Iceland · South Iceland
Golden Circle travel guide
Geysers, waterfalls and a rift valley in one day
Gullfoss waterfall. Photo: Nickspix, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Golden Circle is a 300 km loop from Reykjavík taking in three classic sights: Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir hot springs and Gullfoss waterfall.
It can be done in a day by car or on a tour, but staying a night lets you add hot springs, a tomato farm and the northern lights.
What Golden Circle is known for
- Þingvellir
Where two continents pull apart.
- Strokkur geyser
Erupts every few minutes.
- Gullfoss
A huge two-step waterfall.
- Silfra
Snorkel in glacial water.
Top things to do in Golden Circle
Where to stay in Golden Circle
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Best time to visit Golden Circle
Best value: Jan–May, Sep–Nov. All year; summer for long days, winter for snowy scenes.
- Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
- PeakBusiest, highest prices
- QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
Getting there and around
About 2h 45m from London to KEF, and flights from most UK airports.
Hire a car or book a tour. Roads are good all year but icy in winter.
Good to know
- Silfra snorkelling needs booking.
- Start early to beat the coaches.
- Kerið crater is a good extra stop.
Golden Circle FAQ
How long is the Golden Circle?
A full day with stops.
Is it worth it in winter?
Yes, the falls are stunning in ice.
More places in Iceland
ReykjavíkCity · Capital Region
VíkCoast · South Iceland
JökulsárlónNature · South-east Iceland
AkureyriCity · North Iceland
SnæfellsnesNature · West Iceland
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