The Golden Circle is a popular route in Iceland done by hundreds of tourists each year. The route contains 3 main attractions: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal, and Gullfoss Waterfall. You can also stop at Kerid Crater and stroke some Icelandic horses while completing the circular route from Reykjavik.
The best way to complete The Golden Circle is by car. However, if you did want to hire a car, there are bus excursions which you can do.
My partner and I decided to do the circular route going clockwise. You can do it anticlockwise, it is completely up to you. To drive the whole route it will take you around 3 hours 30 minutes, without any stops. Basically, you need to allow a full day for it.
I’ve completed The Golden Circle in the summer and in the winter. Both times of the year are equally as beautiful. It depends if you like to see the sites covered in snow or not. If you do decide to do it in the winter months, remember you do not have as much daylight. When we did it in December, we only had 4 hours of daylight. Unfortunately, because of this, we ran out of daylight to see Kerid Crater.
Here is the order of the sites we saw on The Golden Circle in the winter and in the summer:
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir National Park is famous for the Mid-Atlantic Rift, Iceland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the birthplace of the country’s parliament. Here is the only place in the world where edges of the 2 tectonic plates; Eurasian Plates and the North America Tectonic Plates are above sea level. Each year they move apart by 2.5 cm.
It’s about 45 minutes to drive in a car from Reykjavik. There is a visitor centre, cafe, and two chargeable car parks. The first time I visited, we parked in the car park which was next to the visitor centre. This time we parked at the car park that was located at the end of the walk through the centre of the Mid-Atlantic Rift. Parking cost us around ÂŖ5 for 24 hours.
Lunch at the visitor centre cost us ÂŖ19.00 for 2 sandwiches and 2 coffees.
There are a few different walks that you can do from either car parks. The first time we were there we did a bit more. Unfortunately, this time, we were very short of daylight; we only did the main walk that takes you through the 2 plates. It was a lot more tourist this time too. I did read before visiting, New Year is one of the most popular times to visit Iceland. I’m guessing that’s why it was a lot busier compared to last time when I visited in August.
If you are a Game of Thrones fan, they used part of Thingvellir National Park as part of their filming location in season four. The battle between Brienne and the Hound.
Icelandic Horses
On route from Thingvellir National Park to the Geysir Geothermal we passed through Blaskogabyggo where you can stop and stroke some of the famous Icelandic Horses and enjoy taking some selfies.
The horses are located on the main road used for the Golden Circle. Just keep your eyes out for the sign saying Icelandic Horses. There is a little parking area where you can park your car.
Geysir Geothermal
The Geysir Geothermal is about a 5o minute drive from Thingvellir National Park, located in the Haukadalur Valley. One of the most famous Geysir’s is the Strokkur Geysir. It erupts every 8 – 10 minutes, throwing water between 20 to 40-metres high. Just before it erupts, the blue egg shape is formed as the hot liquid is bubbling away. Make sure you have your camera ready!
There are other geysers to look out for while you are visiting the area. However, the other geysers do not erupt as frequently as the Strokkur Geysir. If you are lucky, you may see Great Geysir erupt. It only erupts 4 to 5 times a day, gushing water as high as 80-metres into the air. That’s pretty impressive! Unfortunately, on both of my trips to the Geysir Geothermal, I did not get to witness it.
Parking is free and located opposite the Geysir’s.
Gullfoss
Gullfoss is located just down the road from the Geysir Geothermal, taking around 10 minutes to drive to. It is one of Iceland’s biggest waterfalls and one my favourite too. Gullfoss translated into English means ‘golden falls’, a great name for it.
Gullfoss is located at the beginning of the Hvita Canyon, consisting of two giant cascades and is an impressive 32-metres deep. There is a trail that goes right around the waterfall, allowing you to see it from all different directions. Perfect for taking some good photography shots. It will take you around an hour to walk it. The first time I was in Iceland I walked a good part of the trail. The second time I visited, I still did not have time to walk the trail as it was getting dark when we arrived and the weather had turned. It was snowing and blowing an icy, cold wind. It was freezing! We enjoyed the waterfall at just one of the viewing spots. I regret not having more time to explore the waterfall in different directions, as is it one of the most impressive waterfalls I have ever visited. Maybe the third time I choose to visit, I may get the opportunity to walk the trail.
There are 2 car parks; an upper one and a lower one, both free of charge. The lower car park is right next to the main viewing platform. The upper car park next to the visitor centre with a shop, cafe, and toilets.
Kerid Crater
Kerid Crater is a volcanic crater lake, located in the Grimsnes area near the town, Selfoss. It is not part of the three places making up the Golden Circle however; it is located on the route you take. If you have a hired car, it is worth a stop if you have time. Some tour companies have this stop in their Golden Circle excursions too.
The volcanic crater is three thousand years old, half the age of most of the volcanoes in Iceland. It is 55-metre deep. 170-metres wide and 270-metres in circumference. The crater lake is surrounded by a beautiful, vivid red rock which makes it such a popular tourist attraction. You can walk right around the waters of the crater lake. Back in 2007 when I visited, I only walked up to the edge of the crater, as I did not have time to walk around inside it. However, just from the top, it looks very impressive. So don’t worry if you do not have a lot of time.
The first time I visited Iceland, back in 2007 when I visited the crater, they did not charge. Unfortunately, now they do charge. It will cost you just under ÂŖ3 entry fee. The money is to help to look after the site, as the area is privately owned. We decided not to do it this time as we had no daylight left and wasn’t sure if we would be able to see much in the dark.
