Best Golden Circle Tours — Biggest Selection & Lowest Prices Guaranteed

The Golden Circle is widely known to be the most popular sightseeing route in Iceland. It includes three of the country’s most beautiful natural attractions: Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall (“The Golden Falls”).

These iconic sites make the Golden Circle a must-see route for visitors to Iceland, and it is most often done on a day trip from Reykjavik. It usually takes around 7-8 hours to travel between all three locations, though many tours include additional stops along the way.

Golden Circle Day Trips from Reykjavik

It's common for travelers to take bus tours from Reykjavik to see the sights in one day. This is a cost-effective means of experiencing the Golden Circle, and you'll benefit from traveling with an experienced tour guide, who'll tell you about the history and importance of each attraction to Icelandic culture. If you plan to rent a car in Iceland, you can also explore it independently.

1. The Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik: For a classic Golden Circle tour, this best-rated tour brings you to the three main locations in a comfortable minibus from Reykjavik.
2. 8-Hour Tour of the Golden Circle & Kerid Crater: This highly rated tour includes the main Golden Circle sites with the addition of a stop by the ancient Kerid volcanic crater.
3. Golden Circle Minibus Tour with Bruarfoss Waterfall & Kerid Crater: This small-group Golden Circle tour makes additional stops by the Kerid crater, and the Bruarfoss waterfall, known for its beautiful blue color.

Golden Circle Tours With Activities

There's a large selection of different Golden Circle tours to choose from, and many offer unique experiences to try along the way. You can easily find ones that suit your preferences, and these are some of the most popular options.

1. The Golden Circle & Blue Lagoon Tour: This popular tour brings you out on a sightseeing adventure and ends with a relaxing visit to the famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.
2. Golden Circle & Snorkelling in Silfra with Free Underwater Photos: Experience the main Golden Circle sites and go snorkeling between two tectonic plates in the Silfra ravine, which is famous for its clear waters.
3. 8-Hour Golden Circle Tour with Fridheimar Greenhouse: On your journey, stop by the Fridheimar tomato and horse farm, where you'll explore a greenhouse heated by geothermal energy and see Icelandic horses.

Golden Circle Multi-day Tours and Vacation Packages

For those looking to experience the Golden Circle alongside other iconic Icelandic sights, multi-day vacation packages are a convenient way to maximize your adventure. You can either drive yourself or choose an option with a guide who will take care of transport. These packages offer an easy way to explore Iceland with a customizable itinerary.

1. 5-Day Northern Lights Winter Vacation Package in Iceland: This popular package has excellent reviews and brings you to the Golden Circle, South Coast, and Blue Lagoon spa with an ice-caving experience.
2. 3-Day Northern Lights & Ice Cave Tour: See the Golden Circle and the glistening icebergs on the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon with this top-rated tour. You'll also visit a crystal blue ice cave in Europe's largest glacier.
3. 8-Day Guided Winter Northern Lights Tour of the Complete Ring Road: This best-rated multi-day tour allows you to travel with ease around all of Iceland, letting a guide take care of driving and with all tours, experiences, and accommodations arranged for you.

Golden Circle Self-Drive Tours

If you prefer to explore at your own pace with a self-drive tour, it's common to do the Golden Circle while exploring the South Coast or traveling around the whole Ring Road around Iceland. These are the best Golden Circle self-drive packages:

1. 5-Day Northern Lights Winter Self-Drive Tour: This best-rated tour includes the Golden Circle, the South Coast, and the beautiful Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.
2. 7-Day Northern Lights Self-Drive Tour: Take more time to see the South Coast and include a day on the Snaefellsnes peninsula, known for its diverse volcanic landscapes.
3. Incredible 1-week Summer Self-Drive Tour of the Ring Road: Drive the Ring Road of Iceland and include the main sights in North Iceland and the Eastfjords in your itinerary.
4. 10-Day Self-Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road: This popular tour includes the Ring Road and time to see the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
5. Epic 2-Week Self-Drive Tour of the Ring Road of Iceland & the Westfjords: Don't miss out on any part of Iceland with this epic 14-day trip. It includes the whole Ring Road, the Snaefellsnes peninsula, and the dramatic nature of the Westfjords.

Each of these self-drive tour packages includes the Golden Circle and gives you a mix of Iceland’s famous landmarks and hidden locations you'll discover along the way.

Meet-On-Location Experiences in the Golden Circle

The Golden Circle area is a popular destination for road trip travelers who want to explore at their own pace. To make the journey even more exciting, the area offers a variety of meet-on-location activities that you can include in a road trip:

• Snorkeling between the continents in Silfra Fissure: Swim between two tectonic plates in crystal-clear glacial water at Thingvellir National Park. This tour includes snacks and free underwater photos.
• Snowmobiling on Langjökull Glacier: Experience the thrill of driving across Iceland’s second-largest glacier on a guided snowmobile tour. It takes 4 hours and departs from the Gullfoss waterfall.
• Horseback riding in nature: Explore the scenic countryside outside the town of Hveragerdi on a charming Icelandic horse known for its unique tölt gait, small size, and friendliness.
• Visit the Secret Lagoon: Relax in the warm waters of the oldest geothermal pool in Iceland, heated by a natural hot spring.
• Relax in the Fontana Spa: Unwind in this soothing geothermal spa and enjoy the views of the Laugarvatn Lake.
• Enjoy Icelandic rye bread baked in the ground: From the Fontana spa, learn how traditional Icelandic rye bread is baked in the ground using the natural heat from hot springs, including a tasting!

These activities provide an excellent way to customize your Golden Circle adventure. If you'd like to spend more time exploring the region, there are plenty of accommodations in the Golden Circle to optimize your time.

Hidden Gems in the Golden Circle

While the three main stops of the Golden Circle are must-sees, there are plenty of hidden gems that offer a quieter experience along the way. These off-the-beaten-path spots will allow you to enjoy a unique adventure.

• Thjorsardalur Valley - A serene valley that offers beautiful views, hidden waterfalls, and a peaceful escape from the more popular tourist spots.

• Fridheimar Tomato and Horse Farm - See Icelandic horses and visit a tomato greenhouse in Iceland that uses geothermal energy. They also have a popular restaurant specializing in tomato-based foods and drinks.

• Skalholt historical site - This important site was the religious and political center of Iceland for centuries. It has a cathedral and an archaeological site.

• Bruarfoss Waterfall - This hidden attraction is sometimes called "Iceland’s Bluest Waterfall." It's a small but beautiful waterfall within easy reach of the Golden Circle that is sometimes overlooked by travelers.

• Solheimar Eco-Village - A unique, sustainable eco-village that offers an opportunity to explore Iceland’s commitment to eco-living. You can visit the village, tour the facilities, find handmade souvenirs, and enjoy their café and greenhouse.

• Helgufoss and Thorufoss Waterfalls - Less crowded than many other attractions, these two hidden waterfalls are located near the Golden Circle and offer beautiful views, making for a peaceful stop.

• Langjokull Glacier - You can see the Langjokull glacier with a small detour from Gullfoss waterfall. It's a popular spot for snowmobiling tours.

• Secret Lagoon - A hidden gem in the village of Fludir, this naturally heated geothermal pool offers a relaxing bath in a less touristy location.

• Kerid Crater - A volcanic crater lake with striking red and black slopes, Kerid is a scenic stop that’s often overlooked but is sometimes included in Golden Circle tours.

• Fontana Geothermal Baths - This spa offers beautiful geothermal baths with views over Laugarvatn lake. It's a great place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.

With so much to see and do, from the iconic sights to hidden gems, the Golden Circle offers something for every traveler. This is an area no visitor to Iceland should miss out on, whether you choose to explore with a guided tour or at your own pace with a rental car. See the selection of Golden Circle tours to find the best option for your adventure.