"Golden Circle" Tour
The "Golden Circle" tour is a popular and beloved route in Iceland, which usually departs from the capital, Reykjavik, and returns to it. Visitors to Iceland for a short period claim that on the circular trip you see the best of Iceland, making it a must-do route.
The "Golden Circle" tour can also be started from the direction of Selfoss, but from Reykjavik there are many organized bus tours heading to the area.
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Another way to travel is, of course, by renting a car. Driving directions can be found later in the article.
The "Golden Circle" tour includes three main sites and several secondary sites along the way that can also be visited. A full day should be dedicated to the trip. For those arriving from the direction of Reykjavik, it is recommended to start at Thingvellir National Park, continue to Gullfoss Waterfall, and finish at the Geysir Geothermal Area.
♥ Recommended Places to Stay
Usually, travelers head out to the "Golden Circle" from Reykjavik and also return to stay overnight in Reykjavik. Other travelers who choose to stay close to the route's sites can do so at the following accommodations:
Hotels
Hotel Geysir
A 3-star hotel located on Route 35 right next to Geysir.
Free Wi-Fi, hot tub, and sauna. Private bathroom and shower.
Hotel Ork
A 3-star hotel located in a rural area 45 km from Reykjavik.
Free Wi-Fi and parking. Shower and bathtub in rooms.
Icelandair Hotel Fludir
A 3-star hotel, a 20-minute drive from Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir.
Free Wi-Fi and parking.
Hotel Edda ML Laugarvatn
Located next to Lake Laugarvatn, 30 km from Gullfoss Waterfall. Private bathrooms.
Hotel Gullfoss
Located 3 km from Gullfoss Waterfall.
Free Wi-Fi. Private bathrooms.
Hotel Edda ML Laugarvatn
Located in a rural area, affordable rates.
Guesthouses:
Nature-Spa Guesthouse
The property offers a 4-room apartment, or two or three rooms with a shared bathroom.
27 km from Gullfoss Waterfall and 15 minutes from Geysir. Geothermal pool, hot tub.
Frumskogar Guesthouse
Located in the town of Hveragerði.
Apartments and rooms. Apartments include a kitchen and private bathrooms. Rooms have shared bathrooms. Free Wi-Fi and parking.
Farmhotel Efstidalur
Located on a farm, a 15-minute drive from Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir.
Offers horse riding, traditional food, outdoor thermal hot tub. Free Wi-Fi and parking. Both shared and private bathrooms available to choose from.
Thingvellir National Park is currently a World Heritage Site, as declared by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The national park is significant for two reasons: one historical and the other geographical. In Thingvellir, Iceland established the first democratic parliament in the world. Starting in 930 AD, leaders and residents gathered here to discuss matters of law, justice, trials, and punishment. In 1789, an earthquake led to the cessation of gatherings, which then moved to Reykjavik. The Lawspeaker would stand on a high rock and recite part of the country's laws from memory. Today, you can stand where he stood, marked by an Icelandic flag and a wooden platform.
However, there is another reason that attracts thousands of visitors to the site: Thingvellir Park is the only place in the world where you can see tectonic plates elevated above ground level. Along the entrance path to the park, you can notice a fissure of about 7 km running between the North American and Eurasian plates. There is a scenic viewpoint offering views over the park, the valley, and the nearby lake. From the visitor center, it is recommended to embark on a circular trail lasting about an hour, passing by the Law Rock, an ancient church, and between the plates. In the visitor center, you will also find video stations with many interesting clips showcasing the site's history as well as its unique geography, nature, vegetation, and diverse wildlife. The national park is located about 48 km northeast of Reykjavik, a 40-minute drive. Drive along Route 36 until reaching the destination.
The second stop is located 60 km east of Thingvellir Park: Gullfoss Waterfall, the Golden Falls. A visit to the waterfall is not to be missed—not only is it considered the most beautiful among the multitude of waterfalls in Iceland, it was even voted one of the ten most beautiful waterfalls in the entire world, alongside Niagara Falls and Iguazu Falls on the border of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.
The waterfall drops from a height of 70 m, is situated on the Hvíta River, and consists of two cascades that turn sharply into a narrow, steep canyon. The second cascade is located below the first, with a right angle between them. There are two recommended walking paths: the first trail runs alongside the waterfall, but prepare to get completely wet. The second path circles around the waterfall, where a short climb leads to a magnificent vantage point. The waterfall is extremely powerful and unique, and about half an hour should be spent there.
To reach the waterfall, continue from Thingvellir Park on Route 365 toward Laugarvatn, and from there turn onto Route 37 toward the falls. The road later merges into Route 35.
Guided tours in and around Reykjavik from GetYourGuide.com:
A short drive of about 10 minutes from the waterfall and a few kilometers south on Route 35 brings you to the third stop—Geysir Park. The park is located in an area called the Haukadalur Valley, where you will witness the remarkable natural phenomenon of boiling water bursting from the ground. The name of the phenomenon, geyser, is also the name of one of the geysers in the park. The original Great Geysir is no longer active, likely due to improper behavior by visitors who threw large amounts of trash into it, causing it to clog. Adjacent to Great Geysir is a smaller geyser that erupts every 10 minutes to a height of 30 m. Strokkur geyser ("the churn") is spectacular, and you can easily identify it by the dozens of travelers and photographers gathered around it. Do not miss the striking sight of the blue water bubble bulging above the surface before violently erupting with tremendous force.
In addition to these three magnificent sites, you can also visit additional stops during this day:
The volcanic crater Kerið, which you can read about in the article on South Iceland.
The historic Skálholt Church. Between 1056 and 1785, the bishop resided here, making the church a political and cultural center. The church is located a 15-minute drive from the Geysir site. To reach the church, continue south on Route 35 until turning onto Route 31, followed by a short 3-minute drive.
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The Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station is the second-largest power plant in Iceland. The site is located 177 m above sea level and supplies water and electricity needs for residents of Reykjavik and the surrounding region. The power station is located a 40-minute drive south of Thingvellir Park, via Route 36 and continuing onto Route 360.