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Golden Circle

Iceland’s most iconic route encompasses geysers galore, bubbling hot springs, and out-of-this-world waterfalls.

Golden Circle: Our most recommended tours and activities

Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater

1. Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater

See the best of southwest Iceland on an 8-hour Golden Circle tour by bus from Reykjavik. Visit the spectacular Geysir area, and go to the cascades of Gullfoss Waterfall. Discover where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet in Þingvellir National Park. Travel to the geothermal area of Geysir. Marvel as the active hot spring of Strokkur spouts steaming water 30 meters into the air every 8 minutes. Continue to one of Iceland’s most iconic features at the Gullfoss Waterfall (“Golden Falls“). Feel the spray of the waters of the glacial River Hvítá as it plummets down into a 32-meter deep crevice. Next, enter Þingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart at a rate of a few centimeters per year. Þingvellir was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural value in 2004, and is the site of a stunning rift valley and the Rock of Law, the first Viking parliament. Marvel at the volcanic crater at Lake Kerið, and pass through the Icelandic farms of the south on your drive around the Golden Circle, before returning to your original starting point in Reykjavik.

Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Kerid Crater, & Blue Lagoon Tour

2. Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Kerid Crater, & Blue Lagoon Tour

Experience Iceland’s 2 most visited natural attractions, the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon, in one day on a comfortable and convenient minibus tour. Depart Reykjavik and head for the Thingvellir National Park, where the Eurasian and American tectonic plates converge. Amble through the stunning, lake-filled area, hopping back and forth between continental boundaries, and view the site where the Icelandic parliament was held from 930-1798. Next, head to the Geysir Hot Spring with geothermal pools reaching temperatures of 200 degrees. Witness the Strokkur geyser erupting a plume of boiling water and steam 100 feet in the air. Grab a bite to eat, before heading to the breathtaking waterfall at Gullfoss. Next, visit the Kerid volcanic crater with its deep blue waters, surrounded by vibrant red rock. Finish your tour at the iconic Blue Lagoon. Luxuriate in the warm, geothermal waters, making use of an included silica mud mask, before heading back to Reykjavik.

Laugarvatn Fontana: Geothermal Bread-Baking Experience

3. Laugarvatn Fontana: Geothermal Bread-Baking Experience

Take part in a unique baking experience in the heart of the Golden Circle, the most popular route in Iceland. Take a stroll around the geothermal area and learn about the history of this baking technique. Witness firsthand how the dark rye dough is prepared and then buried in the warm ground with a lively 30-minute demonstration. Discover how the slow cooking of 24 hours gives the bread its memorable taste. Get to sample a fresh batch of lava bread, placed in the ground the day before. Geothermal bathing is also offered at Laugarvatn Fontana, however, tickets for bathing must be booked separately.

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Glacier Snowmobiling

4. From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Glacier Snowmobiling

Discover the rugged beauty of Iceland's Golden Circle aboard a climate-controlled bus with this tour from Reykjavik. Visit sights like Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir area, and Gullfoss Waterfall. Feel the thrill of riding a snowmobile over the Langjökull glacier.   Board the bus at the BSI Bus Terminal and drive off to experience the different geothermal landscapes of Iceland's legendary Golden Circle. Stop at Þingvellir National Park, known for its exceptional beauty and historical importance as the site of the world's first parliaments. Continue into the hot springs area of Geysir, before driving to Langjökull to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure activity. Take control of a snowmobile or travel as a passenger to explore the vast white ice cap of Langjökull. Stay warm protective clothing during your trip. Make your way back to Reykjavík via the spectacular Gullfoss Waterfall and gaze in wonder as the Hvítá River thunders into a 32-meter deep canyon.

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full Day Tour

5. From Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full Day Tour

Take yourself on the Golden Circle Classic, a full-day tour that brings you close to some of Iceland's most beautiful natural sites. This popular excursion introduces you to some of the best known historical sites and natural phenomena in Iceland, all with the commentary of a knowledgeable guide. Begin with a visit to Þingvellir National Park, where the Icelandic parliament Alþingi was founded in the year 930 AD. Þingvellir is geologically remarkable and the tectonic plate boundaries form a breathtaking scenery. Then head to the beautiful waterfall Gullfoss and walk toward the edge to feel the mist of the glacial water on your face. From there, journey toward the geothermal area around the incredible spouting hot springs of Geysir and Strokkur, before traveling back to Reykjavik. 

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Kerid, & Secret Lagoon Tour

6. From Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Kerid, & Secret Lagoon Tour

Embark on a bus tour of Iceland’s legendary Golden Circle and soak in the thermal waters of the Secret Lagoon. Explore the southwest, including the spectacular Geysir area, Gullfoss Waterfall, Kerið Volcano, and Þingvellir National Park. After pickup in central Reykjavik, the day's first stop is at the Kerið Volcanic Crater. Here you can circle the crater top along a winding path and descend into the crater to reach the lake at its center. Next, head to the Secret Lagoon where you'll have 1.5 hours to unwind in the thermal waters and admire the peaceful surroundings. Continue to the active hot spring of Strokkur and watch it spout steaming water 30 meters every 8 minutes. Arrive at Gullfoss Waterfall and feel the spray of the glacial Hvítá River as it plummets down into a 32-meter-deep crevice. Next, visit Þingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart at a rate of a few centimeters every year. Þingvellir was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Glacier Snowmobile Tour

7. From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Glacier Snowmobile Tour

Explore the Golden Circle on this day trip from Reykjavik. Learn facinating information from your audio guide as you visit sites like Þingvellir National Park, Strokkur geyser, and Gullfoss Waterfall. Ride on the ice fields of Langjökull Glacier on a snowmobile tour. Depart Reykjavík early to catch the morning sun in a new bus equipped with computer tablets in each seat. Use the GPS-sensitive, in-bus audio guide, available in 10 languages, to learn more about the sights you will see, and stay connected with the on-board USB chargers and free Wi-Fi. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Þingvellir National Park, the birthplace of the longest-running parliament in the world. Discover where the great continental plates of America and Eurasia have dramatically pulled apart to create a rift valley, clearly visible on the shores of Iceland´s biggest lake. Continue to Geysir Hot Springs to discover the home of the original geyser. Experience the trembling ground and see the super-heated water erupt skywards from the spouting Strokkur geyser every few minutes. Take a leisurely walk down to Gullfoss Waterfall. Hear the thundering roar of the glacial Hvítá River as it cascades down 32 meters on 2 levels into a narrow canyon. Marvel at the pristine nature of the central highlands aboard a custom-made super truck. They can drive across the rough, snowy terrain thanks to their enormous tires. Drive to the snowmobile base camp at the foot of Langjökull Glacier. Then, ride across the eternally-frozen snow and ice fields of one of the biggest glaciers in the world on a guided snowmobile tour.

Laugarvatn: Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths Entry Ticket

8. Laugarvatn: Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths Entry Ticket

Entrance to the geothermal baths at Laugarvatn Fontana will complete your experience of the Golden Circle and enhance the tradition by locals, to bathe in the steam and hot water streaming endlessly from the ground. Enjoy admission to the geothermal baths, natural steam baths, and the use of shower and changing rooms with lockers. Shampoo, conditioner, creams, and cotton pads are available in locker rooms free of charge.

From Reykjavik: 7.5-Hour Golden Circle Express Tour

9. From Reykjavik: 7.5-Hour Golden Circle Express Tour

Climb aboard a modern bus with USB chargers and Wi-Fi-connected computer tablets in each seat, and use the GPS-sensitive, in-bus audio guide to track your way around Iceland's legendary Golden Circle. Choose from one of the 10 available languages, and ask the accompanying local guide any questions you might have. Journey to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Þingvellir National Park to see the site of the world's oldest existing parliament. Marvel at the rift valley where the huge tectonic plates of America and Eurasia drift apart, and cast your eyes on the shores of Iceland’s biggest lake. Continue to the hot springs of Geysir to experience Iceland’s most famous natural attraction at the site of the nation's original geyser. Feel the ground shake and watch the steaming hot water of the Strokkur Geyser erupt every few minutes into the sky. End your Golden Circle tour with a visit to Gullfoss, where you can take an easy walk to the edge of the waterfall for a truly mesmerizing sight. Watch as the powerful glacial river flows down 32 meters on 2 levels, descending into a narrow canyon with a thunderous roar.

Reykjavik: The Golden Circle Day Tour

10. Reykjavik: The Golden Circle Day Tour

Discover the extraordinary sights and natural wonders of Iceland’s geothermal Geysir area, and see active geysers and cascading waterfalls along the way. The tour starts at Geysir where you can see spouting hot springs, including the most active geyser in Iceland Strokkur. Continue across the torrid landscape to Gullfoss, where you can stand next to an amazing waterfall as enormous quantities of water tumble violently into a deep, meandering gorge. Spend some time exploring a cross-section of Iceland's natural wonders and geological phenomena at Thingvellir National Park, an area of such historic and geological significance it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Learn about the open-air assembly of Althing and how the landscape was husbanded over 1,000 years. See the dramatic fissures and rifts in the landscape caused by dramatic volcanic activity throughout history.

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What people are saying about Golden Circle

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 18,248 reviews

Our guide Karen was brilliant and our driver Milan was very good. Karen knew everything about everything! She was full of information about the things we saw and passed by, and she was funny. We learned much about Iceland and the things we stopped to see were interesting. The most exciting for me was seeing where the two tectonic plates meet. Even though the weather was foggy and rainy at times during the day it just seemed to authenticate the whole Icelandic experience. I was glad that I had brought crampons as it was slippery and icy on some stretches and would advice others to bring them when visiting in the winter. We finished the day at Sky Lagoon which I definitely recommend every body tries! The 7 step spa was lovely and the view from the lagoon and sauna amazing! A really good day!

We really enjoyed this activity - very well organised and we were looked after all the way through by our fantastic guide Elsa. If you're worried about it being cold, so long as you wear extra socks and a thermal base layer you don't feel it on your body; your hands and face do get cold, but you warm up quickly with the hot chocolate they provide afterward. You also get changed in a trailer not in the open car park which is what we thought!! Elsa took loads of Gopro photos & sent them by the end of the day for us to download so we have loads of memories. A really great experience, and thoroughly recommended.

The guide was very knowledgeable. She gave a lot of information about Iceland. We visited many interesting places, in each of them we had free time to explore by ourselves. The road conditions during winter are demanding in Iceland and it is worth to add that the driver Piotr was very careful, which made the whole trip very safe. Good value for the money spent.

Amazing trip, probably the best tour we did during our stay in Iceland. It was lovely to get to see so many natural highlights & the lagoon was beautiful, not too busy either! Our bus were the only ones there. Our tip would be to do the tour towards the end of your stay. We felt we’d done the best bits on our first day by doing it first haha.

Excellent. Blue lagoon well worth trip. Bus driver was also fantastic! Gardrune (I can’t spell it - tour bus 5 on 17th of Feb!) you are brilliant.