The Golden Circle in Iceland is a 230–300 km loop from Reykjavík that takes in Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir hot springs and Gullfoss waterfall, and most people see it in 8–10 hours. Below is our stop-by-stop guide with a map, 20 stops in route order, how long it takes, winter tips and the tours that make it easy.
The Golden Circle in short
The Golden Circle is a loop of about 230–300 km through South Iceland, depending on which extra stops you add. The three classic sights are Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall. Most day tours from Reykjavík cover the loop in 8–10 hours, and our coach tours drive around 260 km.
It is popular because it packs a lot into a short distance: a rift valley between two continental plates, a hot spring that erupts every few minutes and one of Iceland's most powerful waterfalls, all on paved roads that are open all year. Around these three sights there are craters, lagoons, farms, canyons and quieter waterfalls that you can add to suit your interests. Here is the summary:
- Distance: about 230–300 km round trip from Reykjavík.
- Time: 6–7 hours for the three main sights, 8–10 hours with lunch and two or three extra stops.
- Season: all year; long days in summer, snow, ice and short daylight in winter.
- Cost: Þingvellir and Geysir are free to enter; Gullfoss is free; Þingvellir charges for parking and Kerið charges an entry fee.
- Best way to see it: a Golden Circle Private Tour if you want your own pace and the extra stops, a small-group or bus tour on a budget, or self-drive in a suitable car.
Golden Circle map and route
The classic route runs clockwise. From Reykjavík you take Route 36 to Þingvellir (about 50 km, 45 minutes), then Route 365 to Laugarvatn and Route 37 to Geysir. Gullfoss is about 10 km further along Route 35. From Gullfoss you return south on Route 35 past Reykholt and Kerið to Selfoss, and back to Reykjavík on the Ring Road over Hellisheiði.
The map on this page shows every stop in this guide in route order, from Reykjavík round to the lava tunnel near the end of the loop. You can also plan your own version of the route, with driving times between stops, on Icelandmap.
If you would rather not plan anything, our Golden Circle tours page lists every way we run the loop, from a full-day private tour to combinations with snorkelling, snowmobiling, horse riding and hot springs.
1. Reykjavík: where the loop begins
Almost every Golden Circle trip starts and ends in Reykjavík. Tours collect you at your hotel or at a nearby bus stop between about 8:00 and 10:30, depending on the tour, and drop you back in the evening.
If you are driving, fill the tank in the city. Petrol stations are fewer once you leave the capital area, and Laugarvatn is the most useful stop between Þingvellir and Geysir. In winter, look at the road and weather forecasts before you set off; our weekly Iceland road conditions page sums up what to expect.
2. Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir is the first big stop, about 45 minutes from Reykjavík. It is where the Alþingi, Iceland's parliament, first met in 930, and where the edges of the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart through a wide rift valley. It became Iceland's first national park in 1928 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
Entry is free. You pay for parking: ISK 1,000 per day for a car with up to five seats when we checked the park's own page, and one payment covers the main car parks. Cameras read number plates, so you pay at a machine or online rather than displaying a ticket.
Plan at least an hour here. Most people walk down through the Almannagjá gorge from the visitor centre at Hakið, look out over the valley and the lake, and continue to Öxarárfoss waterfall and the old church. All of this is on easy paths, and on a Golden Circle Private Tour the guide can drop you at the top and collect you at the bottom, so you do not have to walk back uphill.
3. Almannagjá and Öxarárfoss
Almannagjá is the gorge that marks the edge of the North American plate. A wide path runs between its walls down to the Lögberg, the Law Rock, where laws were once read aloud to the assembly. It is one of the easiest walks on the whole loop and works in every season, though it can be icy in winter.
Öxarárfoss is a short walk further on, where the Öxará river drops over the gorge wall. It is smaller than Gullfoss but a lovely spot in summer and often half frozen in winter. The P2 car park is the shortest walk to the falls if you are driving and it fills quickly in summer.
4. Silfra fissure: snorkel between continents
Silfra is a water-filled crack in the rift at Þingvellir, fed by meltwater that has filtered through lava for many years. The water is very clear and close to freezing all year, and you snorkel in a drysuit that keeps you warm and afloat.
You can only enter Silfra with a licensed guide. Our Golden Circle and Silfra Snorkelling Tour combines a 30–40 minute snorkel with Geysir and Gullfoss in about 10 hours. The minimum age for the snorkel is 12 and the maximum is 69, and travellers aged 60–69 need a doctor's note. No swimming experience is needed. For other options, see our snorkelling and diving tours.
5. Þórufoss: a short detour west
Þórufoss is a small waterfall off Route 48, just west of Þingvellir. It is not on most bus tours, but it is a quick, quiet stop if you are coming from or going to Hvalfjörður. Our private tour includes it at the end of the day on the way back to Reykjavík.
6. Laugarvatn and its geothermal baths
Laugarvatn is a small lakeside village on Route 365, between Þingvellir and Geysir. It has a petrol station, places to eat and Laugarvatn Fontana, geothermal pools and natural steam baths on the lake shore, open all year. If you want a soak in the middle of the loop rather than at the end, this is the place to do it.
You can book entry with our Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal baths admission and drive there yourself, or choose a tour with a lagoon included (see the lagoon stops below).
7. Brúarfoss: the blue waterfall
Brúarfoss is a small waterfall on the Brúará river, known for its bright blue water running into a narrow cleft. It is off Route 37 between Laugarvatn and Geysir.
There are two ways in. The quick way is the paid car park at Hlauptunga, reached by a 3 km private gravel road, with a walk of about 200 m to the falls; the fee was ISK 750 per car when we last checked. The longer way is a walk of about 3.5 km each way along the river from free parking by the Brúará bridge on Route 37, which is best left for summer and dry ground.
8. Geysir and Strokkur
The Geysir geothermal area in the Haukadalur valley is the second classic stop. Great Geysir, which gave its name to geysers around the world, now erupts only rarely. Its neighbour Strokkur goes off every 6–10 minutes, usually to 15–20 metres and now and then to about 40 metres.
Entry is free and the paths are flat and short, so this is an easy stop for all ages. Allow 45–60 minutes to see two or three eruptions and walk round the bubbling pools. Across the road there is a large visitor centre with a restaurant, a café, shops and toilets, which makes Geysir the usual lunch stop on bus tours.
Stay on the marked paths and behind the ropes. The water in the pools is close to boiling and the crust around them can be thin.
9. Gullfoss: the golden waterfall
Gullfoss is the third classic stop, about 10 minutes beyond Geysir. The glacial river Hvítá drops in two steps, of about 11 and 21 metres, into a crevice about 32 metres deep. In summer the average flow is about 141 cubic metres per second.
There are two viewpoints. The upper one, by the café and car park, gives the classic overview. A lower path with stairs takes you to the edge of the falls, where the spray reaches you on most days. In winter the lower path is often closed because of ice, but the upper viewpoint stays open.
Gullfoss is free to visit. Early in the 20th century there were plans to use it for hydropower, and Sigríður Tómasdóttir, a farmer's daughter from nearby Brattholt, is popularly credited with saving it. It has been a protected site since 1979.
10. Langjökull: snowmobiling above Gullfoss
North of Gullfoss the road climbs towards Langjökull, Iceland's second largest glacier. This is where Golden Circle snowmobile tours go, and the glacier can be visited all year.
Our Golden Circle and Glacier Snowmobile tour adds a one-hour guided snowmobile ride on Langjökull to Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, in about 10 hours from Reykjavík, with protective clothing included. The minimum age is 6. More options are on our snowmobile tours page.
11. River rafting on the Hvítá
Below Gullfoss, the Hvítá runs through a canyon where you can go rafting. Our river rafting in the Gullfoss canyon lasts about 3 hours from a river base near Selfoss, with all gear, a guide and a hot tub and sauna afterwards. The minimum age is 11 and trips run all year, weather permitting. See all river rafting tours for other rivers.
12. Brúarhlöð canyon
Brúarhlöð is a narrow stretch of the Hvítá on Route 30, south of Gullfoss, where the river squeezes between rock pillars under a road bridge. It takes 15 minutes, there is no fee, and you will often have it to yourself. It is a regular stop on our private tour.
13. The Secret Lagoon in Flúðir
The Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) in Flúðir is Iceland's oldest swimming pool, built in 1891 and reopened to visitors in 2014. The water is fed by the hot springs around it and stays at about 38–40°C, and a small geyser on the path next to the pool erupts every few minutes.
It is simpler and less polished than the big spa lagoons, which is exactly why many people like it. Two of our tours include entry: the Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Tour by coach, which also includes Kerið, and the small-group Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon small-group tour for up to 19 people. More choices are on our Secret Lagoon page.
14. Faxi waterfall
Faxi is a wide, low waterfall on the Tungufljót river, just off Route 35 between Gullfoss and Reykholt. It has a salmon ladder beside it and a small campsite. It is a good short stop for photos without the crowds of Gullfoss.
15. Friðheimar tomato farm
Friðheimar in Reykholt grows tomatoes all year in greenhouses heated and lit with geothermal energy, and serves lunch among the plants. It also keeps Icelandic horses.
Lunch here is very popular, so book a table. Our small-group Golden Circle tour with Kerið and Friðheimar reserves the table for you and includes a greenhouse visit, tomato tasting and a horse show with coffee or tea; you pay for the lunch itself. Groups are up to 18 people and the minimum age is 8.
16. Laugarás Lagoon
Laugarás Lagoon opened in 2025 in Laugarás, near Skálholt. It has two levels of warm pools at about 38–40°C, saunas, a cold plunge and a restaurant, with an infinity edge facing the Hvítá river. It is a more modern alternative to the Secret Lagoon.
Our Private Golden Circle and Laugarás Lagoon Tour is a full private day of about 10 hours with Kerið, Geysir, Gullfoss, Þingvellir and lagoon entry included. The minimum age is 8. It is a good choice for couples and families who want the classic sights and a soak without sharing a bus.
17. Skálholt
Skálholt, just south of Laugarás, was for centuries one of Iceland's two bishop's seats and a centre of learning. Today there is a church and a small exhibition. It is a quiet, short stop for anyone interested in Icelandic history, and fits well with Laugarás Lagoon or the drive south to Kerið.
18. Kerið crater
Kerið is a volcanic crater with red and black walls around a blue-green lake, on Route 35 north of Selfoss. It is about 55 metres deep and about 170 metres wide, and a path runs around the rim and down to the water. A walk round takes 20–40 minutes.
Kerið is privately owned and charges an entry fee, which was ISK 700 in spring 2026. The fee is included on several of our tours, such as the Golden Circle Classic bus tour (morning departures) and the Golden Circle and Northern Lights tour.
19. Selfoss and Hveragerði
Selfoss is the largest town in South Iceland, on the Ring Road by the Ölfusá river. It has supermarkets, petrol stations and places to eat, so it is the easiest place to stop on the way back.
Hveragerði, 15 minutes closer to Reykjavík, is a geothermal town with hot springs inside the town itself. It is also the start of the hike to Reykjadalur, a valley with a warm river you can bathe in. Our private tour stops in Hveragerði in the morning for coffee and a pastry.
20. Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel
Raufarhólshellir is one of Iceland's longest lava tunnels, a short drive off the Ring Road near Hveragerði. You visit it on a guided walk with lights and helmets, and it is open all year.
It works well as the last stop on a self-drive Golden Circle or as a short trip of its own. See our Raufarhólshellir tours and other lava cave tours.
Adding Þjórsárdalur: Hjálparfoss, Gjáin and Háifoss
If you have a full day and your own car, you can extend the loop east up Route 32 into the Þjórsárdalur valley. Hjálparfoss is a double waterfall over basalt columns, close to the road. Gjáin is a small green gorge with streams and little falls, and Háifoss is one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland, reached on a rough gravel road.
These stops add two to three hours and are best from late spring to autumn. Our posts the extended version of the Golden Circle and secret locations of the Golden Circle have more ideas for a longer day.
How long does the Golden Circle take?
If you only visit Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss and keep moving, you need about 6–7 hours from Reykjavík, including about 3–4 hours of driving. Most people take 8–10 hours, with lunch and two or three extra stops such as Kerið, Friðheimar or a lagoon. With Silfra, a snowmobile ride or horse riding, plan on 10 hours or more.
You can also split it over two days and stay in the countryside, which gives you quiet mornings at the sights and a better chance of the Northern Lights in winter. Many travellers continue from the Golden Circle onto the South Coast; our 3 Day Golden Circle and South Coast Tour does exactly that, with two nights in countryside hotels and Jökulsárlón on day two.
Self-drive or guided tour?
The main roads on the Golden Circle are paved and open all year, so self-driving is easy from May to September in an ordinary car. In winter the roads can be icy, daylight is short and the weather changes quickly. A 4x4 with winter tyres is the sensible choice from November to March, and our self-drive packages include a 4x4 from October to April. Read driving in Iceland in winter before you go.
A guided tour takes away the driving, the parking payments and the planning, and the guide adjusts the order of the stops to avoid crowds and bad weather. Here is how the options compare:
- Private tour: your own guide and vehicle, your own pace and the extra stops you choose. Best for couples, families and small groups. Our Golden Circle Private Tour runs about 8–9 hours with Kerið, Brúarhlöð, Friðheimar and Þórufoss, has no minimum age and includes child seats on request.
- Small group: a minibus and a smaller group, for example the Small Group Golden Circle Tour of about 8 hours with Kerið and Hveragerði (minimum age 6).
- Bus tour: the lowest price and several departures a day, such as the Golden Circle Classic bus tour of about 8.5 hours (from age 2).
- Self-drive package: your own car with hotels booked, for example our 5-day South Coast and Glacier Lagoon self-drive, which starts with the Golden Circle on day one.
- Combination tours: the loop plus an activity, such as the Golden Circle and Horse Riding Tour with about two hours on an Icelandic horse (minimum age 8).
The Golden Circle by season
Summer (June to August): long days and green landscapes, and you can drive late into the evening when the sights are quiet. It is also the busiest time, so start early or go late. All paths are usually open, including the lower path at Gullfoss.
Autumn (September and October): autumn colours at Þingvellir, fewer visitors and the return of dark nights. Northern Lights tours start again, and our Golden Circle and Northern Lights tour runs from August to April, with a dinner break in Reykjavík between the two parts and a free rebooking of the evening tour if no lights are seen.
Winter (November to March): snow on the lava fields, frozen spray at Gullfoss and only about 4–5 hours of daylight in December. Roads can be icy and the lower path at Gullfoss often closes. A guided tour is the relaxed way to do it; see our Northern Lights tours if you want to look for the aurora the same night.
Spring (April and May): lengthening days, snow melting on the hills and fewer people than in summer. Some paths are muddy, and Háifoss and the longer Brúarfoss walk are better left until the ground has dried. For a month-by-month view, see the best time to visit Iceland.
What the Golden Circle costs
The three main sights are free to enter. Driving yourself, your costs are the car, fuel, parking at Þingvellir (ISK 1,000 for a car), the Kerið entry fee, lunch and any lagoon or activity you add.
On a tour, the bus tours are the lowest-priced option per person, small-group tours cost a little more, and combinations with snorkelling or snowmobiling cost more again because of the activity. A private tour is priced per vehicle for your whole group, so it becomes better value the more of you there are. Each tour page shows the live price for your date.
Where to stay on the Golden Circle
Most visitors stay in Reykjavík and do the Golden Circle as a day trip. Staying a night in the countryside, around Laugarvatn, Reykholt, Flúðir or Selfoss, lets you see Geysir and Gullfoss early in the morning and look for the Northern Lights away from city lights in winter.
You can add countryside hotels to your trip in our trip planner, or let a package handle them. Our 5-Day Iceland Private Tour Package includes a private Golden Circle day, a private South Coast day and a private Snæfellsnes day with airport transfers, with Reykjavík hotels available as an add-on. Browse more private tours in Iceland and 2-day and 3-day tours.
Practical tips for the Golden Circle
- Bring a waterproof jacket and shoes with good grip; Gullfoss and Strokkur both soak you with spray.
- In winter, carry ice grips. Paths at Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss are often icy from October to April.
- Pay for Þingvellir parking soon after you arrive; cameras record number plates.
- Book Friðheimar lunch, Silfra and lagoon tickets in advance in summer.
- Stay behind ropes at Geysir and Gullfoss; the water is close to boiling at Geysir and the edges at Gullfoss are slippery.
- Drive with headlights on at all times, as Icelandic law requires, and check the road forecast in winter.
Tours to book
If you want someone else to handle the driving, these are the Golden Circle tours we recommend most often:
- Golden Circle Private Tour: your own local guide and vehicle for 8–9 hours, with Kerið, Brúarhlöð, Friðheimar and Þórufoss, all entry and parking fees included, all year.
- Private Golden Circle and Laugarás Lagoon Tour: the classic sights and a geothermal soak, privately, with lagoon entry included.
- Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon small-group tour: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss plus a soak at Iceland's oldest pool, entry included.
- 3 Day Golden Circle and South Coast Tour: continue to the waterfalls, Jökulsárlón and an ice cave, with two nights in hotels included.
The places on the map
Tap a pin for the place guide. Plan this route on Icelandmap
Questions people ask
How long does it take to drive the Golden Circle?
About 3–4 hours of driving for a loop of 230–300 km. With stops, most people need 6–7 hours for the three main sights and 8–10 hours with lunch and extra stops.
What are the three main stops on the Golden Circle?
Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area with Strokkur, and Gullfoss waterfall.
Is the Golden Circle worth it?
Yes, especially on a short trip. It shows a plate boundary, an erupting hot spring and a big waterfall in one day, close to Reykjavík and on roads that are open all year.
Can you do the Golden Circle in winter?
Yes. The main roads are kept open, but they can be icy and daylight is short in December. A 4x4 with winter tyres or a guided tour is the safer choice from November to March.
Is the Golden Circle free?
Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss are free to enter. You pay for parking at Þingvellir and an entry fee at Kerið if you stop there.
Should I self-drive the Golden Circle or take a tour?
Self-driving is easy in summer. In winter, or if you want a guide's stories and no parking or route planning, a tour is easier; a private tour keeps the flexibility of driving yourself.
Can I combine the Golden Circle with a hot spring?
Yes. The Secret Lagoon in Flúðir, Laugarás Lagoon and the Laugarvatn baths are all on or near the route, and several of our tours include entry.
Can I see the Northern Lights on the Golden Circle?
From about September to April, on dark, clear nights. Our Golden Circle and Northern Lights tour adds an evening aurora hunt to the day tour, from August to April.
