Exploring Iceland is something you won’t regret. Unspoiled landscapes, massive waterfalls, active volcanos, and thermal areas with geysers are all part of the land of fire and ice. A lot of these highlights are spread out around Iceland, but in the Golden Circle, you’ll find a lot of highlights within short distances from each other.
No wonder, the Golden Circle is one of the most traveled routes in Iceland. It is close to Reykjavik and can be explored during a weekend trip. Also, a lot of tours go there, so you don’t necessarily have to drive yourself.
What is the Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is a route in the highlands of South Western Iceland that leads you past several of the most famous highlights. It is very close to Reykjavik, which makes it possible to explore this route during a weekend trip.
The name is derived from the main attraction on the route: Gullfoss, which means Golden Waterfall. Besides Gullfoss, there are more famous attractions on this route, like Geysir and Thingvellir National Park.
Because of the many highlights on this route, with only small distances between them, the Golden Circle is one of the most popular routes in Iceland. In a short period of time, you can see the many different landscapes Iceland has to offer.
Why is it called the Golden Circle in Iceland?
There are more stories going around about why this famous route is called ‘Golden Circle’, but I talked with some locals to give you the right answer. “Gullni hringurinn” is the Iceland name for the iconic Golden Circle, formed by the highlights Thingvellir National Park, Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall. GullFoss means Golden Waterfall. This is exactly where the name Golden is coming from, to attract tourists.
When is the best time to visit the Golden Circle?
You can visit the Golden Circle all year around, it really depends where you are looking for: hiking, snowy landscapes, Northern Lights, longer sunlight days etc.
- Winter Iceland (December – March) Northern lights, snowy landscapes, winter tours
- Spring Iceland (March – June) Shoulder season less crowded, puffin watching, whale watching, spring tours, great for hiking
- Summer Iceland (June – September) More crowded, longer hours of daylight, sunny days, puffin watching and whale watching, great for hiking
- Fall Iceland (September – October) Shoulder season less crowded
Read also my full guide about the best time to visit Iceland.
How long does it take to do the Golden Circle Iceland?
Even though the Golden Circle can be done in 3 hours when you pick the shortest route, the whole route can be done between 5-7 hours. But really believe me you don’t want to put all of this in just one day. So please make sure to spend a couple of days on this circuit.
Video: Golden Circle Inspiration
The Golden circle iceland map
Where is the Golden Circle located?
The original Golden Circle route which starts and ends in Reykjavik is 250 km (155 miles) long and takes about 3.5 hours to drive. If you arrive by plane in Akureyri, the drive is 400 km to Thingvellir National Park, which will take about 5 hours. If you arrive by ferry in Seydisfjordur, it is a long drive about 670 km, which takes 8.5 hours. Keep in mind the travel time above is without stops.
Printable map of Golden Circle Iceland
Above you will find a Golden Circle Iceland map with attractions which you can print during your self drive all across Iceland. But there is more.. Later in this guide you will find a Golden Circle Iceland Google map which you can open in Google Maps to navigate to all the Golden Circle stops, without doing any research yourself. Just read this guide, put the Google maps into your phone and drive and enjoy.
Weather conditions Golden Circle
I have mentioned it before. The weather in Iceland is extreme and very unpredictable. During summer you can have snow and during winter you can have a beautiful clear blue sky. The Icelandic weather is also very known for its rapid changes. Within minutes it can totally turn around. No wonder they say you can experience all 4 seasons in one day!
To be prepared for this, make sure you always have your sunglasses at hand and your rain clothes within reach. Don’t drive when you have bad sight because of heavy rainfall, snow, or mist. Like they say in Iceland: ‘If you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes’.
The best weather app to check is YR.no, I used it during my 3.5 months and it was really accurate. When you are hiking, biking or camping the Golden Circle in Iceland make sure to also check the windy app to make sure you will be safe.
Also read: 10 Waterfalls in Iceland you simply want to add to your bucket list
Driving the Golden Circle
What is the Golden Circle route in Iceland?
The Golden Circle route is easy to drive since the roads are in good condition. Mostly, the route exists of paved roads but sometimes it is interrupted by gravel roads. These gravel roads are in good condition as well, so it is not necessary to rent a 4WD. A 2WD will bring you to every highlight on the Golden Circle.
The Golden Circle is around 250km long, which includes the route to and from Reykjavik. The route can be extended a bit to visit several highlights which are slightly further away from the road.
Since the distances are small, the route can easily be driven in 1 day’s time. It will not give you much time to get out of the car to have a walk around the beautiful highlights. Therefore, I would highly recommend taking a 2 or even 3 days trip into consideration. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy hiking paths, thermal baths and to really take in the stunning Icelandic nature.
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If you prefer not to drive yourself, you can also book one of the many tours that will lead you around the most famous highlights on the Golden Circle.
Rent a car to drive the Golden Circle Iceland route
Iceland is the ultimate destination for a road trip. The varying landscapes, the easy to bridge distances between highlights and the quiet roads are the perfect mix. Although it is possible to bring your own car to Iceland with the ferry from Denmark, most people choose to rent a car in Iceland.
By flying to Iceland and renting a car there, you can spend all your valuable time in the country you want to explore. Besides, driving in Iceland isn’t without risks, so you might prefer to use a rental car to drive around in this country! Click here for the best deals for a rental car.
Road Conditions
Even though the roads on the Golden Circle route are in a really good condition and not hard to drive, always make sure to check the road conditions here.
Is it difficult to drive around the Golden Circle?
The Golden Circle is not hard to drive, but keep in mind that it can be busy during the summer times. So if you want to enjoy your day the fullest, start early to avoid full parking lots and lots of people on the tracks.
Benefits of driving the Golden Circle self-drive
I guess this is a really clear point, but still I get the question more often so I decided to put it in the guide. When you explore the Golden Circle with your own car, you can stop wherever and whenever you want and spend as much time as you prefer.
Traffic rules
Most traffic rules in Iceland are very obvious. There is just one rule that you need to know to avoid a fine: Your car lights need to be turned on 24/7! If you get caught without your lights on, you will get fined.
This is because the weather conditions can change quickly and days can be dark. Good thing is, that most rental cars are equipped with automatic lights. They turn on as soon as you start the engine. But make sure you check this!
Some other traffic rules are:
- Cars on the highway have priority
- Sheep and horses have priority on the roads
- Speed limits are marked clearly along the road, but in general, you are allowed to drive 90km/h on the Ring Road and 60 km/h in Reykjavik.
- You have to stop in front of a red or orange traffic light
- You have to let pedestrians cross on a pedestrian crossing
- And one more time, just so you don’t forget: You have to turn your car lights on 24/7
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Golden Circle where to stay
There are plenty of accommodations along the Golden Circle. So, if you decide to make it a multiple-day trip, you can always sleep somewhere along the route.
Accommodations can range from hotels and guest houses to B&Bs or hostels. There are also several campsites along the route, which you can use to set up your tent or park your camper van.
There are also various lunch and dining options along the route. Some are very interesting, like inside a tomato greenhouse or on a dairy farm. More about this later on in the article!
Camping along the Golden Circle
Iceland is full of great camping facilities and as the Golden Circle is a really popular area, you will find a lot of campings along the route. Make sure to book in advance if you are traveling by car/campervan, for tents you don’t need to book a spot in advance.
Wild camping is note: Official wild camping is now illegal in Iceland, but there are some specific rules for this. To learn more about this check out The Only Iceland Camping Guide You Need.
Difference between winter summer
Iceland looks different in winter than it does in summer. Both seasons have their charms! Although average temperatures are never really high in Iceland, during the summertime you are more likely to have some good weather. Also make sure to have the right things packed, check out the ultimate packing list for Iceland.
Below you can see how different the Gullfoss waterfall looks like in winter and summer!
Summer
During summer there are more tours available. It will also be busier at the highlights, as it is peak-season and a lot of tourists come to Iceland to explore all the beauty. Some days you might have really good weather and temperatures can rise up to 20ºC. Also, be prepared for more winter-like weather. The average day temperature is only 13ºC, so don’t forget to bring a hat and gloves to stay warm.
During summer you have the chance to see everything along the Golden Circle. During this season, all hotels and campsites will be open, even restaurants.
Is it safe to drive the Golden Circle in winter?
In winter you should take more driving time into consideration, as roads can be slippery due to snow and ice. During extreme circumstances, like snowstorms and heavy winds, some roads might even be closed.
Winter is a beautiful time of the year to do some winter excursions along the Golden Circle, like snowmobiling on the nearby Langjokull glacier.
Winter is also a cheaper time to explore the Golden Circle than in the summer. There are fewer tourists around and you will enjoy the highlights with more peace.
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Iceland golden circle map with stops
Are you ready to explore all the amazing stops you will cross during you Golden Circle Iceland Self-Drive?
From Reykjavik to Thingvellir
Distance: 50km
Driving time: 40 min
Leave Reykjavik via route 49 to make your way to the Ringroad #1. Follow this route North until you can turn right onto route 36. Want to spend some more time in Reykjavik, make sure to check out the Top 30 incredible things to do in Reykjavik guide.
Thorufoss (Þórufoss)
Sightseeing time: 20-30 minutes
Opening hours: All day, all year
Costs: Free
After 18 kilometers on route 36, there is a junction on your left with route 48. This route will take you via an 11km detour (10 minutes), to Thorufoss. This is a lesser-known waterfall in the area of the Golden Circle. This waterfall is situated in a beautiful surrounding.
Must read: The Ultimate Hiking Guide Iceland
Thingvellir (Þingvellir)
Sightseeing time: At least 2 hours, but it is easy to spend multiple days in this park
Opening hours: Park: All day, all year / Visitor Centre: 9 am – 6 pm
Costs: Entree fee to the park and visitor center is free (exhibition: Adults: US$8 / Kids under 18: Free)
Thingvellir is a national park that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, click here for information from Unesco about Thingvellir. A very special phenomenon that you can see here are two tectonic plates. Iceland is divided by the Eurasian Plate and the North American Plate and is the only place in the world where this crack can be seen above sea level.
The fissure between the plates is called Silfra and in Thingvellir national park, it is possible to snorkel or dive between the two tectonic plates. It is the most unique snorkel and diving site in the entire world! A tour lasts between 2 and 4 hours.
Besides the possibility of being in two places at the same time, Thingvellir has more to offer. The landscapes are picturesque and the many hiking routes will take you deeper into nature.
Oxararfoss (Öxarárfoss)
Oxararfoss (Öxarárfoss) is a waterfall in the Thingvellir national park. This waterfall is unlike many others in Iceland, handcrafted. It is thought that this is done to provide inhabitants of Thingvellir national park with drinking water.
You can also find the Thingvellir Church. It is a small church that dates back to 1859. The wooden interior gives you a warm welcome and although it has had several updates to prevent it from falling, you’ll see the past it all.
From Thingvellir to Geysir
Distance: 60km
Driving time: 50 min
From Thingvellir follow route 36 towards the East and take the gravel road 365 to cross over to route 37. At the junction follow the signs for Geysir on route 35 to the North East.
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Laugarvatn Fontana Spa
Sightseeing time: At least 1 hour, but you’ll enjoy a longer stay
Opening hours: Summer (Jun-Aug): 10 am – 10 pm / Winter (Sep-May): 11 am – 10 pm
Costs: Adults: US$38 / Youth (13-16 years old): US$16 / Kids up to 12 years old: Free
Website for more information
The Fontana Spa is a thermal pool located on the Golden Circle, next to the ice-cold lake of Laugarvatn. You’ll reach Laugarvatn Fontana after a couple of minutes’ driving on route 37.
The spa has 3 different mineral pools, with temperatures between 32ºC and 38ºC. They are situated next to the lake and give you some beautiful views. There are also saunas available. After the hot sauna, you can cool off in the cold lake to get that beneficial effects on your vascular muscles!
Apavatn
Sightseeing time: 30 minutes up to a day
Opening hours: All day all year
Costs: Free
Apavatn is a much bigger lake, situated south of Laugarvatn Spa. To get here follow route 37 towards the South. It is a 15-kilometer detour which takes you about 15 minutes to drive.
This lake is often visited during the summer months when Icelandic people like to go swimming during warm summer days. It is also known as a fishing lake, where several fish species can be caught.
Efstidalur farm
Sightseeing time: 30 – 60 minutes
Opening hours: Restaurant: 8 am – 8 pm / Ice saloon: 10 am – 9 pm
Costs: Sightseeing is free / food and drinks need to be paid for accordingly
Website for more information.
You’ll find the Efstidalur dairy farm on your left-hand side along route 37. When you hear the cows moo and the horses running through the fields you know you are on the right spot.
This farm offers a unique experience for every meal of the day. All the food is prepared fresh daily with dairy products and meat from the farm. Vegetables are gathered from organic farms nearby and the ice cream is home-made!
Besides a wonderful place to have a look around and a unique place to eat, they also offer horse rental and accommodations.
Bruarfoss (Brúarfoss)
Sightseeing time: about 30 minutes
Opening hours: All day, all year
Costs: Free
Only 2 kilometers down the road, you’ll find the parking lot for the Bruarfoss waterfall on your left-hand side. It is relatively small but very scenic. People say it is the bluest waterfall of Iceland and a true hidden gem on the Golden Circle.
The color of the water is formed due to a chemical reaction between the rocks and the surrounding soil in combination with the water from the falls. The dark volcanic rocks are in high contrast with the blue water, which makes the total picture very picturesque.
Check out: 12 Best hikes near Reykjavik Iceland you can’t miss
Geysir
Sightseeing time: 30-60 minutes
Opening hours: All day, all year
Costs: Free
Geysir, or the so-called great Geysir, is a geyser in the thermal area of Haukadalur. Unlike a lot of people think, this is not the active geyser. It used to be, but researchers think it is clogged and only a major earthquake can solve this.
Nevertheless, there is another geyser on site, which is called Stokkur. This geyser erupts every 8-15 minutes and spouts hot boiling water up to 30 meters into the air.
Besides geysers, there is a lot more to see, and to smell in this area! Walk around and see the boiling hot pots, different colored minerals and don’t forget to take a look at the surrounding mountains.
From Geysir to Gullfoss
Distance: 10 km
Driving time: 10 min
Gullfoss
On the Golden Circle Iceland follow Route 35 and in less than 10 minutes you arrive at Gullfoss after leaving Geysir.
Sightseeing time: 45-60 minutes
Opening hours: All day, all year
Costs: Free
Gullfoss is one of the most massive waterfalls in Iceland. The melting water from the Langjokull glacier flows with high speeds through the river and falls down into the lower situated lake. This waterfall is the main attraction on the Golden Circle and is visited each year by thousands of people.
When you have a sunny day and the sun shines into the splashing drops, a rainbow can be seen just above the waterfall. No wonder this waterfall is called Gullfoss, which means Golden falls.
Note: During winter time some viewpoint might be closed because the walking paths get very slippery due to snow and ice.
There are several viewpoints situated around the waterfall, all of them give you another perspective. Gullfoss falls down into two steps. The first step is 11 meters deep and the second step is 21 meters deep. The viewpoints let you take a look at the waterfall from the different levels and also let you take a look into the deep canyon. Wanted to know more about Gullfoss waterfall? Check out this Wikipedia page.
From Gullfoss to Kerid Crater Lake
Distance: 56 km
Driving time: 45 min
Drive back to the junction with routes 35 and 37 on the Golden Circle Iceland and keep following route 35. This is the lesser-traveled track of the Golden Circle, with a lot of lesser-known stops along the way.
Faxafoss
Sightseeing time: 30 – 60 minutes
Opening hours: All day, all year
Costs: Free
After about 20 kilometers on your way to Kerid Crater Lake, you’ll find Faxafoss on your left-hand side. This waterfall is easy to access all year round as it is situated close to the road.
The Faxi waterfall is 80 meters wide and 7 meters high. The cool thing about this waterfall is that you can come very close to the fall itself. So close, that you are able to feel the waterdrops that splash up from the falls. Be careful with the strong winds! The water is cold and you better not fall in there!
In summer you can go white water rafting in this area. This is a nice tour on a warm summer day. But on a less sunny and misty day, you might feel some extra adrenaline flowing through your veins!
Must read: Icelandic Winter Tours for Real Adventures
Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin)
Sightseeing time: At least one hour, but you’ll enjoy a longer stay
Opening hours: Summer (Jun-Sep): 10 am – 10 pm / Winter (Oct-May): 11 am – 8 pm
Costs: US$24 / Kids up to 14 years old: Free
To get to the secret lagoon, you’ll need to take a little detour of 18 kilometers on the Golden Circle Iceland, which will take you around 20 minutes to drive. Follow your way along route 35. On your left-hand side, you’ll see route 359. This is a gravel road that leads you towards route 30. In fludir (Flúðir) you only have to follow the signs to get to Gamla Laugin.
The secret lagoon attributes its name to the wonderful place hidden in the pure Icelandic nature. You’ll see the steam coming off the warm water rising between the small hills that are covered with green moss.
You can bath in the swimming pool, it is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, which dates back to 1891! The water temperature is between 38ºC and 40ºC all year round and there are also several walking tracks around the thermal areas. Small geysers can be seen that erupt every 5 minutes.
Fridheimar (Friðheimar)
Sightseeing time: Sightseeing on your own will take around 30 minutes. If you want to grab some food count on an hour.
Opening hours: 12pm – 4 pm
Costs: Sightseeing on your own is free of charge, food and drinks need to be paid for accordingly
You’ll find this greenhouse along route 35 of the Golden Circle Iceland on your way to the Kerid Crater Lake. It gives you a unique lunch experience. The tables are set inside the greenhouse between the tomato plants. How green would you like it!?
3 different species of tomatoes grow inside the greenhouse, which are used in every dish you can order. You’ll also find a horse stable on-site and during the summer season (May-Sep), you can see a horse show with Icelandic Horses.
Skalholtskirkja (Skálholtskirkja)
Sightseeing time: 15 – 30 min
Opening hours: all day, all year
Costs: Free
Driving on Route 35 on the Golden Circle Iceland, you’ll see route 31 on your left-hand side. Take this detour of 6 km (5 min driving time) to see this special cathedral.
Special, because you can see old and new on the same site. Before the new Cathedral was built, there have been several other churches in the exact same place. They didn’t survive the weather or they burnt down during a fire. One old wooden church is still standing with a beautiful mossy roof. It really stands out next to the new cathedral which is built in a newer style.
The inside is also worth a look. The interior is modern and quite colorful.
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Slakki petting zoo
Sightseeing time: up to 2 hours
Opening hours: 11 am – 6 pm
Costs: US$8 for adults, teens and small kids half price or free
Follow Route 31 (same detour as Skalholskirkja) 3 km further south on the Golden Circle Iceland and it will lead you to the Slakki petting zoo.
It is a wonderful place for kids to see orphaned little foxes, goats, bunnies, kittens and parrots. You can also enjoy a miniature golf course.
Solheimar (Sólheimar) Ecovillage
Sightseeing time: 20 minutes up to 2 hours
Opening hours: 12 pm – 5 pm (Sunday 2 pm – 5 pm)
Costs: Free
To reach the Solheimar Ecovillage you leave route 35 and continue your way on route 354. It is a detour of 15 kilometers which takes you about 15 minutes driving time.
Solheimar means “Home of the Sun”. It is an ecovillage with a community of about 100 people. This village is famous for its devotion to community living, artistic ethics, and sustainability.
Have a look around and visit the sustainable local businesses and workshops, where you find handcrafted products, like candles, soap, weaved accessories, arts and crafts.
Solheimar is Iceland’s largest provider of organic fruits and vegetables and there is also a shop where you can buy these products.
Kerid (Kerið) Crater Lake
Sightseeing time: 1 – 2 hours
Opening hours: all day, all year
Costs: US$3
You’ll find the Kerid crater lake along route 35 off the Golden Circle Iceland. This is one of the famous highlights on the Golden Circle. It is a young volcano, which is the reason that the iron in the soil is still fresh. This gives the volcano walls their red color instead of black which you might expect.
The walls are 55 meters high and the lake is 7-14 meters deep. The water in the lake has an intense blue color which is caused by the minerals in the stones.
You can walk all the way around on top of the crater walls and you can also make your way down to the lake. The Kerid crater colors are beautiful in autumn when the mossy soil gets the autumn colors.
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From Kerid Crater Lake to Reykjavik
Distance: 70 km
Driving time: 60 min
To head back to Reykjavik, keep following route 35 until you are back on the ring road #1 as mentioned on the Golden Circle Iceland. Go North and take route 49 back into Reykjavik.
Reykjadalur hot springs
Sightseeing time: at least two hours (includes the hiking time to get there), but you’ll enjoy a longer stay
Opening hours: all day, all year
Costs: Free
Just after you pass the little town Hvergerdi (Hveragerði), you’ll see a parking lot for the Reykjadalur hot springs. Park your car and hike 3 km into the Reykjadalur valley. You can book a tour with a guide that leads you there, but the trail is well signposted and you can easily walk there by yourself. This will save you a lot of money.
Once in the valley, you’ll understand why they call it the ‘steam valley’. Steam is coming out of the ground and there are hot mud pools that are simmering. You can bath in the river that carries the hot water coming from Mount Hengill, an inactive volcano. Enjoy the nice water temperature and feel the minerals cleaning your skin!
Interesting: 25x The best hot springs Iceland to add on your bucket list
Nesjavellir power plant
Sightseeing time: driving by
Opening hours: all day, all year
Costs: Free
If you have some time left, you can also take a detour of the Golden Circle Iceland via some smaller roads. This detour, via route 35, 36, 435 and 431 will take you along the Nesjavellir power plant. This route takes 5 extra kilometers and takes 20 minutes extra from your time.
Nesjavellir is the second-largest power plant in Iceland and generates electricity and hot water by utilizing geothermal water and steam.
This power plant is not open for tourists, but you can drive past it and see the impressive area where the steam comes out of the ground. You can also smell the large thermal area.
If you are interested to learn more about geothermal power plants, you can visit the Hellisheidi (Hellisheiði) power plant, which is only a 20-minute drive away from Reykjavik. Both the power stations derive their energy from the volcanic mountain Hengill. But the Hellisheidi power plant has a visitor center and you can book guided tours to learn more about gaining electricity.
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Golden Circle iceland self-drive
As said at the beginning of this post, it is very possible to drive the Golden Circle in one day and see the main highlights, like Thingvellir national park, Geysir, Gullfoss, and the Kerid Crater Lake.
If you want to enjoy more stops on your Golden Circle trip, make sure to plan some more time to get out of the car and explore. The original Golden Circle route which starts and ends in Reykjavik is 250 km long and takes about 3.5 hours to drive.
Below is a table with all the above-mentioned highlights and their visiting times to keep in mind. You’ll also find the extra driving time if a detour is needed. With this, you can create your own Golden Circle trip!
| Stop | Sightseeing time | Extra KM to drive | Extra time to drive |
| Thorufoss waterfall | 20-30 min | 11 km | 10 min |
| Thingvellir national park | At least 2 hours | On the route | |
| Silfra snorkel tour | 2-4 hours | On the route | |
| Thingvellir church | 20-30 min | On the route | |
| Oxararfoss waterfall | 30 min | On the route | |
| Laugarvatn Fontana Spa | At least 1 hour | On the route | |
| Apavatn lake | At least 30 min | 15 km | 15 min |
| Efstidalur dairy farm | 30-60 min | On the route | |
| Bruarfoss waterfall | 30-60 min | On the route | |
| Geysir | 30-60 min | On the route | |
| Gullfoss waterfall | 45-60 min | On the route | |
| Faxafoss waterfall | 30 min | On the route | |
| Secret lagoon | At least 1 hour | 18 km | 20 min |
| Fridheimer Greenhouse | 20 min – 2 hour | On the route | |
| Skalholtskirkja cathedral | 20-30 min | 6 km | 5 min |
| Slakki petting zoo | 30-60 min | 12 km | 10 min |
| Solheimer Ecovillage | 20-60 min | 15 km | 15 min |
| Kerid Crater Lake | 30 min – 1,5 hour | On the route | |
| Reykjadalur hot springs | At least 2 hours | On the route | |
| Nesjavellir power plant | Driving by | 5 km | 20 min |
Golden Circle Iceland tour
After spending more than 3 months in Iceland I did a lot of tours to explore this country to the fullest. The golden circle has so much to offer for you that it can be hard to pick the right tours! For this reason I made list of my absolute must do tours. Check below:
Benefits of Doing an Organized Tour
If you prefer to explore the Golden Circle by tour, I totally get that as well. You are full in holiday mode and don’t want to drive yourself and spend too much time planning a route and finding all the information about it. Just leave this work for your tour guide, sit down and relax. There are tons of tours Iceland has to offer: small groups, bigger groups even private tours are available.
FAQ golden circle iceland
Is Iceland Golden Circle worth it?
Absolutely YES! If you don’t have a lot of time to explore Iceland, or just visit Reykjavik and want to do some trips close to the city, the Golden Circle is your way to go!
Golden Circle vs. Diamond Circle Iceland
The Golden Circle is in the South-West of Iceland while the Diamond Circle is located in the North-East of Iceland.
Is the Blue Lagoon in the Golden Circle?
No, the Blue Lagoon is outside the Golden Circle, in the direction to the Keflavik Airport.
Golden Circle vs. Golden Triangle Iceland
Don’t get confused the Golden Triangle and Golden Circle are the same.
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I love to hear from you!
Thanks a lot for reading our blog post. Hopefully, it inspired you to visit more highlights on the Golden Circle than ‘just the famous ones’. Iceland is beautiful and really deserves your time to explore all the natural beauty! If you visited the Golden Circle and want to share your story, or if you have a question, please leave a comment below!
1 thought on “The Best Golden Circle Iceland Guide of 2024 + Map”
We are going in September. This is so helpful as we will be doing a self tour as well!!! Love the photos as well!