Golden Circle tour from Reykjavík: Small group, geysers

Eight to nine hours on foot at three of Iceland's most powerful natural sites, with time to linger

A small-group Golden Circle tour from Reykjavík with a local driver-guide, visiting Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area with Strokkur geyser, and Gullfoss waterfall, plus a volcanic crater and horse farm. The group stays small enough to spend real time at each stop instead of moving through on a schedule, and the guide adapts the day to weather and conditions. Admission is included. Pickup from Reykjavík hotels is arranged.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Golden Circle1h · entry included
2. Gullfoss45m
3. Thingvellir National Park45m
4. Strokkur20m
5. Great Geysir20m

Golden Circle tour with farm visit

• Visit Thingvellir National Park
• Explore Great Geysir geothermal area
• Watch Strokkur geyser erupt
• See Gullfoss waterfall
• Walk around Kerið volcanic crater
• Visit Icelandic horse farm and pet horses

The experience

Eight to nine hours means you move through the Golden Circle without the pace of a full bus. The route starts at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO site where two tectonic plates are visibly separating across a rift valley. You walk the grounds where Icelandic democracy began and see the Drowning Pool and Gallows Rock from the Viking era. From there the tour moves to the Geysir geothermal area, where Strokkur erupts every few minutes, shooting hot water high into the air, and the Great Geysir sits dormant in a landscape of steam vents and boiling mud. Gullfoss comes next: the waterfall drops 32 meters over two tiers into a gorge, and on sunny days rainbows form in the mist. Paths lead down to the base, so bring a raincoat and have your camera ready.

The small-group format is what changes the day. Larger tours rush through each stop on a fixed schedule. This one has a local driver-guide who adjusts timing based on weather and your pace, so you get more time at the main highlights and also see hidden stops and scenic viewpoints the bigger groups miss. The vehicle is high-quality and seats a limited number, so the atmosphere stays intimate instead of feeling like a bus tour. A stop at a working Icelandic horse farm lets you learn about and see the horses up close, and you can buy food there if you're hungry. Kerið volcanic crater, with its vivid red slopes and turquoise lake, is also on the route. You can walk the rim for views or follow a safe path down to the water's edge.

Pickup is included from Reykjavík hotels, so you don't need a car or arrange your own transport to the starting point. The guide speaks English and Hungarian. Admission fees are covered. The only cost beyond the tour price is the optional Kerið crater entry (500 ISK) if you choose to go down to the lake. Lunch and dinner are not included, but the farm stop gives you a chance to buy food if you need it.

What’s included

• Admission to all main sites.
• pickup from Reykjavík hotels.
• a local driver-guide who speaks English and Hungarian.
• eight to nine hours of travel and stops across Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall, Kerið volcanic crater, and a working horse farm.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to16h before

GroupUp to 19

Live guideEnglish and Hungarian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 9 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.

Paid on siteUS$ 4.13

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Explore Iceland

Is this one for you?The small-group format and included pickup from Reykjavík hotels mean you travel without a rental car and still spend real time at each stop instead of rushing through on a crowded bus. If you're staying in the city and want to see the Golden Circle's main sites without the pace of a larger tour, this one fits the day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Hungarian.

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 Strokkur and how often does it erupt?

Strokkur is a geyser in the Geysir geothermal area that erupts regularly, shooting hot water high into the air every few minutes. The Great Geysir, which the area is named after, erupts only occasionally now, so Strokkur is the main geyser visitors see on this tour.

Can I walk down to the base of Gullfoss waterfall?

Yes, several paths are available around Gullfoss, including one that leads down to the bottom of the waterfall. The water drops 32 meters over two tiers, so bring a raincoat and waterproof gear. On sunny days, rainbows form in the mist rising from the falls.

What is Þingvellir National Park and why is it significant?

Þingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage site where two tectonic plates are gradually separating, creating a landscape of steep cliffs and broad fields. It's also where Icelandic democracy began and where Viking-era justice was carried out, including at sites like the Drowning Pool and Gallows Rock.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included, but the tour stops at an Icelandic horse farm where you can purchase food if you're hungry. You're welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks as well.

How do I get picked up, and where does the tour start?

Pickup is included from Reykjavík hotels, so the tour begins at your accommodation. The guide will arrange the specific time with you. You don't need a car or arrange separate transport to reach the Golden Circle.