The Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss

Why go

The Golden Circle shows Iceland's story in a single day. At Þingvellir you stand in a rift valley between two tectonic plates, on the ground where Iceland's parliament first met in the year 930. At Geysir the earth boils and erupts, and at Gullfoss a glacial river drops into a deep canyon. Along the way are greenhouses, horse farms, a volcanic crater and some of the country's best warm pools.

Þingvellir National Park

**Þingvellir** is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of the Alþingi, one of the world's oldest parliaments. Walk down the **Almannagjá** gorge from the visitor centre to the Law Rock, then on to the small waterfall of **Öxarárfoss**. Divers and snorkellers come for **Silfra**, a fissure of astonishingly clear glacier water. Parking here is paid, so check the park's official site.

Geysir and Strokkur

The great **Geysir** gave its name to every geyser on earth but now rarely erupts. Its neighbour **Strokkur** shoots water into the air every few minutes, so wait a while and you will see several eruptions. Keep to the paths: the ground and water are scalding.

Gullfoss

Ten minutes further on, **Gullfoss** plunges in two steps into the Hvítá canyon. Paths lead to upper and lower viewpoints, and spray can make them icy in winter. A memorial recalls Sigríður Tómasdóttir, who fought to stop the falls being dammed.

Worth adding

The red crater lake of **Kerið** is a short stop near Selfoss. **Friðheimar** greenhouse grows tomatoes year round and serves tomato soup among the vines. **Fontana** in Laugarvatn has steam baths and lake swimming, and the **Secret Lagoon** at Flúðir is one of the oldest pools in the country. **Faxi** and **Brúarfoss** are lovely waterfalls with fewer people.

Where to stay

Most visitors return to Reykjavík, but a night out here gives quiet skies for the aurora. **Selfoss** has a new old town of rebuilt historic houses, shops and restaurants. Farm hotels and guesthouses around **Flúðir**, **Laugarvatn** and **Hella** are good bases, and many rural hotels offer aurora wake up calls.

Getting there and around

Dozens of day tours run from Reykjavík, from big coaches to small group minibuses, often adding Kerið or a lagoon. Self drivers will find paved main roads, but check road.is and vedur.is for winter conditions before setting out.

Practical tips

Start early in summer to beat the coach crowds at Geysir, or go late in the afternoon. In winter, daylight is short, so leave at first light. Combine the loop with the South Coast by spending a night in Selfoss or Hella, and use the free trip planner to time it.

A sample day

Leave Reykjavík around eight and reach Þingvellir before the coaches. Walk the Almannagjá gorge for an hour, then drive on to Geysir and wait for Strokkur to erupt a few times. Have lunch at the visitor centre or at Friðheimar, then see Gullfoss in the early afternoon. On the way back, stop at Kerið crater and finish with a soak at Fontana or the Secret Lagoon, arriving back in the city in the evening. In winter, swap the lagoon for an earlier return, as dark falls in mid afternoon and roads can be icy. If you are heading on to the South Coast, spend the night in Selfoss instead and continue east the next morning.