Iceland’s Golden Circle Itinerary: Iconic Stops and Hidden Gems

If you are going to Iceland and want to make Reykjavik your home base, driving the 300-kilometer loop called the Golden Circle is the perfect route for you. Although the Ring Road was my favorite, the Golden Circle has some great stops .Let’s go through all the stops (equipped with a map) along the Golden Circle including the attractions I stopped at, places I didn’t stop but wanted to, and an honest review of them all.

Þingvellir National Park

This is the first stop on the Golden Circle and it is a staple. This is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly drifting apart. The Silfra Fissure, a crystal-clear crack filled with glacial meltwater, is a popular spot for snorkeling and diving. Not a big snorkeling girly but it is a very popular activity to do if that’s your thing. The parking situation is a bit confusing but there will be car lots off the side of the road so park at the one closest to the sight you want to see. I spent about 2.5 hours here - it probably would’ve been less if I didn’t get lost. I enjoyed seeing the Oxarafoss Waterfall, it’s about a 10-minute walk from the car. My favorite part was walking through the Almannagjá gorge which is where they filmed the famous Game of Thrones scene of Arya and the Hound traveling together.

Bruarfoss Waterfall

Bruarfoss, referred to as the "Bridge Falls," is one of Iceland's hidden gems. This waterfall is known for its striking blue waters. While I regretfully did not stop here, a college friend did and the pictures on her Instagram looked incredible - her caption said it was the bluest water she has ever seen in her life. If I could go back, I would have stopped here. 10/10 recommend!

Efstidalur II

Efstidalur II, a family-owned farm, is famous for its exceptional dairy products, particularly its homemade ice cream. The farm also has a restaurant that serves a variety of dishes so you enjoy a farm-to-table experience. It’s more of a causal experience - you order at the counter, are given a number, then your food is brought to you. I ordered the beef salad that had such fresh ingredients from the farm, it was delicious!

Strokkur Geysir

Next stop would be the Strokkur Geysir. Fun fact: The Geysir Geothermal Area is where the word "geyser" originates. It erupts every 5-10 minutes, spewing scalding water high into the air. Since I was running low on time and had to prioritize some of the other attractions, I did not stop here. But I did drive by and it was very crowded making it a popular stop. It’s also right next to the Gulfoss Waterfall.

Gulfoss Waterfall

On that note, you have one of Iceland's most famous waterfalls, Gulfoss. The "Golden Falls" is a powerful two-tiered waterfall on the Hvítá River, offering dramatic views and a sense of the raw power of nature. Power is an understatement as pictures and videos do not do this justice. It is truly an incredibly massive waterfall and I would definitely recommend stopping here. The water is in full force so wear a rain jacket.

Faxafoss (Faxi) Waterfall

Though often overshadowed by the giants like Gullfoss, Faxi Waterfall is a beautiful and less crowded stop. It's also known for its salmon ladder, where you can often observe salmon attempting to jump upstream. This wasn’t a place I stopped at but I am pinning it for next time because who doesn’t love a good waterfall.

Secret Lagoon

The Secret Lagoon is a perfect way to end your Golden Circle journey because, trust me, you will be exhausted. This natural hot spring has been in use for over a century and is a cheaper alternative to the Blue Lagoon. Again, I did not stop here so I can’t give you my honest review but it was recommended to me by locals.

Fridheimar Tomato Farm

Fridheimar Tomato Farm is a greenhouse, heated geothermally, that produces tomatoes year-round. Enjoy a delicious meal surrounded by rows of tomato plants and their famous tomato soup which came highly recommended. You do have to make a reservation on their website as they book out pretty far in advance. I did not go here because I’m a procrastinator but have friends who have been and give it glowing reviews.

Kerid Crater

Kerid Crater is a unique geological feature along the Golden Circle and it’s on the way back to Reykjavik (about an hour). This volcanic crater is approximately 3,000 years old and is now filled with an azure-blue lake. There are steps leading right down to the lake or you can walk around it. It’s a quick and easy stop right off the road but I truly have never seen anything like this, it felt like you were on Mars.

And that’s the Golden Circle. Here is a map of all the stops so you can visually see the route and download it to follow along.