Recommended time: 2-3 days

Distance: 230 km

Trip-type: Adventure

If you love the countryside and dream of a vacation full of multi-tier waterfalls, geysers & numerous cliffs with dramatic faces, Iceland's Golden Circle road trip is what you are looking for. 

Most travelers start and end their Golden Circle Iceland trip from/in Reykjavík & the itinerary consists of many attractions spread around to form a circle. It covers Iceland’s 3 most loved attractions or destinations (they are listed below) as listed below:

• Þingvellir National Park

• Geysir geothermal area & Strokkur

• Gullfoss waterfall

• Skálholt

• Kerið Crater

Best time to do Iceland’s popular Golden Circle road trip?

Midnight sun and relatively warmer temperatures make the summer season (July & August) the best time to go on a ‘Golden Circle’ road trip. June also receives many tourists because of the 24 hour sun. Most of the travelers start their trip in the famous icelandic city of Reykjavík. 

July & August is therefore the best time to visit Iceland for the Golden Circle road trip, especially for hikers. However, if you want to witness Northern Lights, visit in the months of February, March, September and October. 

Can I complete the road trip in 1 day?

Surely, you can. The Golden Circle consists of 230 kilometers or 140 miles, and can be easily done in a day. However, most people spend at least 2 to 3 days exploring the Golden Circle circuit and the attractions along the way.

Best way to go on ‘Golden Circle’ road trip in Iceland?

While some people join group tours, others prefer to take the trip in a rental car (especially tourists who are visiting Iceland for a vacation). A tour is a good option if you are not a driver, but if you are, we will suggest a personal car or a rental vehicle as that way you will be able to cover the trip in your own time & pace. 

With a rental car you get the complete control and hence it becomes really important that you plan your route properly, and that too well in advance. Bookmark our itinerary for future references.

Golden Circle road trip Itinerary

Þingvellir national park

It will not be wrong if we say that Þingvellir National Park is one of most loved destinations on Golden Circle. Full of history and natural beauty, it was Iceland’s first national park and is UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. It is the first stop on the way when you start from Reykjavik in the clockwise direction. 

Þingvellir is of great importance in Iceland’s cultural history. Historic data collected over the years proves that South Iceland was first inhabited by the people in 9th Century CE. From a very early stage, they had a system in place for a fairer society, an assembly that helped them to resolve disputes. And you know what? Þingvellir was the place where this assembly was set up. It evolved into the world's first parliament in 930. 

Geographically also it is of great importance; Þingvellir National Park is the place where North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Here, you will actually be able to see the Mid-Atlantic Ridge & one of the last corners of the North American continent.

Geysir geothermal area

Keep driving in the clockwise direction after Þingvellir National Park and you will reach Geysir geothermal area. This area has a lot of volcanic activity and the landscape is dotted with steaming vents & chimneys.

Geysir geothermal area has two prominent geysers - Great Geysir and Strokkur Geysir. While Great Geysir is the first geyser ever documented in European literature, Strokkur Geysir is famous for its eruptions that take place every 6 to 10 minutes and shoot water up to a height of 40 meters.  In comparison to Strokkur Geysir, Great Geysir only erupts once in a few months but it is 10,000 years old.

The surrounding Haukadalur Valley has numerous other hot springs and geysers.

Gullfoss waterfall

A few miles from Geysir geothermal area is Gullfoss which is undoubetdly Iceland’s most loved waterfall. Here you will witness a natural wonder, where water cascades down 32 meters in 2 drops and gives rise to one of the most beautiful rainbows. Langjökull ice sheet in winters is also a major highlight which you will be able to see from the viewpoint. In summers, the ice sheet is absent which means you will be able to walk up to the edge of the waterfall & experience the wonder from up close; be ready to feel the spray on your face. 

Rafting is also a popular activity among people visiting Gullfoss. Or, you can also learn about the woman who campaigned to protect these falls. She emerged as Iceland's first environmentalist ever and it is because of her efforts that Gullfoss is now a national conservation area.

Skálholt. It is said to be Iceland’s first town, it is also the place where Iceland’s first school was established. Iceland’s first bishop was also from Skálholt and is most noted for attractions like Secret Lagoon & the town’s quaint cathedral. 

For nearly 8 centuries, Skálholt  was the main cultural and political center of Iceland along with other cities like Hólar. Its most famous landmark is Skálholt Cathedral which by Icelandic standards is relatively larger. Another great thing about the city is the Skálholt map which was first made in the 16th century but was lost over time. Its copy made in the 1960s is now in the collection of the Danish Royal Library.

Kerið Crater. Kerið Crater is oval in shape, is surrounded by rocks of plethora of colors dominated by fiery reds and oranges. It has a small lake at the bottom which adds more color with its sky-blue waters; 270 m long, 170 m wide and 55 m deep. A great place for some memorable instagram-worthy photographs.

It is located next to road 35, about 10-15 km from ring road 1 & is well sign posted, you will be able to find it easily. and the best thing is that you will be able to walk around the rim of the Crater and observe its beauty from all possible angles. It is best experienced in summer months as in winters it gets completely covered with snow. There is a small fee that you have to pay to enter the Crater.  

Other Golden Circle Attractions 

Fontana Geothermal Baths:It sits somewhere between Þingvellir and the Geysirs in the town of Laugarvatn. It also has a spa that uses the water from the hot springs, has three steam rooms & kid-friendly bathing pools

. 

Langjökull Glacier: If you love snow, Langjökull Glacier is the place you should not miss. It is a year-around destination as no matter the season, it always has snow. 

Sólheimar. While driving from Þingvellir to Geysir Geothermal Area, there is a place called Solheimar which is worth-visiting. This village is the perfect example of a community that supports its every resident, supports them and helps them reach their potential. 

Þjórsárdalur (Thjorsardalur) Valley: It is actually not a part of the Golden Circle and is a bit off the route but is a great place if you want to see some more mesmerising waterfalls like Hjalparfoss,Glanni, Pjofafoss and Haifoss.

Bonus tips:

Don't miss these things at Þingvellir National Park:

• Þingvallavatn (It is Iceland’s largest natural lake)

• Langjökull glacier  

• Snorkel at Silfra (It is the world’s top 10 dive sites)

• Almannagjá gorge

• Öxarárfoss waterfall