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Golden Circle Minibus Tour | Full Day Excursion
Hop on board a minibus for the essential Iceland experience: a tour of The Golden Circle. This journey will take you on a ride to Iceland’s most famous attractions, without the rush and hassle of the big buses.
This tour is for those who wants to immerse themselves in Icelandic culture; you will not only see main sights, you will also get to know Icelandic music and cuisine.
The tour starts in the morning when you are picked up by a small but comfortable minibus. You’ll then be driven to the south of Iceland to a little, hidden treasure called Faxi waterfall. Nestled in a quiet spot, not visible from the main road, Faxi is a low but wide waterfall, named after the mane of the Icelandic horse.
From the little Faxi, you’ll head towards the enormous and mighty Gullfoss. The glacial river Hvítá takes a dramatic 32-metre plunge into a canyon, creating this stunning and beautiful waterfall, one of Iceland’s most iconic attractions.
Next, you will visit the Geysir geothermal area. Located in Haukadalur valley, the ‘Great Geysir’ is a hot spring that’s been active for approximately 10,000 years.
Although Geysir is now mostly dormant, nearby is another geyser called Strokkur, which spouts water 10-15 metres up in the air every 10 minutes or so, giving you plenty of opportunities to capture the perfect photo.
The last part of the Golden Circle is the Þingvellir national park, a place of great historical and geographical significance. Þingvellir is where Iceland’s parliament, the Alþingi, was founded in the year 930, making it the oldest running parliament in the world. It is also a place where two tectonic plates are drifting apart, which can be seen in the cracks and rock fractions which traverse the region.
Along the way, your tour guide will not only tell you everything about the places you'll be visiting, he will also introduce you to Icelandic culture through music and give you samples of traditional Icelandic food and beverages.
You’ll listen to some of Iceland’s best musicians while travelling the Golden Circle. If you like the music, you’ll be able to find it right away on Spotify with the free wifi on board the minibus. This way you can relive the experience when you get back home.
Don’t miss out on a unique and first-hand introduction to Iceland through this fascinating day tour! Check availability by choosing a date.
Quick facts
- Available: All year
- Duration: 8 hours
- Activities: Sightseeing
- Difficulty: Easy
- Languages: English
- Highlights: Golden Circle,
The Golden Circle is a 300 kilometre (186 mile) route to the three most popular natural attractions in Iceland: the Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss Waterfall and Þingvellir National Park.
This sightseeing trail is easy to do within half a day from Reykjavík, either by self drive or on one of many tours. Some of these tours have additional activities, such as snorkelling or snowmobiling, or are conducted in a unique style, such as by helicopter, or under the midnight sun.
Within the three locations of the Golden Circle are some of the clearest examples of Iceland’s fascinating geological forces, magnificent landscapes, and rich culture.
The Geysir Geothermal Area
The Geysir Geothermal Area is a hot-spring haven in Haukadalur Valley. As could be guessed, it is home to a famous geyser, the name of which has named all others: Geysir itself.
Though this feature is currently in a phase of inactivity, its neighbour Strokkur more than makes up for it. Every five to ten minutes, it blasts a column of boiling water to heights that can reach over 40 metres (131 feet).
The surrounding area is dotted with fumaroles, hot springs, and mud-pits. There are also two more smaller geysers, Smiður and Litlí-Strokkur, that can be easily visited. There is also a hotel, restaurant, cafe and gift shop across the road.
Gullfoss waterfall
The 'Golden Waterfall', Gullfoss one of the most beautiful and powerful waterfalls in Iceland, plummeting 32 metres (105 feet) in two tiers into the river gorge of the popular rafting river Hvíta. It is just a ten minute drive from Geysir, and is the furthest point on the Golden Circle from Reykjavík.
Gullfoss was very almost lost in the early 20th Century, when British developers sought to harness its incredible power for geothermal energy. Though they got the lease to the land, allowing them to go ahead with their plans, they met an unlikely adversary: the daughter of the farmer who owned it, Sigríður Tómasdóttir.
This resilient woman refused to see the waterfall, which she and her sisters paved the first path to, destroyed. She, therefore, walked over 200 kilometres (124 miles) to Reykjavík and back multiple times to meet with a lawyer in order to help change the decision.
Though the process was arduous and took years, eventually Sigríður managed to exhaust the resources of the businessmen and they withdrew their plans. Because of her, all Icelandic waterfalls are now protected from foreign investors, and she is considered one of Iceland’s first environmentalists and most important historical people.
Þingvellir national park
The largest attraction of the Golden Circle is Þingvellir National Park. The Icelandic parliament was founded here in 930 and remained until the year 1798 before moving to Reykjavík, making it the original site of what is now the world’s longest ongoing parliament.
Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important places to visit in Iceland. This is not just for its historical and cultural values, but for also its magnificent landscape and dramatic geology.
Þingvellir is surrounded by a beautiful mountain and volcanic ranges, as is the site of a rift valley directly between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. This makes it one of the few places in the world where you can walk between the continents, in the Mid-Atlantic rift.
The daring and qualified even have opportunities to snorkel or scuba dive in this no-man’s-land, in a ravine filled with crystal-clear spring water called Silfra. The visibility here can exceed 100 metres (328 feet), revealing incredible geological sites. Though it never freezes over due to the constant flow of water into it, it is 2°C (35°C) throughout the year, thus underwater explorers are always equipped with protective suits.
Other sites of note are the magnificent Almannagjá gorge, which you can walk down into to reach the rift valley from the North American tectonic plate, and the beautiful lake Þingvallavatn, the largest lake in Iceland, which gleams to the south of the National Park.
Surrounding sites
Due to its convenient location in south-west Iceland, it is easy to visit the Golden Circle alongside with many other sites. Those seeking relaxation could head to the Secret Lagoon in Flúðir or Fontana Spa in Laugarvatn, those seeking adventure could book a trip to the ice tunnels of Langjökull glacier, and those seeking culture could visit the Sólheimar ecovillage.
There are many tours that include such bonuses, but if driving yourself, you should check out this guide to great detours off the Golden Circle.
Geysir,Geysir is a famous hot spring in the geothermal area of Haukadalur Valley, found in South Iceland.
Making up just one of the attractions along the world-renowned Golden Circle sightseeing route, alongside Þingvellir National Park and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir is most well-known for having lent its name to geysers all around the world.
Geography
Though Geysir itself is rarely active these days, Haukadalur Valley boasts a plethora of hot springs and geysers, including the powerful Strokkur, Smiður and Litli-Strokkur.
Strokkur is, arguably, the country’s most famous hot spring, shooting vast jets of boiling water from 20 metres (65 feet) up to 40 metres (130 feet) high. Don’t worry about missing this incredible spectacle of nature, as Strokkur erupts every five to ten minutes; just make sure to have your camera ready.
Geysir is much larger, but years can go by between eruptions here; it is currently in an inactive phase. When it does erupt, the water can shoot up in the air as high as 70 metres (230 feet).
Just five minutes walk north of Geysir are a wealth of fumaroles emanating steam and gas into the cool Icelandic air. Aside from watching the hypnotic pillars of steam, you will also be able to observe the yellow sulphuric stains along the fumaroles themselves, a result of the earth’s minerals crystallising around the rock bed.
At the southern part of the valley, Þykkuhverir, you’ll find various bubbling mud pots. These spooky brown cauldrons are actually fumaroles that boil up through the loose ground; after a dry spell, these mud pools are likely to transform into a hardened fumarole.
Nearby Attractions
About two kilometres (one mile) from Geysir is a preserved natural pool called Kúalaug. It has room for three to five people at a time, but care should be taken, as the area around the pool is very delicate. The temperature is 39-43°C (102-109°F), depending on where you are positioned in the pool.
The water is slightly muddy, as the pool is built on soil, and the bottom is slippery due to algae, so caution is advised when relaxing here.
Haukadalur has also seen a rise in reforestation in recent times thanks to continued experiments and research in the area. Today, Haukadalsskógur is one of the largest forests in South Iceland, boasting accessible walking paths (also for wheelchair users), fascinating vegetation and The Tree Museum, built in the memory of forester Gunnar Freysteinsson.
History
Haukadalur has been inhabited and used as a church site since the Age of Settlement. Given its historic value, it should be noted that scholar, Ari “The Wise“ Þórgilsson, grew up here; it was also where the first pastoral school in Iceland was built.
The current wooden church was last rebuilt in 1938 but its architectural style dates back to 1842, making it well worth a visit to see how Iceland looked before industrialisation.
For accommodation, Hotel Gullfoss is approximately 7 kilometre from the Geysir area, and closer still is Hotel Geysir on the other side of the road from the attraction, where you will also find a restaurant, café and a souvenir shop.
Gullfoss,Gullfoss (translated to ‘Golden Falls’) is one of Iceland’s most iconic and beloved waterfalls, found in the Hvítá river canyon in south Iceland.
The water in Hvítá river travels from the glacier Langjökull, before cascading 32 metre (105 feet) down Gullfoss’ two stages in a dramatic display of nature’s raw power. This incredible site is seen by most visitors, as it is on the Golden Circle sightseeing route.
Because of the waterfall’s two stages, Gullfoss should actually be thought of as two separate features. The first, shorter cascade is 11 metres (36 feet), whilst the second drop is 21 metres (69 feet). The canyon walls on both sides of the waterfall reach heights of up to 70 metres (230 feet), descending into the great Gullfossgjúfur canyon. Geologists believe that this canyon was formed by glacial outbursts at the beginning of the last age.
In the summer, approximately 140 cubic metres (459 cubic feet) of water surges down the waterfall every second, whilst in winter that number drops to around 109 cubic metres (358 cubic feet). With such energy, visitors should not be surprised to find themselves drenched by the waterfall’s mighty spray.
As mentioned, Gullfoss makes up a part of the highly popular Golden Circle sightseeing route, alongside Geysir geothermal area and Þingvellir National Park. Many Golden Circle tours include additional activities that can be taken from Gullfoss, such as ascending the mighty nearby glacier Langjökull and entering its ice tunnels, or snowmobiling along its gleaming surface.
History
In the early days of the last century, Gullfoss was at the centre of much controversy regarding foreign investors and their desire to profit off Iceland’s nature. In the year 1907, an English businessman, Howell, sought to utilise the waterfall’s energy and harboured ambitions to use its energy to fuel a hydroelectric plant.
At the time, Gullfoss was owned by a farmer named Tómas Tómasson. Tómas declined Howell’s offer to purchase the land, stating famously “I will not sell my friend!” He would, however, go on to lease Howell the land without the knowledge of a loophole that would allow him to proceed with his plans.
It was Tómas’ daughter, Sigríður Tómasdóttir, who would lead the charge to stop Howell’s ambitions. Having grown up on her father’s sheep farm where she helped pave the first road to Gullfoss, she sought to get the contract nullified, hurriedly saving her own money to hire a lawyer.
The ensuing legal battle was an uphill struggle; the case continued for years, forcing Sigríður to travel many times by foot to Reykjavík, a distance of over 100 kilometres (62 miles). Circumstances became so difficult that Sigríður threatened to throw herself into the waterfall if any construction began.
Her tenacity, however, resulted in success. In 1929, Howell’s withdrew from the lease, unable to keep up with the costs and difficulties of his plan. The waterfall fell back into the hands of the Icelandic people.
Today, Sigríður is recognised for her perseverance in protecting Gullfoss and is often hailed as Iceland’s first environmentalist. As such, she is one of the most famous figures in Iceland’s history. Her contribution is forever marked in stone; a plaque detailing her plight sits at the top of Gullfoss.
Interestingly, the lawyer who assisted Sigríður, Sveinn Björnsson, went on to go down in history too; he become the first president of Iceland in 1944.
Restaurant / Cafe
Besides Gullfoss, visitors can enjoy the views from Gullfoss Cafe, a locally run delicatessen that serves a wide variety of refreshments and meals. The menu has options to tantalise everyone’s taste buds: hot soups, sandwiches, salads and cakes. There is also a shop on site where visitors’ can browse and purchase traditional Icelandic souvenirs.
Þingvellir,Þingvellir National Park is the only UNESCO World Heritage site on the Icelandic mainland and one of the three stops on the world famous Golden Circle sightseeing tour, alongside the Haukadalur Geothermal Valley (Geysir) and Gullfoss Waterfall. Just to the south of the park is Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake.
Geography
The first thing that visitors to the National Park notice is its sheer aesthetic beauty; dried magma fields, covered in Icelandic moss, sit carved by glacial springs and surrounded by a bowl of ancient mountain peaks.
Two of the greatest attractions in the park are the exposed North American and Eurasian tectonic plates; it is one of the only regions in the world where you can see geology such as this on land.
Visitors are encouraged to walk along the North American tectonic plate, where they can read more about the area’s fascinating formation and history, before descending into the valley below.
History
Þingvellir can be anglicised to ‘Fields of Parliament’, a nod to the area’s fascinating history and relevance to Icelandic culture. It is here, after all, that the world’s first democratically elected parliament that remains functioning, the Althing, was formed in 930 AD.
It may seem unlikely that Vikings would want to be under such an uncombative government, but the thirty or so clans that lived in Iceland at the time sought to prosper in their harsh new environment.
The first gathering was such a success that the meetings became annual, and it became a place where disputes were settled, criminals were tried, and laws to the benefit of all were laid down.
This saw the birth of the Icelandic Commonwealth, a time of independence and freedom for the Icelandic people before they became constituents of the Norwegian monarchy. Sessions would continue to be held at Þingvellir until 1798.
Though the parliament was removed by the Danish at this time, it returned 1845 to Reykjavík.
Another major reason as to why Þingvellir is considered so important to Icelanders is the fact that this is where the decision was made to abandon the belief of Paganism and the Norse Gods; the people adopted Christianity in 1000 AD under threat of invasion from Norway.
This turning point in history was left to the pagan lawspeaker, Þorgeir Þorkelsson, who rested on the choice for one day and one night before reappearing to share his decision.
To symbolise the country’s change, he threw idols of his old deities into the northern waterfall Goðafoss, the name of which translates to ‘Waterfall of the Gods’.
Silfra Fissure
Þingvellir is one of the most widely visited attractions in Iceland, in large part due to the fact that it is home to the glacial spring, Silfra fissure, one of the top ten sites in the world for snorkellers and scuba divers.
Silfra (meaning ‘Silver’) is a submerged ravine within the park, boasting visibility of up to 100 metres (328 feet) and a temperature just above freezing. Participants in these tours will be attired at the Silfra carpark in neoprene hoodies and gloves, as well as an undersuit and drysuit for thermal protection.
FaxiCredit: Wikimedia, Creative Commons. Photo by Kkaefer.Faxi is a wide, serene waterfall in South Iceland, approximately twelve kilometres away from Gullfoss and Geysir, two incredibly popular attractions on the Golden Circle. It can be found in the Tungufljót River.
Hiking and salmon fishing are the two most popular activities in the area. Although it is not particularly rapid, kayaking and rafting are banned here; those eager to participate in one of these excursions should head to the nearby Hvíta River.
Pickup time : 08:00
8 hour English guided tour
Sample of Icelandic music
Free WiFi on board
Taste of traditional Icelandic food
A lot of fun
Lunch
What to bring:
Warm clothes
Good shoes
Good to know:
Lunch is not provided but there will be a lunch break. You'll be able to buy lunch in restaurants in the area if you haven't brought your own.
Reviews
English
Lia Venet
My husband and I really enjoyed our Golden Circle Tour with Lasma. She was very warm, friendly, spoke very clear and excellent English. Listening to Icelandic music was nice. I was so happy to have such a strong Wi-Fi connection oun board our bus! Would highly recommend this tour.
Tamara
This tour was amazing! Lasma our tour guide was wonderful! We learned and laughed a lot! We hope that our next tour trip will be as much enjoyable as this one was!!
Ashley Shumaker
BARA IS AMAZING! This tour was so great and our favorite tour of Iceland that we took during our time there!
David
Me and my wife had a AMASING day travling with our guide Gusti. It was a mix of great views, interesting facts and humour. Gusti was very enjoyable to listen to and a safe driver that mixed core facts about Iceland with fun factoids here and there. It really was 5 out 5 ! We enjoyed the drink and smoked lamb and Gusti even fit in a extra stop for the bus to stop and pet/see Icelandic horses (and a very cute dog). Would recommend this to everyone that goes to Iceland!
waseem
dgryerteryeryeryey
Jeanne and Emma
The tour was simply awesome. Siggi, our guide, was super funny and even though the rest of the passengers were a bit shy, my friend and I laughed a lot. There might be a lot of drive, but you don't feel it at all thanks to the Icelandic Music and little stories our guide shared with us. We got really lucky with the weather as well, and everything was perfectly organized. I strongly recommend it <3
Kathleen Cowie
This was a wonderful tour! I LOVED the minibus experience. The tour guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. This was a great way to see the Golden Circle. The specific stops and length of time at the stops was excellent!
Clare Ford
We travelled with Your Day Tours for the Golden Circle Tour . Our guide Ævar was very knowledgable and very funny. We started the tour at 8am and visited many outstanding places . We haven’t got a favourite as they were all amazing. Our guide gave us Icelandic treats along the way which was a nice touch. The tour was very punctual giving us lots of time at the stops. Definitely a highlight of our trip to Iceland . Thankyou for making our holiday special.
John Robb
What a great day out. Not usually one for organised tours but the smaller group on the mini bus rather than a big coach made it feel quite special. Our guide Siggy was brilliant. Lots of facts and funny stories along the way. Highly recommended this tour for first time visitors.
Richard Sewell
We can so recommend this tour! Addy was the most wonderfully knowledgeable and engaging guide with top tips and fascinating details that made our whole day thoroughly enjoyable. This was a far more intimate experience than taking a coach. We are not usually 'tour' people but this was an amazing way of seeing some truly awesome sights. Just the right amount of time and freedom at each place for us addults and two older teens. An excellent find! JulieAnn
Anyijia Wang
Our one-day tour led by Siggi was fantastic. Siggi gave us a lot of info about Iceland and told interesting stories. There were also well-selected Icelandic songs played on the car which I enjoyed so much as I'm a big fan to Of Monsters and Men. Time given to have closer look at each spot is reasonable and it was an enriched day.
marina
Awesome tour. Tomas knows quite a bit about the city. Was very informative and fun. Lots of history and tips about and for Reykjavik. Highly recommend!
Amanda
Your Day Tours was an excellent company and I had a great experience. The tour guide Avur was so friendly, and despite a bus stop mishap, the company was so accommodating in making sure we got to join the group. Would definitely recommend!
Kate Kent
We really enjoyed the Golden Circle Tour with Bara. One of the highlights of our trip. Getting to sit back enjoy the beautiful countryside while hearing a mix of Icelandic history and music is such a great introduction to Iceland. We took some amazing photos and really enjoyed our lunch stop mid day. Highly recommend this tour!
Christina
This Golden Circle Tour (led by Siggi) in March 2018 was well organized and went to each of the sights listed with ease. While I understand the need to stay on schedule, it felt a little rushed and we were given constant reminders about the time we are meeting and to not be late. There wasn't flexibility at all, which for me personally is a downside of a guided tour. Siggi was very animated and told stores, gave lots of info, played Icelandic music. With that being said, we realized we totally could have driven the Golden Circle sights on our own with our car rental. Directions are simple, parking is easy, roads are in good condition, and you can have more flexibility. However, if you don't want to make all that effort, then this tour is good! Beautiful sights! Nice touch at the end that Siggi offered to drop each passenger at a location of their choice.
TESSIER
This tour was perfect! Aevar our guide was really funny and full of nice stories about him and Iceland. Sometimes he let the icelandic music talk...magic moments! The landscape was amazing and we had enough time to discover by ourselves. Our guide showed us a farm with horses and sheeps (it was a bonus.) Our 7years old boy loved it! I warmly recommend this tour!!!
Susan Bloom
We had a great time with our tour guide Kevin who was funny and knowledgeable ! Great sights and a fun day seeing Iceland! Strongly recommend this tour!!
Scott Peden
I would highly recommend this tour . I visited Iceland in late February and done the golden circle tour. Our guide was gusti who was an excellent driver and very funny. His knowledge of Iceland was excellent and the way he done the tour from start to finish was very professional. Thank you gusti for a fantastic experience. Hope I spelt your name correctly. Scott
Kapil Dhar
We did the Golden Circle tour with GtI. It was amazingly customer oriented, as the tour folks had to pick us to catch the tour bus because we missed the bus by a few minutes. With family, it was great to see such a hospitality. Our tour guide/driver was extremely passionate about Iceland and very knowledgeable with great sense of humour. He explained the sceneries, spots and history with great panache. I strongly recommend GtI tours. Have a nice time!
Paula Jeannette Matthews
Our tour guide for Your Day Tours which is a new company was phenomenal. The guide was safe and knowledgeable and enjoyed being our guide which made our trip enjoyable. We had our trip the 13th of February and there was a great deal of snow that day, nonetheless we covered all the places to see and had an explanation of what we were seeing as well as the countryside. The bus was comfortable and did indeed have free wi fi . Would highly recommend this company.
Anne Ylisuvanto
What a glorious, sunny day we had at the Golden Circle! There was a lot of snow due to a blizzard the day before. The guide Lasma was lovely and very informative on the nature and culture of Iceland. The Gullfoss waterfall was particularly impressive. Our guide gave us some traditional Icelandic food and drink which was a nice touch. I would definitely recommend travelling in a minibus rather than a coach as it was much more personal and intimate as well as faster. Thouroughly enjoyed it!
YU LING WU
We joined the golden circle day tour, it's an amazing well-organized trip.
Marvin
Our guide Garpur was amazing. He took us to cool places in Iceland and provided us with good insights and facts about the country. The weather cooperated with us so we were able to go through all the mentioned destinations plus, we also had a tase of Icelandic food. I would totally recommend this tour if you want to do the Golden Circle tour minus the big bus groups.
Madison Seeker
The tour was amazing!! Our driver/guide was so knowledgeable and made all of the information extremely interesting and relevant. It was a mini bus, so not a huge group which was extremely nice. The sights were beautiful, the bus was comfortable, there was free wifi, a taste of Icelandic food and Icelandic music, and just all around a great day! Would highly recommend this tour and company!
Amy Ferguson
We went on the golden circle tour on Tuesday. Our guide was Ævar and he was excellent. He talked to us throughout the journey and provided us with plenty interesting facts about the places we were passing through as well as Iceland as a country. The weather was particularly bad on the day we went on this tour but the guide got us around safely in the heavy snow and strong winds. We went on several tours during our stay in Iceland with various tour providers (the others being much larger companies) but this one was by far the best!
Jad Vargas
This was a great tour. Our guide Maki was really great about filling us in on the spots we were visiting and what we were passing by along the way. We made all the big stops and had plenty of time to see and take pictures of all we saw.
Lisa Fletcher-Goddard
An amazing tour. Our tour guide and mini bus driver Magnus was warm, funny, incredibly knowledgeable and first class. I cannot rate the tour we had highly enough.
Selina Rodda
Such an awesome tour! Our tour guide with Your Day Tours was amazing. Lasma was so sweet and gave us some traditional Icelandic food/drink and we listened to Icelandic music. We ended up being in a snow storm so our tour went for quite a few hours longer than it should have but that was no fault of the tour guide and she was so good through the whole ideal. I’ve never experienced snow or a snow storm before so I actually enjoyed the whole experience! The sights were great and would definitely recommend!
Hazel Gaw
Our experience was amazing we loved the whole tour. Guide/driver was so nice and knowledgeable we learned so much about Iceland and the people nothing was rushed and everything explained. We even got a little extra by visiting a farm to see those wonderful Icelandic horses and sheep which was awesome. The sights where breathtaking, the National Park just amazing covered in snow. Definitely recommend doing this tour. We loved every moment in Iceland and will be back to do this tour again....
Jennifer Zhong
The tour was amazing. Tour guide was very informational and made the experience enjoyable. The views were outstanding and breathtaking. Absolutely recommend this tour
Yunjuan He
tour guide has been very nice, and given us attractive introduction to each sightseeing; also shared us icelandic traditional food and drinks and liquorice candy; patient and controlled time very reasonably. We got a sunny day luckily, and the waterfall, snow mountain, geyser and national park are amazing in sunlight. Great recommendation!
Luisa Pazienti
You won’t be disappointed. Golden Circle tour was fantastic. It’s comfortable informative and the scenery is breathtaking.
Laura B.
The tour was fantastic! Amazing landscapes in the most wintery experience ever (it was December). Our friendly guide Brahim provided very enriching explanations about the geology of the area and also about Icelandic history and culture. I learnt a lot from him that I cold tell back home ;-). I can definitely recommend this tour
Verona Ker
Phenomenal ........ Our guide was amazing and so knowledgable. We learnt so much about Iceland. We were travelling with our 8 and 10 year old so the bus was perfect for them to nap along the way while we enjoyed the commentary. Our guide even let them stay on the bus while we walked for 20 mins at 1 of the stops. The Icelandic Lamb soup was absolutely delicious
Mengli Wu
This was a wonderful trip, although daytime was pretty short when we got Iceland in December, our tour guide "Soldier" ( Sorry I don't know how to spell his Icelandic name) gave us exceptional experience through 8-hour bus trip. Highly recommend this trip to everyone!!
KISHOLAY BHATTACHARJEE
Monica Hoegger
Bianca Mandel
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our very COLD day touring this gorgeous area! Our guide, Brahim, could not have been nicer or more informed about everything we were seeing, and we learned a great deal from him. We did not miss a site listed on the itinerary, and we even stopped to pet and feed treats to a group of adorable Icelandic horses. I loved that!! We had plenty of time at each stop to take photos and explore a bit. Our mini-bus was comfortable, warm and cozy, and that was most appreciated on such an unusually chilly day. My husband and I loved the smoked lamb treat and the malt beverage offered, and we were inspired to eat and drink both again during our week in Iceland. Thanks for nice perk! We can highly recommend Your Day Tours and this experience!
Andrea Marcum
I would highly recommend booking Iceland tours through Guide to Iceland. The Golden Circle minibus tour was incredible with amazing sights at every stop! Even with the limited daylight, we were able to have enough time at each location. Our guide was very knowledgeable about Iceland and was at our pick up spot right on time. Iceland is an amazing place to visit with some of the most beautiful sights, especially in wintertime. I would recommend this company.
Parminder Virdi
The coach picked us up at the correct place, However there's so many companies so be aware of which one you book through to get on the correct one. The experience itself was incredible and the guide/ driver knew exactly what to say and when. He made us laugh and told many stories to us too. A great trip
MARIA ROSARIO CAPINO
Brahim was very prompt, cordial, respectful, and very knowledgeable. He provided us with engaging facts and historical accounts that make Iceland what it is today. He obviously care about his job and our satisfaction as tourists - when 2 in our group went "missing" he literally spent about 30 minutes looking for them inside the restaurant and around the geyser area. He was also very considerate of those that threw up in the bus as well as those who could not walk to the beautiful sights - he would park closer to the scenic wonders just to make the distance of the walk shorter!
Ben Bohan
Our tour guide was Ævör, he was fantastically funny and had us laughing a lot. He's full of entertaining tales of growing up in Iceland, the local quirks and history of Iceland. The minibus was comfortable (I'm 6'3" and had no complaint), the wifi was a nice bonus. Ævör gave us some local drink, Malt. It's a rather odd taste but liked it. The local music was great, Ævör and I had a good chat about Sigur Ros at one of the stops (any Sigur Ros fans will notice the ágætis byrjun tattoo on his forearm). The tour has amazing stops and staggeringly beautiful scenery. Especially Þingvellir, we could have spent hours there. We used three companies for four tours during our holiday, Your Day Tours is undoubtedly the best by miles. I can't recommend them, and Ævör, enough!
Karen Burrow
Gusti, our tour guide, was excellent - he provided a wealth of information about Icelandic culture and history, as well as life for the locals - I highly recommend this tour!
Ermira Danaj
Amazing tour, amazing day. The drive through the Golden Circle was very comfortable; our guide, Lasma, is an amazingly kind person, giving a lot of information and useful tips. Words cannot describe the beauty of the Golden Circle landscape. A great experience!!
Christopher Maytham
We really enjoyed this tour. The guide, Siggy, was really fun, with great stories. He was also very knowledgeable and gave us an insight into lots of interesting subjects about Iceland generally and the places we were visiting. The tour was very well organised too. Missing as much of the crowds as possible. Overall the day was a great experience. I wish we had done all the tours with Your Day Tours
Cathryn Lindquist
We had an absolutely excellent tour of the Golden Circle with Gusti of Your Day Tours. We were picked up promptly and the entire tour was very well organized as well as slightly adjusted to accommodate the threatening rain. Gusti was not only very informative but also engaging, friendly and entertaining. He kept the tour running smoothly and on time while allowing us adequate time to view all of the sights and have time for a lunch break with advice on the best foods available at each stop. We were also treated to an extra stop, an amazing panoramic mountain top view which he said he hoped would compensate for the dismal weather at the beginning of the tour. I cannot recommend this tour enough. The small tour bus was comfortable and we were well informed of not only the sights, but also many aspects of Icelandic culture as we travelled. I am so happy that we chose Your Day Tours as our tour provider for not only this tour, but also the South Coast Tour which we will be taking tomorrow.
Melissa East
Our guide, Ivan, had a very pleasant voice and I enjoyed hearing stories from his Icelandic upbringing, from the uniquely strange festivals that occur, to the story told to him as a boy of the baby that was swapped for the elf husband. I only wish that there was a bit more information given at Thingvellir park, as far as the science behind the plate tectonics. The mini bus was a bit cramped for my liking, as my knees were pressed into the seat in front of me (I'm 5'6"). The tour had a lovely, smooth, gait (like your horses!) and the Icelandic music made the drive so enjoyable. It was an authentic Iceland experience through and through and will certainly look up Your Day Tours for subsequent touring in the future!
Alvin T S Leung
Tour guide is fun and full of ancedotes. Pick up is on time and the schedule is well planned, not too hurried but still gives us ample time to fully appreciate the spots. Highly recommended tour!
Patrick Werewolfn
Amazing tour, everything was great , I recommend it
Daniel Biasevich Groppo
Your Day Tours is amazing. And our guide Ævar was great. My girlfriend and i got to see the sites at the Golden Cirlce tour without feeling rushed. We enjoyed every minute of it, when we weren't taking photos and looking at beautiful places and landscapes, we were laughing a lot with Ævar's jokes. He made our trip unforgettable. What else can i say, if your going to Iceland and you're looking for the best Golden Circle tour, this is the one.
Joshua Glauser
Great tour! Great tour guide! Didn't feel rushed at all. Very knowledgeable.
Teresa Silcox
Amazing! Siggi was absolutely the best- hit all of the high spots in a brief amount but yet just enough time - answered our questions added some humor and gave us a great experience- I strongly recommend this tour
Kirby
Amazing! Ingo was extremely knowledgeable about the glacier and the cave! The whole day ran very smoothly, proper equipment was provided, the truck ride up to the cave was exciting, and the cave itself was a great adventure. Amazing for pictures!
Heidi Askvik
Very good tour! And "Addi", our guide was the best guide ever! She was very clear (easy to understand), told us a lot of interesting stuff, and she had a wonderful humor! Very informative and interesting tour, I Can recomand this tour for everyone, Heidi
Kataira Stotler
I booked this tour thinking it went to the crater, so was initially disappointed (it was my mistake)- however, the small bus & informative / entertaining guide made it well worth it. It was also neat to have music playing on the bus and I appreciated the taste of traditional icelandic food & drink (although I had accidentally bought a bunch of smoked lamb two weeks prior, so that was no new taste... still good). I would definitely recommend this company for tours.
Jacqueline Yates
Just wonderful. Informative and with humor. The sites are magnificent and having Gusto show us around and tell us about life in Iceland and its interesting history was a treat. This is a must do tour! Also liked the smaller bus.
Dr. Shibdas Roy
Good tour. Our tour guide was fantastic. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Gullfoss and Geysir/Strokkur. It started raining by the time we went to Thingvellir, but otherwise the tour overall was quite memorable. Some of the other tours we went for were more exciting, I must say, such as Snaefellsness, South Coast and Jokulsarlon. Nonetheless, Golden Circle is a good way to start seeing Iceland. Certainly worth the price paid, especially with such a great tour guide.
William Jenkins
The tour is very enjoyable. Whether you are in Iceland for only a few days or a week or more, it is a must-do, perhaps the first tour you should do after the Reykjavik city walk. It gives you a good feel for the Icelandic landscape. While Geysir and Gullfoss will be highlights for many, Thingpellir state park was also fascinating for its historical roots and symbolism, as well as being a place to observe the separation of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Our guide (sorry I cannot remember her name) was very knowledgeable and kept us informed throughout, but also had the good judgement not to overload us too much!
Chelsea Wong
The tour guide is very nice. Know a lot about Iceland from her presentation. The tour covers major tourism spots. Highly recommend.
Lorin Trevisan
This tour with Your Day Tours was wonderful! Got to see all the major sites and we weren't rushed. The guide was funny, accommodating and knowledgeable about both Icelandic culture and the sites we were seeing. Would highly recommend for those looking for a great time in Iceland!
You Jin
It was enjoyable tour , but our guide was very strict about time so i got some pressure but the journey itself was amazing
Kenneth Demoyse
We did the Golden Circle your with the company, Your Day Tour. The trip was great and our guide, Gusti, was knowledgeable, informative, and great to have. Would recommend it to everyone.
Nicola Kan
Good tour and our guide was awesome. And he even got us some Irish snacks and drinks!
Matt Singer
This was a fantastic way to see the Golden Circle in 1 day. Taking the minibus makes it so much more manageable and personal. This made it easy to gather everyone at certain times so we can timely get to our next destination. We got a great tour by Isor who was knowledgeable and quite funny. He took us to two waterfalls, a Geyser, where the tectonic plates of Eurasia and North America meet and beautiful Icelandic horses. Great day.
Hanna
Despite being quite well-travelled it was my first proper tour ever and I only took it because I don't drive and public transportation would not really work with these locations so I had to succumb. I'm really glad that I chose this tour though because the minivan really makes a difference, despite all the beautiful places we went to it would not have felt half as nice had it been a big bus full of tourists, this felt more personal. Our driver/tour guide was a cool chap related to a bunch of royals including the Queen (!) who cracked some nice jokes, made the van roar with laughter at his American impressions and told us quite a bit about iceland and played some nice icelandic tunes. We got to drink some non alcoholic icelandic drink which was quite nice and there was also some infamous lamb to be eaten as well. Had a lot of fun, thank you, your majesty!
Jane Findlater
Marvellous way to get a taste of the beauty of Iceland, its waterfalls, hot springs and fascinating geology. Our guide kept us entertained and well informed throughout, and also gave us some insight into the character and lifestyle of the Icelandic people. Highlight for me would be the incredible Pingvellir national park, the geographical and historical significance of which is awe-inspiring.
Tania S
The must-see tour when in Iceland and Your Day Tours is certainly the best company to choose for it. Your Day Tours is a young, family-owned company which makes the tour more special and intimate. Our guide (one of the founders) was very entertaining and knowledgeable, we learned so much about Iceland and its people during that day. We also made some additional stops on the way, and overall just a stunning landscape - definitely recommend.
Nicole Morse
This was an amazing way to see some of the great natural beauties of Iceland! Our tour guide was very informative and funny, this tour is a great value for the price. I would recommend this to anyone visiting!
Sangeeta Morar
This tour had a very personal feel - our guide, "Kevin" (I don't remember his Icelandic name) provided a nice overview of information about Iceland, but also personal details about his family and Icelandic culture - which were quite fascinating! I'm so glad we were on a small tour vs. a large coach - made the experience enjoyable. We had plenty of time to explore, never felt rushed or like we were part of a herd... lol
Rachel Brown
Really great tour! We went on a few different tours on our trip and this was our favourite. Nice balance between fun and informative and no rush at each stop. Siggi the guide was fab!
Dan Gibson
Great tour. Picked us up at our guesthouse without a problem. Guide/Owner was amazing. I thought maybe my 18 year old daughter would not be as thrilled as I was about the tour but she loved it. I would highly recommend this tour.
Cassandra Farrell
Excellent! A great way to see some of the fabulous highlights of Reykjavik! Garpor was an amazing guide and provided lots of great information and funny stories. I would highly recommend this tour
Carol Price Spurling
We had a great time on our Golden Circle Tour with Garpur/Kevin, and they handled a slight hiccup with the van with great aplomb, getting us onto a replacement bus asap and hardly any time lost. We had just enough time at each stop, not too long and not too short, and were well entertained and informed along the way. We were very glad to be in a minivan, which was so much nicer in all ways compared to a big bus.
Janel Cheek
This was an amazing tour. YourDayTours is a family run business of father and three sons. Bothe (sic) was an excellent tour guide who was very passionate and knowledgable about Iceland. He taught us a lot about what we were seeing but also very interesting facts about Iceland, Icelandic people and life in Iceland. We were a small group on a small, comfortable bus that had Wifi and even USB ports to charge your phone (we were on the newest bus they own). We listened to beautiful, relaxing Icelandic music and were even given a sample taste of an Icelandic drink and snack of smoked lamb Icelandic butter and bread that his father made for us that morning. The views from the bus and the sites we visited were breathtaking. . Keep in mind that you are on a tight schedule so there is limited time at each stop. Our tour guide was kind enough to add a stop so that we could pet Icelandic horses for five minutes. Even though we had a car I couldn't imagine trying to figure out where all those places were but esp not having a someone to give us such rich, helpful and interesting information. I would strongly recommend this tour.
Devon Ulmer
Wonderful tour! I our guide was hilarious and had so much good information about the country. The bus was clean and comfortable enough. Very nice that it was a small one as well.
Mary Keenan
Amazing tour, highly recommend this tour. Nice small bus which I think makes the experience better. Picked up on time and loads of time in each stop, great day out and learnt loads of interesting information about Iceland.
VINICIUS DE OLIVEIRA PRADO
I did this tour with the Your Day Tour Company. The driver was awesome, dont remember his name, i just know that he's from a island in the south. Its a must do tour in the iceland. I think we spent 6 hours and totally worth it.
Artwork Of Tess Taaca
I looked at other websites, tour companies and booking companies and decided on Your Day Tours for the Golden Circle. Our driver, August, who had just started with the company, was wonderful. He explained the areas we drove through, Icelandic history, Icelandic heritage and was entertaining. From the Owners to August, they made sure that we were taken care of from start to finish. Being a family run company, we like to support small business and they did a great job. We didn't have time to book other excursions, but when we return to Iceland, we will book with Your Day Tours again. Thank you for a memorable 14 year Anniversary trip!!
Dustin Benyo
Ævar provided a full day of entertainment with lots of jokes, fun history, and brought some really good Iceland food samples. We rented a car and did everything else on our own but we heard this tour was worth it and it had such high reviews we decided to try it out. It was nice being able to sit back and enjoy the ride. Each location has the perfect amount of time to relax, take in the beauty, snap a few pics and explore. The onboard wifi was really nice to have as well. Book this tour!!!
Vitoria Silva
We used this travel agency for Golden Circle tour. An amazing experience. Thank you for the wonderful day. Thank you to our tour guide Bára for having us called and picked up elsewhere in the city due to our delay in transfer from Keflavik to Reykjavik, Center Plaza Hotel. So we did not miss the tour. We appreciate your sympathy! Maria Vitoria Silva. Portugal.
Fatima Yusuf
The tour was amazing. Excellent guide, plenty of time, and pick up is just Perfect start. Will recommend this trip to anyone visiting Iceland :-)
Gigi Wong
The tour was great! Highly recommend for this small group minibus tour. Adequate time for each spot. The minibus was comfortable. The only thing was the lunch break was too short. The tour guide (I forgot his name, he said he's a film-maker) was very nice, though his English was not very good, and not very familiar with the places, at least he's nice and trying to help everyone of us, and leading to this wonderful tour.
Yvonne
This trip is so wonderful!! Highly recommend!! Our guide bára (I think) is very humorous and knowledgeable. She shared lots of interesting things about Iceland with us. Our group is very punctual, so she gave us two extra stops to see horses and cows. If you plan to visit golden circle, this tour definitely is the best.
Kristin Martin
Great introduction to Iceland and all it has to offer!
Tammy Ricks
This tour was wonderful, very knowledgeable guide, gave so much good information during the tour. Loved all the stops, and was able to make an extra one to see Icelandic horses. The guides positive upbeat and greetings with a smile were contagious. Highly recommend!
Judith Kalil
We loved this tour. Addy was a great guide who's knowledge of her country and passion for her it really came through making this trip delightful. She prepared us well for each place we visited and gave us good advice on do's and don'ts. Her enthusiasm was contagious, I am so happy that we signed up for this.
Alexandra Juno
Brilliant tour. Addy was a lovely guide; she had a wide knowledge base and answered stuff about everything! Her perpetual smile and handy tips on the best things to see made it super enjoyable. Would definitely recommend!
Olivia Paré
I had a great time on this tour with guide Peter- he was informative and the whole tour was both fun and relaxing! The small bus and the way the tour is constructed are both a big plus. Would definitely reccomend!!!
Sheri Erwin
Very nice vehicle, great guide, informative and timely. Highly recommend this company. Our guide Lasma.
Jonathan Ainsworth
A great tour led by Bara on 22/2/17, friendly and knowledgeable without bombarding us with information. Picked up from the hotel on time. A mini-bus of tourists, rather than a huge bus made it much more friendly. The drive away from Reykjavik over the mountains as the sun rose was spectacular. Faxi waterfall was followed by Gullfoss - wow. Geysir was next which included time for lunch. We had soup from the vegetarian soup café which was really nice. Loved watching the Strokkur geysir erupt regular as clockwork. Our walk through the national park on the mid-atlantic ridge in a snowstorm was brilliant .
Maéva Jolly
It was amazing!! We had just to wait a little more than expected (30 minutes instead of 20 minutes) but it was still great.
CHUNG,YING
Professional guide, awesome trip!
Sangi
I really enjoy this small group tour. This was fantastic! Our guide Poára was nice and helpful. She recommended us to join the Aurora tour after this tour because the weather was good that day and have higher chance to see it. We saw the Aurora eventually and it was absolutely amazing. Big thank you to Poára :) and I love the Icelandic music and snack and drink. Really had a good time in this trip. Highly recommended!
Ryan Ward
From start to finish this tour covered everything they said they would. On schedule to every stop to allow us to have a good amount of time to take in the breathtaking views. 'Kevin' (Icelandic name I can't remember, but told us his name was Kevin in English lol) our tour guide for the day made it very enjoyable and had a great sense of knowledge of the areas we visited and a very good personality to make us feel welcome onto the minibus. Made it very personal being in a smaller group excursion to interact with us all and made sure we were ahead of all the big tour buses and that we were comfortable. He was on time with picking everyone up and getting us back safely and even had a few extra stops due to us being on time back to the minibus which meant we could stop at 2 farms, 1 with live cattle to pet and feed (sheep and horses) also another farm to taste some Icelandic ice cream with a greet and meet from the farm dogs who were not scared to jump onto the bus and say hello! All round great trip and will leave a smile on your face at the end of the day. Wifi on the bus and a beverage/flatbread to try out to! Worth every krona! Highly recommended!
Marilee Bowman
I was in Iceland two years ago and took a Golden Circle tour with a big tour company. With the big tour companies, the tour was good but it seemed very impersonal. That is not the case with Your Day Tours. The tour guides were personable and with the smaller bus and smaller group, there were many places we were able to stop that the big bus tours couldn't go. The tour bus allows you a good vantage point from any spot in the bus. The tour guides were approachable and very helpful. I would highly recommend Your Day Tours to anyone going to Iceland and looking for an informative and thoughtful tour.
Trisha Guinan
Our guide was great and we got to see some beautiful waterfalls! It's a long day but definitely worth it!
Asma
What an amazing trip we had! Logi was our very entertaining tour guide/driver with a good playlist. My husband and I really enjoyed this tour, our minibus was completely full, we were sitting way in the back, it did feel a little cramped at times. There's free wifi on the bus, and plenty of bathroom breaks -- I'm 6 months pregnant and had no issues. I would defiantly recommend this tour to all. Although my husband and I packed sandwiches for lunch, there are plenty of options for lunch -- a soup place, nicer sit-down restaurant and a fast food (burgers & fries) option. All of the sights were beyond beautiful, despite the crazy weather! We were able to take some really great photos, that we'll always have to remember our trip by.
Valeria Visoso
I really enjoyed this trip! Our guide Bothi (not sure if you write it like that) talked about his country with pride and passion and I learned very interesting things about it. Loved the music, I even follow their playlist in sopotify now and the places we visited were breathtaking, I fell in love with Gulfoss waterfall, I really recommend this tour, I had a great time! Thanks Yourdaytours!
lisa o connell
Very much enjoyed this tour! BaÞe our guide was incredibly nice and is very passionate about Iceland! Gulfloss was one of the highlights of my trip to Iceland, highly recommend :)
izabela
Amazing trip! Our tour guide was very friendly and well informed. During the trip I learnt a lot about the iceland and its people. I love the fact that this is a family run business with an individual approach. Highly recommend it! Thank you very much for very enjoyable day!
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