Golden Circle Made Easy: A Beginner-Friendly Route From Reykjavík

Stop 1: Start Your Day in Reykjavik

Most people pick up their rental car at Keflavík Airport and drive to Reykjavík first. If you’re staying overnight in the city before tackling the Golden Circle, here’s what you need to know.

Reykjavik is home to 2/3 of Iceland’s population and serves as the perfect base for your Golden Circle adventure. The city itself deserves at least a day of exploration.

Must-see in Reykjavik:

• Laugavegur, the main shopping street with cafes and boutiques
• Skólavörðustígur road for design shops and galleries
• Harpa concert hall for architecture lovers
• Hlemmur Food Hall or Hafnartorg Gallery for a meal

Stuck in Iceland for indoor activities in Reykjavik

• See the unique Lava Show where natural lava flows indoors (disclosure: I am the Sales and Marketing Manager of Lava Show)
• Visit Litli Barinn for relaxation, drinks, and good food
• See Iceland from above at Flyover Iceland
• See the Whales of Iceland exhibition
• The LavaTunnel is amazing and only a short drive from Reykjavik
• Soak in the Hvammsvík Hot Springs
• Visit Aurora Reykjavik to learn all there is to learn about the northern lights

Partners for outdoor activities in Reykjavik

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• Go whale watching with Elding
• Rent outdoor clothing with Iceland Cover
• Go whale watching with Special Tours
• Have an adrenaline-filled excursion with Safari Quads
• The Reykjavik Food Walk is the best way to get an introduction to Icelandic cuisine
• Walking Tours with Your Friend in Reykjavik
• Mega Zipline is a short drive from Reykjavik
• Hvammsvík Hot Springs, a short drive from Reykjavik
• Join The VIP CityWalk with City Walk Reykjavik

Even more activities in Reykjavik!

• Stroll in central Reykjavik; make sure you check out Skólavörðustígur
• Take a romantic walk at Grótta on the seaside
• Have a drink and a meal at Hlemmur Food Hall or the Hafnartorg Gallery
• Have a gelato at Valdís
• Have the best pastry in Iceland at Brauð & Co
• Soak in the Sky Lagoon
• Take a walk in Grotta on the western edge of Reykjavik
• Check out Elliðaárdalur valley
• Visit a geothermally heated swimming pool

My curated selection of Reykjavik Tours

There is also a great selection of Reykjavik tours.

Reykjavik Resources

• My full guide to Reykjavik
• My guide to Reykjavik in winter

Pro tip: Start your Golden Circle drive early (around 8-9 AM) to beat the tour bus crowds at popular stops like Geysir and Gullfoss.

Stop 2: Thingvellir National Park (Þingvellir)

Distance from Reykjavik: 47 km (29 miles) | 45 minutes drive Time needed: 1-2 hours Entrance fee: Free (parking fee applies)

Thingvellir is hallowed ground for Icelanders. This is where the Althing (the world’s oldest parliament) was founded back in 930 AD. But it’s not just historically significant—it’s breathtakingly beautiful.

What makes Thingvellir special:

• Where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Crystal-clear Silfra fissure (you can snorkel or dive between continents!) – subscribe to the Stuck in Iceland discount code to save on this top-rated activity.
• Stunning views of Iceland’s largest natural lake, Thingvallavatn
• Activities at Thingvellir:
• Walk through the Almannagjá gorge, where people gathered for their parliament and merriment during the Viking age. Later, as Iceland’s fortunes waned, Thingvellir became a sad place of judgment and death.
• Snorkeling or diving in Silfra (you’ll need to book this in advance)
• Visit the Öxarárfoss waterfall. This waterfall is human-made. According to the Icelandic sagas, the river was diverted to ensure that there was enough drinking water for the crowd attending the Althingi.
• Simply take in the raw, dramatic landscape

Stop 3: Geysir Geothermal Area at Haukadalur Valley

Distance from Thingvellir: 55 km (34 miles) | 50 minutes drive Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour Entrance fee: Free

Next up are the famous geyser fields at Haukadalur. This is where you’ll find Strokkur, the geyser that erupts every 5-10 minutes, shooting water 15-30 meters (50-100 feet) into the air. It’s Iceland’s most reliable natural spectacle.

What you’ll see:

• Strokkur geyser (erupts every 5-10 minutes)
• The Great Geysir (original geyser, now mostly dormant)
• Colorful hot springs and bubbling mud pots
• Steaming fumaroles across the valley

Photography tip: Stand upwind of Strokkur to avoid getting drenched, and keep your camera ready—the eruptions happen fast!

I have always enjoyed videos of Strokkur erupting in slow motion. If you take a video of the eruption, watch it in slow motion.

Stop 4: Gullfoss Waterfall

Distance from Geysir: 10 km (6 miles), 10-minute drive

Time needed: 30 minutes to 1 hour Entrance fee: Free

Gullfoss—the “Golden Falls”—is hands down one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls, and let’s be honest, it should be. This two-tiered monster drops 32 meters (105 feet) into a rugged canyon, creating a thunderous spectacle that never fails to impress.

What makes Gullfoss impressive:

• 140 cubic meters of water per second in summer
• Two-tier drop into a dramatic canyon
• Often creates rainbows on sunny days
• Powerful enough that you’ll feel the mist from the viewing platforms
• Best viewing points:
• Upper pathway for panoramic views
• Lower pathway to get up close (prepare to get wet!)
• Winter creates stunning ice formations. However, it can get really cold up there, and

Pro tip: During winter pathway to Gullfoss can get super-slippery. Use crampons. Respect closures!

Stop 5: Friðheimar Tomato Farm & Restaurant (Optional but Recommended)

Distance from Gullfoss: 15 km (9 miles) | 15 minutes drive. Time needed: 1 hour for lunch

Here’s something you won’t expect in Iceland: a greenhouse restaurant where almost everything on the menu is made with tomatoes grown right there. Friðheimar is a lovely stop that serves wholesome, locally made food in a unique setting.

What’s special about Friðheimar

• Eat lunch surrounded by tomato plants
• Sample Icelandic tomato beer (if you are not driving!)
• Learn about geothermal greenhouse farming
• If you are not driving, you can try their tomato beer. I find it surprisingly good.

Booking: Reservations are strongly recommended, especially in summer.

Stop 6: Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin)

Distance from Friðheimar: 8 km (5 miles) | 10 minutes drive Time needed: 1-2 hours Entrance fee: Varies (check current rates)

I highly recommend soaking in the wonderful Secret Lagoon. This is Iceland’s oldest natural geothermal pool, dating back to 1891. It’s less crowded and more authentic than the Blue Lagoon, with hot pots bubbling nearby. Subscribe to the Stuck in Iceland newsletter to instantly receive a discount code that saves you money on the admission ticket to the Secret Lagoon.

Why visit the Secret Lagoon:

• Natural hot spring maintains 38-40°C (100-104°F) year-round
• Less touristy than other famous hot springs
• Small geysers and hot springs surround the pool
• Authentic Icelandic bathing experience
• If you are not driving, enjoy a cold beer while you soak in the Secret Lagoon
• What to bring: a swimsuit, a towel (or rent one there), and flip-flops.

Additional Optional Stops on Your Return to Reykjavik

Kerið Crater

A 3,000-year-old volcanic crater with a stunning blue-green lake at the bottom. Small entrance fee, but worth the 15-minute stop.

Hveragerdi Town.

Known as the “hot spring village,” this small town sits on top of a geothermal field. Great for a quick coffee stop or to visit the local food hall. Hike to Reykjadalur or ride the Mega Zipline in Iceland. Subscribe to the Stuck in Iceland newsletter to instantly receive a discount code to

Selfoss

Iceland’s largest town in the south, perfect for refueling (both yourself and your car). Check out the food hall in the Old Dairy building.