Classic Golden Circle Tour

The first stop during the Golden Circle tour is at Þingvellir National Park. Þingvellir is an attraction of great historical, geological, and cultural significance. Thingvellir is located in a rift valley where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. The UNESCO designated world heritage site is also the birthplace of the Althing—Iceland’s parliament founded in 930 AD—where the nation’s most powerful leaders would meet to decide on legislation and carry out brutal Viking-age justice. Thingvellir became Iceland’s first national park in 1930. It is also home to Iceland’s largest natural lake, Thingvallavatn.

Another stop during Iceland Golden Circle is Gullfoss (Golden Falls). Gullfoss waterfall gets its name from the golden color of its water as it churns up silt and sediment. The magnificent waterfalls lie in the Hvitá river and are fed by Langjökull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier. In total, Gullfoss is 32 meters high, falling two tiers that are 11 and 21 meters high, respectively.

Gullfoss is also at the center of one of Iceland’s most famous acts of environmental activism. Back in the early 20th century, developers wanted to damn the mighty waterfall to generate electricity, but through the will and determination of Sigriður Tómasdóttir, Gullfoss was saved. Extra time is allotted at this location for a lunch break at Gullfoss Café.

The last stop on the Golden Circle Iceland is at Geysir geothermal area is located in the Haukadalur valley and is the beautiful home of the infamous Geysir hot spring. The visit is a way to pay respects to the progenitor of all geysers as Geysir itself is the geyser for which all others are named.

Geysir doesn’t erupt often and is surrounded by bubbling cauldrons of superheated mud, steaming pools, and Strokkur, a geyser that erupts every 6-10 minutes. The smells, colors, and eruptions at this popular destination are a window into all the geothermal activity happening across (and beneath) Iceland, making all those hot tubs, swimming pools, greenhouses, and geothermal energy possible.

While any of these Golden Circle tour stops makes incredible fodder for your Instagram feed, they also all have rich histories and fascinating tales, each told with their nuances by our knowledgeable guides. It’s not just facts and figures that bring these places to life, but the compelling stories our guides have collected over time.