Driving The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is arguably Iceland’s most famous and most popular road trip. There are many reasons for its popularity, the main one being its proximity to the capital city. In fact, it can be undertaken as a day trip from Reykjavík! This is one of the best ways to explore South Iceland if you are poor on time or just need a place to start. With your rental car from GO Iceland, the open road awaits…
What is the Golden Circle?
In essence, the itinerary is a whistle-stop tour of some of the most important and beautiful attractions of the South West of Iceland. The 3 main attractions are as follows:
- Gullfoss Waterfall – This powerful waterfall will take your breath away, with stunning views that vary greatly from season to season.
- Thingvellir National Park – Walk between the tectonic plates and see the crystal clear water in Silfra, a fissure where legend has it, your dreams will come true if you throw a coin there.
- Geysir Geothermal Area – Nature puts on a great show here! Experience the true volcanic power of Iceland, with an eruption of water boiled by the earth’s core every few minutes!
Additional Stops
In addition, there are many smaller waterfalls and fascinating areas of natural beauty that can be added to this barebones itinerary. Some popular additional stops include:
- Kerid Crater – A crater lake with curiously blue water surrounded by colorful volcanic soil, creating a striking natural contrast. This is often a final stop on the Golden Circle.
- Blue Lagoon – Another must-visit near the capital, the Blue Lagoon is a great way to relax after a long day on the road.
- Seljalandsfoss – A picturesque stop on your way out from Reykjavík, Seljalandsfoss offers the unique opportunity to step behind a waterfall.
- Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse – This greenhouse makes it possible for Iceland to grow produce like tomatoes, cucumbers, and even bananas!
Things to Know About Driving the Golden Circle
If you’re considering driving the Golden Circle in your rental car, there are a few things you might want to know first.
How Long Does it Take to Drive the Golden Circle?
The Golden Circle is typically completed within 1 day. If you plan to spend much more time exploring each of the main attractions and further off-the-beaten-track spots, more time may be required.
What Car Do I Need?
Your choice of car for the Golden Circle is not necessarily crucial and more dependent on your personal circumstances. As this is a popular tourist route, the roads are paved and well-maintained even in poor weather conditions, so there is no explicit need for a 4WD vehicle. Our selection of hire cars is comprehensive – we have options for solo travelers, families, and larger groups in our fleet!
What is the Best Time to Drive the Golden Circle?
The best time to road trip in Iceland should be a personal choice based on your confidence behind the wheel. Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable year-round, especially when driving in winter. There are fewer daylight hours during winter, meaning that you might have to spend 2 days to see everything with the sun above the horizon. However, there is the chance to spot the Northern Lights while on your sightseeing trip. On the other hand, the Midnight Sun in Iceland’s Summer provides clearer and brighter conditions for your exploring. This is better for less confident drivers to embark on this or any road trip.
Your Golden Circle Itinerary
The Golden Circle is as it suggests, a circular route. This means that there is no real “right” way to undertake this road trip. The commonly driven route is clockwise, meaning that Thingvellir comes first, then the geysers, and finally Gullfoss, before returning to the capital to complete the circle. Here is a suggestion for how to spend your day on the Golden Circle:
- Start in Reykjavík – Leave your accommodation in the capital, finding some breakfast before setting off on Route 1 out of the city.
- Thingvellir National Park – Here you can spend some time admiring the park’s natural features, including small waterfalls, hiking around the well-trodden paths, and enjoying the man-made viewpoints.
- Laugarvatn – This town is a charming stop for refueling with snacks. You can also enjoy the Laugarvatn Geothermal Spa if you wish to explore further.
- Geysir Geothermal Area – Stick to the well-marked paths and enjoy the smaller geysers before heading to the main event, and make sure to watch the wind direction if you want to avoid a sulfur-smelling shower! There is also a restaurant and a gift shop on-site for a rest opportunity.
- Gullfoss – Enjoy panoramic views over Gullfoss from the viewpoint and embark on a short hike around the area while you’re here if you need to stretch your legs.
- Kerid Crater Lake – Make a short stop here to walk the circular route around the Kerid Crater, taking photographs of the ethereal colors.
- Finish in Reykjavík – Grab dinner at one of the city’s fine dining establishments and rest up after a long day of sightseeing.
If you want to make the most of your time on the route, you can also utilize accommodation options around the route – find out the best places to camp on the Golden Circle.