Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik: Meet Icelandic Horses

Four of Iceland's most famous stops, plus time with the horses other tours skip

A guided Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik that visits Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall and Kerið volcanic crater, with a stop at a local horse farm to meet, pet and feed Icelandic horses using included candy. The tour runs eight hours with a live English guide and modern coach with Wi-Fi and onboard restroom. Pickup is included in one option. Cruise passengers can book a dedicated departure timed to ship schedules.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Thingvellir National Park45m · entry included
2. Gullfoss45m

Explore Golden Circle and meet horses

• Visit Þingvellir National Park
• Explore Geysir geothermal area
• See Gullfoss waterfall
• Meet Icelandic horses at Brú Horsefarm
• Walk around Kerið volcanic crater

The experience

You start at one of four pickup points (either your hotel, a central bus stop, or a cruise ship departure), and spend the morning and early afternoon moving through Iceland's most visited natural sites. Þingvellir National Park comes first, where you walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and see the lava fields and cliffs that frame the site where Iceland's parliament was founded over a thousand years ago. The guide explains the geology and history as you move through, then you drive to the Geysir geothermal area, where Strokkur geyser erupts every few minutes, sending hot water high into the air.

Gullfoss waterfall is next: the river Hvítá drops in two stages into a canyon deep enough that the mist rises from the bottom, and you walk the paths along the rim to see it from different angles. After Gullfoss, you stop at Brú Horsefarm, where the pace shifts. You have time to walk among the Icelandic horses, pet them, photograph them and feed them with the horse candy included in your ticket. This is not a riding experience. It is a close encounter with animals that are smaller and stockier than most European breeds and have been part of Icelandic life for over a thousand years. The farm is relaxed and designed for this kind of interaction.

Your last stop is Kerið, a volcanic crater with red slopes and a turquoise lake at the bottom. You can walk the rim for views or follow a safe path down to the water's edge. The walk is easy and the site is accessible. The modern coach has Wi-Fi and a restroom onboard, so the eight hours move without the usual logistics friction. If you are arriving on a cruise ship, you can book a departure timed to your ship's schedule, so you return to port without rushing.

What’s included

• Icelandic Horse Candy for feeding the horses.
• entrance to Kerið volcanic crater.
• visits to Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall.
• time at a local horse farm to meet, pet and photograph the Icelandic horses.
• a modern coach with Wi-Fi and onboard restroom.
• a live guide in English.

Options for this experience

2 options

Meet us at Bus Stop #12Guide in English · 09:00Pickup from the meeting point: Bus Stop #12 - Höfðatorg

Pick up includedGuide in English · 09:00Pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Youth (6 to 15 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 57

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 39 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h 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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Magic Iceland Travel

Is this one for you?If you are arriving on a cruise ship, book the dedicated departure timed to your ship's schedule. The return time is planned around port departure, which is what makes a full Golden Circle tour possible inside a short port call. If you want to see Iceland's four most famous natural sites without renting a car or building an itinerary, the fixed route and included transport mean the day holds together without anyone arranging it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 15 years). Children under 6 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 24 h before the start.

What is Þingvellir National Park and why is it on the Golden Circle?

Þingvellir is one of Iceland's most historically and geologically significant sites. It sits on the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and it is also where Iceland's parliament was founded in 930 AD. The park's lava fields, cliffs and spring-fed water make it visually striking, and the guide explains both the geology and the cultural importance during a short walk through the park.

Do I need to ride a horse, or can I just meet them?

You do not ride. The horse farm stop is a close encounter where you pet, photograph and feed the Icelandic horses with candy included in your tour. It is a relaxed interaction designed for travelers who want to meet the animals without taking part in horseback riding.

What happens at Strokkur geyser?

Strokkur is an active geyser in the Geysir geothermal area that erupts regularly, sending hot water high into the air every few minutes. The guide explains the geothermal activity and what causes the eruptions as you watch from a safe distance.

Can I book this tour if I am arriving on a cruise ship?

Yes. Dedicated departures are timed around cruise ship schedules, so you can enjoy the full tour and return comfortably to port before your ship departs. You will meet the group at a designated cruise ship departure point.

How much walking is involved?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. At Þingvellir you take a short walk with the guide; at Gullfoss you walk the paths along the rim at your own pace; at Kerið you can walk the rim or follow a safe path down to the lake. The horse farm and Geysir stops involve minimal walking.

What is Kerið and what will I see there?

Kerið is a volcanic crater with vivid red slopes and a turquoise lake at the bottom. You can walk along the rim for panoramic views of the crater and surrounding landscape, or follow a safe path down to the lake itself. It is an easy, accessible stop that gives you a close look at Iceland's volcanic geology and time for photos.