Þingvellir is the site that demands the most time: plan 2 to 3 hours for a complete visit. Park at car park P1 (ISK 1,000 / €6.50), descend the gangway into the Almannagjá fissure, walk to the Lögberg (Law Rock) then to the Icelandic flag on the hill, and come back down by the lake and the Öxará river. The small Þingvellir church (19th century) and the national poets' mausoleum are worth a stop. The interpretive centre (free, trilingual panels English/French/Icelandic) explains the history of the Alþingi and the site's geology. For enthusiasts, Silfra (snorkelling €130 or diving €180, booking mandatory with Dive.is or Arctic Adventures) is the headline experience.
Geysir takes 30 to 45 minutes. Park at the free car park, cross the road to the geothermal area, and post yourself 20-30 metres from Strokkur to wait for its eruption (every 6-10 minutes). The main Geysir is right next door, but far less active. Follow the marked path to the coloured springs (Blesi, Konungshver, Litli Geysir) before returning. The Geysir restaurant opposite offers a decent cafeteria and souvenir shop; Hotel Geysir a little further has a gastronomic restaurant.
Gullfoss takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on weather. Park at the free car park, descend the path (200 m, stairs) to the lower viewpoint, then climb back to the upper viewpoint for the panoramic view of both drops. On sunny days, wait for a rainbow to pass for the iconic photo. In winter, the waterfall edges are iced and some sections of the path may be closed for safety reasons.
The complementary sites are worth a detour if you have time: Kerið (volcanic crater with turquoise lake, €5 entry, 30 minutes on site, on Route 35 between Selfoss and Reykjavik), Friðheimar (cult tomato-themed lunch, €30-35, booking at friðheimar.is), Secret Lagoon at Flúðir (authentic geothermal lagoon, €30, 1-2 hours on site), Reykjadalur Hot Springs (1 hour hike + bathing in a hot river, free, swimsuit and towel). For history lovers, the Skálholt church (medieval Icelandic episcopal seat, on Route 35) and the archaeological site of Reykholt (13th-century residence of chronicler Snorri Sturluson) are interesting stops.
Read also
- Þingvellir, national park — The Viking parliament, the tectonic rift and diving at Silfra in Iceland's founding site.
- Gullfoss, the golden waterfall — Two cascading drops totalling 32 m in a deep canyon: one of Europe's most beautiful waterfalls.
- Reykjavik and the Southwest — The capital, the Blue Lagoon and the Reykjanes peninsula: the launchpad for the Golden Circle.
- The South Coast — Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, Jökulsárlón: the logical extension south of the Golden Circle.