view it from that side or keep walking and you will reach Great Geysir. You used to be able to walk completely around Strokkur but as of my visit in 2021, it has been closed off, but you can still reach the other side. Go back to the front of it and cross over following the left side of the geyser. That side allows you to get up closer and see the water inside. After watching Strokkur go off a couple more times, turn around and follow the trail up to see several more hot springs, mud pits, and geysers around the area.
Gullfoss
Next up is Gullfoss, or “Gold Waterfall”. Gullfoss is one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls you will see on your trip, and how the Golden Circle gets its name! This location again includes a good size parking lot and a great visitor center. To reach the waterfall walk to the left of the visitor center and follow the path down where you should quickly start to hear the powerful water cascading down.
There are two ways to see the falls, from above and walking right up to it. As you reach the stairs, turn left to head towards the lookout. After checking that out, walk back to the stairs and walk down to the waterfall. Depending on the time of year, there may be an additional trail that brings you right up to the side of it. If that is closed it is still a breathtaking view from the main area.
Path from the parking lot to the waterfall
Additional Sights
Faxifoss
Many miss Faxifoss when traveling along the Golden Circle. Although it is much less powerful and dramatic than Gullfoss, it is very peaceful and of course, much less crowded. There is a large lot, so no worry about parking. After parking, you can walk to the end of the lot for a great quick view of the waterfall or turn right and follow a short trail to another viewpoint. If you feel like you have some more time, you can follow a path to the left and get a closer look.
Note: If you’re using Google maps, and having trouble finding it, try typing in Faxafoss or just Faxi.
Parking lot and path/viewing platform
Kerið (Kerid) Crater
Kerid crater is a massive red rock crater with a lake in the middle that was once a typical cone-shaped volcano. The surrounding rocks are fiery red and orange combined with bursts of black and green with a deep blue lake at the bottom. The color of the lake depends on how sunny/cloudy it is when you are there.
When you arrive, there is a small parking lot. Parking is free but there is a small per person entrance fee (about $3 each). After paying, to the left is a short trail leading up to a wonderful viewpoint of the crater. Then, to the left of the lookout, there is a short, 5 minute, trail that leads down to the lake allowing you to walk right up to it.
Now go enjoy your trip!
Hi, I’m Karen!Travel Blogger & Photographer + Founder of The Everyday Adventure
Here I share travel tips, packing guides, planning help, and photography from many different parts of the world. I help other working 9-5 adventurers get out into the world and see as much as they can with the little time they have available.
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