Complete Guide to the Golden Circle

Iceland's Golden Circle is one of the most popular and accessible tourist routes in the country, offering a perfect blend of stunning natural beauty, geological wonders, and historical landmarks. This route, which loops through some of Iceland's most iconic sights, is ideal for a day trip from Reykjavík or a leisurely exploration of Iceland's rich landscape. Whether you’re planning an upcoming trip or would like to know more about this Icelandic attraction, stay tuned as we cover everything there is to know about the Golden Circle.

What is the Golden Circle?

Iceland’s Golden Circle is a 190-mile (300 km) circular route in the South of Iceland. The route is a popular road trip for tourists eager to take in some of Iceland’s most famous and historic attractions in a day or two. The Golden Circle’s location in close proximity to Reykjavík makes this not only an adventurous road trip but also a convenient one! 

You can spend as much time as you like exploring the Golden Circle, with many visitors choosing to hit the highlights in a single day. However, if you want to take your time and explore some attractions and hidden gems slightly off-route, you can fill two or three days.

The Golden Circle boasts three of Iceland’s most popular and visited attractions, not to mention bonus stops you can choose to enjoy or forgo along the way. The main three attractions are:

Thingvellir National Park

This is not your average national park. In addition to beautiful natural landscapes, Thingvellir is also home to mind-blowing geographical features like tectonic plates pulling the Earth apart before your eyes. It’s also the site of Iceland’s first parliament, The Alþingi, which was first established in the 10th century. Finally, Thingvellir National Park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Some additional must-see sights at Thingvellir include Almannagjá Gorge, and scuba diving or snorkeling at Silfra Fissure.

Geysir Geothermal Area

An ode to Iceland’s geothermal and volcanic activity, Geysir Geothermal Area is a unique collection of geysers, bubbling hot pots, gurgling mud pools, and hot springs along the Golden Circle route. The Great Geysir, for which all “geysers” around the world were named, has been dormant since the early 20th century. It is said that when it was active, it would spout sizzling water nearly 200 feet (60 meters) into the air! On some occasions, heights of as much as 260 feet (80 meters) were recorded. 

 

Today, the nearby Strokkur geyser (located in the same area) is the main attraction, erupting frequently throughout the day. You can typically watch the spectacle every 10 minutes or so. The typical height of Strokkur’s eruptions is roughly 100 feet (30 meters).

Gullfoss Waterfall

Iceland is home to hundreds of waterfalls, but one of the most famous is surely Gullfoss. This double waterfall straddles the Hvita River. It’s unusually wide, at nearly 800 feet (244 meters), with the first tier dropping 35 feet (20 meters) and the second 70 feet (21 meters). The waterfall has featured in numerous films and TV series, including the popular “Vikings” series.

How to Get to the Golden Circle With Map

The most convenient way to embark upon your Golden Circle adventure is by starting in Reykjavík. From here, once you’ve hired a rental car, head northeast out of Reykjavík onto Route 1. Eventually, you will merge onto Route 36 and follow this until you reach your first stop just 45 minutes away from Reykjavík - Thingvellir National Park.

 

The three main sights of the Golden Circle are well-signed, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding each location. However, it’s always a good idea to make sure you hire extras, like a GPS, with your rental car. 

Other Attractions on the Golden Circle Route

The big three attractions should be more than enough to entice you on a Golden Circle expedition, but there’s more to see and do. There are numerous side attractions and areas to explore in and around the Golden Circle. 

Kerid Crater Lake 

Kerid is a volcanic crater that was formed roughly 3,000 years ago, once home to a volcano that erupted. What remains now is a stunning geological occurrence - a deep crater filled with aquamarine water and surrounded by soil and rocks of stunning colors. There is a convenient path you can walk down to reach the bottom of the crater in order to explore and admire the lake. 

The Secret Lagoon

Make sure to visit Iceland’s oldest swimming pool when you explore the Golden Circle. Near Flúðir you will find a geothermal area, called Hverahólmi, and this is where you can enjoy a pool that is over 200 years old and naturally heated by Iceland’s volcanic activity. 

Bruarfoss Waterfall

Not far from Geysir, you will find another wonderful example of an Icelandic waterfall. Bruarfoss is by no means the largest or most powerful fall in Iceland, but it’s one of the most beautiful. The unique horseshoe shape with multiple tiered falls of bright turquoise blue make for an amazing sight.

 

The Golden Circle offers unique experiences and views, with the added convenience of being close to Reykjavík and possible to complete in just a day or two. When you’re ready, choose the right car for your Golden Circle road trip and get ready for the trip of a lifetime!

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