A Guide to the Golden Circle in Iceland + Itinerary
Golden Circle is one of the most famous and best scenic drives in Iceland. It can be visited on a day trip from Reykjavik, and it is definitely worth your time. Our travel guide includes the best things to do and see on the Golden Circle, must-visit places, a self-drive route itinerary, top attractions, and tips on where to stay, how to get around, when to go, and much more.
Are you looking for an unforgettable day trip from Reykjavik, or are you searching for an ultimate adventure before embarking on iconic Iceland's Ring Road?
Do you love scenic drives? What about jaw-dropping scenery that is easily accessible?
Road tripping the Golden Circle, about a 300-kilometer loop in southwest Iceland, is one of the best tips we can give you.
Road tripping the Golden Circle, about a 300-kilometer loop in southern Iceland, is one of the best tips we can give you.
Golden Circle should not be confused with the iconic Ring Road.
Ring Road is the main route that circumnavigates the entire island, while the Golden Circle is a scenic detour from the main path.
Still, the natural sights you can see along the road will represent some of the best of Iceland, only condensed into a single day.
That's why we created our own self-drive Golden Circle itinerary with all the stops along the road we visited ourselves.
Why Visit the Golden Circle?
So what can you expect from the Golden Circle? Be prepared to explore untamed national parks, powerful waterfalls, unpredictable geothermal areas, picturesque churches, or water-filled craters.
Yes, all that and much more you can expect from driving the Golden Circle route.
And these are also the main reasons to include this scenic drive in your Iceland itinerary.
Most of the travel guides focusing on the must-visit places along the loop usually mention only three top locations a traveler should not miss.
However, we believe that just driving the Golden Circle was an experience on its own. It was also one of the reasons why we enjoyed the trip so much.
Golden Circle gives you the opportunity to make a few detours and plan your own itinerary to suit your preferences.
This is a big advantage as the area has so much more to offer.
Of course, if you are traveling on a strict schedule, visiting only the top sights such as Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall make sense.
But when you allow yourself to spend a full day on the road, not only a few hours, we guarantee you that your experience will be much more rewarding.
It gives you the freedom to see more.
Breathtaking views, rural Icelandic landscapes, traditional architecture, and grazing horses are the other major highlights you can expect from driving the Golden Circle.
In this blog post, we share with you everything you need to know to plan your perfect day on the Golden Circle route.
Golden Circle
Are you wondering how the Golden Circle got its attractive name?
Even though it could seem that it is just a marketing label that should attract attention, the name is derived from the name of the most famous waterfall on the route, Gullfoss.
In the Icelandic language, Gullfoss literally means Golden Waterfall. From here, it was only a short step to name this drive the Golden Circle.
Trip Duration
So how long does it take to drive around the Golden Circle?
Expect that driving around the Golden Circle will take you four hours without making stops.
Of course, it would be rash just to circumnavigate the Golden Circle without making at least a few essential stops.
Most official tours plan for the route anything between seven to eight hours, including time for lunch.
We would say that eight hours is the minimum time you will need when visiting the Golden Circle on your own as well.
Driving around the Golden Circle took us around ten hours, but we made quite some stops.
It was our first day in Iceland, so we were super-excited to see as many wonderful places as possible.
Had it been our last day and been already accustomed to the incredible density of natural wonders, we might have made it in nine hours. But that's wild speculation.
In all seriousness, if you are making a full loop and returning to Reykjavik, be ready to drive approximately 300 kilometers.
The road is busy in Reykjavik, but the traffic density significantly drops once you get out of the capital city. So you don't need to worry about being stuck in traffic jams.
Local people drive very considerably and safely.
Tourists also drive slowly as the road is very scenic, and speeding will land you a hefty fine.
The road is toll-free, like all roads in Iceland (with one exception).
The last thing you should know is that not that many travelers actually do the full loop, starting and ending in Reykjavik.
For example, we started in Reykjavik, where we also rented our campervan. Well, technically, in Hafnarfjordur, but it doesn't change the narrative
Then we drove the Golden Circle clockwise, and our last stop was Selfoss.
From there, we finally joined the famous Ring Road and continued toward the South Coast and East Fjords.
How to Get Around the Golden Circle
When it comes to getting around the Golden Circle, in general, you have two options. You can either rent a car or join a guided tour.
Car
The easiest way to get around Golden Circle is by car.
Renting a car or campervan is one of the best tips we can give you to get the most out of your Iceland trip.
You do not need a 4WD car to drive the Golden Circle, and a compact 2WD vehicle is enough.
What are the perks of driving the Golden Circle on your own?
Having your own car will give you the flexibility to enjoy all the stops at your own pace. While it's pretty apparent, it is one of the keys to having a better trip.
The Golden Circle scenery is breathtaking.
Plan your itinerary, find your own little detours, and take as much time as necessary. It will help you to really enjoy the trip.
Make sure you have a full tank for driving the road.
However, we never had a problem finding a gas station in Iceland when needed. Golden Circle was no exception.
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Public Transport
Unfortunately, there is no public transport connecting the must-visit attractions on the Golden Circle at the moment.
We have a feeling it will stay this way in the future as most of the highlights are in the middle of nowhere.
Tour
We understand that not every traveler wants to rent a car in Iceland. Or you might prefer organized tours in general as you don't want to worry about transport and just enjoy the scenery.
Many organized Golden Circle Tours are departing every day from Reykjavik.
They offer a good value for money and include the top stops on the route.
This well-rated Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik is extremely popular, and the local guides make sure you will enjoy the trip.
Clockwise or Counterclockwise
Honestly, the direction you drive the Golden Circle is not that important.
Still, whether you travel clockwise or counterclockwise, it should make some sense and fit your travel itinerary as time is money.
Primarily it depends on where you're heading next.
We did the Golden Circle clockwise, as we started in Reykjavik, and it seemed more natural to us. We also have a feeling that the majority of travelers encircle the route this way.
Most importantly, we also knew that we would travel Ring Road anticlockwise.
However, if you're arriving from the South Coast, then it would make sense to do the Golden Circle counterclockwise.
Crowds
Iceland is an increasingly popular country, so you will hardly have any attraction just for yourself.
Due to its beauty and proximity to Reykjavik, the top attractions on the Golden Circle can be crowded.
We could see that tour buses go in both directions, so there is no pattern that would help you avoid crowds.
The only tip we can give you to avoid the crowds on the Golden Circle is to start either very early in the morning or late in the evening.
However, that's possible only during the long summer when you can take advantage of the midnight sun.
When to Go
You can visit the Golden Circle year-round, so that's one less thing to worry about.
Summer
Still, the best time to visit the Golden Circle is in summer.
Not only will you have the best chance for good weather, but you can also take advantage of the super long days due to the midnight sun phenomenon.
It's also the best time to visit Iceland.
Shoulder Season
The shoulder season brings shorter days and colder temperatures. Still, driving the Golden Circle in the spring or autumn is perfectly fine.
Moreover, you can take advantage of fewer crowds and lower accommodation prices.
Winter
A huge upside of this tourist attraction is its year-round accessibility. You can drive the Golden Circle in winter without worrying about the snow too much.
The main road is plowed often, and even the access road should be cleared of snow.
While it's safe to do the Golden Circle in winter, never forget to check the road conditions before you go.
We would also consider renting a 4WD car.
Also, be prepared that road closures might happen from time to time.
Lastly, days are super short in the heart of Icelandic winter, so you might want to consider splitting the journey into two days.
On the other, you will have the best chance to see the Northern Lights on the Golden Circle during the wintertime.
Best Things to See and Do on the Golden Circle Route
What is so great about touring the Golden Circle? There are plenty of beautiful natural attractions along the way, and everyone can create a personalized itinerary based on preferences.
It's also one of the best day trips from Reykjavik.
Still, there are a few places you should not miss regardless of the length of your trip.
Here's the list of the best things to see and do on the Golden Circle Route, or at least the list of places we believe are worth visiting.
So what do you see on the Golden Circle?
Thingvellir National Park (Þingvellir National Park)
The oldest of three National Parks in Iceland and the UNESCO World Heritage site, Thingvellir National Park is, for many, the most iconic stop n the Golden Circle.
When we looked at the map while reading about the park, everything seemed a bit confusing as we did not know what attractions to see or even where to leave the car.
We did not want to miss anything, but everything worked out in the end.
Navigate yourself to the Visitors Center, park your car here, pay 750 ISK for the parking (pay by credit card), and then carry on on foot.
In case the main parking lot is full, you should be able to find a space in one of the four additional parking lots. Just do not forget to pay the fee as there is a security camera at the exit gate.
The Thingvellir National Park is not only geographically interesting, but it is also one of the most important places in Iceland when it comes to culture and society.
Althing, also known as the first Icelandic Parliament, was established here around 930.
It was an outdoor assembly easily accessible by tribes living on the island.
But you will find out more about the importance of this site by yourself once you get there.
What else can you see in Thingvellir National Park?
If you park near the Visitors Center, you can do a 4.2 kilometers long loop and therefore see most of the top attractions without the need to retrace your steps.
First, we walked through Almannagja. It's a place where we can clearly see that Iceland is slowly being ripped apart by natural forces.
What does it mean? Thingvellir is one of the best places in the world where you can see two tectonic plates drifting apart above sea level. In this case, it is the North American and Euroasian plates.
Therefore, you can technically try how it feels to walk between two continents.
Then we walked along the river lined with the rocky ridge, read many information boards explaining the significance of this place, and after a couple of minutes, we reached Oxararfoss Waterfall.
It was the very first waterfall we saw in Iceland, and it was definitely one of the most beautiful places in the park.
Then we walked via a series of boardwalks and across a small bridge in the direction of Thingvellir Church, one of Iceland's oldest churches.
From here, we continued to Silfra, a popular site for snorkeling, while enjoying views of Iceland's largest lake, Thingvallavatn.
Thingvellir Tours
If you are looking for a truly epic adventure and one of the best activities to do on the Golden Circle, you cannot miss either snorkeling or diving in Silfra.
And why is that? Silfra provides you with one of the cleanest waters with the best visibility in the world.
You cannot swim in Silfra on your own, but you have to take a tour.
Depending on your mood and skills, you can book snorkeling or diving tours.
Here you can reserve a well-rated and popular Silfra Snorkeling Tour.
If you prefer taking a Scuba Diving Tour, you must be a qualified PADI Open Water Scuba Diver.
Bruarfoss Waterfall
Bruarfoss, also known as the Bridge Waterfall, is one of our favorite stops on the Golden Circle.
However, it is no longer the classic stop on every Golden Circle itinerary.
The reason is fairly simple. The parking was moved to a different location, so today, you need to walk 3.5 kilometers to the falls and then retrace your steps via the same trail.
It used to be one of the most popular attractions on the circuit but lost its appeal due to the fact that the return trip takes about two hours.
We needed to stretch our legs after the flight, and we loved the blue color of the Bruara River in the photos, so we decided to give it a try.
The Bruarfoss Waterfall trail is quite easy and mostly flat, and for the large part, it follows the beautiful Bruara River.
Bruarfoss is not the only waterfall you can see along the way, so be prepared to enjoy also Hlauptungufoss and Midfoss.
Bruarfoss won't probably amaze you by the volume of water, width, or height.
However, it is often nicknamed Iceland's Bluest Waterfall, so it is the insanely blue color of the water you will admire here.
Moreover, it allowed us to escape the crowds, and we could really
For us, hiking to Bruarfoss Waterfall was worth the effort and time.
Still, we understand that you might prefer to visit some of the other more accessible attractions if you are short on time.
Geysir Geothermal Area
Haukalur is Iceland's famous geothermal area famous for the minerals-colored soil, bubbling hot pools, fumaroles, clay pots, the penetrating smell of sulfur, and last but not least, geysers.
It's also by far the best place to see an active geyser in Iceland.
Here you can find Geysir with the capital G, which basically gave the name to all other geysers in the world.
What to see and do in Geysir Geothermal Area?
At the moment, Geysir itself is dormant, so the shining star of this geothermal area is another geyser that is still active, Strokkur.
Strokkur erupts quite frequently, every five to ten minutes, so you don't be afraid that you won't see it in action.
It is pretty exciting to wait for the eruption that sends boiling water a few meters into the air while spraying everything around during the process.
The Geysir Geothermal Area is quite small, and we spent about an hour here, most of the time waiting for just another eruption.
At the same time, Geysir has good tourist facilities such as free parking, nice hotels, and restaurants, making it one of the most popular stops on the Golden Circle.
If you've enjoyed this place, don't forget to visit the similarly beautiful Namafjall Hverir Geothermal Area in North Iceland.
Gullfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss Waterfall is rightfully considered to be the best attraction on the Golden Circle and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland.
For many, Gullfoss is the main reason why they love this day trip so much.
Gullfoss literally means Golden Waterfall.
One of the explanations says it is because of the golden color you can see around the waterfall when the soft light touches the mist coming from the water. It seemed about right.
We arrived here late in the afternoon, and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking.
The volume of water flowing through the canyon is incredible, and we could hardly wish for a better introduction to the Land of Ice and Fire.
For us, visiting Gullfoss Waterfall was one of the highlights of the day.
Expect Gullfoss to be crowded, as the waterfall is super-popular thanks to its accessibility.
The only thing you need to do is get out of the car and walk for a couple of minutes to see the waterfall in its full glory.
That was something we had to get used to in Iceland.
Typically, a traveler must put some effort to get stunning views and enjoy otherwordly sceneries.
Iceland is different in this regard.
We had a constant feeling that we must be dreaming as we could see amazing waterfalls, volcanoes, beaches, mountains, or fjords behind every corner and without any effort.
It was a concept that our minds simply couldn't comprehend on the first day.
Skalholt Cathedral
A short detour from the Golden Circle will take you to Skalholt Cathedral.
The building is quite photogenic from the outside and set in a beautiful landscape.
What is more interesting to know is that many centuries ago, it was one of the most important places in Iceland as it was a political center and Bishop's seat.
Back in the day, Skalholt was the center of Christianity.
And archeological excavations uncovered ruins suggesting that a settlement encircled this significant place.
On the day of our visit, the cathedral looked empty and abandoned even though it was still an official seat of a bishop.
Again, it is one of the nice stops, but nothing mind-blowing. If you are short on time, keep driving.
Kerid Crater (Kerið Crater)
For many, Kerid Crater is the last stop on the Golden Circle. It is also one of the few places where you need to pay an entrance fee, 400 ISK per person.
All the boardwalks surrounding the crater and stairs leading to the shore of the crater lake looked very new.
We wanted to pay the fee, but unfortunately, we arrived here quite late, and no one was present at the site.
Luckily, natural attractions usually do not close in Iceland, even if you arrive after official opening hours.
Kerid is a volcanic crater lake that was created after the volcano erupted and emptied the magma reserve.
The cone then collapsed, and the new caldera was filled with water.
When overlooking the crater, you will notice the mossy green vegetation growing on red volcanic rocks, which creates a wonderful contrast with the blue-green lagoon.
Reykjadalur Hot Springs
We saved the best for the last. We're talking about the famous Reykjadalur Valley.
The last stop on the Golden Circle for many visitors is the famous Reykjadalur Hot River.
It is a perfect way to end this long day if you still have some energy left.
As midnight was approaching, we decided to call it a day and travel to Selfoss. We knew that we would come back at the end of our trip around Iceland.
So how was our experience?
From the parking lot, we had to walk uphill for about an hour to reach the place where we could take a dip in these incredible natural hot springs. But boy, was it worth it.
Now, we absolutely understand why this place gets so busy in the peak season.
Sitting in the natural warm river surrounded by rolling green hills is a truly magical experience.
By the way, unlike the Blue Lagoon or Myvatn Baths, Reykjadalur Hot Springs is free.
The great thing about Icelandic summer is that you can stay up really long.
We hit the trail at 10 PM, and when we returned to the parking lot after midnight, there were still a few visitors starting the hike.
After the rejuvenating bathing experience, you can continue to Selfoss or return to Reykjavik.
We arrived here from Reykjanes Peninsula and can only recommend visiting this often underrated part of Iceland.
Where to Stay on the Golden Circle
If you are visiting the Golden Circle on a day trip from Reykjavik, it is obvious where you should search for accommodation.
But what if Golden Circle is only a stop on your packed itinerary, and you need to continue your journey around Iceland?
You have several options. It is possible to break the trip at Geysir or Gullfoss. You can also travel a bit further, as we did, and spend the night at Selfoss.
Here are our tips on the best hotels on the Golden Circle.
Gullfoss | Hotel Gullfoss - Remote location only five kilometers from the waterfall, lovely views, superb service, clean and modern property make Hotel Gullfoss the best choice in the area.
Geysir | Hotel Geysir - A newly opened hotel will amaze you with the modern design, immaculate rooms, friendly staff, and tasty cuisine.
Reykjavik | Hotel Klettur - If you are looking for decent and affordable accommodation in the capital city, conveniently located Hotel Klettur is an excellent choice.
Selfoss | Selfoss Hostel - Selfoss is a small town that offers plenty of things to do but not that many hotels. Selfoss Hotel is one of the best accommodations in the area. It is a budget-friendly accommodation that provides travelers with clean facilities and an on-site kitchen.
Camping | If you are traveling in a campervan or motorhome, there are many campsites to choose from within driving distance from Gullfoss. We stayed in Camping Selfoss for 3500 ISK per night for two, including the communal kitchen and hot shower. For more information, read our guide on camping in Iceland.
What to Pack
Even though it is true that you will spend the majority of your time (or at least let's say half of the day) in a car, it would be a big mistake not to be prepared for the unpredictable weather.
Keep in mind that Iceland is very windy, so always wear a windbreaker even when you get out of your car on a sunny day for a minute or two.
As it's also a very rainy place, we would probably bring a windproof rain jacket instead.
To stay nice and warm, we wore our trusty down jackets almost all the time.
In case you do not plan on doing any hikes, hiking shoes will be mostly fine.
We did a 7-kilometer Bruarfoss Waterfall hike, so we brought hiking boots to keep our feet warm and dry.
It is also a good idea to have your rain poncho handy, and make sure to bring a waterproof dry bag to keep your valuables safe.
In our opinion, you do not have to rent GPS. Google Maps on your phone will navigate you safely around the Golden Circle.
Here you will find more tips on what to pack for Iceland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
