Golden Circle

Golden Circle tours and attractions

Iceland

Things to do in Golden Circle

4.6/5 (50)

The Golden Circle is a tourist route located in southern Iceland that covers over 190 miles, looping from Reykjavik into the southern uplands and back. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland and takes about a day to complete a full visit in each of the three primary stops. These stops along the Golden Circle include: Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park,Geysir Geothermal Field, and the Gullfoss waterfall.

Thingvellir National Park is one of Iceland's most significant historic and geological sites. The national parliament of Iceland (Althing) was founded in 930 AD where the park is currently located. At Thingvellir, you can see where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet as well as how these plates have continuously drifted apart over time. It was declared a national park in 1930 and in 2004, the park was added to the list as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the only one in Iceland.

The Geysir Geothermal Field is known for its hot springs and you will surely experience the areas underground volcanic activities. The two most well-known hot springs in the area are The Great Geysir and Shokkur (The Churn). The Great Geysir is the oldest documented geyser in Europe that dates back to the 13th century. When it was active, the geyser used to erupt with heights of around 400 feet but has been dormant for many years. Shokkur is currently the most active hot spring in Iceland and erupts about every 5-10 minutes, reaching heights of 30-60 feet usually, but has reached up to 130 feet. If you get hungry while visiting this part of the Golden Circle, you can stop by the Visitor Center where you can enjoy some local dishes and shop for unique souvenirs that were created by the locals.

The last stop on the Golden Circle is the Gullfoss Waterfall. The name Gullfoss means "Waterfall of Gold" or "Golden Falls" and refers to the golden colour of the water on a sunny day. This majestic waterfall is one of Iceland's most famous waterfalls and has two huge "steps", one 36 feet and the other 71 feet. When standing near the falls, you will be able to feel the spray of the water on your face, and if you are lucky and visit on a sunny day, a rainbow just might appear!

The Golden Circle is definitely a place worth visiting on a trip to Iceland and has much more to offer than just these three great sites. You can go snorkelling in between the tectonic plates, go whale watching, see the northern lights, and much more!

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Experiences in Golden Circle

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Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon admission tickets with Kerid Volcanic Crater
Activities

Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon admission tickets with Kerid Volcanic Crater

Visit Iceland's Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon in one day with admission tickets included. Stop at the spectacular Kerid Volcanic Crater.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

Golden Circle tour and Blue Lagoon admission
Activities

Golden Circle tour and Blue Lagoon admission

Book this Golden Circle tour with Blue Lagoon admission for a day full of excitement and relaxation taking in some of Iceland's most famous sights.

Duration up to 13 hours
Available in:

en, it, fr, es, de, +5  nl, ja, fi, zh, ko

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Golden Circle tour and secret lagoon
Activities

Golden Circle tour and secret lagoon

Book this Golden Circle tour to see the best of Iceland's nature before enjoying a relaxing visit to the Secret Lagoon, a hidden geothermal hotspot.

free cancellation
Available in:

en, it, fr, es, de, +5  nl, ja, fi, zh, ko

Tour of the Golden Circle and Kerid Volcanic Crater
Activities

Tour of the Golden Circle and Kerid Volcanic Crater

Join the tour and visit the most iconic natural sights in Iceland in a single day.

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

Reykjavik small group tour to the Golden Circle, Kerid Volcanic Crater with Sky Lagoon entry
Activities

Reykjavik small group tour to the Golden Circle, Kerid Volcanic Crater with Sky Lagoon entry

Join a small group tour to the Golden Circle passing Thingvellir National Park and the Kerid volcanic crater including Sky Lagoon entry

free cancellation
Available in:

en 

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Golden Circle

Golden Circle

Reykjavik

Iceland

Reviews Golden Circle

5/5
Michael, 24 Mar 2023

“Fantastic trip and a great guide!”

5/5
William, 24 Mar 2023

“Really enjoyable tour with an interesting guide, a dry sense of humour which I found a perfect balance to keep the day moving along. Asgir was knowledgeable, supportive and entertaining and very patient with those of the group who struggled to follow instructions. The tour took in some great sites”

4/5
Bert, 20 Mar 2023
5/5
Mark, 16 Mar 2023
Reykjavik