Come along for an unforgettable day trip exploring Iceland’s legendary Golden Circle! This route is where geology meets history, and geothermal energy meets glacial waters.
Our full-day tour takes you to iconic landmarks: feel the tectonic power at Thingvellir, witness the geothermal wonders at Geysir, be mesmerized by Gullfoss Falls, and feel the striking Kerið volcanic crater!
With small groups and convenient pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavík, you'll enjoy a personal experience on this beloved route. Discover Iceland’s legendary sites and make timeless memories!
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From Reykjavík, you'll set off towards Iceland's three most famous attractions along the Golden Circle: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Hot Springs, and Gullfoss Waterfall. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the great views and fascinating history at each stop.
We’ll also take special stops to explore the charming geothermal town of Hveragerði and the vibrant Kerið volcanic crater—experiences that many tours skip! After a day full of adventure and unique sights, we’ll drive you back to Reykjavík.
Your full-day Golden Circle tour begins with a convenient pick-up from one of our locations in Reykjavík. Just 40 minutes away, we’ll stop in the charming town of Hveragerði, renowned for its geothermal activity.
Steam rises from the surrounding hills, creating a unique landscape where the natural warmth allows locals to grow a variety of plants easily and affordably. Many residents even enjoy hot springs right in their backyards, thanks to the hot water beneath the town. This geothermal energy keeps the greenhouses thriving year-round, making Hveragerði the world’s northernmost location for growing bananas!
We’ll take a brief stop here to grab a quick bite at a local bakery before continuing our trip.
Kerið crater, also called "The Eye of the World," is a stunning volcanic crater. It formed over 6,500 years ago after a volcanic eruption. The eruption caused the volcano to collapse, leaving behind a beautiful blue lake inside. The bright blue-green water against the red volcanic rock makes Kerið a must-see spot.
The crater is 886 feet (270 meters) wide and has steep walls up to 180 feet (55 meters) high. From the rim, you can enjoy amazing views of the landscape and distant mountains. You can also take a 20-minute hike around the lake for great photos. In summer, the red rocks contrast with green moss. In winter, the snow-covered slopes and frozen lake create a magical scene.
Next, we’ll visit the breathtaking Gullfoss, known as the "Golden Waterfall," located on the edge of the Icelandic Highlands. Cascading within the canyon of the Hvíta River and fed by the Langjökull glacier to the north, Gullfoss is a breathtaking spectacle.
This two-tiered waterfall appears to vanish into the depths below, with its waters plunging an impressive 105 feet (32 meters). It showcases nature's power and the raw beauty of Icelandic landscapes. No matter the season, Gullfoss always captivates with its stunning beauty, making it a must-see stop on our journey.
Next, we’ll visit the Geysir geothermal field, home to one of the world’s most famous geysers—the one that gave all geysers their name! Here, you can explore bubbling water pools, crystal-clear geothermal springs, and steam vents. Keep an eye out for the spectacular sight of a geyser erupting right in front of you.
While Geysir itself is now dormant, it once held the title of the tallest geyser ever, shooting water an impressive 400 feet (122 meters) into the sky. Don’t worry, though—Geysir’s little brother, Strokkur, is here to steal the show. As Iceland’s most active geyser, Strokkur erupts every 4 to 10 minutes, giving you plenty of chances to witness its magnificent displays.
Þingvellir National Park is an important place to enjoy nature and discover its history. As you enter this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you'll find yourself in a rift valley. This is a fascinating reminder of the Earth's ever-shifting crust. The dramatic landscape, shaped by the separation of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, tells a story millions of years in the making.
But Þingvellir isn't just about geology. Althing, Iceland's first national parliament, the stunning Silfra Fissure, and the impressive Almannagjá rift - all set against the beautiful backdrop of Þingvallavatn lake. Prepare to learn about nature’s wonders and uncover the secrets of this incredible place.
After our exploration, we’ll make the quick 40-minute drive back to Reykjavík for drop-off in the early evening.
Your Golden Circle small-group sightseeing tour starts with pick-up from your selected location in Reykjavik at 8:00 a.m. Please note that the pick-up can take up to 30 min.
Available pick-up points: Arctic Adventures’ pick-up list.
This is a great question. We ask all participants to be ready from the start of the pickup time indicated. This is because you may well be the first pick up of the day. Please be at your assigned location at the start time that you chose when booking the tour.
Here you should wait for your guide.
Have your email and phone number listed with us so we can contact you if we run into any trouble finding you.
View our pick-up locations in Reykjavík.
Before and during activities on the multi-day tours consumption of alcohol is prohibited. If we suspect that a participant is intoxicated, we will prohibit them from joining the activity.
After the activities of the day are finished, you are welcome to have a drink and relax.
Yes, we do. Langjökull Ice Cave is a magical experience, the tour has no minimum age and is a wonderful option for the whole family. Whale Watching with our partner company Elding has been a favourite with families traveling with young children, these guys have a great success rate in seeing whales (upwards of 98% in the summertime).
Another option would be the Landmannalaugar Safari on this tour you get to explore parts of the Icelandic highlands and bathe in natural hot springs. Most of our super jeep tours are also suitable for children over the age of 6 years old. If you would like a nice and relaxing experience we would also recommend the Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon tour.
Your safety is our number one priority! Keeping this in mind, Arctic Adventures reserves the right to adjust the itinerary and/or take different routes depending on conditions. Please read more information in our cancellation policy.
Yes, there is a specially trained and certified guide on each of our tours. The only exception to this is for our self-drive tours.
All of our tours are guided in English.
No, for all your questions and concerns you would need to contact our customer service.
If you're visiting during winter, typically from mid-October to mid-April, we highly recommend using lightweight crampons (also called ice spikes) for added safety on icy paths while sightseeing. You can purchase them during the booking process to ensure a more secure and comfortable experience.
Find more details about crampons and ice spikes in this guide.
The standard in Iceland is 230V and 50Hz and we use F-type power sockets and plugs, so you might have to bring an adaptor if you are visiting from UK, USA, Canada or other countries using a different voltage, Hz or plugs.
Our tours are split into four different categories that help participants to understand what to expect from the tour. The categories are Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Demanding. Each tour is rated making it easier to find tours that suit you.
For further information about the difficulty ratings and descriptions.
We’ve partnered with the Kolviður Fund in a new carbon offsetting program, which passengers can select to participate in at the time of booking.
The Kolviður Fund is the oldest, most respected carbon offsetting program in Iceland. With your support, one tree will be planted in special Kolviður forests in Iceland to carbon offset your tour with us.
Kolviður forests are strategically planted to absorb the maximum amount of CO2 and the forests are protected for a minimum of 60 years. During their lifetime the trees absorb carbon and store it in their root system, trunk, and branches. Trees also prevent soil erosion and maintain storage of carbon in the soil.
Yes, we offer the tour Golden Circle small group tour which is basically the Golden Circle with some extra stops. This tour is focusing on sightseeing and the history of Iceland. Our stops are Gullfoss waterfall, Þingvellir national park (home to one of the first parliaments of the world), Geysir hot spring area and the historic Skálholt cathedral. View Golden Circle Tours.
We offer numerous options to spice up your Golden Circle tour and make the most of your day. Here is a list of some great tours.
All year-around options:
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Winter season:
The tour is based around the three most popular attractions in Iceland Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and The Great Geysir. We offer several Golden Circle trips that combine sightseeing with some of our adventure tours.
