Perfect Itinerary for Iceland's Golden Circle: A Travel Guide for Your Adventure from Reykjavik
- Nivea Joyce
- Jan 20, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 24, 2024
A trip to Iceland is incomplete without experiencing Golden Circle! Iceland's Golden Circle is a mesmerizing route that encapsulates the country's natural wonders, showcasing geysers, waterfalls, and nature park. You are in for an unforgettable journey as we navigate through the iconic Golden Circle with this travel guide. This perfect itinerary for Iceland's Golden Circle will guide you on how best you can navigate to these 3 must-visit attractions and provide tips to make the most of your Golden Circle adventure.
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1. Kick off: Reykjavik
Starting Point: We started our journey with a fully fueled rental car from Keflavik airport. There are also several bus tours for travelers that do not wish to drive. But if you are ok to drive, I recommend you to rent an electric car, and my experience tells me that Iceland is better discovered by car than a bus tour(you don't get to experience the true Iceland, only the top tourist picks).
Stock up on essentials: Iceland is scarcely populated and that means once you leave the city center in Reykjavik, there will be absolutely no shops(and no Mcdonald's in the country either) to stop for basic necessities. So I advice you to stop by at a supermarket to buy snacks, and packed cold meals such as pastas and sandwiches that you can have while on the move. Shopping in Nordic countries can be quite expensive compared to USA or other European cities, so I recommend 2 budget-friendly supermarkets, Netto & Bonus for cost effective shopping options in Iceland based on my experience. Also, these supermarkets generally have a wide variety of food choices and also have a washroom stop if you need one! If having alcohol on your trip is important to you, you must shop at Duty Free at Keflavik airport for the best price, city shop prices can be outrageous!
2. First Stop: Thingvellir National Park:
Thingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and was infact where Vikings set up the world's oldest surviving Parliament. Explore the geological marvel this park is; a part of the fissure zone situated on the tectonic plate boundaries of the Mid-Atlantic ridge. This park is also home to the biggest lake in Iceland, Thingvallavatn. Carry your snorkeling gear, for you will have the once in a life-time opportunity to snorkel in Silfra Fissure, the only place in the world where you can dive between two tectonic plates! Or stand on 2 continents at once!
In terms of flora and fauna, Thingvellir National Park has a lot to offer! About 40% of Icelandic flora can be found here and if you are lucky you can spot some wildlife too!
Time duration: If you are driving, spend atleast 2-3 hours exploring the park. If you start your day early, you can skip the crowd of tourists that will be brought by tour buses(first bus tour leaves Reykjavik around 9 AM).
2. Second Stop: Geysir Geothermal Area:
Iceland is aptly called the land of Fire & Ice, a land covered in glaciers and occasional volcanic eruptions. To really understand and experience the power of our planet earth, you must visit Iceland at least once in your lifetime. And it is when you see the eerie lands emitting putrid sulfide fumes and Strokkur geysir gushing streams of super-heated water upto 30 m high, that you truly appreciate the power of our planet. Strokkur Geysir erupts every few minutes and it is a mysterious event to witness. Do not touch bubbling water you see in the area, these are super hot and highly dangerous.
Tip: You will find plenty of parking in the area, and please plan to watch the Strokkur erupt a few times. Some eruptions are not spectacularly high, so you would want to wait around to see one that is high enough to satisfy the adventurer in you.
3. Third Stop: Gullfoss Waterfall
One of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland, Gullfoss ranks the list of easily accessible ones from Reykjavik for those who do not plan the full ring road roadtrip. Experience the might of Gullfoss, a majestic two-tiered waterfall and watch the sun paint rainbows in the mist across the beautiful cascading water. You can hear these majestic waterfalls a little bit after the car park zone and you can feel the power of the thundering waterfalls on the ground as you get closer to it. I remember catching goosebumps as we got closer and closer to the waterfall, even before I could fully see it!
Tip: There are couple of viewing points, depending on your flexibility I recommend the easily accessible view point and the one further north, closer to the waterfall before it starts to cascade down.
4. Return to Reykjavik or continue the road trip around the ring road of Iceland:
After having experienced the Golden Circle of Iceland, now it's time to conclude your adventure by returning to Reykjavik or to continue your trip along the ring road to your night's stay. If you are heading back to Reykjavik, you could stop at the most popular geothermal spa in Iceland or even the world, the Blue Lagoon, recognizable for its iconic blue waters. On our trip, we decided to skip it, the reason being that I felt that it was an over priced and over crowded experience. There are several free to use hot springs in Iceland if you wish to take a dip in a nature spa and it might be something to consider instead.
The Golden Circle is not just a route; it's a teaser of Iceland's geological marvels, cultural richness, and unmatched natural beauty. Whether you're chasing waterfalls, marveling at geysers, or relaxing in geothermal baths, this Icelandic adventure promises memories that will last a lifetime. Happy travels!
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