The Golden Circle is a loop of just under 150 miles (240 km) in southwest Iceland, starting and ending in Reykjavík. It ties together three main stops, Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall.
The catch is the season. In winter, check road.is and safetravel.is for conditions before you set out. Fuel up in Selfoss or Hveragerði if the tank is low, because rural stations can be sparse.
At a glance
- Location: southwest Iceland, northeast of Reykjavík on road 36
- Loop length: just under 150 miles (240 km) from Reykjavík and back
- Main stops: Þingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall
- Getting around: self-drive or guided tour
- Baths: Secret Lagoon in Flúðir, Fontana in Laugarvatn, Laugarás Lagoon
- Northern Lights: around September to April, on clear, dark nights
Where is the Golden Circle and what is it like?
From Reykjavík the route runs northeast on road 36 to Þingvellir National Park, about 31 miles (50 km). Geysir is about 37 miles (60 km) east of Þingvellir, and Gullfoss is 6 miles (10 km) east of Geysir. Þingvellir sits in the southwest of Iceland, near the Reykjanes peninsula and the Hengill volcanic area.
The classic order is Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Flúðir and back to Reykjavík. Several of these stops are small, so the pace is set by how long you linger in the water or at the falls.
History runs through the first stop. The Alþingi was established at Þingvellir around the year 930 and convened there until 1798. It was abolished at Þingvellir in 1800 and re-established in Reykjavík in 1845. A small community also arose at Þingvellir for about two weeks each summer.
Where to go in the Golden Circle
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir is the first big stop out of Reykjavík and the place where the Alþingi met for centuries. The Service Center is at Leirar, close to the camping grounds, and it is where camping and angling permits are issued on arrival.
Hiking trails, diving, angling and riding routes are all on offer. Many fissures and cracks are hidden in the area, so proceed with caution and supervise children carefully.
Geysir
The Geysir area in Haukadalur was protected as a natural monument on June 17th, 2020. It covers 1.2 square km (about 0.5 square miles), and Mt. Laugarfell (614 feet, 187 m) rises from the hot spring area.
It lies by road 35, Biskupstungnabraut, and Haukadalsvegur 333. Gullfoss is 6 miles (10 km) on, so the two stops pair easily.
Gullfoss
Gullfoss is two separate waterfalls. The upper one drops 36 feet (11 m) and the lower one 69 feet (21 m).
Brúarhlöð, a narrow gorge in the Hvitá River, is about 2 miles (3 km) south of Gullfoss. It makes an easy detour if you have time.
Flúðir
Flúðir is home to the Secret Lagoon, at Hvammsvegur, 845 Flúðir. It is the last stop on the usual loop before the drive back to Reykjavík.
Plan the soak for the end of the day, then head for the city. Fuel in Selfoss or Hveragerði is the sensible stop on the way.
Laugarvatn
Laugarvatn has Fontana, at Hverabraut 1, 840 Laugarvatn. It offers geothermal baths and a geothermal bakery.
The town is a good fit for travelers who want to swim and eat in the same stop.
What is there to do in the Golden Circle?
Kerið crater and the smaller stops
Kerið is a volcanic crater 180 feet (55 m) deep and about 3,000 years old. Other places along the route include Brúarfoss, Skálholt, Brúarhlöð gorge and Hjálparfoss, a two-stepped waterfall near the confluence of the Thjorsa and Fossa rivers.
Skálholt was the capital of Iceland for over 700 years. Hotel Skálholt stands on the Golden Circle route, so a stop there fits a day on the road.
The Golden Circle can be explored as a self-drive or with a wide range of guided tours.
Secret Lagoon
The Secret Lagoon is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, made in 1891 at Hverahólmi near Flúðir. It has three pools: a main pool, a hot paddling pool and a cold pool.
Its water comes from the hot springs Vaðmálahver, Básahver and Litli Geysir, and it stays at 100 to 104°F (38 to 40°C) all year. Several springs nearby are naturally 212°F (100°C) and not for entry. A walking path around the pool lets you watch the boiling, gushing springs.
In summer, aim for late afternoon to keep logistics easy and your soak unrushed. Overnight parking and camping are not permitted.
Fontana, Laugarás Lagoon and other baths
Fontana in Laugarvatn has geothermal baths and a geothermal bakery where rye bread is baked in a geyser. Laugarás Lagoon opened in October 2025 on the banks of the Hvítá river in Laugarás.
Together with the Secret Lagoon, these give three bathing options along one loop.
Friðheimar, Efstidalur and the Northern Lights
At Friðheimar greenhouse you can see how Icelandic farmers use geothermal heat to grow tomatoes year-round. Efstidalur is a dairy farm serving freshly made ice cream and skyr.
The Northern Lights can be seen on the Golden Circle from around September to April on clear, dark nights. A late-day soak in a lagoon fits that season well.
If you want waterfalls and history, take the main three stops and Skálholt. If you want a soak, add the Secret Lagoon or Fontana.
Where to stay in the Golden Circle
Hotel Skálholt is in Skálholt, 806 Selfoss, on the Golden Circle route. It offers accommodation, a restaurant and events, and is open all year round.
Skjól campsite sits at Kjóastaðir between Gullfoss and Geysir. It is open year-round for campervans and tents, with 64 electric hook-ups and showers.
When should you go to the Golden Circle?
June is the warmest month from January through June, with highs of 59°F (15°C) and 11 rainy days. May brings highs of 52°F (11°C) and 12 rainy days. For soaking in a lagoon at the end of a day on the road, summer is the easy time.
Winter is colder and wetter. January highs stay at 35°F (2°C), and the month has 15 rainy days.
Travelers who dislike cold wet weather should skip January through March, when highs stay in the mid-30s°F (about 2 to 3°C). In winter, check road.is and safetravel.is before driving.
What to know before visiting the Golden Circle
For entry, the U.S. State Department says no visa is needed for up to 90 days for tourism or business.
- Your passport must have 3 months’ validity beyond your date of departure from the Iceland/Schengen Area, and 6 months is recommended.
- Iceland does not accept the 12-page U.S. emergency passport for visa-free entry unless it has 3 months beyond your planned date of departure.
- No vaccinations are required.
- Vehicles must not be driven or parked off-road at Þingvellir, and driving off-road and outside marked trails is prohibited in the nature reserve.
- Drone use is prohibited except with permission from the Environment Agency.
Booking the Golden Circle for November: what to know
November has the Northern Lights season open, which runs from around September to April. Hotel Skálholt is open all year round, so a room on the route is possible any month.
Skjól campsite is open year-round and needs no reservation. Just show up and talk to staff.
Sources
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/en/destinations/travel-routes/the-golden-circle/en/place/kerid-crater), checked 2026-10-30
- icelandair.com (https://www.icelandair.com/en-ie/arora/a-guide-to-the-golden-circle/), checked 2026-10-30
- ust.is (https://ust.is/library/Skrar/utgefid-efni/Baeklingar/B%c3%a6klingur%20www%20Sumardagskr%c3%a1%20%c3%a1%20Sn%c3%a6fellsnesi%202012.pdf), checked 2026-10-30
- secretlagoon.is (https://secretlagoon.is/?lang=is%2F), checked 2026-10-30
- thingvellir.is (https://www.thingvellir.is/en/education/news?page=5), checked 2026-10-30
- secretlagooniceland.is (https://www.secretlagooniceland.is/en/iceland-secret/travel/getting-to-secret-lagoon), checked 2026-10-30
- travel.state.gov (https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/iceland.html), checked 2026-10-31