About this experience
This self-guided driving tour follows the Golden Circle from Reykjavik to Þingvellir National Park, once home to the ancient Viking parliament. Along the 46km drive, you'll pass Reykjavik's Danish colonial quarter, the Elliðaárdalur valley's urban salmon river, and mossy lava fields.
You'll hear about Iceland's prohibition era and the rise of Brennivín, the legend of Grýla and the 13 Yule Lads, and the country's strict horse export ban. You'll also stop at the birthplace of Nobel laureate Halldór Laxness. The tour ends at Þingvellir, where you'll stand in the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, overlooking Lake Þingvallavatn.
Perfect for road-trippers and independent travellers who want context, not just scenery. After booking, install the VoiceMap app and enter your ticket code to download and start touring.
Please note: You'll need to organise your own car.
At a glance
- Duration: 45 min–3 hr
- Private experience
Plan your experience
Set aside 45 min–3 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
- Directions to the starting point so that when you're in the right place, the tour will start
- Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- The VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
Not included
- Car rental and other transportation
- Smartphone and headphones
- Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
- An in-person guide
- Food and drink
Itinerary and highlights
We'll then head out on the legendary Golden Circle, Iceland's most iconic road trip: history, geology and drama, all within a single loop.
This self-guided driving tour starts in N1 Hringbraut in Reykjavík, where you'll learn how Danish trade monopolies stunted the city's growth for centuries before it finally expanded into the modern capital it is today.
Heading east, you'll pass through the Elliðaárdalur valley, home to one of the world's few urban salmon rivers, before the landscape opens into mossy lava fields and mountain views as you leave the city behind. The route follows the old King's Road, once tied to Danish royal authority, toward Þingvellir.
This district is also home to Ölgerðin Brewery which you will soon see on your right, founded in 1913, one of Iceland’s oldest producers of beer and soft drinks.
Along the way, you'll be treated to stunning views of the iconic Esja mountain range and discover the geology and legends that make it one of Iceland's most mythical landmarks.
Just a short drive from Reykjavík, we'll stop at the former home of Halldór Laxness : Iceland's only Nobel Prize-winning author, where you'll get a glimpse into the life and mind of the man who shaped modern Icelandic literature.
As Þingvellir comes into view, you'll spot the vast Þingvallavatn lake – Iceland's largest – sitting directly in the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Our route takes us to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Vikings gathered to establish the world's oldest parliament in 930 AD, making it the birthplace of democracy as we know it, set against a backdrop of volcanic rifts and crystal-clear glacial waters.
Meeting and pickup information
- This tour starts at N1 N1 Ártúnshöfða, Straumur 9, 110 Reykjavík. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Languages and tickets
- English — Audio
- English — Written
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- VoiceMap Audio Tours
Meeting points and locations
Accessibility and practical details
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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