The Golden Circle Map: Towns, Sights, Beaches and Distances

The Golden Circle is a stretch of southern Iceland that runs from Selvogur, west of Þorlákshöfn, east to Hella, along the coast and into the highlands. Its three main stops are Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall, and the whole loop from Reykjavík is just under 150 miles (240 km), so it fits into one day on the road.

At a glance

• Extent: from Selvogur, west of Þorlákshöfn, east to Hella
• Loop from Reykjavík: about 150 to 155 miles (240 to 250 km)
• Driving time: three to four hours without stops
• Three main stops: Þingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss

Where is the Golden Circle on the map?

Þingvellir sits in the southwest of Iceland, near the Reykjanes peninsula and the Hengill volcanic area. The Golden Circle area around it stretches from Selvogur to Hella.

Reykjavík is the gateway. The route leaves the city northeast on road number 36 and reaches Þingvellir National Park after about 31 miles (50 km). The loop then continues to Geysir, Gullfoss and Flúðir before returning to Reykjavík.

What are the regions of the Golden Circle?

The Golden Circle connects Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall, and the wider area offers a great diversity of destinations around them.

Þingvellir is the western stop, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Atlantic Ridge rift runs across the land. Geysir and Gullfoss sit next to each other to the east, and Flúðir, with its hot springs, closes the loop on the way back toward Reykjavík.

• Geysir and Gullfoss: Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss, Brúarhlöð gorge · a day of waterfalls and hot springs
• Flúðir: Flúðir, Reykholt, Secret Lagoon · a stay with a soak and a campground nearby

What are the main towns in the Golden Circle?

Reykjavík

Reykjavík is where the loop starts and ends, and the round trip is about 150 to 155 miles (240 to 250 km). Þingvellir lies about 31 miles (50 km) to the northeast on road number 36. The Alþingi, Iceland’s parliament, was re-established in Reykjavík in 1845.

Flúðir

Flúðir is the last stop on the loop that runs Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Flúðir and back to Reykjavík. The Secret Lagoon is here, with hot springs around it named Vaðmálahver, Básahver and Litli Geysir. The nearest campground is Fludir campground, about 1 mile (1.5 km) from the lagoon. Overnight parking and camping at the lagoon are not permitted.

Laugarvatn

Laugarvatn is one of the villages along the route, together with Reykholt and Flúðir. The area around the route also has geothermal baths, so it works for a break between the main stops.

Reykholt

Reykholt is another village along the route, in the same group as Laugarvatn and Flúðir.

How far is Þingvellir from the rest of the Golden Circle?

From Reykjavík, Þingvellir is about 31 miles (50 km) away. Geysir lies about 37 miles (60 km) east of Þingvellir, and Gullfoss is just 6 miles (10 km) east of Geysir. The full loop takes three to four hours of driving without stops, so it works as a day trip from Reykjavík. Stops add time, so start early.

Brúarhlöð gorge is a short detour, about 2 miles (3 km) south of Gullfoss. The Geysir area lies by road 35, Biskupstungnabraut, and Haukadalsvegur 333.

The route is open all year, and the main roads are regularly serviced and generally easy to drive in summer and winter. In winter, check road conditions at umferdin.is, road.is and safetravel.is, and the forecast at vedur.is. Fuel up in Selfoss or Hveragerði if the tank is low, since rural stations can be sparse. At Þingvellir, vehicles must not be driven or parked off-road.

Where are the main sights and beaches in the Golden Circle?

Þingvellir is where Iceland’s parliament was founded around 930, and it met there until 1798. Many fissures and cracks are hidden in the area, so watch children closely. Near Geysir, the Great Geysir has been dormant since 1916, and Gullfoss is two waterfalls with drops of 36 feet (11 m) and 69 feet (21 m).

Kerið is a volcanic crater 180 feet (55 m) deep and about 3000 years old. Hjálparfoss is a two-stepped waterfall near where the Thjorsa and Fossa rivers meet. Skálholt was the capital of Iceland for over 700 years, and Brúarfoss and Urriðafoss are also on the list of places around the route.