Golden circle one day tour

Golden circle intinerary for one day tour from Reykjavik

Golden circle is one of the most travelled routes in Iceland. Due to proximity of Reykjavik it Can be perfect and easy trip for one day. (Perfect for long layover in Iceland)

Timewise we are looking at 3.5h of total driving plus all the time you will spend at locations - So usually total should be 7-8 hours.

How to get around

You have two options Rental car or Tour Bus:

TOURS

With tours you dont have to plan Anything they will drive you around and give you limited time at each location - but some people love it So if its for you Here are three best Golden Circle tours in my opinion:

Golden Circle — Platinum Tour | Small group

Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon & Kerið Volcanic Crater Tour

DT 16 Midnight Sun Golden Circle

Rental Car

Thats the best way to travel around Iceland in general - you have Freedom to stay at locations as long as you want and you Can explore side attractions.

Best time?

Whenever you are in Iceland! Obviously summer months will give more time as it is almost 24hr daylight :)

Lets Go

Assuming you had your breakfast and started your day in Reykjavik first stop i would recommend is:

1. Thingvellir National Park

Here you have couple options - walk around the visitors centre, walk through tectonic plates and hike to Oxararfoss waterfall (40min-1hr) and checkout historical highlights on the way

Another option is snorkeling or diving between tectonic plates in Silfra.

This is very unique experience and cold one of course :)

You have to book it in advance if you will decide to do So:
Altogether this experience is Up to 2.5/3hr (5hr with diving)

2. Bruarfoss

The most blue waterfall I’ve ever seen.

There are two parkings, one that you need to hike from the road for 40 minutes in muddy conditions. 2nd one new one is 5 min walk from waterfall, i will mark new one below

3. Lunch at Tomato Greenhouse

At this point of the day you are probably hungry - i would recommend to eat in Fridheimar.

It is restaurant inside of Tomato Greenhouse, and all the dishes are made of - you guessed it - tomatoes. I recommend ice cream and Bloody Mary 😍(there is virgin option for drivers)

4. Geysir

Haukadalur geothermal area includes mud pots, fumaroles, hot springs and two geysirs - Geysir and Strokkur.

Geysir is at this moment dormant However Strokkur is erupting regularly every 3 to 5 minutes for 20-30 meters high.

There is free parking in the area and there is No fee for entrance.

5. Gullfoss

The Golden Falls - waterfall that gave name to Golden Circle and furthest stop in the trip.

Fed by Hvitá river Gullfoss is largest volume waterfall in Europe, with an average of flow of 1400 cubic meters in summer.

Free parking on the site, you need to pay for toilet tho.

6. Kerid Crater

Kerid is beautiful volcanic crater with lake inside. There is small entrance fee to maintain parking and paths.

7. Dinner in Hveragerdi

On the way to Reykjavik you can stop in Hveragerdi for dinner in Grodurhusid - It is new concept hotel with foodhall instead of typical restaurant. So you have 5 food options here to choose and it is very nice place designwise and moodwise.

Hot Spring Add Ons

So depends on season and your timing - you could add some of the hotsprings to your trip:

As start point or end point if you would do it counterclockwise:

Between Thingvellir and Bruarfoss:

Side trip from Tomato Farm:

After Dinner in Hveragerdi