If you are going to Iceland and want to make Reykjavik your home base, driving the 300-kilometer loop called the Golden Circle is a must.
Although the stops along the Ring Road were some my favorites, the Golden Circle also has some amazing sights to see - plus, it’s close to Reykjavik which makes it a great home base for exploration.
Let’s go through all the sights (equipped with a map) along the Golden Circle including the attractions I stopped at, places I didn’t stop but wanted to, and an honest review of them all.
Want the actual planning done for you? My complete Golden Circle Travel Guide has it all: my full route, a Google map with every stop pinned for you, where to eat along the way, where to stay, transportation information, Northern Lights tips, and what to pack!!
SO, WHAT IS THE GOLDEN CIRCLE?
It’s named after one of the stops: Gullfoss Waterfall. Gullfoss translates to “golden falls.” It was created by the Icelandic tourism board — and dare I say, it worked!! Giving a name to the route with all the most iconic stops in your country? Genius.
It’s a roundabout route that starts in Reykjavik and then goes south to loop right back to the capital.
Let’s go through all the stops, shall we.
Þingvellir National Park
This is the first stop on the Golden Circle and it is a staple. This is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly drifting apart. SO COOL. The Silfra Fissure, a crystal-clear crack filled with glacial meltwater and is a popular spot for snorkeling and diving. Not a big snorkeling girly but it is a very popular activity to do if that’s your thing. I know a few people who have done this and RAVE about it. So if this is your thing, you can book your tour here!
The parking is a bit confusing but there will be car lots off the side of the road so park at the one closest to the sight you want to see. I spent about 2.5 hours here - it probably would’ve been less if I didn’t get lost. I enjoyed seeing the Oxarafoss Waterfall, it’s about a 10-minute walk from the car. My favorite part was walking through the Almannagjá gorge which is where they filmed the famous Game of Thrones scene of Arya and the Hound traveling together.
Bruarfoss Waterfall
Bruarfoss, referred to as the "Bridge Falls," is one of Iceland's hidden gems. This waterfall is known for its striking blue waters. I regretfully did not stop here and wish I would have. A friend of mine did and the pictures on her Instagram looked incredible - her caption said it was the bluest water she has ever seen in her life. If I could go back, I would have stopped here. 10/10 recommend!
Efstidalur II
Food is important. So this is where you’re going to stop! It’s soooo good.
Efstidalur II, a family-owned farm, is famous for its exceptional dairy products, particularly its homemade ice cream. The farm also has a restaurant that serves a variety of dishes so you enjoy a farm-to-table experience. It’s more of a causal experience - you order at the counter, are given a number, then your food is brought to you. I ordered the beef salad that had such fresh ingredients from the farm, it was delicious!
Strokkur Geysir
Next stop would be the Strokkur Geysir. Fun fact: The Geysir Geothermal Area is where the word "geyser" originates.
It erupts every 5-10 minutes, spewing scalding water high into the air. Since I was running low on time and had to prioritize some of the other attractions, I did not stop here. But I did drive by and it was very crowded making it a popular stop. It’s also right next to the Gullfoss Waterfall (across the street) so it’s easy to do both.
Gullfoss Waterfall
On that note, you absolutely have to visit one of Iceland's most famous waterfalls, Gullfoss.
The "Golden Falls" is a powerful two-tiered waterfall on the Hvítá River, offering dramatic views and a sense of the raw power of nature. Power is an understatement as pictures and videos do not do this justice. It is truly an incredibly massive waterfall and I would definitely recommend stopping here.
The water is in full force so wear a rain jacket. This is one of my favorites!
Faxafoss (Faxi) Waterfall
Though often overshadowed by the giants like Gullfoss, Faxi Waterfall is a beautiful and less crowded stop. It's also known for its salmon ladder, where you can often observe salmon attempting to jump upstream. This wasn’t a place I stopped at but I am pinning it for next time because who doesn’t love a good waterfall.
Secret Lagoon
The Secret Lagoon is a perfect way to end your Golden Circle journey because, trust me, you will be exhausted. This natural hot spring has been in use for over a century and is a cheaper alternative to the Blue Lagoon. Again, I did not stop here so I can’t give you my honest review but it was recommended to me by locals.
Fridheimar Tomato Farm
Fridheimar Tomato Farm is a greenhouse, heated geothermally, that produces tomatoes year-round. Enjoy a delicious meal surrounded by rows of tomato plants and their famous tomato soup which came highly recommended.
You do have to make a reservation on their website as they book out pretty far in advance. I did not go here because I’m a procrastinator but have friends who have been and give it glowing reviews.
Kerid Crater
Kerid Crater is a unique geological feature along the Golden Circle and it’s on the way back to Reykjavik (about an hour). This volcanic crater is approximately 3,000 years old and is now filled with an azure-blue lake. There are steps leading right down to the lake or you can walk around it. It’s a quick and easy stop right off the road but I truly have never seen anything like this, it felt like you were on Mars.
So…what’s the best Golden Circle itinerary?
This is where I’m going to stop giving away all my secrets. :)
There are a LOT of ways to plan the Golden Circle, and after doing it myself, there are several things I would change about the order, timing and stops.
That’s exactly why I made my Golden Circle Iceland Travel Guide.
Instead of spending hours opening 47 tabs trying to figure out what order everything goes in, I’ve already done the planning for you.
My Golden Circle Guide includes:
My complete Golden Circle itinerary and route, a downloadable Google map with all of my stops pinned, additional attractions that aren’t all listed in this post, where to eat, hotel recommendations, transportation information, Northern Lights information and the practical details you need to actually do the trip.
Basically: this blog gives you the inspiration. The guide tells you exactly how to do it.
Should you drive the Golden Circle or take a tour?
Both are good options. I think it’s entirely up to you, your bandwidth, and what kind of traveler you are.
I personally liked having a rental car because I could choose where I wanted to stop and wasn’t tied to a tour schedule.
But if you don’t want to drive in Iceland—or you’re visiting during a time of year when you’d rather leave the driving to someone else—there are tons of Golden Circle day trips from Reykjavík.
This is also a great affiliate opportunity because someone who doesn’t want to purchase the self-drive guide may still be ready to book a tour.
So…what’s the best Golden Circle itinerary?
This is where I’m going to stop giving away all my secrets. :)
There are a LOT of ways to plan the Golden Circle, and after doing it myself, there are several things I would change about the order, timing and stops.
That’s exactly why I made my Golden Circle Iceland Travel Guide.
Instead of spending hours opening 47 tabs trying to figure out what order everything goes in, I’ve already done the planning for you.
My Golden Circle Guide includes:
My complete Golden Circle itinerary and route, a downloadable Google map with all of my stops pinned, additional attractions that aren’t all listed in this post, where to eat, hotel recommendations, transportation information, Northern Lights information and the practical details you need to actually do the trip.
Basically: this blog gives you the inspiration. The guide tells you exactly how to do it.
