One of the most famous routes in all of Iceland is called the Golden Circle! It is a route to many of the popular attractions! We took two and 1/2 days to drive the Golden Circle, we stopped at many of the famous sights, but also found a few hidden gems!
The Golden Circle is around 190 miles that
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Pingvellir National Park
Our first stop was the beautiful national park – Pingvellir! The Icelandic parliament was founded here in 910 A.D. It was moved to Reykjavik in 1768, making it the longest ongoing Parliament. Pingvellir is not only rich with history it is also full of natural beauties and stunning landscapes! (Bonus: the national park is free to enter, however, there may be a few charges for parking).
Oxararfoss waterfall
Our first stop was the Oxararfoss – there are several ways you can access the waterfall. One is a parking spot just outside the park. You will have to climb down just a bit, but there is a beautiful walking path all the way to the waterfall. There are also several closer parking lots closer to the waterfall. These are better to use if you are short on time or the weather isn’t cooperating.
Pingvellir House and Church
We continued from Oxararfoss and found a parking spot at the end of the national park. We decided to view the rest of the park on foot because there are so many beautiful walking paths! Our next stop was the Pingvellir House and Church. The Houses here were originally built as the park manager’s residence. After a fire in 1970, additions to the house were made and changed to be used as the Prime Minister’s summer home. Only one remains as the park manager’s residence.
Pingvellir Church
The Pingvellir Church was built in 1000 AD shortly after Christianity was adopted and the King of Norway, who came to power in 1015 AD, provided the wood. It was likely the church was moved and there could have been more than one.
Tectonic plates
I was in awe of Iceland’s gorgeous landscape but seeing the North American and Eurasian continental plates meet blew my mind! This is one of the rarest spots where you can walk between the plates. And it was incredible!
Snorkeling in Silfra
Because of the location of the rifts, the most unique place in the world to snorkel is Silfra! The water is a chilling 2 degrees Celsius (34 degrees Fahrenheit). But due to the water being crystal clear glacier water, you can see up to 100 meters (328ft)! We booked through a company called Dive.Is, and they were wonderful! Here are a few more things to know about Silfra:
- Wear warm underlayers and thick socks
- You will get a warm second layer, but this will not cover your feet (hence the thick socks)
- You will be in a wet suit that will be tight at your neck and wrists, so water does not get through
- There will be gloves provided, but water does get inside, so they will not keep your hands completely warm
- You will be given a hood as well
- Snorkeling gear, such as a mask and fins will be provided
- Dive.Is took pictures, which was awesome! ($30) but bring your go pro and a strap as well!
Horse riding at Laxnes Horse Farm
After our amazing morning at
- We bought the horse ride and Silfra snorkeling together for $500
Kerid Crater
Early the next morning we drove about 1 hour to Kerid. Kerid is a crater formed when a volcanic mountain collapsed and was filled with water. The middle is only around 4 meters deep, and I have seen it frozen solid in the winter! You can walk around the entire top of the crater and there are stairs to visit the water below. We were there on a super windy day and I was a little nervous walking around the top.
- $6 for parking
- Get there early! Tour buses arrive at 11 am and will fill up quickly
Laugarvatn F ontana
One of my favorite things about Iceland is the abundance of natural hot springs! This one was especially unique due to the ‘process’ in which you could bathe. There were four separate pools, each varying in heat. This is to create a natural, healthy, and wellness way of bathing. There are also steam rooms and the option of jumping into the lake for a quick cool down!
- $45 for two people
- Please remember you must shower before entering the pools to keep them sanitary
- They have lockers, blow-dryers in the women’s room, open showers, and one with a curtain
- One restroom in both the men’s and women’s room
- Towels racks to keep them dry while you bathe
Efstidalur
We heard about this dairy farm from one of the locals in Iceland. It is said to have the best ice cream in the country! We stopped by for a quick snack and were not disappointed. There were the most adorable calves to see and we had the best view while we ate.
Geysir
Our next stop was a first for me – a geyser! This unique location has hundreds of boiling pits of water and mud, along with a stream so hot, it could cause severe burns! There are two main geysers located here – Geysir and Strokkur. Geysir is the more powerful geyser, however, it has become relatively inactive in recent years. Strokkur is just as stunning to watch, erupting every 5-10 minutes, it can get as high as 40 meters (130 ft)! The best thing about visiting? It’s free!
Gullfoss
Did you even go to Iceland if you didn’t see a waterfall? But seriously, Iceland has over 10,000 waterfalls so they aren’t hard to miss. One of the more popular waterfalls is Gullfoss. This has to be one of my favorites, not only is it a majestic and powerful waterfall but if you catch it at just the right time, you can see a rainbow!
- It was free to park when we were there in April, but I believe there may be a fee in the summer months
- If you are planning on getting close to the falls, bring a jacket, the mist is no joke!
- There are two parking lots, one above the falls and one below
Fridheimar Tomato Farm
I know I have said this multiple times in the blog, but seriously this was my favorite place ever! Fridheimar is a tomato farm that has been transformed into a café! All food items are tomato-based – even drinks and desserts! The greenhouse is heated by the geothermal waters beneath the surface and pollinated by hundreds of bees that live there!
- Endless tomato soup and fresh-baked bread $30 for two people
- Open from noon to 4 pm
- They have a small shop where you can buy pasta sauce, soup, and countless other delicious items
- Be sure to get there early, it is a popular place
Fluoir (A Secret Lagoon)
Another great hot spring to visit is the not so Secret Lagoon. This is one of the more natural hot springs to visit and one of the oldest in the country. This lagoon definitely has a natural feel, as there is a geyser that erupts directly behind the pool!
- $50 for two people, no time limit
- Requires pre-booking in the summer
- Showers and lockers available
Hjalparfoss (A Hidden Gem)
Iceland is one of the best places to drive, there seems to be a stunning photo-op at every turn. Sam was able to find this hidden gem by doing tons of research on Iceland. So, we are willing to share our secret with you! About a 30-minute drive from the Secret Lagoon, you will turn onto a dirt road. Keep a careful eye out, or you could miss it. Also, make sure your car has a four-wheel mode, the road is full of potholes! Drive for about 5 minutes and you will see the beautiful Hjalparfoss! Sam and I had this place to ourselves and were able to get some incredible shots!
- Free to park
- Be careful driving on the road
We had an amazing time in Iceland!! We hope you enjoyed this Golden Circle guide and hopefully have inspired you to travel to this amazing country!
Until the next destination!
If you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to comment down below! Or you can email us!
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If you want to explore more stunning landscapes, travel to the stunning black-sand *beaches of Vik*!
Struggling with what to pack for Iceland? *Check out this guide*!
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