Iceland’s Golden Circle is one of the most iconic and accessible routes for experiencing the country’s extraordinary natural beauty and rich history. Spanning approximately 300 kilometers, the Golden Circle encompasses numerous stunning attractions. While most people explore the Golden Circle in a single day trip from Reykjavik, I think that it warrants a full two days. Two days allows for comprehensive exploration, offering you ample time to immerse yourself in the region’s breathtaking landscapes, historical sites, and unique geological features.
What to know before your Golden Circle stay.
The Golden Circle can be visited year-round, but your experience can vary significantly with the seasons. Summer months offer extended daylight and more favorable weather conditions, if you want to swim in the Silfra fissure, you’ll need to go in the summer. However, winter provides a unique charm with snow-covered landscapes and the potential to see the Northern Lights.
If you are going to explore the Golden Circle over two days, you’re going to want a car. Public transportation is essentially non-existent and guided tours generally only last for one day. Plus a car will give you the option to visit some of the less popular spots or get there outside of peak hours. You might find yourself alone at Gullfoss at midnight in early June.
Given Iceland’s unpredictable weather, it is crucial to pack appropriately. A raincoat is a must to have with you at all times. Even if it is sunny out when you leave your hotel, it can be raining 15 minutes later. While the wind is somewhat calmer than the Iceland coastline on many of the stops along the Golden Circle, there are still plenty of places where the breeze will get chilly. If you’re not used to colder weather, you should bring a warm hat and possibly gloves, even in the summer months.
Book ahead! This not only includes hotel reservations but lunch and activity reservations as well. The hotel options are limited along the Golden Circle as are the restaurants. Lunch at the Fridheimar tomato farm and a relaxing afternoon at Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Spa are popular spots that book up.
Where to Stay
As I mentioned, the accommodations around the Golden Circle are limited, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have some great options. The Hotel Laugarvatn, where I stayed for two nights, is centrally located within the Golden Circle. If glamping is up your alley, look into the 5 Million Star hotel. Or you could stay on a farm at Efstidalur Farm Hotel, as well as many apartments or cottages available for rent. With pretty much everything on the Golden Circle route within a couple of hours, where exactly you stay isn’t as important.
What to do
With two days of adventure in the Golden Circle you’ll have a lot more options of what you can do. Of course, you’ll want to hit the main attractions like Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss. But you’ll also have time to visit some of the less popular areas.
Laugarvatn Fontana is one of those spots. While it may not be a hidden gem, it’s certainly a destination worth savoring. To truly appreciate its charm while exploring the rest of the Golden Circle, it’s best to dedicate an afternoon here. Imagine immersing yourself in soothing geothermal pools, unwinding in tranquil saunas, inhaling the fragrant steam rooms, and indulging in delectable bread baked using the earth’s natural heat. It was one of the highlights of my trip along the Golden Circle.
If you want a spa experience that is really set in nature, you’ll want to visit Hrunalaug. This charming hot spring, tucked away near the Hrunamúli Valley, features a rustic, stone bath that provides a warm sanctuary surrounded by stunning landscapes.
One of the most unique waterfalls along the Golden Circle route is Bruarfoss. This waterfall is about a 10 minute drive along a very bumpy dirt road off of the main Golden Circle road. Like most of the attractions in Iceland, you do have to pay to park here. But it is well worth it. Again this is not an unpopular place, but most day tours don’t stop here. And later in the evening or early in the morning you may easily find the waterfall to yourself.
Of course there are the popular stops along the Golden Circle route. There’s a reason they are popular. It’s because they are spectacular!
Thingvellir National Park is the largest destination along the Golden Circle. It is a site of historical, cultural, and geological significance. It was here that Iceland’s parliament, the Althing, was established in 930 AD, making it one of the oldest parliamentary institutions in the world. The park also sits on the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, offering visitors a rare chance to see the effects of tectonic drift. The rift valley and the nearby Silfra fissure provide stunning views and opportunities for snorkeling and diving in crystal-clear waters.
Thingvellir also offers numerous trails catering to all levels of hikers. Whether you seek a challenging hike or a leisurely stroll, the park’s trails offer routes that showcase its diverse landscapes. Highlights include views of the expansive Thingvallavatn Lake, lava fields, and panoramic vistas of the park.
Gulfoss, widely known as the ‘Golden Falls,’ is one of Iceland’s most iconic and awe-inspiring waterfalls. Nestled in the canyon of the Hvítá River, Gulfoss plunges dramatically in two stages—first a 36-foot drop and then an 18-foot drop—into a rugged, narrow gorge. The water cascades down with unimaginable force, kicking up a perpetual mist that often creates mesmerizing rainbows under the sunlight. You can get quite close to the falls here if you want. So bring your raincoat and other waterproof clothes. I left the falls pretty wet from head to toe.
The Geysir Geothermal Area is home to the Great Geysir, the geyser from which all others derive their name,
although it is currently inactive. Strokkur continues to erupt regularly, shooting hot water and steam up to 30 meters (98 feet) into the air. This area exemplifies Iceland’s geothermal activity, with bubbling mud pots, fumaroles, and hot springs dotting the landscape. You can explore the area via well-maintained paths and learn about the geothermal forces at play through informative displays and guided tours.
The Kerid Crater is another breathtaking site that sits on the south end of the Golden Circle. This stunning volcanic crater lake, with its strikingly vibrant blue waters and surrounding red volcanic rock, offers a unique geological contrast to the lush landscapes of the region. Walking around the peak and then down around the lake at the bottom takes only about an hour making it an easy stop.
Where to eat
There isn’t an abundant number of restaurants along the Golden Circle route. But there are some spectacular places to get a bite to eat along the route. Since most people visit the Golden Circle as a day trip from Reykjavik, a dinner reservation isn’t necessary. However, a lunch reservation is a different story.
Fridheimar tomato farm is a very popular place to get lunch. Famous for its greenhouse grown tomatoes that are served fresh daily, this is a place you’ll want to visit, even if you don’t like tomatoes. If you aren’t able to get a reservation at the restaurant for lunch they also offer a wine bar that serves multiple tomato dishes and drinks, including tomato beer. My favorite was the tomato soup.
Are you looking to eat near where your food roams? You can do just that at Efstidalur restaurant. Think farm fresh burgers and steaks all while you can watch the cows eat in the barn below. If you have kids they will be entertained by the animals throughout your meal. This place had one of the best meals I had during my time in Iceland. It’s a great stop for a bit before your visit to Bruarfoss. And don’t forget to take an ice cream for the road.
Conclusion
This is just a small sample of all that the Golden Circle has to offer. If you have limited time in Iceland, you can certainly see all of the highlights in one day. But if you have an extra day to spare you should definitely spend it exploring the majestic part of Iceland. What do you think, would you spend more than a day in the Golden Circle when you travel to Iceland?
