This Should Be Your First Tour in Iceland

This Should Be Your First Tour in Iceland - Iceland's Golden Circle

I’m often asked two questions about Iceland. First, what tours do I recommend, and second, what order should they be completed? I highly recommend beginning with Iceland’s Golden Circle tour. This should be your first tour in Iceland.

Iceland’s Golden Circle Tour is the most popular and best-known tour in Iceland. For tourists coming to Iceland for the first time, this should be their first tour in Iceland. Also, if you are only going to be in Iceland for a night or two (via Iceland Air Stopover,) it is often the only tour people take.

The Golden Circle Tour includes three of Iceland’s most famous attractions: þingvellir National Park, the Gullfoss Waterfall, and the geothermally active area of Geysir.

This Should be Your First Tour in Icleand - Iceland's Golden Circle Tour - Table of Contents

Updated – April 30, 2023

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This Should be Your First Tour in Iceland – Iceland’s Golden Circle Tour
About My First Tour in Iceland – Golden Circle Tour
Stop 1: þingvellir National Park
A Bonus Stop
Stop #2: Gullfoss
Support Buzzin’ Around the World – Visit Our Affiliates
Stop #3: Geysir
A Great Tour: My Review of the Golden Circle Tour
Some Tour Options
Earning Points and Rewards
Related Content

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About My First Tour in Iceland - Iceland's Golden Circle

Since this was my first tour in Iceland, I wanted it to be memorable. Every tourist company offers a Golden Circle Tour, and each one claims they are “the best.” Some companies charge hundreds of dollars for a personalized tour with your own driver/tour guide. Other companies charge slightly less for a “small group tour” where the tour is limited to just a few people.

For this tour, I chose to go with Gray Line on their Golden Circle Classic Tour. This tour was a large group tour on a coach-style bus. My particular tour had almost 70 people.

The reason I chose Gray Line’s big- bus tour is the price. At $68, it was half the price of the next cheapest tour. From all of the reviews I read, once you get to the attractions on the Golden Circle Tour, you simply get out and explore on your own. I did not see the point of paying double or triple the price for a personalized guide.

I would like to add that the Gray Line tour guide was excellent. He had an audio system that was very clear and told us all of the vital information about each place that we visited. When we arrived at each stop, our tour guide would wait near the bus to answer any questions that any of us had.

Between places, he told us many interesting Icelandic legends. One of the stories was about a child who was taken from his father because he was unable to care for him. The child was placed with a family in Northern Iceland only to escape (at age seven) and walk from Northern Iceland all the way back to Reykjavik to be reunited with his father.

Our guide believed that it was the Icelandic Trolls that protected this child. Another story involved a farm that we passed which was located on the side of a mountain. There were hundreds of boulders that had rolled down the mountain tearing up the terrain below. Somehow, none of the boulders had hit the house. The guide claimed that this was because the Icelandic Trolls were protecting this house.

I was extremely satisfied with my first tour in Iceland and highly recommend Grayline’s Big-Bus Golden Circle Tour.

My First Tour in Iceland - Stop #1: þingvellir National Park

The first stop on my first tour in Iceland was þingvellir National Park. At þingvellir National Park, the main attraction is the rift valley where the North American Tectonic Plate meets the Eurasian Tectonic Plate. From the main observation area, tourists can also see þingvallavatn Lake, Iceland’s largest natural lake.

When we arrived at þingvellir National Park, our tour guide recommended starting at the top and looking down into the rift valley. It is clearly visible where the two plates meet, and the observation deck gives the best view. Following the elevated view, it was recommended that we walk down into the valley for a closer look at where the two tectonic plates meet.

Overall, we spent about an hour at þingvellir National Park. I started at the top and worked my way down, walking all the way into the valley. þingvellir National Park was not overly crowded despite being one of the most beautiful days of the year. The temperature was over 50ºF, and the sky was partly cloudy.

One note, þingvellir National Park does not have free bathrooms. The bathrooms cost 200 ISK ($2), and it is possible to pay with both coins or credit cards. þingvellir National Park was a great stop on my first tour in Iceland.

A Bonus Stop on My First Tour in Iceland - Where the Eurasian Plate Meets the North American Plate

The next stop on the Golden Circle tour was very quick. Our tour guide explained that years ago, a shopping mall was built for the residents who live far away from Reyjkavik. It turned out that the mall was accidentally built right over the fault line of the two tectonic plates.

This building error provided a chance for all of us to stand both in North America and Europe at the same time. Despite the fact Iceland is culturally part of Europe, it is geographically in both North America and Europe. The mall embraced its mistake by creating a viewing area complete with fake lava via red LED lights.

Our guide explained that this was not a routine stop on all of the Golden Circle Tour. He said that he always stops here not only to see the fault line but also for an opportunity to shop at a grocery store with lower prices. In Reykjavik, at the touristy grocery stores, a standard-sized bottle of Coke can easily cost $3-$5. At this grocery store, items were much more reasonably priced.

The mall was a worthwhile stop as I was able to load up on some food and drinks for the rest of my stay in Iceland.

My First Tour in Iceland - Stop #2: Gullfoss

The next stop on the Golden Circle Tour was the Gullfoss Waterfall. At this stop, we were able to see the waterfall from various vantage points. Gullfoss was also our stop for lunch as there were a few different restaurants and a gift shop. I was able to purchase a roast beef sandwich with chips and a drink. There is a free bathroom available inside one of the restaurants as well.

In the background, Langjökull (Iceland’s second-largest glacier) is visible, assuming that the sky is clear. This stop is another area where it is best to explore on your own.

I began by walking down toward the observation platform closest to the waterfall. Since the mountainous topography hides the waterfall, it appears that the river disappears into the horizon. It isn’t until you get closer that you see the spectacular sight of Gullfoss.

After going to the lower viewing platform, I then walked alongside the river to see the upper view observation area. Gullfoss is one of the most extraordinary natural wonders I have ever seen. Although the pictures are spectacular, this is a sight that must be seen in person. It was another perfect place to visit during my first tour in Iceland.

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My First Tour in Iceland - Stop #3: Geysir

The final stop on my first tour of Iceland was the most interesting and famous. The small town of Geysir is located in an area with active hot springs and Iceland’s most famous geyser.

Upon arriving in Geysir, we came across a sign that warned us of some of the dangers. The most significant danger was that the water temperature was between 176ºF and 194ºF. Many tourists have touched the water and suffered severe burns. The sign points out that the nearest hospital is 62 k.m. away.

Strokkur Geyser was the star attraction of Geysir and shot water 30 meters into the air every couple of minutes. There are also areas of geothermal activity where both water was boiling, and steam was evaporating into the air.

My favorite part of Geysir had to be the blue water, which was caused by silica. It was also interesting to look into the actual vents that heat the pools of water.

At Geysir, there was a loop that took about twenty minutes to walk around. This loop hits all of the extraordinary sights along the way. Across the street, there is a restaurant and a gift shop with excellent bathrooms that were free.

My First Tour in Iceland - My Review of the Golden Circle Tour

My Golden Circle tour took around eight hours from start to finish. A shuttle picked me up at 10:30 A.M. There are various options on where to meet the shuttle for pick up. I chose the Harpa Concert Hall because I knew exactly where it was, and it was within two blocks of my hotel.

The shuttle then took us to the Gray Line headquarters, where we boarded a large bus. Upon returning, the large bus dropped us off at one of many different bus stops. I chose to get dropped off at Hallgrímskirkja so I could go up to the top of the church to take some pictures. Gray Line provided excellent service at a genuinely economical price, and I highly recommend this as the first tour for anyone visiting Iceland.

Some Tour Options For Your First Tour in Iceland

Below are some different options for touring Iceland’s Golden Circle. I am an affiliate partner of Viator. If you book a tour using one of the links below, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider booking using one of my links.

If you prefer to book through Gray Line, you can do so HERE. I receive no commission if you book through Gray Line.

Prices are accurate as of April 2023.

Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik Including Gullfoss and Geysir - $76.58

Join an expertly guided tour from Reykjavik to experience geysers, waterfalls and some of the most exciting natural phenomena Iceland has to offer. In just 6-7 hours you'll visit the country's best known historical sites and natural wonders - making this excursion a perfect opportunity to see as much as possible without spending too much time.

Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon Full-Day Trip from Reykjavik - $120.00

See two of Iceland's highlights in one day.
First, we will guide you through the beloved Golden Circle area. We always give our guests plenty of time to explore the areas next to our main stops.

Stroll around Þingvellir and walk between the continents. See the power of the geothermal area at Geysir and take in the spectacular moment when it erupts. Gullfoss or "The Golden Waterfall" never ceases to amaze us.

At the end of the day, we will take you to the Blue Lagoon where we give you enough time to fully relax before we take you back to Reykjavik.

We focus on small groups (not bigger than 19 passengers) to make the experience as personal as possible. Spent a full day of action with us and explore Iceland in the best possible way.

Book hassle-free with us! We guarantee all our departures without minimum participation.

Iceland Golden Circle Tour with Blue Lagoon

Small-Group Golden Circle & Blue Lagoon Tour Including Admission - $205.90

Experience the best of Iceland's natural wonders on this one day mini bus tour. Join us for this magnificent combination of of Iceland, we will take you to the Golden Circle pearls and finish the day off in the Blue Lagoon. Book now to begin your journey!

Private Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Tour from Reykjavik - $263.52

Head north to the Golden Circle on this private 10-hour tour. See the natural beauty of Thingvellir National Park before going to enjoying the relaxing pools of the hot springs in the Secret Lagoon. Get picked up from your hotel and transported between sites by private vehicle.

Small Group - Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with the Secret Lagoon Visit - $145.00

There is a good reason why the Golden Circle is a must-do when you visit Iceland. Where else in the world can you walk in a giant crack between two massive tectonic plates, stand right next to a spouting geyser and feel the gentle mist of one of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls all within just a few kilometers of each other? Only here in amazing Iceland! On this small-group tour we want you to have the best possible experience and make the most of the day.
Golden Circle trio of Thingvellir National Park, Geysir hot springs area and Gullfoss waterfall where you will have a chance to thoroughly explore their incredibly unique and beautiful landscapes. We will then go on to the fantastic Friðheimar farm where you can have fabulous lunch inside one of their tomato greenhouses or say hello to their herd of Icelandic horses. Finally, before we head back to Reykjavik, we finish with a stop at The Secret Lagoon. Where you can end your day with a relaxing soak in the geothermal water.

Iceland Golden Circle Tour with Northern Lights

Golden Circle & Northern lights in Iceland - $157.49

The Golden Circle Tour is where we visit the country´s three iconic natural treasures: Þingvellir National Park, where the American and
Eurasian plates have been pulling apart; the erupting geyser that sends water and steam spouting skywards; and the spectacular Gullfoss Waterfall where a
glacial river thunders 32 meters into a canyon. When night falls we set off hunting for the magical and elusive Northern Lights. Of course it all depends on the weather forecast and visibility conditions as to whether we go, so do keep this in mind. And, don´t forget, the Auroras are only visible during the winter months.

Viking Horse Riding and Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik - $190.25

Want to meet the small but mighty Icelandic horse and get in the most popular tour in Iceland all in one day? If so, you won’t want to miss the Viking Horse and Golden Circle Tour. You’ll ride through the gorgeous Icelandic landscape on a horse descended from the first horses to set hoof on the island in the Viking-Age and then visit the most iconic sites in Iceland: Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir geothermal area.

It's a nature-lover's dream, and the best way to make the most of your visit to Reykjavik.

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