If you are on a short trip to Iceland, or just want to stay close to Reykjavik, the Golden Circle is the perfect day trip for you, unlike the popular Ring Road route, which travels around the perimeter of the island and takes about a week to complete. The Golden Circle is a loop of beautiful and unforgettable sites you will see only in Iceland and leads you back to Reykjavik.
You may see various stops and landmarks while researching the Golden Circle, but my Perfect Golden Circle itinerary will cover all of the main stops and more that you would not want to miss! This route will take you to some of the most amazing sites that central Iceland has to offer. Ranging from a dip in a hot spring to stunning views of waterfalls to an active geyser, it will have you falling in love with this country.
Renting a Car
With a day packed of fairy tale-like scenery, you will experience the diverse landscape of Iceland in a short amount of time. There are plenty of organized tours, but I suggested driving the Golden Circle yourself, if you are planning to go in the summer months. This way, you can alter the plan to your interests and be on your own schedule… without stops at gift shops and tourist restaurants.
If you are interested in renting a car, there are a few things you need to know.
They drive on the right side of the road in Iceland.
Gas is expensive, so make sure you factor this into your budget for transportation.
There are no shoulders on the road. If you want to stop on the side of the road to take photos, you have to stop at the designated rest areas.
Pre-book your rental online to get the best deal. When I went with my best friend, we used Bali Car Rental. They were very reasonable and friendly. After picking us up at the airport, they set us up with the car and gave us some helpful advice/interesting facts about Iceland.
Depending on the type of hikes or sites you would like to see, it may be a good idea to rent a 4x4 since the roads may be snowy/unpaved/rocky. For my Golden Circle trip, any car would suffice since the roads are all paved.
You can download this route with Google Maps onto your smartphone so you can use it offline. That way, you can save some money by skipping the GPS.
The weather in Iceland is unpredictable, so please plan accordingly.
My Perfect Golden Circle
Get up early and begin your unforgettable day with the Icelandic nature! The time at each place is completely up to you when you are on the Golden Circle, but here are my suggestions:
8:00 a.m.
Reykjadalur Hike
Located near the town on Hveragerdi, the Rekjadalur (means “Smoky Valley”) hike is the spot I talked about the most after my vacation to Iceland. This region is rich in geothermal activity, which creates a smoky valley full of steam stacks and heated rivers. For more information on this adventure, check out my article: Reykjadalur Hike
Location: Hveragerdi, Iceland
Hours: 24 hours
Cost: Free
The natural hot springs on the Rekjadalur Hike.
LUNCH
I am always thinking about my next meal, so this is one of the most important stops for me. After you hike and soak in the hot springs, try out a unique dining experience in Hveragerdi. A mix of earth and culinary science is brought into the food.
With access to deep hot springs in the earth, restaurants pipe the steam directly into their kitchen. This style is called Earth Cooking, and not found anywhere else in the world! Some of the restaurants to try, include:
Kjot & Kunst
Skyrgerðin Café & Bistro
Must Try! The steaming earth-baked rye bread is served on the side of most entrees. It was baked in tins under the ground next to a hot spring and served with a spread of delicious Icelandic butter. Did I get your taste buds watering yet?
12:30 p.m.
Kerid Crater Lake
The Kerid Crater Lake is actually the remains of a 6,500 year old, collapsed volcano. There is a small hiking trail around the opening of the crater, and stairs leading down to the center of the crater, which is now a lake. The striking volcanic crater is made up of red rocks and has an amazing view from the top!
*About 20 minutes away from Reykjadalur Hike
Location: Route 35, Selfoss, Iceland
Hours: 24 hours
Cost: 350 ISK/2 EUR/3 USD per person. Children 12 and younger are free.
Looking at the Crater Lake from the top of a collapsed volcano.
1:45 p.m.
Strokkur Geysir
In the Haukadalur Valley, the Strokkur Geysir is the most active geyser in the world. It will erupt every eight to ten minutes, so this can be a short stop on your trip.
If you would like to stay longer, there are restaurants, gift shops and walking paths at the geyser. Also, you may want to check out the Litli Geysir while you are here.
*About 36 minutes away from Kerid
Location: Haukadal, 801 Selfoss
Hours: 24 hours
Cost: Free
Litli Geysir bubbling away.
2:30 p.m.
Gullfoss Waterfall
The Gullfoss is a massive waterfall that seems to have endless layers of water. The Hvita river flows into this dramatic three step staircase, and then vanishes into the earth. This is such a picturesque site and definitely worth a stop.
*About 10 minutes away from Strokkur Geysir
Location: Bláskógabyggð, 801 Selfoss
Hours: 24 hours
Cost: Free
"Foss" is the icelandic word for "waterfall". Gullfoss means "Golden waterfall".
3:30 p.m.
Thingvellir National Park
Saving the best for last! The Thingvellir National Park is a gorgeous national gem that is pack with nature, adventure, science and history.
The amazing Silfra Fissure is known for being one of the top dive sites in the world! The Silfra Fissure is a crack between the North American and Eurasian continental plates. What does this mean? This is the only place in the world that you can be between two continental plates! Also, the water is crystal clear (with an underwater visibility of over 100 meters) and completely safe to drink.
If you are not interested in diving or snorkeling, have no fear. There is a plethora of activities for every age and activity level.
*About 60 minutes away from Gullfoss
Location: Thingvellir National Park | 801 Selfoss
Hours: 24 hours
Cost: Free to visit. If you want to dive or camp, there may be additional fees.
Thingvellir National Park and its breathtaking views.
Other Stops:
The Secret Lagoon
A less touristy version of the Blue Lagoon, the Secret Lagoon offers a relaxing soak in a hot spring during your adventure through the Golden Circle.
Bruarfoss Waterfall
We were planning on stopping after the Gullfoss stop, but we were running out of sunlight. Unfortunately, we skipped this stop and could not get back to it during our visit to Iceland. From research and photos, this unique, blue waterfall is something I want to see the next time I am in Iceland.
Geothermal Exhibition
If you are interested in earth science and sustainable energy, then the Geothermal Exhibition is for you! This stop takes you to the Hellisheidi Power Plant, which is surrounded by lava fields and moss. There are various tours offered at the exhibition and recommended for all ages.
