Highlighted by stunning landscapes, rushing waterfalls and erupting geysers, an Iceland Golden Circle Tour is a full day adventure!
Our first visit to Iceland was a wintertime trip. With the ground blanketed in snow and limited daylight hours, we pondered the best way to see Iceland’s Golden Circle.
Our site utilizes Affiliate Links. If you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a commission. For more information, read our Disclosure Policy.
Renting a car allows for the most freedom, but we decided to join an organized day tour that would be a stress-free way to see the top sights!
Deciding on an Iceland Golden Circle Tour
In order to help you plan your trip to the famous Golden Circle attractions, we are outlining the must-see sights you won’t want to miss.
The Golden Circle connects three magnificent natural wonders on a circumference route. From Reykjavik, the trip encompasses 185 miles of road that makes the best spots easily accessible.
These include Strokkur Geyser at the Geysir Geothermal Area, the grand Gullfoss Waterfall and the exposed Eurasian Tectonic Plates at Thingvellir National Park.
Travel Tip: The iconic Iceland Ring Road is not the same as the Golden Circle. The former is a 828-mile route that encircles the entire island nation.
Best Golden Circle Itinerary Route
While the three main sights on the Golden Circle are highlights of the trip, we believe it’s worth squeezing in a few more attractions.
Personally, we were interested in seeing Icelandic horses. When we discovered that we could visit with them at the Fridheimar Thermal Greenhouse, we added the stop to our itinerary with this tour.
Ideal Golden Circle Day Tour Route
- Fridheimar Complex and Icelandic Horses
- Strokkur Geyser
- Gullfoss Waterfall
- Thingvellir National Park
Pro Tip: At the end of the article, we include a helpful Iceland Golden Circle Map.
Our Tour of Iceland’s Golden Circle
To help fellow travelers determine what to include in their Golden Circle trip plan, we are sharing our experience and a few details about each sight.
#1 Geothermal Greenhouse and Horses
Iceland’s naturally abundant geothermal energy is, quite literally, a hot commodity. It is harnessed by five power stations around the country and is used to heat 90% of the homes on the island.
The same sustainable resource is used for greenhouses, allowing fresh vegetables to be grown indoors year-round. At Fridheimar, tomatoes are the main crop.
When we arrived, the pre-dawn sky was just starting to show light and snow was falling. No, it wasn’t that early; the sun doesn’t rise until 10:30am in late January!
We were welcomed into the humid and bright space and greeted by the distinct fragrance of tomato plants.
An on-site restaurant features their in-house produce, such as tomato-based soups, sauces along with a wicked bloody Mary mix!
We were not quite ready for lunch, so we just picked up a small container of ripe, just-off-the-vine piccolo tomatoes as a snack.
Icelandic Horses
Fridheimar also has a barn housing Icelandic Horses that visitors are allowed to see. The beautiful animals are rather friendly – and eagerly came to the fence to greet us.
This special breed of horses, known for its five gaits, was brought to the island with the first settlers more than a thousand years ago.
When the initial government formed, one of the first laws was to ban any other breeds from being brought onto the island. Therefore, they remain purebred to this day.
While you are welcome to see the horses in pasture, guests can also book a Stables Visit (in advance). During the summer, they also host horse shows.
#2 Strokkur Geyser
The second Golden Circle Route stop is Iceland’s famous Geyser Geothermal Area. Located in the Haukadalur Valley, boiling hot water bubbles up to the surface, putting on an exceptional show.
We arrived just as the skies had turned overcast, making the frigid temperatures feel even colder. Steam was rising from small pools among the snow-covered land, creating an apocalyptic scene.
To reach Strokkur Geyser, you follow a footpath past gurgling streams and bubbling, turquoise water. The hot springs can reach a temperature of 210F degrees and the rising steam warms pockets of air as you pass.
Boiling hot water sprays straight into the air from Strokkur Geyser every 4-8 minutes. It usually blows to a height of 50-65 feet, but can shoot as high as 130 feet high.
Just prior to an eruption, the calm water slowly begins to swirl. Finally, it bubbles up and then blasts into the sky, leaving a dense mist to settle back to the ground.
Geysir Center
Not a must-see on the Golden Circle, but the Geysir Visitor Center at Strokkur is a good place to stop by and warm up.
They have clean bathrooms, a nice gift shop and two restaurants. We grabbed an order of tasty Icelandic Soup to take on our Geysir Walk!
#3 Gullfoss Waterfall
This is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland, and let’s be honest, they have quite a few!
In the Icelandic language, Gullfoss means Golden Waterfall. It’s uncertain how they got this name, but without question it is an astounding sight!
Flowing as part of the Hvita River, Gullfoss consists of two waterfalls: the Upper Falls (with a drop of 36 feet) and the Lower Falls (with a plunge of 65 feet).
The gorge, which is 1.5 miles in length and 230 feet deep, has hard lava rock on the banks, while the rushing water cuts through softer rock below.
When we visited Gullfoss, the snow flurries had ceased, allowing us to marvel at the falls from the platform.
By the time we maneuvered through the snowy walkways to the second lookout point, the wind and snow had picked back up to the point it was nearly a whiteout.
As much as we were tempted to wait it out, we could barely see it, so we retreated to the cozy warmth of the welcome center!
#4 Thingvellir National Park
Our final stop was Thingvellir National Park – and it’s a fascinating place to visit. The area is both a historic sight as well as a natural geographical spectacle. Plus, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In addition to witnessing the stunning scene, you can learn about the country’s incredible history – and how it’s intertwined with the park.
Long before Thingvellir was protected as a national park, the land held significant meaning to the local people. In fact, it is the site of the original meeting place for the Icelandic Parliament.
From the year 930 until 1798, laws were created outdoors and announced from a large rock, which now displays Iceland’s flag.
Geographically, the space marks the location of the Eurasian and North America Tectonic Plates coming together.
Separated by a 4.5-mile rift (and still pulling apart at a rate of about an inch per year), the edges of the plates are actually visible. In the vast space between them is Iceland’s largest natural lake.
It is the only place in the world where the plate tectonic phenomenon can be observed above sea level!
Book Your Iceland Golden Circle Tour!
Map of Golden Circle Iceland
Use this Google Map for an interactive version of our Golden Circle Map below. For an Iceland Golden Circle Route with stops and directions, use this map.
More Organized Golden Circle Tours
While we absolutely loved our Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik, there are additional options and add-ons available.
To help you pick the right one for your trip, we are highlighting some of the other popular Reykjavik day trips.
Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon
On this Blue Lagoon and Golden Circle Tour you get to enjoy a full day of astounding sights and experiences.
In addition to the geyser, waterfall and national park, you also visit the Kerid Volcanic Crater. The final stop is the famous Blue Lagoon where you have 2 hours to swim in the aqua waters!
Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon
One of the most popular day trips from Reykjavik, this tour features the three main attractions on the Golden Circle and ends at Secret Lagoon – one of the oldest natural geothermal pools in Iceland!
Afternoon Golden Circle Excursion
In order to avoid the morning crowds, this 8-hour afternoon tour departs at noon – but still includes all of the top Iceland attractions! (This option would probably be best during summer trips to Iceland).
6-Hour Half-Day Golden Circle Tour
This outing was designed for those who are short on time – but want to see the top sights in Iceland. On the Golden Circle Half-Day Tour by Bus, you can choose from various departure times.
Private Guided Golden Circle Tour
For a truly personalized tour of Iceland, hire a guide for a Golden Circle Private Tour! The route takes you to the main 3 sights plus Kerid Crater.
More Iceland Travel Guides
- Best 3-Day Iceland Winter Itinerary
- What and Where to Eat in Reykjavik, Iceland
- Best Icelandic Craft Beer
- Highlights of a South Coast and Vik Tour
- Experience the Northern Lights
- Stay Organized with our Travel Planner
Start planning your trip to Iceland! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
Pin it! See all of our travel pins on our JetSetting Fools Pinterest Board.
