Route
The Golden Circle
Iceland's most famous day trip from Reykjavík
The Golden Circle is Iceland's most popular day route — three world-famous sights within easy reach of Reykjavík: Þingvellir National Park and UNESCO site, the Geysir geothermal area where Strokkur erupts every few minutes, and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall. Along the way you can add the Kerið crater, the Friðheimar tomato greenhouse, and the natural pools and hot river of Reykjadalur. A perfect start to any Iceland trip and easy to drive in a single day.
The Golden Circle – Iceland's Classic Day Trip from Reykjavík
The Golden Circle (Gullni hringurinn) is Iceland's most famous sightseeing route and the classic day trip from Reykjavík, ideal for first-time visitors and families alike. The loop links three of the country's signature attractions: Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO-listed site where Iceland's ancient parliament was founded and the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates drift apart; the Geysir geothermal area, where the Strokkur hot spring erupts every few minutes; and the mighty two-tiered waterfall Gullfoss. The core route is easily driven in a single day, and optional stops such as Kerið crater, the Secret Lagoon in Flúðir, the Friðheimar tomato greenhouse and Laugarvatn Fontana turn it into a full, varied itinerary. Paved roads and year-round access make it the perfect introduction to Iceland.
Golden Circle Stops in Driving Order from Reykjavík
Most travellers drive the Golden Circle clockwise from Reykjavík. The first stop is Þingvellir National Park, where you can walk through the Almannagjá gorge between the tectonic plates and look out over lake Þingvallavatn. The road then passes Laugarvatn, home to the Fontana geothermal baths, before reaching the Geysir geothermal area in Haukadalur, where Strokkur launches boiling water skyward. Just up the road waits Gullfoss, the thundering "Golden Falls" on the Hvítá river. On the way back, stop at Friðheimar in Reykholt for tomatoes grown in geothermal greenhouses, soak in the Secret Lagoon (Gamla laugin) in Flúðir, and finish at Kerið, a vividly coloured volcanic crater with a lake at its base, before returning via Selfoss.
Golden Circle Practical Tips – Seasons, Roads and Beating the Crowds
The Golden Circle is drivable year-round on fully paved roads, though winter can bring ice and snow, so check conditions on road.is and the weather forecast before setting out. The sites are busiest around midday when tour buses arrive from Reykjavík; start early in the morning or visit in the late afternoon to enjoy Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss in relative peace. In summer the midnight sun lets you stretch the day almost endlessly, while winter visits offer a chance of northern lights. Dress in warm, waterproof layers – the spray at Gullfoss can soak you even on a fine day – and stay on marked paths at the geothermal areas. Pack swimwear if the Secret Lagoon or Fontana is on your list.
Places on this route
- Þingvellir Birthplace of the Alþingi and the meeting point of the continental plates.
- Geysir og Strokkur The original erupting hot spring — Strokkur erupts every few minutes.
- Gullfoss The golden waterfall plunges in two tiers into a vast canyon.
- Kerið A red volcanic crater with blue-green water, often a Golden Circle add-on.
- Friðheimar Dining inside a tomato greenhouse on the Golden Circle.
- Gamla laugin (Flúðir) The oldest swimming pool in the country, a natural geothermal pool in Flúðir.
- Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal baths and natural steam rooms on the shore of Lake Laugarvatn.
- Reykjadalur A hike up into a valley to a warm river you can bathe in.
Plan the trip — browse guided tours and car rental for this route.
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