Golden Circle Route
The Golden Circle in Iceland is the country’s most famous sightseeing route, and for good reason.
In just one day, you can leave Reykjavík and explore three of Iceland’s top attractions:
This route is easy to complete in a single day, whether you choose to drive yourself or join a guided tour. With good roads, clear signs, and plenty of stops for food and rest, it’s the perfect introduction for first-time visitors.
The Golden Circle offers a mix of geology, history, and dramatic landscapes—all within a few hours of Reykjavík.
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir is most famous for being a meeting point of continents, the birthplace of Iceland’s democracy, and home to Silfra — one of the best snorkeling/diving spots in the world.
Tectonic Plates and Geology
It sits directly on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. This makes it one of the only places in the world where you can visibly see — and even walk between — two continental plates. The dramatic rift valleys and fissures, like Silfra, are a direct result of this geology.
Silfra Fissure and Diving/Snorkeling
The Silfra fissure, filled with crystal-clear glacial meltwater, is world-renowned for snorkeling and scuba diving. The visibility often exceeds 100 meters, making it one of the clearest diving spots on Earth.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Thingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized both for its natural wonders and cultural history. It’s a central stop on Iceland’s famous Golden Circle route.
Historic Importance
It’s the birthplace of the Icelandic parliament, the Alþingi, founded in 930 AD. This makes it one of the oldest surviving parliaments in the world. Icelanders gathered here for centuries to pass laws and settle disputes.
Scenic Beauty
The park is also known for its lakes, waterfalls (like Öxarárfoss), lava fields, and unique landscapes shaped by volcanic and tectonic activity.
Geysir Thermal Area
The Geysir Thermal Area is most famous for giving the world the word “geyser,” showcasing Iceland’s geothermal power, and featuring Strokkur — one of the world’s most active and reliable erupting geysers.
Geothermal Activity
The area is world-famous for its hot springs, boiling mud pots, steaming vents, and erupting geysers. It sits in the Haukadalur Valley, part of Iceland’s active geothermal zone, where underground heat rises to the surface in spectacular ways.
The Great Geysir
The word “geyser” actually comes from the Icelandic Geysir, the original hot spring that gave its name to all others around the world. While the Great Geysir itself erupts infrequently today, historically it could blast water up to 70 meters (230 feet) into the air.
Strokkur Geyser
The main attraction is Strokkur, a nearby geyser that erupts every 5–10 minutes, shooting water 20–30 meters (65–98 feet) high. Its reliability makes it one of the most photographed natural features in Iceland.
Golden Circle Highlight
Like Thingvellir, the Geysir area is one of the three main stops on the Golden Circle route, alongside Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir National Park. It’s easily accessible from Reykjavík and a must-see for first-time visitors.
Scenic and Educational Value
Visitors can walk among steaming pools, bubbling mud, and colorful mineral deposits, experiencing Iceland’s geothermal energy firsthand. It’s also an important site for studying volcanic and geothermal phenomena.
Gullfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss Waterfall is most famous for its massive two-tiered cascade, golden shimmer, glacial river source, and its place as a symbol of Iceland’s dedication to preserving natural beauty.
Powerful Waterfall
Gullfoss, meaning “Golden Falls,” is one of Iceland’s most iconic and powerful waterfalls. It drops in two stages — first 11 meters (36 feet), then 21 meters (69 feet) — into a dramatic canyon that is 32 meters (105 feet) deep.
Golden Hue
The waterfall often appears golden when sunlight reflects off the glacial water, which is rich in sediments. This golden shimmer is what gave Gullfoss its name.
Glacial Source
The water comes from the Hvítá River, fed by the Langjökull glacier, Iceland’s second-largest glacier. This makes Gullfoss not only visually spectacular but also a showcase of the country’s powerful glacial rivers.
Natural and Cultural Significance
Gullfoss is not only a natural wonder but also a symbol of Iceland’s commitment to nature conservation. In the early 20th century, efforts were made to harness it for hydropower, but they were stopped thanks to the activism of Sigríður Tómasdóttir, who fought to protect the falls.
Golden Circle Highlight
As one of the three main stops on the Golden Circle, Gullfoss waterfall is a must-see attraction, offering panoramic viewpoints, safe walking paths, and year-round accessibility. In winter, it often freezes partially, creating dramatic ice formations.