Iceland's Golden Circle in a day
A rift valley, a geyser that goes off every few minutes and a waterfall you feel before you see.
The Golden Circle is a loop of about 300 kilometres from Reykjavík, and it packs a whole country into a day: the place where two continents pull apart, a geyser, a thundering waterfall and a crater lake.
When to go
June to August for long days and the midnight sun. September to March for a chance of the northern lights on dark, clear nights, with shorter days and icier roads.
The loop
Drive yourself or join a small-group tour. Leave early, give each stop an hour, and add Kerið crater on the way back to Reykjavík.
Þingvellir
A rift valley where the North American and Eurasian plates are slowly drifting apart, and the site of Iceland's first parliament. A short walk brings you to the Öxarárfoss waterfall.
Geysir
The great Geysir itself rarely erupts now, but its neighbour Strokkur shoots a column of boiling water into the air every few minutes. Stand upwind.
Gullfoss
The Golden Falls drop in two steps into a deep canyon. You hear them, then feel the spray, before you see them. Wear the waterproof.
Kerið
A volcanic crater with steep red walls and a startling blue-green lake at the bottom. Walk the rim, then down to the water. There is a small entry fee.
Good to know
- The weather changes in minutes. Waterproof jacket, trousers and boots.
- Stay on the marked paths. The ground near hot springs can be fragile and scalding.
- Iceland is expensive. Pack lunch and snacks for the drive.
Photographs from our own trips.
