Golden Circle Day Tour: Gullfoss, Geysir & Thingvellir
Three of Iceland's most powerful places in one routed day
A nine-hour guided tour of Iceland's Golden Circle departing from Reykjavik with hotel pickup and small-group minibus transport. You visit Thingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian plates meet; the Geysir geothermal area in Haukadalur valley; Gullfoss waterfall in the Hvítá river canyon; and Kerid volcanic crater. The guide is live and speaks English, and the group stays small. Children from age 3 are welcome with an adult.
8h
Step-by-step itinerary
Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik
- Pickup from Reykjavik hotel or busstop
- Visit Thingvellir National Park
- Explore Geysir hot spring area and lunch stop
- See Gullfoss waterfall
- Visit Kerid volcanic crater
- Visit Horse Farm and admire Icelandic horses
The Experience
The day starts with pickup at your hotel or a nearby bus stop in Reykjavik, then heads east into the highlands. Thingvellir National Park is the first stop—a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can see the rift valley between two continental plates and walk the ground where they diverge. The landscape here is stark and geological, not forested or soft; the scale of the place makes the tectonic movement visible.
From there the route moves to the Geysir hot spring area in Haukadalur valley, where the earth steams and boils. This is also where the group breaks for lunch at a local restaurant or café—you'll have time to eat and move around the geothermal zone. Gullfoss waterfall comes next, one of Iceland's largest and most photographed falls, dropping into a narrow canyon carved by glacial melt. The Hvítá river that feeds it runs milky with sediment from the highlands.
The final stop is Kerid, a volcanic crater in the Grímsnes area south of the main route. The minibus holds the group small, and the guide narrates the geology and history throughout. The tour runs in all weather—rain, wind and snow are normal here—so layered, waterproof clothing matters. If conditions become too severe, the itinerary can shift or the tour can be rescheduled with a full refund.
What’s included
- Hotel or nearby bus stop pickup in Reykjavik.
- fully guided tour in English with a live guide.
- minibus transport in a small group.
- entry to Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall and Kerid volcanic crater.
- a lunch break in the Geysir area (food and drink are your own cost).
Operated by GeoIceland
Is this one for you?Hotel pickup in Reykjavik means you don't need a rental car or navigate Icelandic roads yourself—the minibus collects you and returns you at the end of the day, so the route and timing are settled before you book. This works for anyone staying in the city without a vehicle.
Traveler reviews
Compare the 13 similar options
Golden Circle Day Tour: Gullfoss, Geysir & Thingvellir★ 4.87 (298)8hENUS$ 176
Golden Circle tour Reykjavik: Strokkur, Gullfoss, ÞingvellirGuided Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik with pickup included, visiting Strokkur geyser, Gullfoss waterfall and Þingvellir National Park on a modern bus★ 4.76 (2,680)6h 30mENUS$ 88View ›
Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik: Small group farms & craterSmall-group Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik with hotel pickup, local guide and stops at Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss★ 4.94 (1,147)9hENUS$ 151View ›
Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Strokkur & Fridheimar Horses Small GroupGolden Circle tour from Reykjavik with Strokkur geyser, Gullfoss waterfall, Thingvellir National Park, and Fridheimar horse farm. Includes guide, hotel pickup, and horse show.★ 4.86 (538)9hENUS$ 130View ›
Horseback Riding from Reykjavik: 1 Hour in the SaddleHorseback riding tour from Reykjavik with pickup, helmet and riding lesson included -- spend an hour on Icelandic horses through the Hólmsheiði hills★ 5.00 (15)3hEN · DE +1US$ 192View ›
Reykjavik Golden Circle & Northern Lights Day TripFeel the power of Gullfoss, watch Strokkur erupt, and chase the northern lights outside Reykjavik—all in one day, with local guide and city pickup included.★ 4.71 (124)12h 30mENUS$ 151View ›
Golden Circle Tour: Gullfoss, Strokkur & ThingvellirSmall-group Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik with minibus pickup and free Wi-Fi — see Strokkur erupt every 8–10 minutes★ 4.58 (718)6hENUS$ 115View ›
Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon & Volcano Crater Day TripFeel the spray at Gullfoss, watch Strokkur erupt, and soak in the Blue Lagoon. Includes small-group transport, guide, and pickup from Reykjavik.★ 4.81 (2,783)11hENUS$ 268View ›
Golden Circle & Sky Lagoon from Reykjavik: 2 Hours in PoolsGolden Circle and Sky Lagoon day tour from Reykjavik with Kerid crater entry, geothermal spa admission, hotel pickup, small groups, 10 hours.★ 4.95 (711)10hENUS$ 249View ›
Blue Lagoon Iceland: Geothermal Spa Entry & Optional TransferBlue Lagoon admission with silica mud mask, in-water bar, and saunas. Optional round-trip transfer from Reykjavik or Keflavik Airport. Water stays at 38°C year-round.★ 4.80 (5)2h–5hUS$ 208View ›
Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik: Meet Icelandic HorsesGolden Circle tour from Reykjavik with stops at Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss and Kerið, plus a horse farm visit where you feed the horses with included★ 4.81 (118)8hENUS$ 95View ›
Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik: Four stops, 8 hoursSmall-group Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik with minibus transport, English-speaking guide and hotel pickup—walk between tectonic plates at Thingvellir★ 4.79 (2,427)8hENUS$ 120View ›
Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon Tour with Northern LightsFeel the spray at Gullfoss, soak in the Secret Lagoon, and chase Northern Lights from Reykjavik—all with pickup, entry tickets, and a local guide included.★ 4.64 (88)13h 30mENUS$ 185View › 
Top questions
What is Thingvellir National Park and why is it on the Golden Circle?
Thingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the North American and Eurasian continental plates meet and visibly diverge. The rift valley and the geological drama of the place make it one of Iceland's most significant landscapes, and it is a core stop on every Golden Circle route.
Does the tour include lunch, and where do we eat?
The tour includes a lunch break at a local restaurant or café in the Geysir geothermal area. Lunch itself is not included in the price, so you'll order and pay for your meal there.
How long does the Golden Circle tour take, and when does it start?
The tour runs nine hours total from pickup at your hotel or nearby bus stop in Reykjavik. A specific start time is set when you book; the route covers four major stops and includes travel time between them.
What should I wear for this tour?
Dress in waterproof, layered clothing—the tour operates in all weather, and conditions in the highlands change fast. Wind, rain and sometimes snow are normal, even in summer, so bring a good jacket and sturdy shoes.
Can children go on the Golden Circle tour?
Yes, children from age 3 are welcome on the tour when accompanied by an adult. The minibus is small and the pace is steady, making it manageable for families.
What happens if the weather is too bad to run the tour?
If poor weather forces a cancellation, you'll be offered either an alternative date or a full refund. The tour operates in rain and wind, but severe conditions that make travel unsafe can close it.
Golden Circle Day Tour: Gullfoss, Geysir & Thingvellir
8h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 176 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.87298 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider
