Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Strokkur & Fridheimar Horses Small Group

Four Stops on Iceland's Golden Circle, Plus Horses and a Working Greenhouse

You get picked up from your Reykjavik hotel and spend the day at four Golden Circle stops: Thingvellir National Park (where continental plates meet), Kerið crater, Gullfoss waterfall, and Strokkur geyser, which erupts every 7–10 minutes. You also visit Fridheimar Farm to see Icelandic horses, watch a horse show, and taste fresh greenhouse tomatoes. A professional local guide handles the route and timing, and you're back in Reykjavik by evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Golden Circle1h
2. Gullfoss45m
3. Thingvellir National Park45m · entry included
4. Strokkur40m

Explore Golden Circle and local farm

• Visit Thingvellir National Park
• See Strokkur geyser erupt
• Explore Gullfoss waterfall
• Visit Kerið volcanic crater
• Learn about Icelandic horses at farm

The experience

"How often does it blow?" someone always asks at Strokkur, and the guide just smiles: every seven to ten minutes, like clockwork, a column of hot water shoots up into the air and you're standing right there when it happens. That's the thing about a small-group tour from Reykjavik: you're not herded through the Golden Circle on a schedule that treats each stop like a checkbox. The group stays small enough that your guide (someone who actually knows the region, not just the script) can linger where it matters and skip the crowds.

The day starts with pickup from your hotel or a central Reykjavik bus stop, and then you're heading out to Thingvellir National Park, where you can see the rift between the Eurasian and North American continental plates running right through the ground. It's one of those places that looks different in person than in photos: the scale of it, the way the earth actually opens. From there you move to Kerið, a volcanic crater 55 meters deep, and then to Gullfoss, where the Hvítá River drops in two stages (11 and 21 meters) and you feel the spray even from a distance. More than 100 cubic meters of water flows through it every second, which sounds abstract until you're standing there and it's not.

The real difference shows up at Fridheimar Farm. This isn't a tourist trap. It's a working greenhouse where they grow tomatoes year-round in geothermal heat, and you actually get to taste them. There's a horse show too, a chance to see Icelandic horses up close, and if you're hungry, you can grab food on-site. The farm sits between Strokkur and Thingvellir, so it breaks up the day in a way that feels natural, not tacked on. Strokkur itself is the active geyser (the original Geysir stopped erupting long ago), and watching it blow every few minutes never gets old, even if you've seen videos.

The whole thing runs in all weather, and in Iceland, that means you dress for wind, rain, or sudden sun, sometimes all three in one afternoon. The guide has the local knowledge to tell you things the big-bus tours skip: why the landscape looks the way it does, what the names mean, how people actually live out here. Free wifi on the vehicle means you're not completely offline, and the fixed pickup and drop-off at Reykjavik hotels takes the logistics out of your hands.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off at central Reykjavik locations, a professional local guide, entry to Fridheimar Farm with a greenhouse visit and tomato tasting, a horse show, and stops at Thingvellir National Park, Kerið crater, Gullfoss waterfall, and Strokkur geyser.
• Free wifi is available on the vehicle.
• Food and beverages can be purchased at Fridheimar and Strokkur.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Youth (12 to 15 years) · Child (8 to 11 years) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 38 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by BusTravel Iceland

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the Golden Circle's main sites without arranging your own transport or timing: the small-group format and local guide mean you see more than the standard route, and hotel pickup takes the logistics off your plate.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 15 years); Child (8 to 11 years). Under 8: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What's included in the tour?

Professional guide, hotel pickup and drop-off in central Reykjavik, entry to Fridheimar greenhouse, tomato tasting, and a horse show at the farm.

How often does Strokkur erupt?

Every 7 to 10 minutes.

Can I book this if I'm arriving on a cruise ship?

Yes. At booking, provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time so the tour can be timed to your schedule.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited fitness?

Yes, it's suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What should I wear?

Dress for all weather conditions: Iceland's Golden Circle operates rain or shine, so bring layers and waterproof gear.

Is food included?

Tomato tasting at Fridheimar Farm is included. Additional food is available for purchase at Fridheimar and Strokkur.

Do I need my own transport?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off at selected Reykjavik locations are included.