This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2016. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
Iceland’s Golden Circle is one of the most popular day trips in the country, and it’s easy to see why.
Within just a few hours’ drive from Reykjavik, you can experience erupting geysers, powerful waterfalls, volcanic craters and a national park where tectonic plates quite literally pull the earth apart.
When my husband and I visited Iceland in 2016, we chose to self-drive the Golden Circle route, taking our time as we moved between each stop — pulling over for photos, watching the landscape change, and soaking in the scenery from the car window.
The full Golden Circle loop can technically be driven in a few hours, but it quickly turns into a full-day adventure once you start exploring properly. We actually ended up retracing some of the route on another day so that we had extra time to enjoy the sights at a more relaxed pace.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through our recommended Iceland Golden Circle itinerary, including where to stop along the route, what it’s like to visit, and a few practical tips to help you plan your own road trip.
Quick summary:
This Iceland Golden Circle itinerary covers the best stops on a day trip from Reykjavik, including geysers, waterfalls, a volcanic crater and Thingvellir National Park — plus tips on whether to self-drive or book a guided tour.
Recommended tours & tickets:
🚐 Golden Circle Day Trip from Reykjavik – Perfect if you are short on time and don’t want to drive.
♨️ Laugarvatn Fontana Entry Ticket – A relaxing geothermal spa experience, cheaper than the Blue Lagoon.
🤿 Thingvellir National Park Snorkelling Tour – Dive between tectonic plates in crystal-clear waters.
Iceland Golden Circle itinerary
- Reyjavik
- Kerið (Crater Lake)
- Skálholt Cathedral
- Strokkur Geyser
- Gullfoss Waterfall
- Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal pools
- Thingvellir National Park
The Golden Circle is a circular driving route that loops out from Reykjavik into southern Iceland, covering some of the country’s most iconic natural attractions. It’s one of the easiest ways to experience Iceland’s landscapes without committing to a multi-day road trip.
The full loop involves around three hours of driving time, but realistically you’ll want to allow a full day to explore properly. Between short walks, photo stops and time spent at each attraction, the day fills up quickly.
Self-drive vs guided tour
One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to drive the Golden Circle yourself or join a guided tour from Reykjavik.
We chose to self-drive. Having a car meant we could move at our own pace, spend longer at the places we enjoyed most, and pull over whenever something caught our attention — which happened more often than expected. Driving in this part of Iceland is relatively straightforward, especially in summer. The roads are well maintained and clearly marked, and the route itself is easy to follow.
Iceland Golden Circle day tour
That said, a guided tour is a great option if you’re short on time, not confident driving, or visiting in winter when conditions can be more challenging. Tours also remove the need to plan the logistics yourself.
🚐 If you’d prefer not to drive the route yourself, you can do this itinerary on a Grand Golden Circle Day Tour from Reykjavik. This tour is unique in that it includes a visit to Kerið (Crater Lake), which is not included on most Golden Circle day tour itineraries.
Best stops on the Golden Circle, Iceland:
Kerið (Crater Lake)
The first stop on our Golden Circle itinerary was Kerið Crater Lake. Formed over 6,000 years ago, this volcanic crater is filled with a vivid blue lake, surrounded by steep red rock walls. The contrast in colours is what really stands out here, especially on a clear day.
We walked along the rim for panoramic views and followed the path down to the water’s edge for a closer look. It’s not a huge stop, but it’s definitely worth it as an introduction to Iceland’s volcanic landscapes. Just note that there’s a small entrance fee to access the site.
Skálholt Cathedral
Skálholt Cathedral is a quick stop along the route with some historical significance. Dating back to the 11th century, this area was once one of Iceland’s most important religious centres. The current church, built in the 1950s, features beautiful stained glass windows and is surrounded by gorgeous countryside.
That said, I’ll be honest — while the surrounding landscape was lovely to drive through, I didn’t find the cathedral itself as interesting as some of the other stops on the Golden Circle. It’s a nice place to stretch your legs, but if you’re short on time, this is probably the most skippable stop on the itinerary.
Strokkur Geyser
Strokkur is one of the most entertaining stops on the Golden Circle — and easily one of the most memorable.
This active geyser erupts every 6 to 10 minutes, sending boiling water up to 30 metres into the air. There’s a bit of anticipation as the water starts to bubble and swell, and then suddenly it bursts — usually followed by a collective “oooh” from the crowd watching.
Unfortunately, my camera battery died right as I arrived (classic timing), so I didn’t manage to capture it properly — but honestly, it’s one of those moments that’s better experienced than photographed anyway.
Gullfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss, or the “Golden Falls”, is an incredibly powerful waterfall in Iceland. Along the walking path from the parking lot, you’ll hear the deep, thundering sound of the water crashing down into the canyon below. I was surprised at how close we could get just by following the paths to the lookout points — it really was an impressive thing to see up close.
This is the most popular stop on the Golden Circle so it can get busy here, but it’s absolutely worth it. The mist in the air adds to the atmosphere, and on sunny days, you’ll often see rainbows forming in the mist, which makes the whole place feel even more dramatic.
Laugarvatn Fontana
Laugarvatn Fontana was easily one of the most relaxing stops on our Golden Circle itinerary. Located on the edge of Lake Laugarvatn, this geothermal spa offers a quieter and more affordable alternative to the Blue Lagoon.
One of the highlights is the steam baths, which are naturally heated by geothermal activity beneath the ground. We ended up spending a few hours here, rotating between the pools and the steam rooms.
♨️ If you like the idea of a rejuvenating spa experience, Laugarvatn Fontana is a hidden gem nestled in the Icelandic countryside. It’s a great option for travellers wanting to visit one of Iceland’s geothermal pools.
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir National Park is definitely one of the most unique stops on the Golden Circle — both visually and geologically. This UNESCO World Heritage Site sits directly between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, and you can actually walk through the rift valley where the continents are slowly pulling apart.
The landscape here feels completely different to the other stops, with rugged rock formations, crystal clear lakes, and wide open spaces. It’s worth setting aside a couple of hours to explore properly.
🤿 If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also book a snorkelling experience in the Silfra fissure where you literally swim between two continents. How cool is that!?
Is the Golden Circle worth it?
If you only have a short amount of time in Iceland, then my opinion is yes, the Golden Circle is absolutely worth it. It’s one of the easiest ways to see a wide variety of landscapes in a single day, and the accessibility from Reykjavik makes it ideal for first-time visitors.
Some stops can feel a little busy, but the scenery along the drive itself is just as much a part of the experience — I particularly loved stopping to say hello to some Icelandic horses near Gulfoss Waterfall!
Iceland Golden Circle FAQ
How long does the Golden Circle take?
The full route takes around 3 hours to drive without stops, but realistically you’ll need a full day to explore properly.
What is the best time to visit the Golden Circle?
Summer offers long daylight hours and easier driving conditions, while winter can be more dramatic but requires extra caution due to weather and road conditions.
Do you need a 4WD for the Golden Circle?
No — in summer, a standard car is sufficient. In winter, a 4WD is recommended for safety.
Can you do the Golden Circle without a car?
Yes — a guided day tour from Reykjavik covers all the main stops, but you may want to hire a vehicle if you’re planning on doing more day trips or taking a longer trip around the country. Trusted suppliers like Cozy Campers offer safe and dependable campervans to take you anywhere in Iceland.
What are some tips for driving the Golden Circle?
Start early to make the most of your day. Fill up on fuel before leaving Reykjavik, as petrol stations can be sparse. Choose your vehicle based on the season, and allow extra time for stops — you’ll use it.
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