Travelers give this area full marks—it is close to Reykjavik (if you're short on time), but it packs a lot into a day—sprouting geysers, tectonic plates, a mighty waterfall, plus the essential soak in the Secret Lagoon, Iceland's oldest swimming pool (and yes, you can have a cold beer while you do it). You are on holiday, so don't forget treat yourself.
Golden Circle's greatest hits:
This is a packed tour, our guide Matt was great, loads of information and funny too. The Gullfoss waterfall is a must see. So happy I've ticked this off. - A 5-star review on Tripadvisor.
Sounds good? Keep on reading for more tour details.
After we pick you up, we're hitting the road straight out of the city. Soon enough, we'll breeze by Hellisheiðavirkjun—just the 8th largest geothermal power station globally, no big deal, only the largest one in Iceland.
Next on the adventure list is Þingvellir, the national park with a history dating back to 930 AD when the parliament made its debut. We won't spoil it too much, but get ready to get close and personal with some of Iceland's proudest moments in history and wander between the North American and European tectonic plates. Trust us, the experience is nothing short of thrilling.
Back on the road, our next pit stop is Geysir. While the big Geyser has been taking a nap for a bit, Strokkur, its lively sidekick, steals the show by erupting every 5-8 minutes. Word of advice: keep a respectable distance and have your camera at the ready—it's eruption o'clock!
We continue our journey and the next stop is the Golden Waterfall. Located in the canyon of Hvítá, the waterfall plummets down into a 32-meter (104.9 feet) deep crevice. From the parking area, it's also possible to walk all the way down to the falls. It’s about a 10-minute walk but please be aware the walkway might be closed off in poor weather conditions.
As we wrap up our tour, our final destination is the Secret Lagoon, Iceland's oldest natural swimming pool. Fuelled by geothermal energy and sourced from nearby hot springs, the pool, which maintains a constant temperature of 38/40°C (100.4/104°F), provides the perfect setting to unwind. Picture yourself soaking in the warm water, surrounded by nature views — a serene and natural conclusion to your adventure.
Return to Reykjavik full of life-long memories, and why not choose another tour with us, such as theSouth Coast & Iconic Glacier Hike Full Day Tour?
The tour is operated in all weather conditions, so please dress according to the weather
Good walking shoes
Camera
Water bottle and snacks
Swimsuit and towel (can be rented at the Secret Lagoon for an additional fee)
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for people with heart conditions
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 19 travelers
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the departure for a full refund
Stroller or pram accessible
Animals or pets allowed
Public transportation nearby
Infant seats available