Golden Circle (Iceland)

The classic loop of Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss; stay around Laugarvatn to enjoy hot springs and crater lakes at a leisurely pace.

Iceland's Golden Circle lies in the Southern Region of southwestern Iceland and is a classic loop of about 300 km from Reykjavík, built around three core sights: Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss, the "Golden Waterfall." Þingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can walk through the rift between tectonic plates at Almannagjá and snorkel in the Silfra fissure; at Geysir, the Strokkur geyser erupts every 5–10 minutes; Gullfoss tumbles in two tiers into a canyon. Around the loop you will also find the Kerið crater lake, the Secret Lagoon, Fontana geothermal baths, the Friðheimar tomato greenhouse restaurant, the Reykjadalur hot-spring river hike from Hveragerði, and Háifoss waterfall in the Þjórsárdalur valley. We recommend staying 2–3 days around Laugarvatn, Flúðir or Selfoss, which is more relaxed than a day trip. In summer (June–August) there is near-constant daylight and all roads are open; in winter daylight lasts only 4–5 hours and roads are often icy, but country farm hotels are great places to watch the aurora. Getting around is mainly by self-drive, and there are plenty of day tours from Reykjavík; some highland roads (such as the F-road to Gjáin) are open only in summer and require a 4x4. Iceland's weather is changeable, so check road conditions on road.is and weather warnings on vedur.is before you set out.

Top sights

• Thingvellir National Park – The first stop on the Golden Circle and a World Heritage Site, a rift valley where the Eurasian and North American plates split apart. It i…
• Geysir Geothermal Area (Strokkur) – The source of the English word 'geyser.' The Strokkur geyser erupts a column of boiling water 20 to 30 meters high every 5 to 10 minutes, t…
• Gullfoss – The grand finale of the Golden Circle. The Hvítá River plunges 32 meters in two tiers into a canyon, and on sunny days rainbows hang in the…
• Kerið – A red volcanic crater formed about 3,000 years ago, with emerald-green water at the bottom. You can walk the rim or descend to the lake.
• Silfra Fissure – An underwater fissure between the North American and Eurasian plates, with glacier-fed water so clear that visibility often exceeds 100 met…
• Secret Lagoon (Gamla laugin) – One of Iceland's oldest open-air pools, fed by natural geothermal water at about 38-40°C, with a small geyser nearby that erupts on a regul…
• Laugarvatn Fontana – A geothermal spa on the shore of Laugarvatn lake, with natural steam baths and lakeside pools, where you can try bread baked in the geother…
• Friðheimar – A family farm where you dine among tomato plants in a greenhouse. The signature is unlimited refills of tomato soup with fresh-baked bread…
• Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River – A roughly one-hour hike from Hveragerði to a hot river valley where you can soak in the water, with steaming geothermal mud pools along the…
• Öxarárfoss – A waterfall in Þingvellir National Park, pouring down the cliff walls of the Almannagjá rift valley.
• Brúarfoss – A small waterfall famed for the striking blue of its glacial meltwater. The river gathers through crevices in colors that look like the 'Bl…
• Faxi Waterfall – A wide, stepped waterfall on the Tungufljót river, with few visitors and beautiful views. A fish ladder beside it lets salmon swim upstream.
• Skálholt – Iceland's medieval religious and cultural center. For more than 700 years it was the seat of the southern bishopric, and the present church…
• Hveragerði – A greenhouse town built on a geothermal field, with steam vents right beside the streets. It is the starting point for the Reykjadalur hike.
• Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel – One of Iceland's longest and most accessible lava tubes, formed about 5,200 years ago. Inside you can see colorful lava layers and shafts o…
• Urriðafoss – Iceland's waterfall with the greatest volume, on the lower reaches of Þjórsá, the country's longest river, only a few minutes from Route 1.
• Háifoss – One of Iceland's tallest waterfalls, about 122 m high, plunging into a deep canyon alongside the Granni falls.
• Hjálparfoss – A twin waterfall in the Þjórsárdalur valley, where two streams fall between basalt columns into the same pool, creating a graceful scene.
• Commonwealth Farm (Þjóðveldisbærinn) – A reconstructed Viking-age turf longhouse based on the Stöng farm, which was buried by the Hekla eruption. It offers insight into life duri…
• Gjáin – A small canyon hidden in a lava plateau, where streams, small waterfalls and mossy green meadows intertwine. It was a filming location for…
• Þingvallavatn – Iceland's largest natural lake, sitting on a rift zone where the tectonic plates are pulling apart. The water is clear, and the Silfra fiss…
• Geothermal Exhibition at Hellisheiði Power Plant – One of Iceland's largest geothermal power plants, with an interactive exhibition explaining geothermal electricity, heating and carbon stor…
• Efstidalur Farm – A family dairy farm on the Golden Circle where you can eat homemade ice cream while watching the cows through glass. The upstairs restauran…
• Hrunalaug Hot Spring – A small natural hot spring on a private farm near Flúðir, with a turf hut and a few small stone pools. The atmosphere is raw and rustic.

Where to eat

• Friðheimar Tomato Farm Restaurant – Dining among tomato vines in a geothermal greenhouse. The tomato soup and bread buffet is refillable, and this is the m…
• Efstidalur II Farm Restaurant – Family farm between Lake Laugarvatn and the Geysir geysers, where you can watch dairy cows through glass while eating m…
• Lindin Restaurant – Long-established restaurant on the shore of Lake Laugarvatn, known for reindeer burgers, pan-seared arctic char and oth…
• Mika Restaurant – Family-run restaurant in Reykholt, famous for langoustine soup and handmade chocolate. Its wood-fired pizza is also pop…
• Farmers Bistro (Mushroom Farm Café) – A lunch café inside the Flúðasveppir mushroom farm in Flúðir, serving a mushroom soup buffet with homemade breads at go…

Itineraries

• Classic Iceland Ring Road – Drive counter-clockwise around the Ring Road, connecting the Golden Circle, South Coast glaciers, East Fjords, Lake Mýv…
• Grand Iceland Ring Road & Westfjords Self-Drive – Add the Westfjords to the classic Ring Road, using the Baldur ferry to connect back to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
• Winter Iceland Aurora & Blue Ice Cave Self-Drive – Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Golden Circle, and South Coast in winter, culminating in the Blue Ice Cave at the Gl…
• Golden Circle, South Coast & Puffin Island – Take a short holiday to explore the Golden Circle and South Coast, then take a ferry to the Westman Islands to see volc…
• Iceland South Coast & Faroe Islands – Explore Reykjavik and the South Coast of Iceland, then fly to the Faroes for waterfalls, puffins, and turf-roofed villa…