Golden Circle Tour — Tour Highlights and Travel Tips
Tour Overview
Major Unesco World Heritage Sites: Iceland is home to three Unesco World Heritage Sites, and they all fall along the vaunted Golden Circle Route. They are Surtsey Island, Vatnajökull National Park, and Thingvellir National Park.
- Major architectural features: While on your trip to Thingvellir National Park, you can witness several historical buildings, including the Logberg, or Law Rock, where the Althing, Iceland's parliament, met for centuries. Skalholt Church, Laugarvatn Fontana Spa, and Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station are also popular attractions in the area.
- Culinary specialties: Unique dishes to Iceland that must be tried while on a Golden Circle tour include Icelandic fish, Kleiner (a twisted doughnut), Hákarl (fermented shark), Pylsa (Icelandic hot dog), Skyr yogurt, Sviđ (sheep’s head), and Flatkaka međ Hangikjöti (flatbread with sliced smoked lamb).
Travel Highlights
Visiting the Golden Circle in Iceland is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that offers many highlights for travelers. Here are some of them:
- Thingvellir National Park: This park is not only a Unesco World Heritage Site but also the site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Walking between the two tectonic plates is a unique and fascinating experience.
- Geysir Geothermal Area: This area is home to the famous Strokkur geyser, which erupts every few minutes, shooting water up to 30 meters high. It is a truly spectacular sight to see and is one of the highlights of visiting the Golden Circle.
- Gullfoss Waterfall: This two-tiered waterfall is a stunning natural wonder that is sure to leave visitors in awe. The sheer power and beauty of the waterfall and the surrounding canyon make for a breathtaking sight.
- Horseback riding: One of the best ways to explore the Golden Circle is on horseback. Icelandic horses are unique and well-suited for the rugged terrain.
Travel Tips
- While visiting the geothermal sites, be sure to follow the safety guidelines and always stay on designated paths, as the ground can be unstable and hot.
- Stick to the designated trail while visiting the Thingvellir National Park.
- Before embarking on your Golden Circle trip, check the latest road and weather conditions and be prepared for possible closures or delays. The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration website provides up-to-date information on road conditions, so make sure to check it regularly.
Recommended Durations for Golden Circle Tour in Iceland
The Golden Circle tour duration can vary depending on how much time you want to spend at each location and whether you plan to add extra activities to your itinerary. If you are short on time, a half-day tour of the Golden Circle can give you a taste of Iceland’s natural beauty with stops at attractions like the Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss Waterfall, and Thingvellir National Park.
A full-day tour of the Golden Circle allows for more time at each site and the opportunity to take part in additional activities such as horseback riding, snowmobiling, or visiting a local farm. If you have more time, a self-drive tour of the Golden Circle can be a great option. This allows you to explore the route at your own pace and detour to lesser-known sites. However, one of the best options is to take a multi-day trip to the Golden Circle paired with tours of the Iceland Northern Lights, lava caves and ice caves, and glaciers.
For inspiration on destinations to include on your Iceland trip itinerary, check out our Iceland guide. You can also contact our local tour specialists to plan a customized trip to Iceland.