About this experience
Indulge in a tour of the Golden Circle - the relaxing way, and explore some of Iceland's most famous sights, including Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir hot spring. Plus, see the erupting geyser Strokkur in Haukadalur geothermal area and visit the Secret Lagoon hot spring bath.
Your tour begins with a mid-morning pickup from the city centre or cruise port. Board a climate-controlled minivan destined for the Golden Circle route.
Over the course of the morning, stop at Gullfoss Waterfall, the Geysir Geyser, and Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates collide.
On this tour, you will also spend free time soaking in the Secret Lagoon hot spring pool.
At a glance
- Duration: 8 hr
Plan your experience
Set aside 8 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.
Before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Local guides to help you plan
A base for the Golden Circle you want
Compare a Reykjavík starting point with a stay in the wider region by the arrangements that matter to you.
Plan the Golden Circle with room to look
Connect the principal places with a clear route, useful current information and a pace that fits your visit.
What is included
- Pickup and drop-off from designated bus stops, hotels & cruise port
- Professional and local driver/guide
- Live commentary on board
- Small-group tour (tour operated exclusively on minibuses)
Not included
- Food and drinks (available for purchase during stops)
- Swimsuits (possible to rent at an extra cost)
- Towel (possible to rent at an extra cost)
Itinerary and highlights
Golden Circle tour is the tour to take if you only take one tour in Iceland! The duration of the stops vary, but it is (very roughly) at least 30 min at each of the main sights.
You will take a short walk through Thingvellir, a National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, located directly between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The history here is also fascinating; Thingvellir was the original site of what is now the longest-running parliament in the world, formed in 930 AD.
Another stop will be in the geothermal are near Haukadalur valley. This hilly area has a lot of hot springs, but what it is most renowned for is its geysers. The largest, Geysir gave the world the word geyser, while Strokkur is the most active in the area, shooting water up to 30 meters high every five to ten minutes.
Admire the majestic waterfall Gullfoss. The sheer power of the falls is mesmerizing, and its history is inspiring.
On this tour, you will also get the time to slow down and relax like a local. Secret lagoon is Iceland’s oldest swimming pool, filled with water trickling in from an adjacent geothermal area, which, as an added bonus, has another little geyser. Its location could not be more serene, and you will no doubt ease away any tension built up over your holiday in its healing waters.
Meeting and pickup information
- *Please include the name of your ship if you are arriving at Skarfabakki Cruise Port* Some of the center hotels are located in the restricted area where we aren't allowed to drive. Please find your hotel below and meet us at it's designated bus stop. Thank you for understanding. PLEASE NOTE: These bus stops for tour buses are not the same as the bus stops for city buses. The tour bus stops have a blue pillar with pink bus sign at the top and the number and name of the bus stop. The city bus stops have a yellow "S" in a red circle (S as Strætó - city bus). Please do not wait at the city bus stops! Once you submit/confirm with us a specific bus stop, please meet us exactly at that bus stop and not any other. ___________________________ Bus stop 1 – Ráðhúsið – City Hall: Center Hotels Plaza Downtown Hostel Hotel Reykjavik Centrum Iceland Parliament Hotel Kvosin Downtown Hotel ___________________________ Bus stop 3 – Lækjargata (near the Hard Rock Café): Alva Apartments Apotek Hotel City Center hotel Hotel Borg Hotel Reykjavik Saga Radisson Blu 1919 Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel ___________________________ Bus Stop 4 - Miðbakki Black Pearl Apartment Hotel Exeter Hotel ___________________________ Bus stop 6 – Safnahúsið – The Culture House (corner of Ingolfsstraeti and Hverfisgata: 101 Hotel Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre Center Hotels Arnarhvoll Center Hotels Skjaldbreid Hotel Frón Loft Hostel Thingholt by Center Hotels Vintage Hotel Apartments ___________________________ Hallgrímskirkja (Bus Stop 8) B47 Hostel Baron's Hostel Hotel Holt Hotel Odinsve Leifur Eiriksson Reykjavik Downtown Hotel Sunna Guesthouse ___________________________ Bus stop 9 – Snorrabraut: 100 Iceland Hotel 4th Floor Hotel Alfred's Apartments Center Hotels Laugavegur Hotel Vera Hotel Von Laugavegur Apartments Skuggi Hotel ___________________________ Bus stop 12 – Höfðatorg (in front of Fosshotel Reyjavik): - Storm Hotel - Fosshótel Reykjavík - Tower Suites ___________________________ Bus stop 13 – Rauðarástígur (in front of Centerhotel Miðgarður): - Centerhotel Miðgarður ___________________________ Bus stop 14 - Skúlagata (corner of Skúlagata/Klappastígur) 41 - A Townhouse Hotel Alfred's Studios Ion City Hotel Reykjavik Residence Hotel Reykjavik Residence Suites Sandhotel The Swan House ___________________________ Bus Stop 15, Vesturbugt: - Reykjavík Marina - Berjaya Iceland Hotels - Grandi by Center Hotels ___________________________ BSÍ Bus Terminal: Travel Inn ___________________________ If your accomodation is located more than 10minutes walking from our pick up locations, you can contact us directly though Viator chat or send us an an email. We will try to arrange the best pick up location for you.
Languages and tickets
- English — Guide
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Gateway to Iceland
Meeting points and locations
Accessibility and practical details
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Bathing suit required for Secret Lagoon visit
- Please note: due to the driving restrictions in Reykjavík, we cannot guarantee a hotel pickup from all hotels. In case your hotel is located in the restricted area, we will ask you to meet us at a designated bus stop, which is never more than few minutes walking distance.
- Please notify us in case you need us to provide you a child seat or when you travel with a service animal.
- The tour operates with minimum 4 adult participants.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Questions about this experience
How long is this experience?
What are the pickup arrangements?
Some of the center hotels are located in the restricted area where we aren't allowed to drive. Please find your hotel below and meet us at it's designated bus stop. Thank you for understanding.
PLEASE NOTE: These bus stops for tour buses are not the same as the bus stops for city buses. The tour bus stops have a blue pillar with pink bus sign at the top and the number and name of the bus stop. The city bus stops have a yellow "S" in a red circle (S as Strætó - city bus). Please do not wait at the city bus stops!
Once you submit/confirm with us a specific bus stop, please meet us exactly at that bus stop and not any other.
___________________________
Bus stop 1 – Ráðhúsið – City Hall:
Center Hotels Plaza
Downtown Hostel
Hotel Reykjavik Centrum
Iceland Parliament Hotel
Kvosin Downtown Hotel
___________________________
Bus stop 3 – Lækjargata (near the Hard Rock Café):
Alva Apartments
Apotek Hotel
City Center hotel
Hotel Borg
Hotel Reykjavik Saga
Radisson Blu 1919
Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel
___________________________
Bus Stop 4 - Miðbakki
Black Pearl Apartment Hotel
Exeter Hotel
___________________________
Bus stop 6 – Safnahúsið – The Culture House (corner of Ingolfsstraeti and Hverfisgata:
101 Hotel
Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre
Center Hotels Arnarhvoll
Center Hotels Skjaldbreid
Hotel Frón
Loft Hostel
Thingholt by Center Hotels
Vintage Hotel Apartments
___________________________
Hallgrímskirkja (Bus Stop 8)
B47 Hostel
Baron's Hostel
Hotel Holt
Hotel Odinsve
Leifur Eiriksson
Reykjavik Downtown Hotel
Sunna Guesthouse
___________________________
Bus stop 9 – Snorrabraut:
100 Iceland Hotel
4th Floor Hotel
Alfred's Apartments
Center Hotels Laugavegur
Hotel Vera
Hotel Von
Laugavegur Apartments
Skuggi Hotel
___________________________
Bus stop 12 – Höfðatorg (in front of Fosshotel Reyjavik):
- Storm Hotel
- Fosshótel Reykjavík
- Tower Suites
___________________________
Bus stop 13 – Rauðarástígur (in front of Centerhotel Miðgarður):
- Centerhotel Miðgarður
___________________________
Bus stop 14 - Skúlagata (corner of Skúlagata/Klappastígur)
41 - A Townhouse Hotel
Alfred's Studios
Ion City Hotel
Reykjavik Residence Hotel
Reykjavik Residence Suites
Sandhotel
The Swan House
___________________________
Bus Stop 15, Vesturbugt:
- Reykjavík Marina - Berjaya Iceland Hotels
- Grandi by Center Hotels
___________________________
BSÍ Bus Terminal:
Travel Inn
___________________________
If your accomodation is located more than 10minutes walking from our pick up locations, you can contact us directly though Viator chat or send us an an email. We will try to arrange the best pick up location for you.
Which guide languages are listed?
What ticket format is listed?
What ticket age bands are listed?
What accessibility information is provided?
Service animals allowed
Please notify us in case you need us to provide you a child seat or when you travel with a service animal.
What is the cancellation policy?
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