Golden Circle tour Reykjavik: Strokkur, Gullfoss, Þingvellir

Tectonic plates meet at ground level in a single afternoon.

The Golden Circle guided bus tour from Reykjavik covers three of Iceland's most visited natural sites in 6.5 hours: Strokkur geyser in the Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall, and Þingvellir National Park, where the Eurasian and North American plates converge. Pickup from your accommodation or a bus stop is included, along with a professional guide speaking English and an app-based audio guide in multiple languages. Children from age 1 are welcome, and the tour runs year-round regardless of weather.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Strokkur1h
2. Gullfoss45m
3. Thingvellir National Park30m

Golden Circle natural wonders tour

• Meet at the tour meeting point
• Visit Geysir geothermal area and watch Strokkur erupt
• See Gullfoss waterfall up close
• Explore Þingvellir National Park and tectonic plates

The experience

Strokkur erupts every few minutes, shooting boiling water high into the air. You stand close enough to feel the heat and hear the rumble before each burst. The Geysir geothermal area sits in a landscape of steaming springs and mineral-colored pools, and the guide explains what you're seeing as it happens. From there, the bus heads to Gullfoss, where an enormous volume of water drops into a deep canyon in two stages, creating mist and rainbows on clear days. You walk to viewing platforms on both sides of the falls, so you see it from different angles and understand the scale.

Þingvellir National Park is where the rift between two tectonic plates becomes visible in the landscape itself. You walk through a canyon where one side is the North American plate and the other is Eurasian, and the ground beneath your feet shows the geological story. The park is also the site of Alþingi, the Icelandic parliament established in 930 AD, adding a layer of human history to the natural drama. The guide ties these elements together (geology, history, the raw power of water and steam), so the three stops feel like one coherent day rather than a checklist of landmarks.

The bus is modern and equipped with free Wi-Fi. Headphones for the audio guide are available on some options, so you can listen in your own language while the live guide provides context and answers questions. The tour is carbon neutral through a partnership with Vaxa Technologies. Pickup happens 30 minutes before departure from your accommodation, a hotel, or a designated bus stop. If you're arriving by cruise ship, that pickup is included on the cruise port option. Dress for Icelandic weather (layers and waterproof gear are standard), and bring a camera for the waterfalls and the wide-open landscape.

What’s included

• Pickup from your accommodation or a bus stop.
• modern bus with free Wi-Fi.
• professional guide speaking English.
• app-based audio guide in multiple languages.
• entry to all three sites (Strokkur and the Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss, and Þingvellir National Park).
• carbon-neutral tour operation.

Options for this experience

3 options

Tour including Kerið CraterGuide in English · 08:00Visit to the Kerið volcanic crater included in the tour. Duration: 7 hours. This option covers pickup from a range of hotels and designated spots in central Reykjavik, starting 30 minutes before departure. Pickup is included.

Tour departing from the bus terminalGuide in English · 10:00 and 12:30

Pickup begins 30 minutes earlierGuide in English · 10:00 and 12:30Pickup from hotels or the port: this option covers pickup from a range of hotels and designated spots in central Reykjavik, starting 30 minutes before departure. Pickup 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 dayDepartures at 08:00, 10:00 and 12:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Youth (6 to 15 years) · Child (1 to 5 years): free

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Dutch, Finnish and Korean

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 38 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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Reykjavik Excursions

Is this one for you?Book the standard option if you're based in Reykjavik. Choose the cruise port pickup if you're arriving by ship and need to return by departure time. Add the Kerið Crater option if you want a fourth volcanic site and can commit to a longer day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 15 years); Child (1 to 5 years): free.

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 exactly is Strokkur and how often does it erupt?

Strokkur is the most active geyser in Iceland, located in the Geysir geothermal area. It erupts every few minutes, shooting boiling water into the air, so you'll see multiple eruptions during your visit to the site.

How long is the tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs 6.5 hours and includes pickup from your accommodation or a bus stop, bus fare, a professional guide speaking English, an app-based audio guide in multiple languages, and free Wi-Fi on board. The tour is carbon neutral.

What is Þingvellir National Park and why is it significant?

Þingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet visibly in the landscape. It's also the birthplace of the Icelandic parliament, Alþingi, which was established in 930 AD, making it both a geological and historical landmark.

Will I get wet at Gullfoss waterfall?

Gullfoss creates mist and rainbows as water cascades into a deep canyon. You'll walk to viewing platforms on both sides of the falls, so the amount of mist you encounter depends on the weather and which platform you choose, but waterproof gear is recommended.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the meeting point?

No. Pickup from your accommodation, a hotel, or a designated bus stop is included in the tour price. If you're arriving by cruise ship, pickup from the cruise port is available on the cruise port option.