The Three Main Golden Circle Stops
The Golden Circle gets its name from the roughly circular route connecting Iceland's three most famous attractions. Most tours and self-drivers follow this order, though you can drive it in either direction.
Clockwise (Þingvellir first): Most popular, follows tour
schedules. You'll arrive at attractions as crowds build.
Counter-clockwise (Gullfoss first): Better for avoiding crowds—you'll be ahead of tour
buses all day.
Stop 1: Þingvellir National Park
Distance from Reykjavik: 47 km (40 minutes) | Time needed: 45-90 minutes | Parking: Free
Þingvellir (pronounced "thing-vet-leer") is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates drift apart at roughly 2 cm per year. Walking through the Almannagjá rift is literally walking between continents.
What to See at Þingvellir
- Almannagjá Gorge: The dramatic rift where plates separate. A wooden boardwalk leads down into the canyon.
- Law Rock (Lögberg): Where the Viking parliament (Alþingi) met from 930 AD—one of the world's oldest parliaments.
- Öxarárfoss Waterfall: A pretty waterfall just a 10-minute walk from the visitor center.
- Silfra Fissure: World-famous snorkeling/diving site with 100m visibility (requires booking).
Main Visitor Center: 64.2558° N, 21.1299° W
Stop 2: Geysir Geothermal Area
Distance from Þingvellir: 60 km (50 minutes) | Time needed: 30-60 minutes | Parking: Free
This is where the word "geyser" originated. The Great Geysir itself rarely erupts anymore, but its neighbor Strokkur puts on a spectacular show every 5-10 minutes, shooting boiling water up to 30 meters (100 feet) high.
What to See at Geysir
- Strokkur Geyser: The star of the show. Watch the blue bubble form before each eruption.
- Great Geysir: The original, now mostly dormant. Still impressive to see up close.
- Blesi: A gorgeous blue hot spring pool perfect for photos.
- Konungshver (King's Spring): Steaming turquoise spring on the hillside.
- Geysir Center: Restaurant, café, and gift shop with clean facilities.
Stay on marked paths! The ground is boiling underneath. Water temperatures exceed 100°C (212°F). Never touch the water or throw anything into the pools.
Stop 3: Gullfoss Waterfall
Distance from Geysir: 10 km (10 minutes) | Time needed: 30-60 minutes | Parking: Free
Iceland's most iconic waterfall plunges 32 meters (105 feet) in two stages into a dramatic canyon. The name means "Golden Falls" — on sunny days, rainbows often appear in the mist.
What to See at Gullfoss
- Upper Viewpoint: Panoramic view of both cascades and the canyon below.
- Lower Viewpoint: Get close enough to feel the spray. More dramatic but involves stairs and can be slippery.
- Gullfoss Café: Traditional Icelandic lamb soup and coffee with a view.
The lower platform offers the most dramatic photos, especially in the afternoon when rainbows are common. Bring a waterproof camera case or lens cloth—you'll get wet!
Bonus Stops: Hidden Gems Along the Route
While the three main stops are must-sees, these additional attractions add depth to your Golden Circle experience:
Kerið Crater
Location: 15 km south of Geysir on Route 35 | Time needed: 20-30 minutes | Entry fee: 400 ISK (~$3)
A 3,000-year-old volcanic crater with vivid red slopes and an aquamarine lake at the bottom. It's the only paid attraction on the route, but the small fee is worth it. You can walk around the rim or down to the water.
Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin)
Location: Flúðir, 10 km from Geysir | Time needed: 60-90 minutes | Entry fee: ~3,000 ISK (~$22)
Iceland's oldest natural swimming pool, dating to 1891. Much less crowded and more authentic than the Blue Lagoon. Great way to relax after a day of sightseeing.
Friðheimar Tomato Farm
Location: Near Reykholt, between Geysir and Þingvellir | Time needed: 60-90 minutes
A greenhouse restaurant serving unlimited tomato soup and freshly baked bread. They grow tomatoes year-round using geothermal energy and bees for pollination. Unique and delicious!
Faxi Waterfall
Location: 12 km from Geysir | Time needed: 15-20 minutes | Parking: Free
A smaller, crowd-free alternative to Gullfoss. Has a fish ladder where you can watch salmon jumping in summer. Perfect for a quick stop and peaceful photos.
Bruarfoss Waterfall
Location: Near Laugarvatn | Time needed: 60-90 minutes (includes 45-min hike)
The "bluest waterfall in Iceland." Requires a moderate 3.5 km hike through birch forest. Not crowded and absolutely stunning. For adventurous visitors only.
Optimal Route Order (Recommended)
Here's our recommended order for self-drivers, designed to avoid crowds and maximize your experience:
Driving Distances & Times
| From | To | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavik | Þingvellir | 47 km | 40 min |
| Þingvellir | Geysir | 60 km | 50 min |
| Geysir | Gullfoss | 10 km | 10 min |
| Gullfoss | Reykjavik | 120 km | 1h 40min |
| Total Loop | ~300 km | 3-4 hrs | |
Parking Information
Great news: parking is free at all three main Golden Circle attractions! Here's what you need to know:
- Þingvellir: Large parking lots at multiple access points (P1-P5). Main lot near visitor center fills up by 11 AM in summer.
- Geysir: Large free lot right next to the geothermal area. Rarely full.
- Gullfoss: Two free lots (upper and lower). Lower lot is closer to the falls but smaller.
The only Golden Circle stop with an entry fee is Kerið Crater (400 ISK / ~$3 USD). All three main attractions are completely free!