Iceland Golden Circle Itinerary: Drive the Golden Circle Route in a Day

The Golden Circle in Iceland is a famous circular sightseeing route in the country's south. The loop begins and ends in the capital, Reykjavík.

The name of this ring-shaped scenic path comes from Gullfoss, which means Golden Falls in Icelandic. It is one of the most stunning waterfalls you'll see along the way. 

The classic Circle extends over 142 mi (230 km), and all the main attractions of the Golden Ring are easily accessible by road. This makes the Golden Circle Iceland day trip easy to drive, allowing you to visit all three main attractions:

• Thingvellir National Park
• Geysir Geothermal Area
• Gullfoss Waterfall

The Golden Circle is ideal for group tours, family trips, and even excursions with children. It also makes for an excellent self-drive day tour from Reykjavik. With your own four wheels, you can travel at your own pace, take additional detours, and find little-known spots.

This is one of the first attractions of the Golden Circle drive if you are going in a clockwise direction. This is where the landscape starts to reveal its rich historical and geological background. 

The National Park of þingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was also the site of Iceland’s ancient parliament, where crucial decisions were made for centuries. The most fascinating thing you’ll get to explore here is the site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. It’s something you can’t miss out on from your itinerary!

• Go on an Almannagjá gorge hike and walk between the two continents.
• Watch the thundering waters of Öxarárfoss waterfall.
• Snorkel and dive in the clear waters of the Icelandic rift - Silfra.
• Experience the power of the Hvítá River when river rafting.

Visitor Tips

» Time you need: 2-3 hours for sightseeing in the park

» Parking: On-site. The parking fee applies

» Entrance fee: No charge for entry

» Distance: 42 min. drive from Reykjavik to Thingvellir National Park

The park has picnic areas, making it a great spot to bring some snacks and take in the views. For parking, you can conveniently buy a ticket online in advance or pay on-site with cash or card. While exploring, keep an eye out for arctic foxes and minks that roam the area. If you need a break, stop by the cozy café at the Thingvellir information center for tea, coffee, and sandwiches. Bathrooms are available near the Visitor Centre by P1 for a small fee.

After exploring Thingvellir Park, your next stop on the itinerary will be the Geysir Geothermal Area, also known as the Haukadalur Geothermal Field.

From bubbling mud pots to water-shooting hot springs, this incredible site, located only half an hour from the National Park, is a true manifestation of Earth’s underground power!

The area is home to two of the world's most famous geysers, Strokkur and Geysir. They are the reason why this geothermal field is a must-visit on your driving tour.

Interestingly, the Great Geysir is known as the father of geysers. Its name inspired the English word “geyser,” meaning “to gush.” Though Geysir is now dormant, Strokkur, its lively brother, is the star of the show. Get ready to be amazed as it blasts water up to 130 feet (40 meters) into the air every 4-10 minutes! The anticipation builds as you watch the ground bubble and steam rise, and then—whoosh!—a powerful column of boiling water erupts, making the crowd gasp and cheer.

Visitor Tips

» Time you need: 1 hour

» Parking: Free 

» Entrance fee: No charge for entry

» Distance: 35 min. drive from Thingvellir to Geysir Geothermal area

For your safety, always walk on the designated pathways and avoid crossing rope barriers. In winter, since it gets dark quickly, be sure to arrive before sunset if you want to see Strokkur’s eruptions clearly. Additionally, there is a gas station conveniently located right next to the geothermal area.

These legendary Golden Falls is the last key point that must be covered to complete the Golden Circle self drive tour route. 

Gullfoss Waterfall is located on the Hvítá River and offers two viewing platforms at lower and higher elevations. The first level of the falls is 36 feet (11 meters) high, and the second is 70 feet (21 meters).

The view that opens up after getting closer to the falls almost takes your breath away. A powerful, never-ending stream of glacial water travels forcefully through the vast canyon before vanishing into the pool below.

If you try to visit it on a sunny day, the water may turn a golden brown and a rainbow may appear over this picturesque, mighty giant.

Visitor Tips

» Time you need: Up to 1 hour

» Parking: Free parking lots on upper and lower platforms 

» Entrance fee: No charge for entry

» Distance: 10 min drive from Geysir Geothermal Area to Gullfoss

The intense drop of the waterfall creates a giant cloud of mist, so if you want to stay dry, wear water-resistant clothes and be cautious with non-waterproof phones or cameras. The path to the waterfall can be slippery, especially in winter when it's covered in ice, that’s why you should tread carefully. Some warning signs might be easy to miss, so keep an eye out for the ropes indicating where to go. You'll find restrooms, a café, and a souvenir shop in the upper parking lot.

Wondering what else to see during your Golden adventure? There are so many detours that can fit in one day's drive! Enrich your Golden Circle self drive itinerary by exploring these hidden gems:

• Kerið Crater - enjoy the spectacular view and witness the natural wonder of a lake of turquoise blue water in the volcanic crater.
  
  
• Fontana Geothermal Baths - relax and unwind in the hot springs, steam rooms, and saunas at Fontana Geothermal Baths and Spa. 
  
  
• Secret Lagoon - bathe in a natural geothermal pool, open any time of the year.
  
  
• Skalholt Cathedral - visit the historical cathedral in the south, which was the center of education and culture centuries ago.
  
  
• Fridheimar Tomato Farm - have lunch inside the greenhouse at the unique tomato and horse farm.

Explore even more hidden gems if you have additional time to travel around.

Tourists of our guided and self-drive tours learn even more tips and insider information about the planning and practical aspects of the trip. Join us for the full experience, and in the meantime, our blog is here to assist with the information you need to know before you go!

For a full day of adventure, guided Golden Road combo tours include stops at hot springs, volcanic landscapes, and options for snowmobiling or other activities. With such trips, you pack in a lot of Iceland’s highlights and make the most of your day.

You can combine sightseeing with a thrilling buggy ride through the hills or a relaxing horseback ride through Iceland’s countryside. In addition to the top sights of the Golden Loop, these options let you explore Iceland in a fun, hands-on way.

If you are a marine life enthusiast, you can join a boat from Reykjavik to see majestic whales, dolphins, and porpoises. This adventure combines Golden Circle stops and exciting whale watching to enrich your experience.

If you have more time to dedicate to Iceland’s Golden Circle 1 day itinerary - try one of our four-day tours. In addition to the Golden Route, you will experience Jökulsárlón, the South Coast, and Landmannalaugar. This extended tour lets you explore more of Iceland’s stunning landscapes, from icy lagoons to volcanic highlands.

The Golden Circle Route in Iceland is worth your time. It’s a pretty easy way to see natural wonders in one day - it’s a favorite tourist route for a reason! Overall, if you love nature and unique landmarks, you’ll definitely enjoy this itinerary.

This circular scenic route is in southwest Iceland, near the capital. The first stop, Thingvellir, is located approximately 28 mi (44 km) from Reykjavik.

The Golden Circle is about 140 miles (230 km) if you drive from Reykjavík to the main attractions and back without any detours. If you choose to take the popular loop route that passes by the Kerid crater, the distance is increased to around 150 miles (242 km). Additional detours can extend the entire trip to around 186 miles (300 km).

You can technically drive the Golden Circle in about three hours if you don’t stop, but who would want to do that? Most travelers take around 5 to 6 hours to see the top three spots. Plan for a full day if you want to squeeze in extra activities or detours!

The drive from Reykjavik - Iceland's capital city, to Thingvellir National Park, the first stop, takes approximately 45 minutes. You can reach it by car if you're doing a self-drive or by a tour bus.

Yes, you can definitely do the Golden Circle in one day and fit a lot into one trip. There’s plenty to see, and you can visit all the main stops and a few detours. Keep in mind it’ll be a full schedule if you want to do it all.