The Top 10 Stops on Iceland’s Golden Circle Tour

Do you want to see as many attractions along the Golden Circle as a day will allow? You’ve come to the right spot because I’m highlighting ten stops along the Golden Circle in this one-day driving itinerary. That’s seven more stops than what many tour groups will offer! My itinerary also follows a personally-tested, alternate driving route to avoid the onslaught of tour busses (and people) that are so prevalent along the Golden Circle.

If you read my previous Golden Circle post, you know that we drove the Golden Circle in a counter-clockwise direction, beginning at the Keflavik airport. We had a couple reasons for this but it was mostly an effort to avoid the massive number of tour busses at each location. (And, for the most part, it worked fabulously!) Therefore, the order in which I am listing these stops is different than what you’ll typically see on other blogs or tour company agendas.

Each stop here is listed as either “Must See” or “Nice to See” so that you can better build your own itinerary, based on the time you have available. Completing this full itinerary, as listed here, will likely take you the entire day. In fact, we had to return to Pingvellir on our second day because we ran out of time and daylight. (We spent longer at many of the stops than the average tourist, though.) If you are traveling in the summer months, the increased daylight hours will allow you to easily complete this full itinerary (and probably a few of the additional stops I list at the end of this post) in one day.

Start: Keflavik Airport

Starting at the airport is perfect if you plan to tour the Golden Circle on your first day in Iceland. Since many flights arrive first thing in the morning, you’ll have the full day to explore. You can take multiple routes from the airport while still accomplishing the stops in the order listed here. We chose to head south to the coast and then east toward Kerid.

Stop 1: Kerid Crater (Nice to See)

Kerid Crater was formed 6500 years ago most likely by the collapse of a magma chamber. This spectacular natural wonder houses a neon blue lake whose beauty (if you visit during warmer months) will undoubtedly take your breath away. During our visit (late March), the lake was still frozen so the bright blue color of the water was dulled a bit by the layer of ice on the top. Even with that ice, though, it was still lovely. The crater walls are composed of red volcanic rock which provides a stunning compromise to the blue water. No matter what time of year you plan to visit, Kerid is worth a stop.

Like most places in Iceland, particularly in early spring, it can be muddy here. Wear appropriate footwear if you’ll be getting out of the car to hike around the rim or into the crater.

Fees

At the time of this post, there was a fee of 400 ISK ($3 USD or 2 Euros) to walk the rim or hike down the crater. Check out Kerid’s website for the most updated information.

Time Needed

If you only plan to walk the upper rim and take photos, a 30 minute visit should suffice. If you plan to hike down the crater to the lake, add another 30-45 minutes.

Stop 2: Skalholt Cathedral (Nice to See)

Skalholt Cathedral is only an 18 minute drive from Kerid Crater and given its close proximity to the other stops we were making, we decided to spend a few minutes checking this place out. While the cathedral itself is pretty, the land around it is beautiful. There is also an interesting, turf-roofed outbuilding on the grounds. We don’t have grass-roofed buildings like this in the Midwest (at least that I know of!) so seeing this structure alone made the stop worth our time.

Fees

There is no fee to access the cathedral nor to park. Parking is readily available.

Time Needed

There isn’t a lot to see or “do” here so plan on no more than 15 minutes to take a few photos and read about the history of the land from the placards to the side of the cathedral. If you go inside the cathedral, add a few more minutes.

Stop 3: Fridheimar (Nice to See)

Talk about a unique experience! Fridheimar Greenhouse is more than just a venue to grow crops; a full-service restaurant sits inside the greenhouse! Their menu revolves around their freshly grown tomatoes, the same tomatoes that are harvested from plants growing inches from your table!

The most popular option on their menu is the tomato soup buffet so we both ordered this. The buffet is a self-service, all-you-care-to-eat line up of the restaurant’s infamous tomato soup and freshly baked breads. Also included is cucumber salsa and freshly churned butter. If you’ve only ever eaten canned tomato soup (me prior to eating here), you’re in for a real treat; it’s amazing how fresh tomato soup can taste. It was as if I was eating a tomato straight from the vine. Also, the bread was phenomenal; I could have continued eating that bread for hours. Yum!

Everything here was fantastic: the service was friendly and fast, the food was tasty, and the setting was warm, cozy, and unique. If you’re worried about taking the time to eat a sit-down meal when there is so much to see in Iceland, don’t be! We were able to get in and out quickly. Plus we were starving and would have had to eat somewhere anyway so this was perfect!

Tips

I highly suggest making a reservation if you plan to eat here. You may be facing a hefty wait without a reservation. Check out their full menu and reservation information here.

Pay for your meal at the coffee bar. You do not need to wait for your bill/check.

Depending on the time of year, you may be able to watch Fridheimar’s own horse show. Performed mainly during the summer months, the show is available in 14 different languages and includes traditional Icelandic music.

Time Needed

Total time for lunch (assuming you have a reservation) should be no more 60 minutes, particularly if you order the soup buffet.

Stop 4: Faxi Waterfall (Must See)

Faxi was one of our favorite stops of the whole Golden Circle tour. Not only was this the first waterfall we visited in Iceland, it was surprisingly not crowded at all! Located only 7.8 km from Fridheimar Greenhouse, this is a must-do!

Faxi is a wide (but not particularly tall) waterfall located on the Tungulfljot river. It is easy to access from the road and there is a parking lot available. The waterfall is downhill from the parking lot but still viewable should you opt to not get closer. We definitely wanted to get an up-close view and made the trek down the muddy hill to get to the base of the falls. We also braved the climb up the side of the falls so that we could stand right at the crest. This vantage point was breathtaking and climbing the falls was a lot of of fun.

Just like nearly all of Iceland’s natural attractions, be prepared for mud and slippery conditions. Wear appropriate shoes.

Fees

There are no fees to access Faxi nor to park.

Time Needed

We spent about an hour at Faxi. If you do not plan to hike down the hill to the falls nor up the side of the falls, you could spend as little as 5 or 10 minutes here (but I do recommend getting up close if your are physically able!).

Stop 5: Gullfoss (Must See)

Gullfoss (the Golden Falls) is a 20 minute drive from Faxi. Gullfoss is composed of two waterfalls, making it a truly impressive location. As you approach from the road, it will become readily apparent that this is one of the three major stops along the Golden Circle. Crowds and traffic will definitely pick up around this area.

Due to its popularity, there is plenty of parking for both cars and tour busses. You will need to walk a moderate distance to see the falls; you cannot see the falls from the parking lot. There are two viewing areas: a rock platform that overhangs the top of the falls and a second that offers a more panoramic view. We walked to both lookouts and definitely recommend doing the same if time allows.

Tips

This was by far the coldest stop along the Golden Circle so pull out those gloves and hats before you leave the car. Even in the spring and summer, it might be a good idea to grab an extra layer. It was also the most crowded spot along the Golden Circle. Consequently, it takes a little patience to get a stranger-free picture/selfie. Gullfoss is open 24/7.

Fees

There are no entrance nor parking fees to access Gullfoss.

Time Needed

We spent about 50 minutes here. You can see the falls from both viewing platforms in 25-30 minutes but just know that you’ll be fighting crowds and may need more time if you want the “perfect picture.”

You can get more information from Gullfoss’s website here.

Stop 6: Geysir/Strokkur (Must See)

Only a short distance from Gullfoss (9.8 km to be exact), lies the Geysir and Strokkur geysers. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you smell the ever-present odor of sulfur, see the plumes of steam, and see traffic slowing to a crawl. One of the three main attractions on the Golden Circle, Geysir/Strokkur is definitely a crowd favorite. Don’t be discouraged by the traffic; the grounds that house Geysir and Strokkur are large enough that you won’t feel too crowded.

At one time, Geysir was the main attraction in the area, erupting into the sky upwards of 70 meters. These days, though, Geysir’s eruptions are highly unpredictable so don’t put all your money and hopes into seeing it erupt while you’re visiting. Strokkur is much more predictable, erupting every few minutes and shooting water approximately 30 meters into the air. Watch for the bubble of water to form above the surface; this is how you will know when Strokkur is about to erupt. We watched Strokkur erupt five or six times and continued to be impressed each time. Start at one spot and then move to another area to get a different perspective. Be prepared to fight for a spot towards the front; this is prime photo real estate, after all.

This area is a literal hotbed. The underground hot springs in this area can be upwards of 125 degrees Celsius/257 degrees Fahrenheit while the surface-level water can reach just under the boiling point. There are no barriers surrounding the surface-level streams. Do NOT attempt to walk through, touch, or otherwise get near these small streams. No need to loose a patch of skin while on vacation, right?

Fees

There are no entrance fees nor parking fees to see Geysir/Strokkur.

Time Needed

We spent a good deal of time watching Strokkur erupt and also walked the grounds a bit, lingering in the steam, and trying to get the best pictures possible so we spent longer here than the average person, about an hour all-in. If you want to see only one Strokkur eruption, you could be here for as little as 15 minutes, depending on the size of the crowd gathered around the geyser.

Stop 7: Bruarfoss (Must See)

Do you want to see some of the bluest water in all of Iceland? You’ll find it at Bruarfoss. The water is, in a word, stunning! If you have the time in your agenda, you need to experience the beauty of Bruarfoss. Unfortunately, it isn’t the easiest to find nor the quickest to access.

Bruarfoss’s location lies just off of the Golden Circle and is only a 15 km drive from Geysir/Strokkur. It is pretty well hidden from sight, though. Despite taking us a bit of time to find Bruarfoss, the payoff was most definitely worth it.

In a future post, I’ll write about the two options you have to access and to find Bruarfoss. We ultimately parked in a small neighborhood and took the “shortcut” route. However, if you’re interested in a lovely (and lengthy) hike to see this stunning natural wonder (plus several other incredible natural attractions), you can do that too. If you search “finding Bruarfoss” you’ll find hundreds of blog and YouTube posts on the best ways to locate this amazing waterfall.

In addition to the incredible water color, another reason I loved Bruarfoss is that it was virtually empty of other tourists. Unless travelers have done some research, they likely don’t even know that this amazing waterfall sits just off the main road, begging to be discovered. Since you’re reading this now, you won’t be one of those travelers!

I’m also a sucker for getting up-close-and-personal with waterfalls and Bruarfoss allows that to happen. You’ll have to hike down an embankment to get to the falls but it wasn’t a very steep slope. If you opt to climb down, you can stand right along the edge of the falls and you can walk along the river, marveling in the amazing colors and sounds.

It is extremely muddy here! You will lose a shoe in the mud if you’re not careful. Go into this trek knowing that you will need to rinse off your clothes and shoes back at the hotel. Check out my recommendations for Iceland-appropriate clothing and shoes. 

Fees

There are no fees to access Bruarfoss nor to park.

Time Needed

This is a tough one. If you take the “shortcut,” you can get to Bruarfoss within a 20 minute walk. But finding the right spot to park can take….well, a long time. I’d say that you probably need at least an hour and a half for actually locating the “right spot,” walking to and from, and spending some time at site. If you plan to take the “long route” and hike the river, plan on a couple of active hiking hours, minimum.

Stop 8: Efstidalur II (Nice to See)

Are you looking for a treat or meal along the Golden Circle? Wondering what fresh-from-the-farm ice cream tastes like? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you should really take a few minutes to stop at Efstidalur II, a working farm just off of the Golden Circle. The farm is located a quick 6.5 km from Bruarfoss and if you’ve taken the trek to find Bruarfoss, you definitely deserve some ice cream. They also have a restaurant if you’re looking for something more substantial. But whatever you do, try the ice cream! It was amazing! There are restrooms on site but don’t be one of those people who stops and uses their facilities without buying something!

Kids (and animal loving adults like me) will be thrilled to interact with the cows as seen in the picture below. There was also a very happy and friendly dog who was just waiting for a dog-loving customer to come by and throw some sticks (which, of course, we did!).

Efstidalur II is more than just ice cream and food, though. You can stay at their farm hotel and rent horses on the property. I wish we would have had more time to explore Efstidalur II! Check out the farm’s website here.

Time Needed

This can be a fast stop, depending on what you want to do here. Since we only stopped for ice cream (do it!) and some snuggles with the farm’s cows and dog, we were here about 25 minutes total. With the farm being located immediately off of the Golden Circle, you’re able to resume your Golden Circle tour easily and quickly.

Stop 9: Pingvellir (Must See)

In full disclosure, we ran out of time to stop here on our first day. Don’t be too worried about running out of time with this itinerary, though. We spent much longer at each Golden Circle stop than your typical tourist so although we didn’t have time to finish this all in one day, I believe it can be done! We returned to Pingvellir on our second day because there was no way we were missing this stop!

Pingvellir National Park is perhaps one of the most obvious and vivid examples of continental boundaries in the world; Pingvellir sits where the North American and Eurasian continental plates meet. As these plates have ripped apart, the land has been scarred, resulting Iceland’s immense Rift Valley and Pingvellir National Park. The photos above show the tall basalt columns that define the very edge of the North American plate; as it has drifted away from the Eurasian plate, the large ridge/valley has formed.

If, like me, it’s been years since you’ve had an Earth Science lesson, it would be a great idea to read up on the continental plates and the science behind their movement; it will make your trip to Pingvellir all the more meaningful! A few websites I found to be helpful in further understanding just what happened to form this Rift Valley can be found here and here.

Pingvellir is more than just an excellent example of plate tectonics, though. There is so much history here. It is here where the country’s laws and its very identity were formed in the tenth century. Take a guidebook along with you as your traverse the park as there are so many interesting places to see and learn about.

Within Pingvellir‌ National Park, you have the incredible opportunity to dive or snorkel among the crystal clear waters of Silfra. Imagine snorkeling right between two continents, in the very rift caused by their separation. This is something you can do year-round, even in the winter! Although we did not snorkel on our trip, it is most definitely on our to-do list on our next visit. Check out any local tour company as they likely have a snorkel or dive excursion for you.

Tips

You’ll see that Pingvellir is also frequently spelled “Thingvellir.” Pingvellir and Thingvellir are not separate locations, just alternate spellings due to differences in the characters found in English and Icelandic languages.

Since this is usually the first stop along the “typical” Golden Circle tour, go later in the day to avoid the crowds. We visited in the late afternoon/early evening and had the park practically to ourselves!

Fees

There is no fee to enter Pingvellir National Park. There is a fee, however, to park on site. If you plan to dive or snorkel on your own (without an organized tour group) you will also need to pay a fee and reserve a dive time. All of this information and so much more is available at the Pingvellir website.

Time Needed

Pingvellir is a large park with lots to see and explore. We spent about two hours inside the park but could have spent a great deal more time there if we had had better guidebooks/audio guides with us. If you plan to dive at Silfra, add a couple more hours to your stay. If you are merely interested in seeing the rift from the visitors center (but why wouldn’t you explore more?), you need only several minutes to marvel at the area before you.

Stop 10: Reykjavík (End of Tour)

As you’ll soon discover (I hope!), Iceland’s Golden Circle contains some of the most beautiful locations in the world. There is so much to see and do and while I have written about the sites we personally visited, there are many other locations and experiences not discussed here. For example, you might want to check out Porufoss which is only 18 km from Pingvellir or the “Cave People of Iceland” between Laugarvatn and Pingvellir. Or maybe a trip to the Fontana geothermal spa and bakery is up your alley? If you do a little research, you’re sure to find other incredible attractions and natural wonders that are worthy of a visit. We want to see them all…so another trip is definitely in order for us!

What else do you recommend along or near the Golden Circle? What are your thoughts on these stops? Please share your comments below!