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The Silver Circle is a scenic day tour route through the Borgarfjordur region of West Iceland, about 115 miles (185 km) from Reykjavik. It visits Europe's most powerful hot spring, waterfalls that flow from beneath a lava field, one of Iceland's longest lava caves, and medieval saga sites.
Most guided Silver Circle tours take 9 to 10 hours and depart from Reykjavik. Options include standard sightseeing day trips, combination tours with activities like lava caving or snowmobiling, private excursions, and self-drive tours.
The route is often compared to the Golden Circle, but the Silver Circle draws significantly fewer visitors and puts a stronger emphasis on geology and Viking-era history. Silver Circle tours run year-round, with summer offering long daylight hours and winter providing dramatic snow-covered scenery.
The Silver Circle route is one of the best things to do in West Iceland, passing through the region's most distinctive natural and cultural sites. Here are the main stops included on most tours.
Deildartunguhver Hot Spring: Europe's most powerful hot spring, producing over 180 liters of boiling water per second at 207 F (97 C). It also supplies water to the nearby Krauma Spa.
Hraunfossar Waterfalls: A series of waterfalls stretching nearly 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) wide, where clear water emerges from beneath the Hallmundarhraun Lava Field and cascades into the glacial river Hvita.
Barnafoss Waterfalls: Sits a short walk from Hraunfossar. Bright blue water rushes through a narrow volcanic canyon here, and the name comes from a local legend about two children who disappeared near the falls.
Reykholt: The home of Snorri Sturluson (1179-1241), the chieftain and author of the Prose Edda and Heimskringla. Visitors can see Snorralaug, his medieval bathing pool, and the Snorrastofa Cultural Center.
Vidgelmir Lava Cave: Stretches approximately 5,250 feet (1,600 meters) beneath the Hallmundarhraun Lava Field. Here, visitors can join a guided Vidgelmir Cave tour that follows wooden walkways through chambers filled with lava formations and mineral colors.
Husafell: A historic farm estate surrounded by birch woodland and mountain scenery. It serves as the starting point for several activities, including the secluded Husafell Canyon Baths.
Krauma Spa: Draws its hot water from Deildartunguhver and blends it with cold spring water fed by Ok, Iceland's smallest glacier. It is highly recommended to prebook your admission ticket to Krauma Spa to guarantee entry, particularly during peak seasons.
Langjokull Glacier: Iceland's second-largest ice cap, sitting at the edge of the Silver Circle route. Several Langjokull tours combine sightseeing with a visit to the man-made ice tunnel inside the glacier or a snowmobile ride on its surface.
Guided day trips from Reykjavik are the most popular way to experience the Silver Circle. Most depart in the morning, travel in small-group minibuses, and return by evening. Guides provide commentary on local history, geology, and Icelandic folklore throughout the trip.
Silver Circle & Vidgelmir Lava Cave Tour: This 10-hour small-group tour visits all the main Silver Circle stops and includes a guided walk through one of Iceland's longest lava tubes
Silver Circle & Into the Glacier Tour: A 10-hour minibus tour that adds an ice tunnel expedition inside Langjokull glacier and a horse farm visit to the standard Silver Circle itinerary
Silver Circle Tour with Canyon Baths, Waterfalls & Reykholt: This 10-hour small-group tour includes time to soak in geothermally heated pools set in a secluded highland valley near Husafell
Several Silver Circle tours go beyond sightseeing and include hands-on experiences along the route. These combination tours pair the main stops with activities like ATV riding, snowmobiling, or geothermal bathing.
Silver Circle & ATV Tour: This tour follows the standard Silver Circle route with an optional ATV ride across rugged lava terrain around Husafell, with all equipment provided
Silver Circle & Snowmobiling Tour: This tour pairs the core Silver Circle sightseeing with a guided snowmobile ride across Langjokull, including full safety instruction and gear
Silver Circle & Husafell Canyon Baths: A relaxed-pace option that builds in time for a geothermal soak between sightseeing stops, with free time in Husafell as an alternative
Private tours offer a more personalized way to experience the Silver Circle. Options range from minivan excursions to luxury electric vehicle tours, with flexible itineraries that can be adjusted to your group's interests and pace.
Private Silver Circle Tour with Hvammsvik Baths: An 11-hour private minivan tour with all admissions included, finishing at Hvammsvik Hot Springs in Hvalfjordur
Private Silver Circle Tour with Polaroid Photo: A shorter 7-hour option for up to seven passengers, with an English or Persian-speaking guide and pickup from accommodation, cruise port, or airport
Luxury Electric Silver Circle Tour with Krauma Spa: An eco-friendly private tour in an electric vehicle, with Krauma Spa admission included at the end of the day
Private Borgarfjordur Tour (1-6 passengers): A flexible option offering a customizable itinerary and optional add-ons like snowmobiling, ATV riding, lava caving, and horseback riding
For travelers who want to explore more of West Iceland beyond a single day, multi-day tours combine the Silver Circle with other highlights in the region. These tours include accommodation and allow more time at each stop.
2-Day West Iceland Tour: Silver Circle, Snaefellsnes & Canyon Baths: Spends day one on the Silver Circle with a Canyon Baths visit and an overnight in Borgarnes, then continues to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula on day two
2-Day Snaefellsnes National Park Tour: A two-day West Iceland tour that pairs key Silver Circle attractions with the volcanic coastline and fishing villages of Snaefellsnes
Iceland has three major sightseeing circles, each in a different region with its own character. Here is how they compare.
The Golden Circle is the most popular route, located in South Iceland close to Reykjavik. It covers Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall, and draws the largest number of visitors.
The Silver Circle runs through West Iceland's Borgarfjordur region and focuses on geothermal hot springs, lava formations, waterfalls, and medieval history. It attracts fewer visitors, making it a good option for travelers who prefer a quieter route.
The Diamond Circle is in North Iceland, centered around Akureyri and Lake Myvatn. It features Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall, and the volcanic Myvatn area, and requires the most travel time of the three.
The Silver Circle is one of the most rewarding day trips from Reykjavik for travelers looking to go beyond the usual tourist routes. The route packs geothermal wonders, unique waterfalls, Viking history, and underground adventures into a single day in a region that sees a fraction of the crowds found on the Golden Circle.
Browse the Silver Circle tours above to find the right fit for your trip. For those planning to explore the area independently, car rentals and West Iceland hotels make it easy to extend your time in the Borgarfjordur region.
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