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: 1,000 ISK per vehicle
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: 1,000 ISK per vehicle
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!
Other Experiences You Might Enjoy
Once you've covered Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss, a guided Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik is worth comparing if you'd rather skip the driving next time — many also swing by Kerið Crater or the Blue Lagoon on the way back.
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: ~600 ISK (~$4) | Parking: Free
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 — worth the stop for lunch.
Faxi Waterfall
Location: 12 km from Geysir | Time needed: 15-20 minutes | Parking: ~750 ISK (Parka app)
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 genuinely dramatic. 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
Parking on the Golden Circle is cheap but not entirely free — budget roughly 2,000 ISK (~$14) in total for the three main stops. Here's what you need to know:
- Þingvellir: 1,000 ISK per vehicle for the day, covering all lots in the park. Pay at the machines or via the CheckIt app. Large parking areas at multiple access points (P1-P5); the main lot near the visitor center fills up by 11 AM in summer.
- Geysir: 1,000 ISK per vehicle (maximum 8 hours), paid via the Parka app. The geothermal area itself is free to enter and open 24/7. The lot is large and rarely full.
- Gullfoss: Free at both the upper and lower lots — no fee, no app. The lower lot is closer to the falls but smaller, and can close in winter due to ice.
Entry to all three main attractions is free — you only pay to park (1,000 ISK each at Þingvellir and Geysir, free at Gullfoss). The one stop with an admission fee is Kerið Crater, at roughly 600 ISK per adult, where parking itself is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard clockwise order is Þingvellir, then Geysir, then Gullfoss, with optional stops at Kerið, Friðheimar or the Secret Lagoon on the way back south. Almost every guided bus tour runs clockwise.
Clockwise, departing by 8am, puts you at Þingvellir before the tour buses and ends the day at Gullfoss, where the spray and scale of the waterfall work as a natural climax. Counterclockwise, starting at Gullfoss, is the crowd-beating strategy if you would rather have the waterfall to yourself.
Pure driving time is three to three and a half hours. With stops at the three main sites, plan six to eight hours. With bonus stops such as Kerið, Friðheimar or the Secret Lagoon, expect eight to ten hours.
Yes. Road signs clearly direct you to Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, and you can navigate the main route on signage alone. GPS or offline maps are helpful for the bonus stops.
In summer, no — a standard 2WD handles the paved roads easily. In winter, a 4WD with winter tyres is strongly recommended for safety and confidence on potentially icy roads.
Coverage is generally good near the three main stops and along Route 1. Between Þingvellir and Geysir it can be spotty, so download offline maps before you set out.