When to visit Þingvellir?

2 to 3 hours suffice for a complete walking visit: Almannagjá fissure trail (1 km, interpretive panels), climb to the flag and the Lögberg (Law Rock), descent to Þingvellir church and the Öxará river with its Öxarárfoss waterfall, return via the lake. If you add Silfra snorkelling (2 extra hours), count a full half-day. The visitor centre (Hakið) offers a free exhibition on the site's geology and history.

Yes, Silfra snorkelling (to be differentiated from scuba diving) is accessible to all swimmers, even without diving experience. Professional supervision (Dive.is, Arctic Adventures, Iceland ProDive) provides drysuit, gloves, mask and snorkel. The session lasts 2 hours (30-40 min of actual water time). Conditions: be able to swim, be 12+ years old, no more than 200 kg (drysuit limit), have signed a medical release (check cardiac contraindications).

Entry to the national park is free. Only __parking is paid__: P1 (main car park at the Hakið visitor centre, ISK 1,000 / €6.50), P2 (north car park near Almannagjá, ISK 1,000 / €6.50), P5 (lake car park, ISK 750 / €5). The ticket is valid all day and on all park car parks. For internal sites: visitor centre free (exhibition included), Þingvellir church free, marked paths free. Snorkelling/diving at Silfra: €130-180/person with approved operator.

Yes, it's one of the best observation spots accessible from Reykjavik (45 min). Total absence of light pollution, moderate altitude (100-200 m) and clear view of the northern sky make it ideal. Period: September to mid-April, optimal in November-February. Several organised tours from Reykjavik include Þingvellir as the main spot (€60-90/person, free re-tour guarantee if not visible). If you go by personal car, park at P5 (the most remote, least frequented), and prefer moonless nights with clear weather (check vedur.is).

Very few and expensive. The __Hakið visitor centre cafeteria__ offers sandwiches, soups and hot drinks (€15-25/person, average quality). For a more complete meal, head to __Hotel Borealis__ (15 min east) or to __Efstidalur II__ (30 min toward Geysir, dairy farm with burgers and farm ice creams, €18-30). The best option is to plan a picnic with purchases at the Bonus supermarket in Selfoss before arriving (35 min from Þingvellir).

In the year 1000, the Alþingi faced a religious crisis: Icelanders were divided between pagans loyal to Nordic gods (Odin, Thor) and newly converted Christians. To avoid civil war, the lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði — himself a pagan but respected for his wisdom — agreed to make the final decision. He spent a night under a beast skin meditating, then announced at dawn that Iceland would officially adopt Christianity, while authorising private pagan practice (silent sacrifices to the old gods). This pragmatic compromise avoided civil war and allowed a smooth transition — a model of religious tolerance exceptional for its time.