Golden Circle Route
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Must-Do Experience,
Tip - What to See & Do,
Trail
Iceland is spectacular and so is the Golden Circle Route. The wide open landscapes are like nothing you've ever seen before. Actively volcanic, this inland route is a mass of waterfalls, glaciers, geysers, lava fields, and, of course, those volcanoes. The first stop is Thingvellir National Park, the spectacular site of Iceland's first parliament and the place where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet - and are moving apart. There is a widening fissure in the ground where the planet is literally opening up. Next it's on to Gullfoss waterfall, a huge fall of water. From here you can see a glacier off to one side. And then it's geysers. The sheer power of water and steam erupting from the ground due to the build up of extreme heat is awesome and really makes you realize how alive the ground is beneath our feet.
On the road back to Reykjavik, you pass through the Hveragerdi greenhouse village, an example of how the Icelanders harness the power beneath the earth to live in this often tough, if beautiful, environment. Passing the geothermal power plant at Nesjavellir is another example: electricity is the country's main export! (As it's a bit difficult to send electricity over the oceans, overseas companies establish metal smelters etc in Iceland to use the plentiful electricity.)
Latest Reviews
Review by Francis A, May 2013
Doing what: Golden Circle Classic Day Trip from Reykjavik
Locations were great. Our guide was well versed in all aspects of the locations. The charge for the steam plant was unnecessary.
Review by Aoife H, April 2013
Doing what: Golden Circle Classic Day Trip from Reykjavik
This is an amazing way to see Iceland!! We got to see so much in one day. Even in between sites we learnt alot of interesting information about Iceland. As we were on schedule the crew threw in a chance to see a volcano! I would recommend this o anyone.
Review by Elizabeth F, April 2013
Doing what: Golden Circle Classic Day Trip from Reykjavik
We did his on our first day and what a way to start! Scenery doesn't speak for itself so the knowledgeable guide was a reall bonus. We saw Gullfoss,, Geysir, the Thingy, a volcano crater, Faxi falls, crossed 2 continents, saw a nice church, stopped off at a geothermal power station and back in time for tea. Icelandic Excursions were fabulous. Later that night I realised I had lot my phone. Told a driver at the Norhern Lights tour done later the same day and advised they had my phone in the office by the time we got back on the coach. Brilliant day. Brilliant company.
Practical Info
The best way to see the Golden Circle highlights of Iceland is with an organized tour. It's a 185 mile (300 kilometer) loop, some of the roads are rough, and in winter snowy, but the tourist buses are designed to cope with the terrain.
