Iceland’s Golden Circle is the country’s most popular tourist route for good reason. This 300 km loop from Reykjavik packs in some of Iceland’s most impressive natural wonders: an explosive geyser, a thundering two-tier waterfall and a rift valley where continental plates are pulling apart.
I did it as a day tour rather than driving myself and went in expecting a tick list outing. Instead, I was surprised by how dramatic it felt in places. Here is what the route is really like, the Golden Circle stops that are worth your time and a few things I learned along the way.
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How to Visit the Golden Circle
Iceland has limited public transport, so you have two options: hire a car or join an organised tour from Reykjavik.
Self-Drive
Driving gives you maximum flexibility to explore at your own pace and visit lesser-known stops like Kerid Crater Lake, Brúarfoss waterfall or Laugarvatn Spa. The route is straightforward and well signposted.
Is it safe to drive in winter? Yes. The Golden Circle is one of Iceland’s major tourist routes and roads are cleared frequently. You don’t need a 4×4—a standard car is fine year-round on this route.
Driving tips
- Fill up in Reykjavik before you leave (petrol stations are sparse along the route)
- Download offline maps in case of patchy mobile signal
- Check road conditions at road.is before setting out
Organised Tours
However, if like me, you are less comfortable about driving in all weathers, there is no shortage of Golden Circle organised tours departing Reykjavik. What you lose in flexibility, you gain in comfort and convenience.
I’ve included options you could consider towards the end of this guide.
Best time and weather considerations
Iceland’s weather is famously fickle. I visited in March and experienced everything from bright sunshine to horizontal hailstones within a single hour. This isn’t unusual for Iceland.
Summer (June to August) brings the longest daylight hours and mildest temperatures (10-15°C), making it the most popular time to visit. Roads are in excellent condition and all stops are easily accessible. The downside? You’ll share the experience with coach loads of tourists, particularly at Geysir and Gullfoss.
Winter (November to March) means shorter days and colder temperatures, but also fewer crowds and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights. The Golden Circle route is kept clear year-round, so winter driving is perfectly manageable on this route. Pack serious layers though; the wind chill at exposed sites like Gullfoss was brutal.
Shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) offer the best balance. You’ll encounter fewer tourists than summer but better weather than winter, plus autumn brings the possibility of Northern Lights without the worst of the cold.
Whatever season you choose, pack layers. You’ll want waterproof outer layers, a warm mid-layer and a hat that won’t blow off. The wind at Gullfoss in particular can be fierce, and the spray from the waterfall adds to the chill factor.
How long it takes
- Driving time alone: Around 3 hours to complete the 300 km circuit without stops.
- Realistic day trip: 6-8 hours including stops at the three main sites (Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss) plus lunch and a quick ice cream stop at Efstidalur Farm.
- Leisurely exploration: 10-12 hours if you want to add Brúarfoss waterfall (requires a 4 km round-trip hike), soak in Laugarvatn Spa or visit Kerid Crater Lake.
- Multi-day option: Whilst most people complete the Golden Circle as a day trip from Reykjavik, you could split it over two days and base yourself in the Haukadalur area. This allows time for the Reykjadalur Hot Springs hike or a spa session at Laugarvatn.
Most organised tours allocate 30-45 minutes at each major stop, which feels rushed at Thingvellir (there’s a lot to see) but adequate at Geysir and Gullfoss.
Golden Circle Map & Stops
On this map, I have included the most popular Golden Circle stops (in bolded text below), as well as a few that are less visited.
Except for Laugarvatn Spa and Kerid Crater Lake, admission to these places is free.
Main Golden Circle Stops ((in geographical order)
Thingvellir National Park (Þingvellir NATIONAL PARK)
Thingvellir National Park earns its UNESCO status for two reasons.
Geologically, you’re standing at the boundary of the American and Eurasian continental plates. These plates are pulling apart at 2 cm per year, creating a massive rift valley.
Historically, this is where Iceland’s parliament first met in 930 AD, making it the longest-running parliamentary site in the world.
For a gruesome side of Icelandic history, don’t miss the Drowning Pool. In medieval times, drowning was a popular form of execution and provision was made in Icelandic law in 1281. At Thingvellir, 18 women are said to have been tied up in a sack and thrown into this pool.
If you have time to spare, stop by the Visitor Centre. There are displays on the area’s geology and history and a small shop that sells souvenirs and snacks.
Hiking within Thingvellir National Park is reportedly easy, along good, clearly marked trails. For the more adventurous, you can snorkel or dive between the continental plates at Silfra. Great for bragging rights!
Haukadalur Geothermal Area (& Strokkur Geysir)
Our second Golden Circle stop is Geysir, after which all other geysers have been named. This is a thermal area of bubbling sulphurous pools in the Haukadalur Valley.
The original Geysir is currently inactive. However, visitors come to gasp in awe at the mighty Strokkur geyser, which reliably shoots plumes of boiling water up to 40 meters in the air every five minutes or so.
Referring to the Strokkur geyser, I heard one visitor ask another “Does someone come to turn it on?”
Gullfoss waterfall
Even in challenging weather—and I mean horizontal hailstones that felt like glass hitting my face—Gullfoss was spectacular. The twin cataracts thunder 32 metres into a narrow canyon of the Hvítá River. It’s called Golden Falls after the golden hue often cast by its glacial waters.
Watch your step on the metal stairs down to the lower viewpoint, which can be slippery from spray. Walk to both viewpoints for different perspectives, but protect your camera gear from the mist.
However, Gullfoss Waterfall came very close to destruction at the beginning of the 20th century when foreign investors tried to rent the waterfall to generate electricity. Although the owner of the land opposed the construction, he accidentally signed away the rights to the waterfall.
His daughter was less than happy at this prospect and took them to court, even threatening to throw herself into the river. Fortunately, she won the legal battle, and the property was sold to the protection of the Icelandic Government.
ICELANDIC HORSES
Stop to pet an Icelandic horse if you see one by the roadside. Despite their small size (often mistaken for ponies), these are horses with a unique four-beat gait.
They’ve lived in Iceland in isolation since 982 when a law banned horse imports, making them the purest breed in the world. They’re also famously good-natured.
Additional Stops Worth Your Time
Brúarfoss Waterfall
Tucked away between Laugarvatn village and Geysir geothermal area, you need to hike over two miles (one-way) along the Brúará River to reach Brúarfoss. Although Brúarfoss (‘Bridge Falls’) is a relatively small waterfall in Icelandic terms, what it lacks in size it makes up for in beauty. It is famous for the brilliant colour that has earned it the label of ‘Iceland’s Bluest Waterfall’.
Laugarvatn spa
Do you want to bathe in a hot spring and are looking for a lower-key alternative to Iceland’s Blue Lagoon? If so, check out Laugarvatn Fontana Spa which is on the Golden Circle route.
It may not be as big and famous as the Blue Lagoon but it is much more budget-friendly.
Reykjadalur Hot Springs
Alternatively, why not soak in the Reykjadalur Hot Springs? It’s a one-hour walk to these natural hot springs, which is scenic but challenging in places. Once you arrive, changing facilities are limited.
Ice cream at the Efstidalur Dairy Farm
Stop for organic homemade ice cream at Efstidalur. This family-run working farm, a short distance from Thingvellir National Park, sells a variety of products straight from the farm, including the famous ice cream, skyr and feta cheese.
The ice cream is delicious and you can enjoy it whilst watching the cows through a window between the cafe and the cowshed. In the summer months, Efstidalur offers horse riding.
Skálholt
The town of Skálholt is a Golden Circle stop for all of you history buffs out there. From 1056 to 1785 it was the centre of Christianity in southern Iceland, and is where the first school in the country’s first school was founded. Today’s Skálholt has a large evangelical Lutheran church, Skálholt Cathedral, and hosts cultural events in the summer.
Kerid crater lake
This shallow, neon blue lake sitting in a volcanic caldera of rare red rock is a geological oddity. The Kerid caldera is thought to have formed when the magma in the centre of the volcano depleted itself, rather than being carved from a more dramatic explosion.
Tour Recommendations
Here is my pick of the best from GetYourGuide, my go-to platform for booking excursions. They usually offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, essential considering Iceland’s unpredictable weather.
Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full Day Tour with Kerid Crater – Covers all three main stops plus Kerid Crater Lake. A solid choice if you want the classic Golden Circle experience without extras.
Reykjavik: Golden Circle Tour & Secret Lagoon Early Access – Combines the main Golden Circle stops with an early morning soak in the Secret Lagoon hot springs. This is my top pick if you want to experience a geothermal bath without the Blue Lagoon crowds or price tag.
Combining with the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon isn’t on the Golden Circle route—it’s near Keflavik Airport, about 50 km from Reykjavik in the opposite direction. However, if you’re tight on time, you can visit both in one long day.
If you’re driving: Set off early and do the Golden Circle first, then visit the Blue Lagoon on your way back towards Reykjavik. Book your Blue Lagoon slot for late afternoon or evening.
If you’re taking tours: Book a combined Blue Lagoon and the Golden Circle day trip. These typically visit the lagoon either first thing in the morning or at the end of the day.
Where to Stay
If you would like to stay close to the Golden Circle, Haukadalur is a good base but choices are limited Most people decide to stay in Reykjavik.
I stayed at the mid-range Hotel Frön, which is perfect if you are visiting Iceland on a budget but are looking for a bit of comfort. A big bonus was the free breakfast.
If this doesn’t meet your needs, take a look at Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Center, a stylish 4-star hotel with a fitness centre and a bar.
And That’s a Wrap
There’s a good reason why touring the Golden Circle is one of the most popular things to do in Iceland. To gain an appreciation of Iceland’s extraordinary landscape in one easy day trip from Reykjavik, it’s unbeatable.
The primeval power of Strokkur geyser and the thundering Gullfoss Falls will be etched into my memory for many years, not to mention the adorable Icelandic horses. If this is your one chance to explore Iceland outside Reykjavik, grab it with both hands.
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.