Thingvellir National Park

Þingvellir

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 is also the site where Iceland's parliament was founded in 930 CE.

Þingvellir lies about 45 kilometers northeast of Reykjavík and is Iceland's only World Heritage cultural site. It is where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge rises above the surface of the ocean. The Eurasian and North American plates are moving apart at roughly 2 centimeters a year, forming the famous Almannagjá gorge. Visitors can walk on wooden boardwalks along the floor of the gorge, 'between two continents.' At the end of the boardwalk is the Lögberg, or Law Rock, where the open-air assembly Alþingi met from 930 to 1798. It is considered one of the oldest parliaments in the world. Other sights include Öxarárfoss waterfall, which drops over the gorge wall and freezes in winter; Þingvallavatn, Iceland's largest natural lake; and a white small church and the prime minister's summer residence on the lakeshore. The most unusual experience is snorkeling or diving in Silfra, a fissure between the two plates. You drift through glacial meltwater with visibility over 100 meters, at a water temperature of 2 to 4°C. You must wear a drysuit. It costs about ISK 20,000 to 30,000 and must be booked in advance. Entry to the park is free, but parking costs ISK 1,000 per day. The visitor center beside parking lot P1 has restrooms that charge a fee. The visitor center has interactive exhibits for ISK 1,000. For the Golden Circle, go clockwise: Þingvellir, then Geysir, then Gullfoss. Arriving between 8 and 9 a.m. helps you avoid tour groups. In winter, boardwalks can be icy, so wear grip-soled footwear. In strong wind, do not linger at the top of the gorge. Drones are prohibited in the park.

Thingvellir National Park

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