Golden Circle
★ 4.8🇮🇸 Southern HighlandsSuggested visit 1 dayBest season June to August for the midnight sun; November to February for the northern lights
Geological wondersNorthern lightsGeysersNordic nature
A pilgrimage through some of Earth's purest natural wonders — geysers, the Gullfoss waterfall and the Þingvellir rift valley.
Overview
The Golden Circle is Iceland's classic touring route, combining Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir hot spring area and Gullfoss waterfall.
History
Iceland's Golden Circle is made up of three natural wonders: Þingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Viking parliament and the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian plates, where Iceland declared independence in 1944; the Geysir area, origin of the word geyser, whose namesake spring once erupted 30 metres high; and Gullfoss, a two-tier glacial waterfall dropping 32 metres. Iceland is volcanically highly active, with a third of its land covered by lava terrain.
Highlights
- •Strokkur erupting 20 metres high every few minutes
- •The misty grandeur of the two-tier Gullfoss
- •Standing where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart
- •Icelandic favourites such as kleinur doughnuts and lamb soup
- •A chance of northern lights along the way
Practical tips
- •Self-drive or join a day tour
- •Northern lights are possible in winter
Practical information
- Best time
- June to August for summer, September to March for the aurora
- Tickets
- Most natural sites are free; parking at Þingvellir about ISK 750
- Opening hours
- Natural sites open around the clock; the midnight sun allows late visits in summer
- Local food
- Lamb soup, fermented shark and skyr
- Getting around
- Self-drive or a coach tour is best for the Golden Circle and the south coast
- Visa
- Iceland is in the Schengen area and requires a short-stay Schengen visa. Self-drive trips in winter need close attention to road conditions and weather warnings.
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