The Golden Circle is the most popular sightseeing route in Iceland. It includes three of the country’s most beautiful natural attractions: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall.
These iconic sites make the Golden Circle a must-see route in Iceland. Completing the Golden Circle normally takes around 7-8 hours, including additional stops along the way.
Whether you rent a car and explore the route on your own or join a guided Golden Circle tour for local insight and convenience, this guide covers everything you need to plan the perfect trip.
Golden Circle Day Trips from Reykjavik
Many travelers choose to visit the Golden Circle on a guided day trip from Reykjavik. These tours offer a convenient and cost-effective way to see the highlights while learning about the history, geology, and culture of each site from a local guide. Most tours include hotel pickup or departures from central Reykjavik, making them easy to join.
Top 3 Best Golden Circle Day Tours from Reykjavik
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The Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik: For a classic Golden Circle tour, this best-rated tour brings you to the three main locations and a few more in a comfortable minibus from Reykjavik.
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8-Hour Tour of the Golden Circle & Kerid Crater: This highly rated day tour includes the main Golden Circle sites with the addition of a stop by the ancient Kerid Volcanic Crater.
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Golden Circle Minibus Tour with Bruarfoss Waterfall & Kerid Crater: This small-group Golden Circle tour makes additional stops by the Kerid Crater and the Bruarfoss Waterfall, known for its beautiful blue color.
Golden Circle Tours with Activities
Many Golden Circle tours go beyond sightseeing and include unique experiences along the way. From soaking in hot springs to snorkeling between tectonic plates or visiting a working greenhouse, these tours combine Iceland’s natural wonders with memorable activities that suit a wide range of interests.
Top 3 Most Popular Golden Circle Activities
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The Golden Circle & Blue Lagoon Tour: This popular tour brings you out on a sightseeing adventure and ends with a relaxing visit to the famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.
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Golden Circle & Snorkelling in Silfra with Free Underwater Photos: Experience the main Golden Circle sites and go snorkeling between two tectonic plates in the Silfra ravine, which is famous for its clear waters.
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8-Hour Golden Circle Tour with Fridheimar Greenhouse: On your journey, stop by the Fridheimar tomato and horse farm, where you'll explore a greenhouse heated by geothermal energy and see Icelandic horses.
Golden Circle Multi-day Tours and Vacation Packages
For those looking to experience the Golden Circle alongside other iconic Icelandic sights, multi-day vacation packages offer a convenient way to maximize your adventure. You can either drive yourself or choose an option with a guide who will take care of transport. These packages offer an easy way to explore Iceland with a customizable itinerary.
Top 3 Best Multi-Day Tours including the Golden Circle
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5-Day Northern Lights Winter Vacation Package in Iceland: This popular package has excellent reviews and brings you to the Golden Circle, South Coast, and Blue Lagoon spa with an ice-caving experience.
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3-Day Northern Lights & Ice Cave Tour: See the Golden Circle and the glistening icebergs on Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon with this top-rated tour. You'll also visit a crystal blue ice cave in Europe's largest glacier.
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8-Day Guided Winter Northern Lights Tour of the Complete Ring Road: This best-rated multi-day tour allows you to travel with ease around all of Iceland, letting a guide take care of driving and with all tours, experiences, and accommodations arranged for you.
Golden Circle Self-Drive Tours
Self-drive tours are a great option if you want the freedom to explore Iceland at your own pace. The Golden Circle is included in many self-drive itineraries, especially those that also cover the South Coast, the Ring Road, or regions like the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. All of the tours below include the Golden Circle and offer a flexible way to discover Iceland's highlights.
Top 5 Best Golden Circle Self-drive Packages
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5-Day Northern Lights Winter Self-Drive Tour: This best-rated tour includes the Golden Circle, the South Coast, and the beautiful Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
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7-Day Northern Lights Self-Drive Tour: Take more time to see the South Coast and include a day on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, known for its diverse landscapes.
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Incredible 1-week Summer Self-Drive Tour of the Ring Road: Circle the country and visit all of Iceland's most famous sights.
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10-Day Self-Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road: This popular tour includes the Ring Road and time to see the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
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Epic 2-Week Self-Drive Tour of the Ring Road of Iceland & the Westfjords: Don't miss out on any part of Iceland with this epic 14-day trip. It includes the whole Ring Road, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and the dramatic Westfjords.
Meet-On-Location Experiences on the Golden Circle
The Golden Circle area is a popular destination for road trip travelers who want to explore at their own pace. To make the journey even more exciting, the area offers a variety of meet-on-location activities that you can easily include on a road trip itinerary.
Best Golden Circle Meet-On-Location Activities
These activities provide an excellent way to customize your Golden Circle adventure. If you'd like to spend more time exploring the region, there are plenty of accommodations in the Golden Circle to optimize your time.
Top 11 Hidden Gems on the Golden Circle
Beyond the main highlights of Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss, the Golden Circle is full of lesser-known attractions worth exploring. From peaceful nature and geothermal pools to cultural sites and local farms, these hidden gems offer a calmer experience and are easy to add to your Golden Circle itinerary.
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Helgufoss and Thorufoss Waterfalls - Peaceful waterfalls near Thingvellir National Park, great for a quiet photo stop away from the main crowds.
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Fridheimar Tomato and Horse Farm - A sustainable community with eco-focused workshops, artisan goods, and a cozy café between Thingvellir and Laugarvatn.
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Laugarvatn Town - A geothermal lakeside village with scenic views, cultural stops, and a relaxing, local atmosphere.
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Fontana Geothermal Baths - Hot spring-fed pools on the edge of Lake Laugarvatn, ideal for soaking with a view and tasting traditional rye bread baked in the ground.
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Skalholt historical site - This important site was the religious and political center of Iceland for centuries. It has a cathedral and an archaeological site.
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Bruarfoss Waterfall - Known for its vivid blue water, this photogenic waterfall is reached by a short hike off the main road near Geysir.
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Thjorsardalur Valley - A scenic and lesser-visited area with lava fields, waterfalls, and forest trails—perfect for a tranquil detour.
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Solheimar Eco-Village - A sustainable community near Laugarvatn offering eco-focused workshops, handmade goods, and a cozy café.
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Langjokull Glacier - A detour from Gullfoss leads to this vast glacier, popular for snowmobiling tours and exploring man-made ice tunnels.
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Secret Lagoon - A naturally heated pool in the village of Fludir, offering a quieter alternative to more touristy spas.
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Kerid Crater - A volcanic crater lake with steep red slopes and vivid water, often visited at the end of the Golden Circle loop.
Summary
The Golden Circle is a classic route every visitor to Iceland should experience at least once. It’s easy to reach from Reykjavik and showcases three of Iceland’s most iconic natural sites. Whether you explore on your own or join a guided tour, the Golden Circle offers a memorable look at Iceland’s unique landscapes and geological history.
