Golden Circle
A day loop from Reykjavík past a rift valley, a geothermal field where Strokkur erupts, and a two-tier waterfall on the Hvítá river.
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The Golden Circle is a day loop of about 230 km from Reykjavík in southwest Iceland. It takes in three stops: Þingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian plates drift apart and the Alþingi assembly met outdoors for centuries; the Geysir geothermal area, where Strokkur shoots water into the air every few minutes; and Gullfoss, a two-tier waterfall on the Hvítá river.
The loop suits first-time visitors with one free day who want to see geology and waterfalls without a long hike. Most people either drive it themselves or join a day tour, and you can stop longer at any of the three. Plan for a full day. Summer has the longest daylight and the most open roads. In winter, days are short and storms can close roads, so check road.is before you set out.
Golden Circle in five
- Start before 9amCoaches from Reykjavík reach Þingvellir and Geysir from mid-morning. Driving yourself, go early or do the loop in reverse from Gullfoss.
- Pay the parking fee at ÞingvellirThe national park charges a parking fee at its busier car parks. Signs at each car park explain how to pay.
- Snorkel Silfra only with a licensed operatorSnorkeling and diving in the Silfra fissure is allowed only with licensed operators, in drysuits. The water stays around 2–4°C all year.
- Stay on the paths at GeysirStrokkur erupts every few minutes and the water around the vents is near boiling. Keep behind the ropes and marked paths.
- Plan around winter daylightIn December there are only about 4–5 hours of daylight, so the loop fills most of it. Roads can be icy; check umferdin.is before you leave.
Things to do in Golden Circle
See all attractions in Golden Circle
Need to know
- Airport
- Keflavík (KEF), about 1.5 hours to Þingvellir
- Getting there
- About 45 min–1 hour by car from Reykjavík
- Getting around
- Rental car or day tour; public buses are sparse
- Best base
- Reykjavík, or Selfoss and farm stays nearby
- Time needed
- 1 full day
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow18 rainy days10 snowy daysHigh-1°Low-6°Short days, iceJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- -1°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 197 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 10
- Days with storms
- 0
Short days, ice
- FebruarySnow18 rainy days9 snowy daysHigh0°Low-5°Ice, lightsFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 188 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 9
- Days with storms
- 0
Ice, lights
- MarchSnow17 rainy days8 snowy daysHigh1°Low-4°Longer daysMarchSnow
Mixed
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 167 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 8
- Days with storms
- 0
Longer days
- AprilRain14 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh5°Low-1°Quiet, coolAprilRain
Good
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 126 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, cool
- MayRain18 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low2°Green, quietMayRain
Good
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 147 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, quiet
- JuneRain15 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Long lightJuneRain
Best
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 119 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long light
- JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Warmest, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 119 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warmest, busy
- AugustRain15 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°BusyAugustRain
Best
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 135 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Busy
- SeptemberRain18 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Lights returnSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 199 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Lights return
- OctoberRain17 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh5°Low0°Wet, windyOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 5°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 148 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, windy
- NovemberSnow14 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh1°Low-3°Short daysNovemberSnow
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 141 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Short days
- DecemberSnow15 rainy days8 snowy daysHigh-1°Low-5°DarkestDecemberSnow
Poor
- High
- -1°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 171 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 8
- Days with storms
- 0
Darkest
Average daily high and low in Selfoss, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Golden Circle
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
5
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 94%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Golden Circle
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°7°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue8°3°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed5°2°21%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 5°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 21%.
- Thu7°4°88%Thursday: Rain. High 7°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Fri7°5°51%Friday: Rain. High 7°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 51%.
- Sat6°4°74%Saturday: Drizzle. High 6°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 74%.
- Sun8°2°85%Sunday: Rain. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 85%.
Updated 04:42 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 121.8 ISK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- AugReykjavík PrideReykjavík, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Vík and Reynisfjaraabout 2 hours by car from SelfossBlack sand beach with basalt sea stacks. Keep clear of the waves at Reynisfjara.Read the guide
- Blue Lagoonabout 50 minutes by car from ReykjavíkA geothermal spa on the Reykjanes peninsula, close to Keflavík airport.Read the guide
- Snæfellsnes peninsulaabout 2.5 hours by car from ReykjavíkKirkjufell mountain and the Snæfellsjökull glacier, a long day from Reykjavík.Read the guide
Before you go to Golden Circle
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Rules for Golden Circle, checked
- Iceland is in the Schengen Area but not the EU. Check entry requirements on the Icelandic government portal (island.is) before you fly.
- Driving off marked roads is banned in Iceland. Check road conditions and closures at road.is before you set off, especially outside summer.
- Stay on marked paths and boardwalks at Geysir and Haukadalur. The ground is thin and very hot, and Strokkur can erupt with little warning.
- Keep well back from the sea at Reynisfjara. Sneaker waves can reach people far up the black sand. Check Safe Travel (safetravel.is) for warnings.
- Dial 112 for police, ambulance or fire. Use 112 first, then check the road conditions on road.is if you need to report a stranded car.
Plan around Golden Circle
Regions, driving, weather and money
Read the guideReykjavíkThe capital and starting point for the loop
Read the guideSouth CoastWaterfalls and black sand, the other day trip
Read the guideBest time to visit IcelandDaylight, aurora and road conditions by month
Read the guideDriving and transportRental cars, tours and buses
Read the guideInsurance for IcelandCover for weather closures and rental cars
Read the guideWest IcelandThe Silver Circle, the other loop from Reykjavík
Read the guideGolden Circle FAQ
How long does the Golden Circle take?
A full day. Allow about 3–4 hours of driving plus 1–2 hours at each main stop. In winter, daylight limits you to the three main sights.
Is the Golden Circle free?
Geysir and Gullfoss are free to walk. Þingvellir charges for parking, and extras like Kerið crater, geothermal baths and Silfra snorkeling cost money.
Can I do the Golden Circle without a car?
Yes, on a day tour from Reykjavík. Public buses do not make a practical loop.
Is the Golden Circle worth it?
Yes for a first visit: three very different sights close to Reykjavík, with a rift valley, an erupting geyser and a big waterfall. Go early, add a thermal bath at the end, and skip it only if you are already driving further east.
Can you see the northern lights on the Golden Circle?
In winter, yes, on clear nights away from town lights, though the daytime loop and the aurora are separate trips. Check the aurora forecast and cloud cover on vedur.is, and never stop on the road for photos.