What to expect on Iceland’s Golden Circle Main Stops
The Golden Circle in Iceland stops at some of the country’s most famous natural landmarks. It’s well known for its high-profile attractions, easy access from Reykjavík, and the steady stream of tour buses that bring visitors to its main stops: Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss—with optional add-ons like Kerið Crater, Bruarfoss, Secret Lagoon, and Friðheimar.
I visited all of the main stops, and while they’re undeniably beautiful, the Golden Circle definitely wasn’t my favourite part of Iceland. If you’re planning your trip, here’s exactly what to expect, which stops to prioritize, and how to make the route more enjoyable. And if you’re looking for something less touristy and more adventurous, check out my guide to these Golden Circle alternatives
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What Is the Golden Circle?
The Golden Circle is a 230 km loop east of Reykjavík that connects three major natural attractions. It’s popular because it’s close to the capital, easy to drive, and accessible year-round.
How to Get There
Getting to the Golden Circle requires either renting a car or joining a tour from Reykjavík. We chose to rent a vehicle since the Golden Circle was just one part of our wider Iceland itinerary, and having our own car gave us the freedom to set our pace, adjust plans, and add spontaneous stops along the way.
If you’re planning to rent a car, we recommend DiscoverCars.com. It’s the company we used for our trip and we had an excellent experience with clear pricing, reasonable rates, and smooth pickup and drop-off.
The other option is to join a Golden Circle tour. This is a great choice if you’re not planning to explore much beyond the Reykjavík region or if you prefer not to drive in Iceland. While we didn’t take a tour ourselves, many of the major operators receive consistently strong reviews, and tours can be a stress-free way to see the highlights without worrying about navigation, parking fees, or timing. Both Viator and Get Your Guide offer a range of Golden Circle itineraries with different stops and price points, so you can choose the option that best fits your budget and interests.
The Three Primary Golden Circle Iceland Stops
These are the “official” stops everyone refers to:
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir is an important stop on the Golden Circle—both historically and geologically. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is famous for its dramatic rift valley, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart, and for being the site of Iceland’s first parliament (Alþingi), founded in 930 AD.
That said, if you’re visiting Iceland for dramatic scenery, Þingvellir may feel a little understated compared to the country’s more rugged, high-impact landscapes. We enjoyed our walk through the park, but it didn’t stand out as one of the most memorable natural features of our trip.
Öxarárfoss Waterfall
Our favourite part of Þingvellir National Park, Öxarárfoss is an easy-to-access waterfall flowing over rocky cliffs into a small pool below. It’s scenic and peaceful, offering a nice contrast to the busier viewpoints in the park. A short walk from the main parking lot makes it perfect for a quick stop or photo opportunity.
Silfra Fissure
Snorkelling or diving at Silfra is considered a bucket-list experience for many travellers—and reviews are consistently excellent. Tours typically start at around $200 CAD per person, which is why we skipped it on this trip.
- Experience: Snorkel between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates
- Cost: Around $200 CAD ($140 USD) per person
- Reviews: Excellent, considered a must-do by many Golden Circle visitors
- Note: If you don’t snorkel, the land view is limited. The magic is in the water.
- Tip: Book early to secure a spot and avoid crowds
Our experience: Þingvellir is notable—but also very spread out, with multiple paid parking areas and viewpoints that fill quickly with visitors. Although we enjoyed our walk through the park, missing it wouldn’t have been a big loss to our trip. But if we had done the snorkelling we likely would have had a different opinion.
Geysir Geothermal Area
Home of:
- Strokkur, Iceland’s reliably erupting geyser
- Boiling mud pots and steaming vents
- A high-energy geothermal landscape that’s impossible to forget
Our experience: Strokkur erupts every 5–10 minutes, which is undeniably memorable—but the area feels more commercial than wild. You can watch an eruption and be back at your car in 10–15 minutes, yet the parking fee is still 1000 ISK (~$8 USD / $11 CAD), even for a quick stop. You can stretch the visit by wandering the walkways and checking out the surrounding geothermal features, but once the tour buses roll in, the paths become crowded, which can take away from the experience for some visitors.
Gullfoss Waterfall
A massive two-tiered waterfall plunging into a canyon.
Why it’s famous:
Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s most powerful, photogenic waterfalls, and the viewpoints are close enough to feel the spray.
Our experience: Gullfoss is beautiful but extremely busy, even later in the day. It’s one of the few Golden Circle stops with free parking, and the short walk to the falls makes it accessible for all visitors. The waterfall gives Niagara Falls vibes—powerful, easy to reach, crowded, and close to tourist amenities.
Optional Golden Circle Add Ons
These aren’t official Golden Circle stops, but many travelers add them to make the loop more interesting. Most of these locations charge parking or entrance fees, which only apply to that site. We didn’t try to visit them all, since multiple fees can add up quickly if you’re on a budget.
We did visit Brúarfoss, which offers two ways to see the falls: a short hike from the paid parking lot (lower fee than most Golden Circle stops) or a much longer hike from the free parking lot. The waterfall itself is picturesque, with bright turquoise blue water.
- Kerið Crater — a bright red volcanic crater with a turquoise lake inside
- Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) — smaller, quieter alternative to the Blue Lagoon
- Friðheimar Greenhouse — famous geothermal tomato farm and restaurant
- Brúarfoss — one of Iceland’s bluest waterfalls (short hike)
- Skálholt Cathedral — historic church site
- Faxifoss — calmer, less crowded waterfall
Whichever Golden Circle stops you choose to explore remember to help protect Iceland’s natural spaces by following Leave No Trace principles.
My Honest Take: Is the Golden Circle Worth It?
To be completely transparent:
The Golden Circle was one of my least favourite days in Iceland.
Why?
1. Extremely Crowded
Most stops were packed from late morning through the afternoon. Even parking lots felt congested.
2. Multiple Parking / Entrance Fees
Almost every stop charges for parking or has entrance fees—and it adds up quickly when you’re hitting multiple locations in one loop.
3. Highly Commercialized
Between visitor centres, paved walkways, and big parking lots, the Golden Circle felt more tourist circuit than adventure.
4. Iceland Has So Many Better Alternatives
If you’re exploring beyond Reykjavík (South Coast, Snaefellsnes, Westfjords, Highlands, etc.), you’ll find far more dramatic landscapes with fewer crowds.
Should You Skip the Golden Circle?
Not necessarily.
Visit if you:
- Only have one day in Iceland
- Want easy access to famous landmarks
- Prefer short walks rather than long hikes
- Don’t mind crowds
- Are prepared to pay multiple parking and/or entrance fees
- Want to stay close to Reykjavik and still see some of Iceland’s most iconic natural sights
Skip or shorten it if you:
- Prefer quieter, more remote landscapes
- Are traveling deeper into Iceland anyway
- Want to avoid repeated parking/entrance fees (Not an issue if taking a tour bus)
- Have limited time and want the most dramatic scenery possible
Tips for a Better Golden Circle Experience
Even though it wasn’t my favourite, you can make the day more enjoyable with a few adjustments:
Go Early Morning or Late Afternoon
The difference is huge. Arriving before 9 AM or after 6 PM avoids almost all tour buses.
Don’t Feel Pressured to Visit Everything
Pick 2–3 stops you truly care about.
Add a Hike or Hot Spring
Brúarfoss or Reykjadalur (not part of the Golden Circle, but nearby) add something unique beyond viewpoints.
Use the Golden Circle as a Gateway
Many travelers use it as a half-day warmup before driving south toward Vík or the Highlands.
Golden Circle Iceland Stops: Final Thoughts
If you come to Iceland for solitude, dramatic landscapes, and uncrowded trails, the Golden Circle may feel underwhelming or overly commercial. But if it’s your first time in Iceland and you have limited time, the Golden Circle delivers three iconic sights in an easy loop close to Reykjavík.
For me, it was a check-the-box experience—beautiful, worth seeing once, but not something I’d rush to repeat.
