What is the Golden Circle?
The Golden Circle is Iceland's most famous scenic route. It is a round-trip sightseeing tour that combines stunning landmarks and historically significant places.
Its proximity to Reykjavík and the airport area and the short drive between the sights make it convenient for everyone to include the Golden Circle tour in their itinerary.
Whether you take only one or more days to explore the Golden Circle, you’ll experience some of the most stunning geological wonders Iceland has to offer!
Highlights of the Golden Circle
- Distance: Approximately 250 km (155 miles) from and back to Reykjavík
- Travel Days: 1-3 days
- Combinations: South Coast, Þingvellir, Ring Road
- Best travel time: All year round
- 4 & 4 required?: No
During the summer, Gullfoss waterfall bedazzles, on average, more than 2,000 people per day. The popularity and attraction of the 'Golden Waterfall' lie in its unusual, cascading shape and in its extreme photogenic quality from every angle and in every season.
On average, 100,000 liters of glacial water from the river Hvítá plunge 31 meters (100 feet) into the Gullfossgljúfur Canyon every second. Even on the sunniest days, the cold spray will chill onlookers, so we highly recommend raincoats!
Gullfoss is open the whole year round. In the winter, the trails to the lower viewing platforms are sometimes closed due to icy and snowy conditions. Check the road and conditions map on safetravel.is
Geysir
The water in the Haukadalur geothermal area is equally popular but significantly warmer. This is one of the few geyser fields on Earth where one can easily access and observe active geysers.
On designated paths, visitors can walk around the famous Great Geysir, the geyser Strokkur, and various kinds of hot springs, steam vents, and sulfurous mud pots.
While the Great Geysir barely spouts, the smaller geyser Strokkur reliably gushes its fountains of boiling water every 8-10 minutes up to 30 meters in the air. Have your camera ready and stay on the upwind side of the geyser!
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir is Iceland's historical and geological treasure, surrounded by scenic beauty.
From the age of settlement 930 AD until 1789, the Icelandic parliament Alþingi met here, and on the 17th of June 1944, Iceland proclaimed its independence from Denmark at this significant location. Since 2004, Þingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
In Þingvellir, the tectonic plates drift apart, the crevasses visible in Almannagjá Canyon and Silfra, where diving and snorkeling between the continents is possible.
The biggest natural lake in Iceland, Þingvallavatn, and the Öxaráfoss waterfall add to the scenic beauty of Þingvellir National Park.
More highlights along the way
The Golden Circle is mounted with big and small highlights and can be extended at will.
More wonderful sights in the Golden Circle include the volcanic crater Kerið and the historic Bishop’s see Skálholt.
The high amount of geothermal energy also supplies the numerous geothermal pools and greenhouses in the area.
Find out more on Visit South Iceland
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