The Golden Circle tour in Iceland is an iconic route covering approximately 300 kilometers of the spectacular scenery of Iceland’s mainland. This was our first road itinerary after an extreme 4-day Laugavegur hike from Skogar to Landmannalaugar.
Here you’ll find the most adventurous Golden Circle Tour self d,rive itinerary, with not only the most impressive highlights of this ring tour but also the best shopping, hot baths and attraction spots.
We hired a 4WD jeep in Reykjavik to ensure a convenient drive along this extremely popular ring tour, which takes you to see the island’s stunning landmarks, including impressive waterfalls (Gullfoss on the picture), craters, and geysers that explode just a few meters from your feet, and of course world’s unique snorkeling spot – Silfra (the only place in the world where you can snorkel between two tectonic plates).
The Golden Circle Tour.
When it comes to breathtaking travel destinations, few places can compete with Iceland! The Golden Circle tour self drive was the beginning of our long road trip to Iceland. After hiring a jeep in Reykjavik for this road adventure, the island stood wide open ahead of us. We were flexible with the road itinerary, wanting to explore every single spot of this magnificent mainland.
The Golden Circle typically starts from Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city.
It also brings you to the world’s unique spot – the opportunity to dive between two tectonic plates in Silfra, making it an unforgettable journey for anyone with a thirst for adventure.
Tips ahead of the Golden Circle Tour?
Check the following websites for important updates, plan your itinerary depending on how many days you want to spend exploring the ring tour and how adventurous you wish to go 😉
- Check the weather forecast with Icelandic Met Office.
- Check for updates on Icelandic Tourist Board website.
- Book your car in advance on Rentalcars.com.
- Never travel without a medical insurance, I recommend SafetyWing.
Hiring a car in Iceland.
Hiring a car in Iceland is very straightforward and it’s a myth that it is costly. It is very affordable if booked in advance. It’s best to hire a 4WD vehicle if you want to explore the mainland or plan to hike on any trails. I searched for the best deals on Rentalcars.com and finally hired a luxury Discovery from Europcar.
THE INSURANCE: I always purchased full coverage, even though Iceland is extremely safe and the vehicle theft rate is very low. The number of car thefts in Iceland is roughly 30 per year!
ON THE ROAD: After collecting our amazing car, we were ready to hit the road. There is mainly one ring road in Iceland, leading around the island, which contains remote bridges that can be washed out during heavy rains.
Our Golden Circle tour itinerary:
We started from Reykjavik, and after completing the Golden Circle tour, we drove toward the southeast part of Iceland to explore the incredible Vatnajökull National Park.
- Reykjavik
- Silfra Snorkeling Spot (Unreal adventure)
- Thingvellir National Park
- Strokkur Geyser (including Geysir Hot Springs)
- Gullfoss Waterfall
- Secret Lagoon thermal baths
- Kerid Crater
Advantages of renting a car in Iceland.
There is no public transportation around the island, so you have to choose between renting a car or booking organized tours. We traveled the island with every possible way: hiking the hardest Laugavegur trail, touring – ice caving and glacier hiking, camping and self-drive around the island.
Renting a car in Iceland is a must-do, it gives you great flexibility to stop and explore any spot on the way, and since the views and landscapes are breathtaking, you will appreciate the vehicle.
You don’t have to rush and you can be flexible with your itinerary while exploring any extra spots you find interesting while traveling across this magic country.
How much time do you need for the Golden Circle Tour?
The Golden Circle can be easily done in one day. It all depends on how much time you wish to spend on sightseeing these fabulous attractions. We took our time to enjoy all the spots visited and we also went for a unique adventure – Silfra snorkeling. Silfra is the only place in the world where you can snorkel between two tectonic plates.
We spent 2 hours exploring Strokkur Geyser and surrounding hot springs and then went shopping in Wiking Shopping Center.
We took a bath in the Secret Lagoon, which was extremely relaxing and joyful! So now you see it had to take us 2 days to do the circle.
Private Golden Circle Tour.
Taking a private Golden Circle tour is quite popular in Iceland and gives you plenty of flexibility in itinerary and pace.
It comes with a higher cost compared to organized groups, but Iceland’s attractions and landscape are so unique that it’s worth the experience.
The good thing is that the private Golden Circle tour (Tripadvisor) covers almost all the costs, including:
- Private transportation
- High-standard vehicle
- WiFi on board
- Entry/Admission – Þingvellir National Park
- Entry/Admission – Faxi (Vatnsleysufoss) Waterfall
- Entry/Admission – Kerid Crater
Major Attractions on the Golden Circle Tour.
While guided tours have their perks, there’s a certain charm and freedom that comes with self-driving through the stunning Golden Circle.
You can also book the Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik on a full-day bus tour, including all the spots except Silfra. The tour is highly popular for its great itinerary and it is also priced very low for such expensive Iceland (less than $75).
Thingvellir National Park.
The first stop on this road trip is usually Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its historical significance and geological wonders.
There are a few reasons to stop and spend some more time in the National Park:
- Silfra Snorkeling Pond – the only place in the world where you can snorkel between two tectonic plates. Here you can witness the rift valley caused by the separation of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates – the Earth’s natural formation.
- Iceland’s first parliament – the Althing, established in 930 AD, making it the oldest functioning parliament in the world.
Snorkeling in Silfra - dive in between two tectonic plates.
Snorkeling in Silfra is an unreal adventure! Read my post if you are curious about how to prepare before snorkeling in 2 Celsius degrees in glacier lake. I was! 😉
Silfra is located only 55 kilometers from Reykjavik (50 minutes drive) in Thingvellir National Park.
Silfra is a unique geological setting, with the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates drifting slowly apart – about 2 centimeters per year.
While snorkeling in a freezing glacier lake you have a chance to witness the remarkable natural formations – the underwater colors are mindblowing, and visibility is just incredible – often exceeding 100 meters (328 feet)!
You have two options to go snorkeling in Silfra:
- With self-drive and meeting onsite – Thingvellir National Park. There is one visible site with all Tour operators – you will not have a problem finding it – it is next to a big parking spot with public toilets.
- Booking Silfra snorkeling tour from Reykjavik – which is extremely popular and easy to organize. The whole tour is 4.30-5h and they will pick you up from most hotels in Reykjavik.
Strokkur Geysir walking trail.
After this freezing but spectacular adventure in Silfra, we went to explore the Geysir Geothermal Area – a home to the famous geyser Strokkur.
There’s a convenient car park, located 5 minutes walk from Strokkur Geysir. Cross the street and walk along small geysers to reach your main destination. Watching Strokkur erupt with boiling water shooting up to 30 meters in the air is an amazing spectacle. I couldn’t stop watching! The geothermal area is alive with steaming vents, bubbling hot springs, and colorful mineral deposits, creating a surreal and otherworldly landscape.
I suggest walking another 10 minutes to reach the Hot Springs, a magnificent boiling blue hole, erupting with sulfur gas. It’s a good reminder of the raw power that lies just beneath the surface of Iceland’s serene exterior.
Gullfoss Waterfall hike.
The final stop on the Golden Circle Tour is the breathtaking Gullfoss Waterfall. There’s a huge car park, where you can leave your vehicle and start walking toward the waterfall. Take your time and walk till the end of the hiking path to feel the spray on your face. This is the most powerful waterfall I’ve seen in my life. As you approach the waterfall, the sound of roaring water grows louder and louder.
Gullfoss, or “Golden Falls,” is a two-tiered waterfall where the Hvítá River cascades down a rugged canyon. It’s a landscape of nature’s force and beauty, the impression of the waterfall is unforgettable.
Secret Lagoon thermal baths.
Secret Lagoon hot springs are a great alternative to the crowded and extremely popular (and a bit overpriced) Blue Lagoon near Reykjavik. If you have a car I definitely recommend to chose Secret Lagoon.
To skip the line you can book a Secret Lagoon Entrance Ticket (~$27).
Changing and shower facilities are amazing, there are high-quality natural cosmetics to use for free (or for purchase). The hot spring is kept 100% natural – they do not add any artificial substances to the water. There is no time limit included in the ticket. There’s a tasty restaurant in the building.
Kerid Crater.
You might be wondering if Kerid Crater is worth visiting, but it’s actually a very nice spot. There’s a car park but not as spacious as in other sightseeing spots.
The entrance is a small entrance fee of 400 ISK ($3).
The walk around the crater takes about 15 minutes and steps down will take you straight to the bottom of the crater lake.
On a self-drive Golden Circle, you’ll encounter many diverse points of interest, such as volcanic craters, hot springs, picturesque landscapes of green hills, smoking geysers and wild horses (which were my favorite picture from Iceland).
After hiking Iceland here are a few top magnificent places to visit:
- Full guide to memorable ice caving in Iceland!
- How to prepare for the magnificent 4-day Laugavegur trail from Skogar to Landmannalaugar.
- Hiking from Skógar to Thórsmörk – the world’s famous Fimmvörðuháls trail.
- Snorkeling in Silfra Iceland – the only place in the world to dive between two tectonic plates.
- The most incredible hikes near Reykjavik.
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