18 May 7 Best Golden Circle Tour Options in Iceland

The Golden Circle is arguably the most popular region in all of Iceland. Why is that? First, it holds a variety of beautiful attractions. These include, but are not limited to, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Hot Springs, Gullfoss waterfall, Kerid Crater, and more. Second, it is located only approximately one hour northeast of the capital city of Reykjavík. Additionally, it is just one hour and 15 minutes northeast of Keflavík International Airport. All of that being said, I am going to help you find the BEST Golden Circle tour options so your next trip to Iceland is as amazing and adventure-filled as it can be.

All of the tour options below will be slightly different so that you can find the tour that best suits your needs. For example, maybe you want a full day tour vs. an afternoon tour. Furthermore, maybe you want a tour dedicated to a specific attraction in the Golden Circle vs. multiple attractions. Whatever you desire, you will find it below!

While you are in the area, might I recommend that you look into the best hotels in the Golden Circle as well as the most romantic hotels if you want to turn your trip into a romantic getaway?

Contents:

1) Best Full Day Golden Circle Tour

2) Best Half Day Golden Circle Tour

3) Best Multiple Day Golden Circle Tour

4) Best Private Golden Circle Tour

5) Best Singular Attraction in the Golden Circle Tour

6) Best Golden Circle + Northern Lights Tour

7) Most Unique Golden Circle Tour

1) Best Full Day Golden Circle Tour in Iceland

First up on the list of the best Golden Circle tour options in Iceland is the Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, and Kerid Volcanic Crater Tour. It stops at all of the main attractions within the Golden Circle as well as the Blue Lagoon. You can thus enjoy a soak in the geothermal spa at the end of the day as you let all your worries wash away.

Price, Time, and Pickup

You will need to budget around $220 per person for the tour. Additionally, be prepared to be out and about all day, for the tour lasts around 11 hours. They do offer pickup from hotels within the capital city of Reykjavík. However, be aware that buses cannot drive on all roads within the city. If your hotel is on a road they cannot access, they can pick you up at the bus stop closest to your hotel.

The tour price includes the entrance fee to the Kerid Crater and Thingvellir National Park as well as a comfort admission ticket to the Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon ticket itself normally costs around $90 to $110, so you are getting a good deal! On the other hand, no food or drinks are included in the tour price.

Itinerary

First, the tour stops at Thingvellir National Park for 45 minutes. You will have enough time to walk around and appreciate attractions such as the Almannagjá Trail (aka the trail between tectonic plates) and Öxarárfoss waterfall. Second, continue on to Geysir Hot Springs for one hour and 20 minutes. Make sure you check out Strokkur, the largest geyser currently erupting in the area.

Third, there is a stop at Gullfoss waterfall for 40 minutes. I recommend you walk the entire path to the falls, for you might even see a rainbow if you are lucky. Fourth, enjoy a stop at Kerid Crater for 30 minutes. Kerid Crater is a volcanic crater that formed thousands of years ago, and you can even walk down into it. Fifth, the tour’s last stop is at the Blue Lagoon for two hours. Sit back and relax as the geothermal waters work their magic. Oh, and did I mention the ticket provided through the tour includes one free face mask and one free drink?!

Link to tour booking: Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, and Kerid Volcanic Crater Tour.

Rainbow over Gullfoss Waterfall

2) Best Half Day Golden Circle Tour in Iceland

Second, the Golden Circle Classic Day Trip from Reykjavík takes its passengers to the three most popular attractions within the Golden Circle. The tour is a bit shorter than the one mentioned above, so you will still have time left in the day to explore the capital city if you wish.

Price, Time, and Pickup

The tour costs approximately $70 per person and lasts around seven hours. They do offer pickup from some hotels within Reykjavík. However, be aware that buses cannot drive on all roads within the city. If your hotel is on a road they cannot access, they can pick you up at the bus stop closest to your hotel.

The cost of the tour also includes the entrance fee to Thingvellir National Park. On the other hand, they do not provide any food or drink.

Itinerary

First, the tour stops at Thingvellir for one hour. This is a great amount of time to check out the Silfra fissure, Almannagjá Trail, and Öxarárfoss waterfall. You can walk between the tectonic plates on the Almannagjá Trail and see the crevice between the plates at the Silfra fissure.

Second, enjoy a two hour stop at Geysir Hot Springs. This offers you enough time to grab food as well as to walk the path around all of the geysers, boiling mud pits, and fumaroles. Additionally, be sure to stop by Strokkur. It is currently the largest erupting geyser in the area, and it erupts over 100 feet (~31 meters) in the air every five to 15 minutes.

Third, the tour has its last stop at Gullfoss waterfall for 60 minutes. Be sure to walk along the entire path to the waterfall. Although, be aware you might get a misty shower from the falls if you do.

Link to tour booking: Golden Circle Classic Day Trip from Reykjavík.

Site of former Icelandic parliament at Thingvellir National Park

3) Best Multiple Day Golden Circle Tour in Iceland

Third on the list of the best Golden Circle tour options in Iceland is the 3-Day Golden Circle, South Coast, and Glacier Tour. Not only will you travel to the Golden Circle on this tour, but you will also travel along the south coast, hike on a glacier, and enjoy a boat ride on the famous Glacier Lagoon.

Moreover, I recommend you check out additional south coast tour options in Iceland, for there is so much to see and do in the area.

Price, Time, and Pickup

Let me warn you that the price is somewhat high. However, that is normal for a tour that lasts three days AND includes multiple activities/excursions as well as lodging. Booking everything yourself would probably come out to around the same price. The tour total is approximately $740 per person. Moreover, the tour lasts a full three days.

They do offer pickup from some hotels within Reykjavík. However, be aware that buses cannot drive on all roads within the city. If your hotel is on a road they cannot access, they can pick you up at the bus stop closest to your hotel.

The price of the tour includes a lot of things. For example, the tour covers lodging for the first and second night, all breakfasts, a boat tour on the Glacier lagoon, the entrance fee to Kerid Crater and Thingvellir, and a guided ice hiking tour. On the other hand, lunches and dinners are not covered.

Itinerary

You will stop at all of the main attractions within the Golden Circle and along the southern coast as well as a few attractions on the eastern coast. Additionally, you will engage in a few unique excursions. First, stops within the Golden Circle include: Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir Hot Springs, and Kerid Crater.

Second, stops in southern Iceland include: Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull Glacier, and Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. The ice hike will occur at Sólheimajökull Glacier.

Third, stops in eastern Iceland include: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, Hofskirkja, and Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. The boat tour on the glacier lagoon will occur at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.

Link to tour booking: 3-Day Golden Circle, South Coast, and Glacier Tour.

Strokkur erupting at Geysir Hot Springs

4) Best Private Golden Circle Tour in Iceland

Maybe you prefer a bit of privacy and want to enjoy a tour with only people you know. Then I recommend the Golden Circle Private Tour with Secret Stops. You can still enjoy all of the main attractions within the Golden Circle, but now you will do so in a small group of up to four people. This might be the best Golden Circle tour option if you are traveling with family or a group of friends in Iceland.

Price, Time, and Pickup

Before I tell you the price of the tour, let me explain it a little bit. The price for the tour is per group of up to four people. Therefore, the price is the total amount that all four people will pay together. The tour price is approximately $1,880. If you book the tour with four people, then the cost comes out to around $470 per person. In all honesty, that is a pretty good price for a private tour. A lot of private tours can be $600+ per person.

The tour lasts around eight hours. Furthermore, they offer hotel pickup for all passengers. If they are not able to pick you up at your hotel, then they can offer a secondary pickup location.

Additionally, the tour includes a local guide and the entrance fee for Thingvellir National Park. On the other hand, no food or drink is covered. Moreover, you will need to cover the entrance fee to Kerid Crater as well as Faxi (Vatnsleysufoss) waterfall yourself. The entrance fees are not too expensive, just around $10 total for both attractions.

Itinerary

First, the tour stops at Thingvellir National Park for 50 minutes. You will thus have time to see the Silfra fissure, Almannagjá Trail, and Öxarárfoss waterfall. Not only are you able to see the former site of the Icelandic parliament, but you can also see the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Second, enjoy a stop at the Geysir Hot Springs and Strokkur for 50 minutes. Strokkur is the largest active geyser in the area, so be sure to see it erupt.

Third, marvel at the Gullfoss waterfall for 40 minutes. You can often see a rainbow over the falls, and there is a path along the side. Fourth, the tour stops at Kerid Crater. Kerid Crater is a volcanic crater that supposedly formed when a cone shaped volcano collapsed in upon itself. Fifth, the last stop of the tour is at the Faxi (Vatnsleysufoss) Waterfall for 15 minutes. There is a path down to the edge of the falls, so you can get up close and personal with Faxi.

Link to tour booking: Golden Circle Private Tour with Secret Stops.

View of Kerid Crater from the path around the top

5) Best Singular Attraction in the Golden Circle Tour in Iceland

The first thing we did after arriving in Iceland was snorkeling in the Silfra fissure. Therefore, the next tour on the list of the best Golden Circle tour options in Iceland is of course the Silfra: Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates Tour. The Silfra fissure is a rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. What does this mean? You will technically be snorkeling in between the tectonic plates!

Price, Time, and Pickup

The snorkeling tour costs approximately $120 per person and lasts around two and a half hours. No pickup is included on this tour, so you will need to meet on location. For reference, the Silfra fissure is located within Thingvellir National Park in the Golden Circle.

The price of the tour includes a guided snorkeling experience, all snorkeling equipment, the entrance fee for the Silfra fissure, and some delicious hot chocolate and cookies for afterwards. On the other hand, photos are not included. Instead, you can purchase photos for an additional cost.

Itinerary

Once you check in with the tour company, they will provide you with all of the necessary snorkeling equipment. It will take a good couple of minutes for you to put everything on, especially if you have never worn a drysuit before. Do not fear, however, for the guide will assist you. Additionally, the guide will go over a few safety points as well as a bit of history on the Silfra fissure. This portion of the tour lasts approximately one hour.

Then the guide will lead you to the Silfra fissure, where you will snorkel in the water for around 45 minutes. Take full advantage of your time in the water, for it is incredibly clear due to the fact it flows from a glacier.

After snorkeling is over, the guide will lead you back to the area where you got ready. You will remove all of your equipment and then enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies.

Link to tour booking: Silfra: Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates Tour.

Snorkeling in the Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park

6) Best Golden Circle + Northern Lights Tour in Iceland

Sixth up on the list of the best Golden Circle tour options in Iceland is the Golden Circle Afternoon and Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavík. The Northern Lights attract thousands upon thousands of visitors to Iceland every single year. If you want to increase your chances of seeing them during your travels, then be sure to check out this tour. Additionally, you still get to enjoy the main Golden Circle attractions!

Price, Time, and Pickup

You will need to budget approximately $220 per person for the tour. Furthermore, the tour will last around 10 hours. They do offer pickup from some hotels within Reykjavík as well as a few general pickup points. However, be aware that buses cannot drive on all roads within the city. If your hotel is on a road they cannot access, they can pick you up at the bus stop closest to your hotel.

The price of the tour includes a Northern Lights guide, the entrance fee for Thingvellir National Park, and hot drinks in the car. On the other hand, meals are not included.

Itinerary

First, the tour stops at Thingvellir National Park. Be sure to stop by the Silfra fissure and Almannagjá, where you can snorkel and walk in between tectonic plates, respectively. Second, enjoy some time at Geysir Hot Springs. Walk on the path around the area, inspecting all of the geysers, boiling mud pits, and fumaroles. Additionally, watch Strokkur, the largest active geyser in the area, erupt over 100 feet (~31 meters) in the air.

Third, continue on to Gullfoss waterfall. You can often see a rainbow over the falls as the water cascades down in the canyon. Fourth, hunt for the Northern Lights on the last phase of the tour. A guide will also be with you to offer some interesting facts and to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Link to tour booking: Golden Circle Afternoon and Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavík.

View of Gullfoss Waterfall from the path

7) Most Unique Golden Circle Tour in Iceland

Of course we have to end the list of the best Golden Circle tour options in Iceland with a tour that is a bit more unique. The Laugarvatn Fontana: Geothermal Bread-Baking Experience Tour allows you the opportunity to not only taste but also bake traditional Icelandic lava bread.

Price, Time, and Pickup

This is the cheapest tour on the list, for it only costs $20 per person. Moreover, the tour is about 30 minutes long. Due to the nature of the tour, no hotel pickup is offered. Instead, you must meet on site at Laugarvatn Fontana.

The tour includes the entrance fee for the bakery tour, a live demonstration of how to bake traditional Icelandic lava bread, a bread tasting, and a piece of smoked trout. On the other hand, the tour does not include any drinks or entrance to the geothermal bath. You can instead purchase tickets for the bath separately.

Itinerary

During the tour, you will learn a bit about how traditional Icelandic lava bread is made. Moreover, you will even witness a live bread-baking demonstration where they bury the bread in the ground. The best part of the tour, however, might be when you are able to sample some fresh lava bread. The sample you receive will be from bread that was cooked in the ground the day before.

Link to tour booking: Laugarvatn Fontana: Geothermal Bread-Baking Experience Tour.

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Check out our Iceland itinerary: 9 Day Road Trip Itinerary for Iceland.

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