Golden Circle tour: Þingvellir, Gullfoss & Strokkur

Walk between continents, watch a geyser blow, and stand in front of Iceland's most famous waterfall

A private Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik visits Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and the Strokkur hot spring with a personal guide and hotel pickup included. The itinerary has no fixed schedule, so you set the pace at each stop instead of moving with a group clock. Children from age 4 are welcome, and the guide speaks English.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Thingvellir National Park1h · entry included
2. Strokkur1h
3. Gullfoss1h

Golden Circle and Geyser Tour

• Visit Þingvellir National Park
• Explore Geyser and Strokkur hot spring
• Walk around Gullfoss Waterfall
• Enjoy personalized tour at leisure

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your Reykjavik hotel and heads to Þingvellir, where you walk between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates: a rift visible nowhere else on earth. The park also marks where Iceland's first parliament assembled over a thousand years ago. From there, the route moves to the Geysir region, where Strokkur erupts every 8 minutes, sending hot water and steam high into the air. You can stand close and watch it happen repeatedly, timing your camera or just stepping back when it builds.

Gullfoss comes next, a two-stage waterfall fed by meltwater from Langjökull, Iceland's second-largest glacier. The walk to the falls lets you approach from different angles and find your own vantage for photographs. Because there's no strict timetable, you spend as long as you want at each stop: some travelers linger at one site while others move quickly and spend extra time elsewhere. The guide is there to answer questions and share context, but the day unfolds at your rhythm, not on a schedule.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with parking fees and the guide's time across the full route. The tour runs about 7.5 hours from start to finish. A minimum of two people per booking is required, and the guide may speak multiple languages but English is confirmed.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Reykjavik.
• private guide speaking English.
• parking fees at all three sites.
• the flexibility to spend as long as you want at each stop instead of following a group schedule.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

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

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled 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

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Mercury Grail

Is this one for you?The tour moves at your pace rather than a fixed schedule, which suits travelers who want to linger at one site or move quickly through another: the guide adapts instead of keeping everyone on a clock. A moderate level of walking is needed to reach the viewpoints at each stop, so it's not a drive-by tour. You're on your feet exploring the sites themselves.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

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

Þingvellir is a UNESCO site where you can physically walk between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates, a geological feature found nowhere else accessible to visitors. It's also the birthplace of Iceland's parliament, established over a thousand years ago, making it both a natural and historical landmark central to Icelandic identity.

How often does Strokkur erupt and how close can I get to it?

Strokkur erupts every 8 minutes, shooting hot water and steam into the air. You stand close enough to see and photograph each eruption, though the guide will advise on safe positioning as the geyser builds and releases.

Does the tour include lunch or drinks?

Lunch and coffee or tea are not included in the tour price. You'll want to bring snacks or plan a meal stop, though the guide can advise on options near the attractions.

What happens if I'm arriving on a cruise ship?

Cruise passengers can book this tour, but you'll need to provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time at checkout so the guide can plan the route and timing around your ship's schedule.

How much walking is involved?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. You'll walk to viewpoints at each of the three main stops (Þingvellir, Strokkur and Gullfoss), but the pace is your own and the guide adjusts to the group's comfort level.