Golden Circle Tour

by Discover Iceland Discover Iceland

Golden Circle Tour is the best place in southern Iceland. The name golden circle has derived from the term “Gullfoss” which means golden waterfall. This place is generally preferred by the majority of tourists. If you want to visit Iceland, then we can say that Iceland is popular in this place. It takes around 300 kilometers to visit from Reykjavík to the southern uplands of Iceland. The region is popular for travel-related tours and excursions in Iceland.

The Golden Circle Tour from a long time has been popular among visitors to Iceland for its most popular natural wonders of South Iceland, Geysir geyser, Gullfoss waterfall, and the majestic Pingvellir.

You will also find many volcanoes and glaciers while traveling through this route. The last route is Gullfoss waterfall where you will be allowed to travel free of cost. Besides these 3 popular places, you will find other routes also such as Kerio volcanic crater, the town of skalholt cathedral and Nesjavellir.

Famous Hotspots of Golden Circle Tour
The Golden Circle Tour is known for its three main popular hotspots like- Thingvellir National Park, the Gullfoss Cascade, and the Geothermal Territory in Haukadalur, containing the geysers Geysir and Strokku. In spite of the fact that Geysir remains silent for a long time, but Strokkur keeps on emitting in every 5–10 minutes.

Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir national park which lies between 2 continents. The next route is Geysir geothermal field where you will see many hot pools. This is the most attractive place of this route as you could get an opportunity to climb mountains.

About 40 km of Northeast of Reykjavik, capital of Iceland there lies a national park with the name of Thingvellir, in the municipality of Blaskogabyggo in southwestern Iceland. Being one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland, Thingvellir is known for its historical, cultural, and geological significance. Between the North American and Eurasian Tectonic plates, the park is situated in a rift valley marking the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Marking the 1000th Anniversary of Althing, the national parliament of Iceland, Thingvellir National Park was founded in 1930 and later the park was expanded to protect the diverse and natural habitations surrounding the area and was therefore declared as a World Heritage Site in 2004.

Gulfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss Waterfall is being listed as one of the top 10 waterfalls in the world by World of Waterfalls because of the river Hvita (White River), a glacial river flowing southward straight from Langjokull (Long Glacier) which improves the flow rate of Gullfoss Waterfall.

The meltwater from Langjökull glacier, the second largest glacier in Iceland, travels through the highlands and into the canyon above Haukadalur in Árnessýsla before dropping down two stories creating the most magical scene, we today recognize as Gullfoss.

Langjokull Glacier is being recognized as the second largest glacier in Iceland because of its meltwater which flows through the highlands and into the canyon above haukadalur in Arnessysla before falling down two stories, creating a magical scene which is also being recognized as Gullfoss Glacier.

The water at that point voyages further down and into a zone of a canyon named Brúarhlöð both a fertile and picturesque location known for superb River Rafting rapids. The water in the Hvítá stream changes a quite often depending upon the season and meteorologic conditions so it can differ from white to light brown colored to a deep blue.

Geysir and Strokku
A favorite stop along the Golden Circle is the highly active Geysir Hot Spring Area with boiling mud pits, exploding geysers and the lively Strokkur which spouts water 30 meters (100 ft) into the air every few minutes. The newly opened Geysir Center offers exhibits and informative presentations year round. Geysir Hot Spring Area is one of the most popular tourist stops in Iceland.

Geysir is a famous hot spring in the geothermal area of Haukadalur Valley, found in south-west Iceland.

Being located in South-West Iceland, Geysir is a well known hot spring in the Geothermal Area of Haukadalur Valley.

Despite the fact that Geysir itself is once in a while active nowadays, Haukadalur Valley brags plenty of hot springs and geysers, including the powerful Strokkur, Smiður, and Litli-Strokkur.

Strokkur is, apparently, the nation’s most known hot spring, shooting immense jets of boiling water from 20 meters (65 feet) up to 40 meters (130 feet) high. Try not to stress over missing this extraordinary scene of nature, as Strokkur emits in each five to ten minutes.

Things of Attraction across Golden Circle Route
There are a number of things across the golden circle route which can attract the attention of tourists like geysers, waterfalls, volcanic craters, Icelandic horses, waterfalls, lagoons, etc. Thingvellir national park, world heritage site named by UNESCO closest to Reykjavik.

It is found between North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The world famous Geysir which is also known as “great Geysir” generally erupts for 6 to 10 minutes and the boiling water in Geysir reaches up to 20 to 30 meters high. Gulfoss waterfall is about 600 meters wide. Kerid Crater Lake is formed through eruption of volcanoes. Golden circle route is a geothermal area that runs on renewable energy through the nesjavellir plant.

How to Visit with Viator?
Most Golden Circle Tours withdraw from traveling Reykjavik by bus, instead, take the help of a guide for better sightseeing & whole day travel. On the off chance that you have time, settle on a gathering or private visit that will include some extra activities along the way like- you can go for an Icelandic Super Jeep tour; enjoy the whitewater river rafting on River Hvítá; you can also go for a snowmobile tour on the Langjökull Glacier; and don’t forget to search for the Northern Lights in winter, or dip into extremely heated water of the Blue Lagoon sea or the Secret Lagoon Hot Springs.

Insider Tip
The Golden Circle Tour is a standout amongst the most popular day tours among the tourists & voyagers, so be prepared to see some crowd. Also, don’t do the mistake by thinking that this trip will only include a circular expedition around the Ring Road, with a rental vehicle and will take at least a whole week for completing the entire circle.

Things to Know Before You Go
• Wear only loose and comfortable shoes and clothes irrespective of the season.

• Most destinations have paved crosswalks and smooth grounds for easy accessibility.