Visiting the Golden Circle: itinerary, map, prices, winter weather

The Golden Circle is an area that groups together three major tourist sites:

The Golden Circle gets its name from Gullfoss Falls, one of its three main attractions, and the name means "golden waterfall", and, obviously, from the fact that the route forms more or less a circle. Sometimes you'll also find the name Golden Triangle.

About 250 km long, the classic itinerary starts and ends in Reykjavík and can be completed in one day if you wish. It can be driven by car or as part of a single-day excursion year-round.

If you're doing a road trip, there's no need to return to Reykjavik. For example, if your next stop is south Iceland, it would be better to find accommodation near Selfoss.

The map below of the Golden Circle shows you the location of the three main sites. For a day visit from Reykjavik, we recommend making the loop clockwise.

Unless you spend two hours at each site, you'll have time to add one extra visit and even several others in summer when days are long. The Golden Circle map below shows some of the complementary activities that are possible to do. We'll detail all of them later in this guide.

Additionally, the tourism office provides this map of the region.

Most organized tours last about 7 hours, while a car trip with photo stops and strategic pauses at secondary attractions can take 8 to 10 hours. To put it simply, plan a full day whether summer or winter.

The region is full of activities. Between thermal springs (Secret Lagoon, Fontana Spa), horseback riding, snowmobile excursions on the glacier, diving, eco-village visits or tomato farm tours, you'll have plenty to keep you busy for one or two extra days.

The Golden Circle in Iceland can also be visited on an organized tour. Many agencies organize guided tours from Reykjavik. This is an excellent alternative if you don't want to rent a car or have limited time. Prices are reasonable (about 71.50 USD per person) and agencies leave enough time at the sites to enjoy them.

The classic tour will take you to the three major sites (Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss). There are variations with additional visits like Kerid crater or Secret Lagoon. The latter is an excellent option if the Blue Lagoon is not on your itinerary.

Even though Kerid crater is not a major site, we recommend it. Here's our selection of 3 best day excursions. Almost all combinations are possible.

You can try to get closer by taking lines 71, 72, and 73 departing from Reykjavik.

The best way to discover the Icelandic Golden Circle is to rent a car. This way, you have the complete freedom to stop whenever you want. We've prepared a complete guide on renting a car and 4x4 in Iceland to avoid scams.

Driving along the Golden Circle is not difficult, even in winter, although snowstorms and wind can be easily encountered. This road is highly frequented by tourists and is cleared several times a day. Rental cars are equipped for winter, with appropriate tires that allow for better traction. Before leaving, we advise you, as always, to check the weather and road conditions on Vedur and Road.is.

There are two different routes you can take to get there from Reykjavik: a longer, more scenic route that goes up Highway 1 and Highway 435, and a shorter, more direct route on Highway 1 and Highway 36 if you prefer to go directly to the main sites.

Summer or winter, a 4X4 is not necessary. A city car is sufficient because you are on flat terrain and the roads are always cleared of snow to allow tourists access to the sites.

If you have the choice, we advise you to start your tour with Thingvellir National Park to end your day with a bang at the Gullfoss waterfall.

This first one-day itinerary, feasible in winter, starts and ends in the capital.

This itinerary will let you discover the Golden Circle over 2 days with unforgettable experiences.

The first stop along the Golden Circle is Thingvellir National Park, just 45 minutes drive from the capital. This magnificent Icelandic site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is not only spectacular and scenic, it is also deeply rooted in local history and folklore.

Thingvellir National Park is located nearly 50 kilometers from Reykjavík and is the most important place in Icelandic history. It is here that the world's first parliament, the Alþingi, was established in 930 AD. It is also here that Iceland converted to Christianity (in the year 1000) and that the Republic of Iceland was born in 1944.

Inside the park, you can visit some of these historical sites, such as the Lögberg ("The Law Rock"), a mound where the first Icelandic parliament was located. Today, nothing remains of the original building, but it is remembered by an Icelandic flag flying.

In the park, you can also see the Thingvallakirkja, one of Iceland's first churches after its Christianization.

However, despite its historical importance, many visitors are drawn to its geological specificities. The Thingvellir National Park is full of fissures, caused by the separation of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, through which it is possible to walk and even go diving/snorkeling (Silfra fissure). These plates have been continuously moving away from each other, currently shifting at a rate of about 2 cm per year. This slow process has shaped the island's landscapes for millions of years.

It also features the Öxarárfoss waterfall, which although it is not one of Iceland's most impressive, its location and the black rocks at the base give it something special. Especially if it is the first one you see in Iceland.

Adding to the cultural and geological importance, Thingvellir Park was the protagonist of some scenes in Game of Thrones.

The visit is made very easy since the park is connected by platforms. In the visitor center of the Thingvellir National Park, there is a permanent exhibition (paid access) on the history and geography of this place.

Cost and Hours: All-day parking: 750.00 ISK | 5.95 USD. There are several parking lots in the park, so if you cannot hike, you can drive and park to see the main sites. Open 24 hours.

Visit Duration: 45 minutes to 2 hours.

60 kilometers from Thingvellir is the Geysir Geothermal Area, in the Haukadalur valley. It is one of the most active geothermal areas in Iceland and perhaps the most famous in the world. Here, there are several geysers, a type of hot spring that expels large columns of boiling water with great force.

The original Geysir, which gives its name to all geysers in the world, is here, but is currently inactive. However, a few meters away, you can visit Strokkur, another active geyser that erupts every 5 to 10 minutes. The columns of water reach nearly 30 meters high, although this is nothing compared to the 80 meters that Geysir once reached.

Cost and Hours: there is free parking next to the Geysir Center, just opposite the access to the geothermal area. Here there is a gas station, a souvenir shop, restaurants, a camping area... and also, access to the geothermal area is entirely free. Open 24 hours.

Visit Duration: you can spend from 20 minutes to 1 hour at Geysir, depending on how many times you want to see the geyser activated and whether you want to climb the mountain to get a wider aerial view of the geothermal area.

Just 10 kilometers from Geysir is the Gullfoss waterfall. It is not only the best-known waterfall in Iceland, but one of the most impressive. This place consists of two cascades with a 32-meter drop, flowing into the Hvítá River. There are several viewpoints at different heights from which you can observe the water falling. From one of them, you can get so close that you will be splashed by the mist of the waterfall!

Its main charm is that it is disproportionately large. The average flow rate in this waterfall is 140 cubic meters per second in summer and 80 in winter. Moreover, the maximum measured flow rate is 2,000 cubic meters. Besides its size, its steps stand out, formed by the erosion of the Hvitá River on strata of different materials. This natural wonder is also nicknamed "the queen of all waterfalls" and on clear days it is easy to find it surrounded by one or more colorful rainbows. In addition, thanks to the well- maintained paths, it is possible to get very close to the drop and appreciate ( and photograph!) the waterfall from different viewpoints, each more stunning than the last.

The history of Gullfoss is very particular, as it was on the verge of being lost forever. In the 20th century, British investors saw the possibility of installing a geothermal power plant there. However, the daughter of the farmers who owned the land, Sigríður Tómasdóttir, completely refused.

She and her family had wanted to create the paths to get to the waterfall and she fought not to lose it forever. She organized demonstrations, even commuting back and forth to Reykjavik to prevent the total loss of the waterfall. Finally, she made the investors back down and she became an environmental icon and one of the most important people in the country's history.

Cost and Hours: This site has free parking in front of the Visitor Center, where in addition to an information center, they have a restaurant and a huge gift and souvenir shop. Open 24 hours.

Visit Duration: 1 hour

While Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss waterfall may be the most famous attractions on the Golden Circle, it also offers the opportunity to admire some equally interesting places less affected by mass tourism. Below, we list our favorites; there are also some notable detours.

The Kerið Crater forms a complete oval and has a small lake at the bottom. The rocks surrounding the crater have a fiery red and orange that combine with flashes of black and green while the lake below adds to the palette with its azure waters.

Thought to have formed about 6,500 years ago, this crater is what remains of a volcanic cone that collapsed and filled with water. The Kerið crater is surprisingly colorful, with green moss and red rocks contrasting perfectly with the bright blue water. Although it can be seen with a quick stop if you are short on time on the way back to Reykjavik, a walk along the rim of the crater or down to the lake are worthwhile extra steps.

The acoustics of this place are phenomenal, so much so that the famous Icelandic singer Björk gave one of her concerts there. For the occasion, the artist performed from a raft in the middle of the lake.

Price and Hours: 400.00 ISK | 2.75 EUR | **$3.17 USD** with parking included when staff are present. Open 24 hours.

Visit Duration: 30 minutes. The area is small, so it doesn't take long to walk along the rim of the crater or down to the lake at the bottom.

Although far from being a secret, this relaxing hot spring bath is a great way to take a break during your Golden Circle visit with a dip in the soothing 100-degree waters. Just a 10-minute drive from the main Golden Circle route, a soak in the waters of one of Iceland's oldest pools is a nice reward after hours of driving.

Price and Hours: Admission: Adults 2800.00 ISK | 19.26 EUR | **$22.25 USD**, children under 14 years are free. Open daily from 10 am to 10 pm during the summer months and is open from 11 am to 8 pm from October to April.

Visit Duration: 1-2 hours.

Booking: Booking with free cancellation

A unique site in the world, the Silfra fissure is located in Þingvellir National Park. This fissure is considered one of the best freshwater diving destinations worldwide. The Silfra fissure is a passage between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, offering divers a panoramic view of the underwater fissures and crevices. In addition to diving, snorkeling enthusiasts can explore the fissure at the surface, admiring the underwater wonders without having to dive.

Price: Admission: Adults (12+ years) 139.00 EUR | 20203.97 ISK | **$160.55 USD**

Visit Duration: 3 hours

Booking: Booking with free cancellation

For the adventure of a lifetime, head to the Langjökull glacier by snowmobile. You can explore the Langjökull glacier at any time of the year as there is always snow. If you are driving, you can be picked up and dropped off at Gullfoss waterfall. Advance booking is required.

Price: Admission: Adults (17+ years) 210.00 EUR | 30523.98 ISK | **$242.56 USD**, Children (8+ years) 127.00 EUR | 18459.74 ISK | **$146.69 USD**

Visit Duration: 4 hours

Booking: Booking with free cancellation

Located in the town of Laugarvatn, between Thingvellir and Geysir, you can truly relax and unwind at the Fontana geothermal baths. The Fontana spa uses the natural waters from the area's hot springs to create 3 steam baths, a traditional Finnish sauna, and shallow pools suitable for children.

Price: Admission: Adults (17+ years) 33.00 EUR | 4796.63 ISK | **$38.12 USD**, Youth (13+ years) 18.00 EUR | 2616.34 ISK | **$20.79 USD**, Senior (67+ years) 18.00 EUR | 2616.34 ISK | **$20.79 USD**, Children (- 13 years) Free

Visit Duration: 3 hours

Booking: Booking with free cancellation

On the road between Thingvellir and the Geysir geothermal area, stop at the Sólheimar ecovillage. Visiting this village allows you to learn more about how the community maximizes the potential of every resident, regardless of age or disability, and supports its cause.

This small village steeped in history is considered by some to be the first Icelandic town. Skálholt housed the country's first bishop and first school. It's worth a stop to admire its characteristic cathedral or visit the nearby Secret Lagoon.

Visit a tomato greenhouse or go just to taste their tomato-based products. The Friðheimar greenhouse has a very renowned restaurant ideal for lunch or dinner. Reservations are highly recommended.

Treat yourself to a break between Thingvellir and Geysir to savor the delicious homemade ice creams from Efstidalur Farm. The ice creams are made from the farm's cow milk.

Hours and Price: check on their website or Facebook page. Open from 8 am on Wednesdays and weekends.

Visit Duration: 20 minutes

Brúarfoss is a waterfall located in Iceland, known for its unique turquoise color. It is located between Thingvellir and Geysir. The waterfall is approximately 20 meters high and is fed by the Brúará River. Visitors can access the waterfall by taking a hiking trail.

Hours and Price: 24/7, Free

Visit Duration: 45 minutes

Faxi Falls is fed by Vatnshlíðarvatn lake and is approximately 60 meters high. The fall is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, including green hills and snowy mountains. It is also popular with fly fishermen due to the presence of salmon in the river that flows into the falls.

Hours and Price: 24/7, Free

Visit Duration: 30 minutes