Iceland’s Golden Circle: Is this Day Trip from Reykjavik Worth Your Time?

Iceland’s Golden Circle is one of the country’s most popular day trips. It contains a small sampling of Iceland’s many magnificent landscapes all rolled into a single day. You can see where Iceland’s first parliament met in a spot where the Earth’s plates are slowly separating, a valley with extensive geothermal activity and one of the country’s most iconic waterfalls all in one easily accessible road trip.

And because it’s just a short distance away from Reykjavik, the Golden Circle is a quick and easy trip to take for those people who are only flying into the country on a short stopover on the way to some other destination.

However, the Golden Circle has gotten a bit of a bad reputation for these same reasons. It can be loaded with tour buses and large groups of people looking for a quick glance at some of Iceland’s dramatic landscapes and geological features. A search on the internet can even yield results telling you to stay away from the Golden Circle and to visit other less-visited places instead.

It’s for this reason that I wasn’t particularly excited for the Golden Circle when the day came to visit. Would it stack up to the other places we saw during our time in Iceland? Was it going to be a wasted day we could have spent elsewhere? Keep reading to find out!

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Orientation to Iceland’s Golden Circle

Iceland’s Golden Circle Stop #1 – Thingvellir National Park

Going clockwise, the first stop along the Golden Circle is Thingvellir National Park (the Icelandic spelling is Þingvellir, so don’t be confused when you see this on signs). This national park is famed for both its historical and geological significance.

Historically, Thingvellir was the site of Iceland’s first national parliament, the Althingi (or Alþingi in Icelandic), in 930 A.D. Because of its relatively central location, Iceland’s different chieftains and their followers would gather here each year. They discussed and formalized the law of the land while settling regional disputes. The most obvious remain visitors can see is the Law Rock, a natural geological formation used by the Althingi’s law speaker to make announcements.

As you walk through the park, imagine the valley floor filled with hundreds of Icelanders in a festival-like atmosphere. The dwellings were designed to be quickly put up and torn back down, but some ruins can still be seen.

From a geological perspective, Thingvellir is possibly even more interesting. This is the only place in the world where you can walk between two tectonic plates. On one side is the North American Plate and on the other is the Eurasian Plate.

It’s an incredible feeling standing between the two plates. When I read about tectonic plates, I understand what they are, but their actual form is ambiguous. Their size is so massive that I can’t fathom them being an actual thing. I know we’re standing on them, but I don’t think of that as a tectonic plate, I view that as the grass or a patch of soil under my feet. Yet, here at Thingvellir, you can actually see and touch the edges of not one but two different plates. This alone makes the trip around the Golden Circle worthwhile.

More to See at Thingvellir National Park

Those are the main reasons for visiting Thingvellir National Park. However, there are still a few more things you can see and do while here.

Probably the most popular is Öxarárfoss, the waterfall that feeds the river running through the valley. Keep walking along the path from the gorge till you see a path to the left to take for the waterfall.

The other point of interest is the church and buildings you can see from the main parking lot across the valley. These buildings have some historical importance, particularly the church. A church stood on this spot since Iceland converted to Christianity in 1000 A.D. The current church has been here since 1859. The buildings just adjacent to the church are used as the prime minister’s summer residence. For tourists, they’re a fun little add-on to your visit to Thingvellir National Park, especially if you want some nice photo ops.

Because of the walking involved to see either of these sights, you may want to only pick one since you still have a lot to see during your day trip around the Golden Circle.

One last activity worth mentioning at Thingvellir National Park is the chance to snorkel or dive in the Silfra fissure. Silfra is a water-filled fissure between the two tectonic plates that has crystal clear glacial water making it a popular place for divers. Still, unless you have a ton of extra time in Iceland or else have been here before, I think there are better ways for you to spend your time.

One of the nice things about Iceland’s Golden Circle is that it’s almost entirely free. This is great when considering how expensive the rest of the country can be. Here are some other ways to help save money when visiting Iceland.

Iceland’s Golden Circle Stop #2 – Geysir Geothermal Area

Next on the Golden Circle route is Geysir Geothermal Area. The top highlight here is Strokkur, but I found the entire geothermal field to be fascinating and worth spending a good bit of time in.

It’s filled with fumaroles, hot pools and, of course, geysers. In fact, the word geyser actually comes from here. Geysir is the name of the area’s biggest geyser and is the first one of its kind known to modern Europeans. Unfortunately, Geysir’s eruptions are infrequent and have stopped for entire years at a time. So, while you can still see Geysir, don’t expect an eruption during your visit.

Don’t worry, though, as the whole Geysir Geothermal Area still has plenty to see, including Strokkur. Strokkur is an active geyser that erupts 50 meters into the sky every several minutes. Just up from Strokkur is another of the area’s highlights, Blesi Geyser. While Blesi is a geyser, it doesn’t regularly erupt, but it’s still gorgeous to look at with its turquoise clear water and steam rising off its surface.

Asides from that, walking around Geysir Geothermal Area is simply a poignant experience. It seems like everywhere you look here is some reminder of the incredible forces constantly churning below our feet.

It’s also a very pretty area despite the lack of plant life. The terrain looks like an artist’s palette with many different hues of greens, blues, reds and yellows. These colors are a result of the different types of bacteria that live in the extreme temperatures.

The best spot to view the landscape is to climb to the top of the hill overlooking the valley. It’s a fairly easy trek, but it can be very windy at the top, so be prepared for that.

Photo Tip: If you’re trying to get the perfect photo or video of Strokkur, watch out for the big bubble that forms right before it erupts. You’ll probably see a few bubbles, but if you watch a few eruptions, you’ll start to notice when it’s the bubble.

Iceland’s Golden Circle Stop #3 – Gullfoss

The Golden Circle saves its most breathtaking stop for last. Gullfoss, or Golden Falls, is where the whole Golden Circle gets its name. Because of its proximity to Reykjavik and how easy it is to access, Gullfoss is consistently ranked as one of Iceland’s top waterfalls, which is saying something in a land of 10,000 waterfalls!

It’s not an understatement to say Gullfoss will likely be one of the more epic waterfalls you’ll see, not just in Iceland but anywhere. Because of its massive size, you’ll hear the waterfall from the parking lot before you actually see it. A short walk behind the visitor center gives you your first sight of the falls.

From this upper viewpoint, you’re able to see the full scale of Gullfoss. On average, 5,000 cubic feet of water roars down Gullfoss every second. The upper part of the falls has a drop of 36 feet while the lower part plummets 69 feet before peacefully continuing along the canyon floor.

After getting some time looking at Gullfoss in its entirety, head down the stairs to the lower viewpoint. This gets you closer to the waterfall itself and affords some great views of the water of both its upper and lower sections. From here, you also get a more visceral sense of just how powerful Gullfoss is. Be prepared with gloves and a jacket because it does get cold and wet the closer you get.

Iceland’s Golden Circle Optional Stop – Secret Lagoon

After a long day of sightseeing at some of Iceland’s most popular destinations, you’ll be ready for some down time. What better way to do that than with a soak in one of the country’s natural hot springs with a drink?

That’s where the Secret Lagoon comes in. This is one of Iceland’s top natural hot springs and its oldest public pool. It’s not nearly as crowded and touristy as the vaunted Blue Lagoon, yet it still has plenty to offer Golden Circle day trippers in need of some R&R.

It’s $25 for adults to use the pool, but after spending a little over an hour there myself, I can attest that it’s money well spent. The pool has noodles you can use to float along lazily in the warm waters or seats along the edges to idly pass the time. For an extra fee, you can grab a drink to take with you in the water for some extra relaxation.

I guarantee you won’t regret ending your visit to the Golden Circle at the Secret Lagoon!

With that, your trip around the Golden Circle is over. If you have time, why not add a food tour around Reykjavik once you get back to the capital!

Friðheimar Tomato Farm Restaurant

Because of Iceland’s geography and climate, greenhouses are used to grow whatever produce they can. The town of Reykholt on the Golden Circle is notable for its greenhouses and productivity.

Friðheimar Tomato Farm Restaurant offers visitors a chance to have a meal in their greenhouse with a menu focused on their own tomatoes. Reservations are recommended, but if you just want a small bite, they also have a bar you can sit at.

Even if you aren’t eating, you can visit the restaurant just to wander around their greenhouse. They have information signs posted around the space where you can learn more about their family-run operation.

Other Public Baths and Hot Springs

In addition to the Secret Lagoon, the Golden Circle offers a few other public baths you can take advantage of ranging from upscale to rugged. The three options are Fontana Thermal Baths (the upscale version), Borg swimming pool (a basic, locals public pool), and Reykjadulur (the rugged model, requiring a 1-hour hike to get to it).

Kerið Crater

Kerið Crater was once a cone-shaped volcano that erupted 6,500 years ago. After its eruption, the cone collapsed, creating a basin that at some point filled with water to create the lake that attracts visitors today. Because Kerið’s eruption was relatively recent, the iron deposits in the soil maintain their vivid red color. This gives the slopes leading down to the water’s edge a colorful contrast to the blue water.

Is Iceland’s Golden Circle Worth the Time or Not?

Absolutely! with one caveat.

We had a full week in Iceland, which gave us plenty of time to see many of the country’s other highlights. Our week took us to the South Coast, Heimaey, Reykjavik, Snaefellsnes Peninsula and the Golden Circle. With all that time, the Golden Circle was definitely worth it.

On the other hand, with only one or two days in Iceland, I recommend prioritizing the South Coast and Snaefellsnes Peninsula, instead. If you have more than two days, you should definitely add the Golden Circle to your trip.

Now, with that said, the Golden Circle is still an excellent day trip with remarkable sights. If you only do that, you’ll still have a great time and find that your trip to Iceland was worth it. Just make sure to leave Reykjavik early enough to avoid a lot of the bigger tour groups.

How to Avoid Crowds on the Golden Circle

The easiest way to avoid crowds is to either start early in the morning or else later in the afternoon. None of the three main stops have opening hours, so you can visit any time of the day to beat the crowds. In fact, during much of May through July, the sun in Iceland barely goes below the horizon giving you light to see the Golden Circle late into the night.

Another easy way to get away from crowds on the Golden Circle is to avoid Iceland during its peak tourist months from June to August. There is, of course, a reason for that, though. As it gets farther away from those summer months, the days get progressively shorter and the weather gets colder.

Still another option is to take the Golden Circle in the counterclockwise direction. Most tour buses start with Thingvellir and go clockwise from there. If you time things right, you could miss most of these buses by going in the opposite direction.

We took our trip to the Golden Circle at the end of April and arrived at Thingvellir National Park just after 9:30 a.m. By the time we arrived, there were a couple tour buses, but the crowds were very manageable and remained that way throughout the rest of the day. By the time we arrived to it, Gullfoss was the most crowded, but it still wasn’t bad at all.

Getting to Iceland’s Golden Circle

The quickest option from Reykjavik to the Golden Circle is via Highway 36. Take Highway 1 north out of Reykjavik until you see the option to turn right on to Highway 36 past the town of Mosfellsbær. It will take about 40 minutes to get to Thingvellir National Park along this road.

If you have some extra time, there’s a more scenic route you can take that will add around 20 minutes to your drive. For this, leave Reykjavik from the south on Highway 1 toward Selfoss. When you see signs for Highways 431 and 435, turn left. This highway takes you through more interesting terrain, eventually intersecting with Highway 360 where you’ll turn left. Take this road till it ends at the intersection with Highway 36, and then turn right to head towards Thingvellir National Park.

The scenic route is only open from May to September because of its elevation. We tried going at the very tail end of April thinking maybe we’d get lucky. We did not get lucky. After about a mile or so, we had to turn around due to the road being closed.

Where to Stay for the Golden Circle

Reykjavik is where almost everyone stays for day tripping to the Golden Circle. It’s what we did, and it’s what I recommend for you.

Reykjavik is only 45 minutes away from Thingvellir National Park and around two hours from the last main stop at Gullfoss.

We stayed in two different places in Reykjavik during our week in Iceland because of how our itinerary was designed, and I recommend either one. The first is Castle House Luxury Apartments near Iceland’s Parliament building. This place isn’t flashy, but it was affordable, quiet and had a small kitchen if you want to prepare for your own meals.

Towards the end of our trip when we returned to Reykjavik, we stayed in Guesthouse Sunna. This hotel was also relatively plain. However, it had a great location just a few minutes’ walk from Hallgrimskirkja. Guesthouse Sunna also has a shared kitchen and the option to include breakfast during your stay.

Frequently Asked Questions About Iceland’s Golden Circle

I only have a few hours, is it possible to do the Golden Circle in that time?

Theoretically, yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it. I’m guessing you could do the Golden Circle from Reykjavik in as little as even 4-5 hours. However, you’d have to really be rushing while driving. You’d also basically just be jumping out of the car to look at each sight for a minute before moving on. Besides being unsafe to drive like that, it wouldn’t even be worth it because of how little you’d see.

Should I do the Golden Circle as an overnight?

You could if you really want to take your time, but I don’t think it’s necessary. Further, I enjoyed Reykjavik more than I expected. It was nice to be back there in the evening for some post-sightseeing drinks and dinner.

Should I rent a car or take a tour bus?

I’m always going to recommend renting a car because I want to be able to take my time and come and go as I please. On the other hand, if you’re on a budget or you don’t want to have to think about planning, a tour bus could be a good option.

Still, I recommend getting a car at least for a day to do the Golden Circle so you can take your time. Having a car allows you to add whatever side trips you like to your trip, too.

If you do decide to rent a car, you don’t need a 4×4 for the Golden Circle as long as you stay on the main road. We had a 4×4 for our week in Iceland just to be safe, but we never really needed it since we mostly stayed on well-maintained roads. If you’re going to be driving in winter, you may want to consider a 4×4 for potentially icy conditions along the Golden Circle route.

Will I be able to get gasoline along the Golden Circle?

Yes, but if you are in any doubt about your car having enough gas, get it before you leave Reykjavik. There aren’t many gas stations once you get on the Golden Circle. It’s better to be extra cautious than get stranded along the road.

Should I bring my own food for the Golden Circle?

You certainly could if you want to save money. There are options for food along the drive, though. The best spot for a quick lunch seemed to be at Geysir where they have a large buffet-style cafe with plenty of food and beverage options. The smoked salmon sandwich I had there was quite tasty considering the fast food style setting.

Are there bathrooms along the Golden Circle?

Each of the main stops has free bathrooms.

Resources to Book Your Trip to Iceland

Whether you’re looking for tours, hotels or flights, here are some tools to help get you started planning your trip to Iceland!

Look for activities and tours offered through GetYourGuide or Viator!

Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Check out my travel essentials for more of my recommendations.

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