Golden Circle Tour: Gullfoss, Strokkur & Thingvellir

Strokkur erupts on schedule: regularly, shooting high into the air.

A small-group afternoon tour from Reykjavik covers the three landmarks of the Golden Circle (Thingvellir National Park, the Strokkur geyser and Gullfoss waterfall) in 6 hours with a live English-speaking guide, minibus transport and hotel pickup included. The group stays under 19 people per guide, and entry to Kerið crater is part of the package. Children from age 6 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Thingvellir National Park40m
2. Great Geysir30m
3. Gullfoss40m

Golden Circle Afternoon Tour

• Pick up from Reykjavik
• Visit Thingvellir National Park
• Explore Geysir hot spring area
• See Strokkur geyser erupt
• Admire Gullfoss Waterfall
• Return to Reykjavik

The experience

You have a free afternoon in Reykjavik and want to see the Golden Circle without renting a car or booking a full day. The tour picks you up from your hotel, and the minibus heads inland toward Thingvellir National Park. There you walk the rift where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are pulling apart. The ground beneath your feet is literally splitting. The park also holds Althingi, the oldest parliament in the world, founded in 930. Your guide walks you through both the geology and the history before you move on.

The next stop is the Geysir hot spring area, where Strokkur is the main event. It erupts every 8 to 10 minutes, shooting water 25 to 40 meters into the air. You stand close enough to feel the spray and time your camera shot. After Strokkur, you reach Gullfoss. The waterfall that gives the Golden Circle its name. It drops 32 meters in two stages, and the scale hits differently when you're standing at the base. The tour also includes a stop at Kerið crater, a volcanic cone that collapsed over 6,500 years ago and filled with water, creating a blue lake ringed by red rock. A 20-minute loop walk around the rim gives you the full view.

The minibus has free Wi-Fi on board, and the return drive to Reykjavik takes you back by around 6 p.m. The group size is capped at 19 people per guide, so you're not herded through the stops with fifty others. Wear warm layers and waterproof outerwear: the weather changes fast, and the wind at the waterfalls is real.

What’s included

• Guided tour in English.
• small-group minibus transport with free Wi-Fi.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik.
• entry to Kerið crater.
• stops at Thingvellir National Park, Strokkur geyser and Gullfoss waterfall.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 12:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 to 90 years) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 19

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 24 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Arctic Adventures

Is this one for you?You get the three Golden Circle landmarks and the time to stand at each one without driving yourself or navigating between stops: the small group and fixed schedule mean the afternoon holds together, and you're back in Reykjavik by 6 p.m.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (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 time does the Golden Circle tour leave Reykjavik?

The tour is an afternoon departure from selected Reykjavik pickup points. Your confirmation email will list the available pickup locations and the exact start time for your date.

Can I bring my 7-year-old on this Golden Circle tour?

Yes, children from age 6 are welcome on the tour. The pace and stops suit families, though you'll want to bring warm clothes and sturdy shoes for the walks at each site.

What is Strokkur and how often does it erupt?

Strokkur is a geyser in the Geysir hot spring area that erupts every 8 to 10 minutes, shooting hot water 25 to 40 meters into the air. You'll have time to watch multiple eruptions and photograph them.

Is food included on the Golden Circle tour?

Food and drinks are not included, but you'll have time at each stop to buy refreshments. Bring water and snacks, or plan to eat at one of the cafés near the attractions.

How far is Thingvellir National Park from Reykjavik?

Thingvellir is the first stop on the tour, roughly 50 kilometers from the capital. The minibus drive takes about an hour, and you'll spend time walking the rift valley and exploring the historical sites before moving on to Strokkur and Gullfoss.

What should I wear on the Golden Circle tour?

Bring warm layers, a waterproof top layer, headwear, gloves, scarves and hiking or sturdy shoes. The weather in Iceland changes quickly, and the wind at the waterfalls and geysers is strong.