Iceland's Natural Wonders

Driving the Golden Circle

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Golden Circle views Photo - Iceland, Europe

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We booked a hire car in advance of our trip to Iceland and spent the first day driving around the famous Golden Circle. We had read various reports of how driving in Iceland can be a bit nerve wracking and that the roads are tricky to say the least - have no worries if you want to explore the Golden Circle yourself by car, the roads are all fine, everything is well signposted and we had absolutely no problems. We had a 2 wheel drive vehicle and were fine with that. One tip though, do take out gravel insurance when you hire the car - the roads were fine, but very gravelly and apparently some tourists get hit with big charges for gravel damage to the car chassis when they return it. Better safe than...Read More

We booked a hire car in advance of our trip to Iceland and spent the first day driving around the famous Golden Circle. We had read various reports of how driving in Iceland can be a bit nerve wracking and that the roads are tricky to say the least - have no worries if you want to explore the Golden Circle yourself by car, the roads are all fine, everything is well signposted and we had absolutely no problems. We had a 2 wheel drive vehicle and were fine with that. One tip though, do take out gravel insurance when you hire the car - the roads were fine, but very gravelly and apparently some tourists get hit with big charges for gravel damage to the car chassis when they return it. Better safe than sorry!

The Golden Circle actually comprises Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir - unique sites and some of Iceland's major tourist attractions. This is a great day out combining a roaring waterfall; a huge spouting hot spring and the most important historical area in Iceland. It is manageable in one day without any problems.

We were headed for Thingvellir first of all - plugged this destination into the sat-nav and off we went. After about 20 minutes on main roads, we were well clear of Reykjavik, had left the main Route 1 and seemed to have the whole road to ourselves. We barely saw another car. Everything I had read beforehand said how touristy the Golden Circle route was. I expected lots of buses and other vehicles, but this was absolutely not the case.

The drive from Reykjavik to Thingvellir takes just under an hour. Allow yourself a bit more time though - you will want to keep stopping the car, pulling over and photographing the spectacular scenery. It is so amazing.

We passed lots of little farms, churches and rolling fields. The snow capped mountains framed every scene to perfection. We took lots of photos and stopped almost every opportunity we got - you could never get tired of these views.

After you drive through the little town of Mosfellsbaer, you take the first right at the roundabout onto road 36 which goes to Thingvellir.

Look out for the fields full of stone piles - these were everywhere, apparently you see them all over Iceland. Our 9 year old couldn't wait to get out of the car for a closer look and add his own creation to the field.

We stopped for a short while at Thingvallavatn - this is Iceland's largest lake, the water is unbelievably cold and unbelievably clear. You can actually sip water straight from the lake, there is no pollution here and it is pure glacial water. The lakeside area is amazing - still, calm and stunning views. There is a little picnic bench right by the lake, we sat for about 20 minutes and just soaked up the views and atmosphere at this very special place.

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Thingvellir/Þingvellir National Park

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Attraction | "Thingvellir National Park"

Thingvellir Photo - Thingvellir/Þingvellir National Park, Selfoss, Iceland

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This is the first main stop for most tourists on the Golden Circle Route - we followed suit and made it our first main stopping point as well. It took about an hour to get here from Reykjavik - a lovely drive full of wonderful scenery and awesome mountains.Thingvellir is a really fascinating place - we stayed for a couple of hours, there is a lot to see and explore. Most tourist buses seemed to just hang around for about half an hour, in my opinion you need a lot more time that that to make the most of this UNESCO world heritage site and the most important historical site in Iceland.There is plenty of free parking, then a small visitor's centre close by. They had an exhibiti...Read More

This is the first main stop for most tourists on the Golden Circle Route - we followed suit and made it our first main stopping point as well. It took about an hour to get here from Reykjavik - a lovely drive full of wonderful scenery and awesome mountains.

Thingvellir is a really fascinating place - we stayed for a couple of hours, there is a lot to see and explore. Most tourist buses seemed to just hang around for about half an hour, in my opinion you need a lot more time that that to make the most of this UNESCO world heritage site and the most important historical site in Iceland.

There is plenty of free parking, then a small visitor's centre close by. They had an exhibition in there on the geology and history of Thingvellir - this was Iceland's first national park. The exhibition was reasonable, they had some television screens and lots of information to read, but we didn't stay there too long, our impatient 9 year old wanted to get going.

Thingvellir is located on the earth's mid Atlantic ridge - it is actually splitting apart a few inches a year, the action of these plates is the reason Iceland has such unique geological features. Outside the visitor's centre is a footpath which leads right down into the Almannagja fault. This is so amazing - you walk between the cracks with either side of the plates looming above you. It is incredible. Apparently there are dozens of earthquakes here each day, due to the constant movement. Most are very mild - thankfully this was the case during our trip and we didn't feel a thing!!

Thingvellir was the location for the world's first democratic parliament in AD930 - established by the Vikings. The place name actually means "parliament plain." It was at this time too that Iceland became a Christian nation literally overnight. Obviously there are no historic buildings from that time, but there is an Icelandic flag flying on the site of the Law Rock (or at least where they think this was) and it would have been here that the speaker of the law announced all the new rulings and answered any questions.

There are lots of grass covered mounds - apparently these would have been the merchants booths for the temporary city which sprang up for 2 weeks each summer.

We spent ages walking around this area - the geology and history are fascinating, it is also a remarkably beautiful, peaceful place with a unique atmosphere. The coach party tourists walked through the fault, straight to the law rock and back to their buses. We explored all the walkways and crossed over to the little church on the other side of the river.

The church is lovely - simple, white framed and dates from 1859. You can peek inside the windows. There are a few farmhouses around too - apparently the Prime Minister of Iceland has his summer house here but we didn't know which one was his.

One last tip - before you leave this lovely place, use the toilets at the car park. Our son rated these as "the most scenic in the world!" One wall by the wash basins is made of glass, so you even get to enjoy the views as you wash your hands! Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on July 22, 2013

Thingvellir/Þingvellir National Park
Route 36
Selfoss, South Iceland
+354 482 2660

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Geysir

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Geysir Photo - Geysir, Reykjavik, Iceland

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We headed for Geysir as the second stop on the Golden Circle drive. It took us about 45 minutes to drive there from Thingvellir, our first stop. The sat-nav wanted us to take a non paved, gravel track which was probably officially a road and a short cut, but we decided against that and stuck to the main road.Look out for the town of Laugarvatn - about 200 people live in this town spread around a hot spring lake. You can rent kayaks or rowing boats and paddle around the lake.When we arrived and parked at Geysir, we noticed this area was a bit warmer than everywhere else - the temperature was definitely higher - apparently due to the hot springs in the area.There i...Read More

We headed for Geysir as the second stop on the Golden Circle drive. It took us about 45 minutes to drive there from Thingvellir, our first stop. The sat-nav wanted us to take a non paved, gravel track which was probably officially a road and a short cut, but we decided against that and stuck to the main road.

Look out for the town of Laugarvatn - about 200 people live in this town spread around a hot spring lake. You can rent kayaks or rowing boats and paddle around the lake.

When we arrived and parked at Geysir, we noticed this area was a bit warmer than everywhere else - the temperature was definitely higher - apparently due to the hot springs in the area.

There is plenty of free parking and a big visitor centre beside the car park. They have a restaurant too where you can have lunch while gazing out the window at the spouting hot springs across the road. We went inside, had coffee and cakes then decided to visit the multi-media exhibition which is in the same building. There is a charge to enter - we paid and went in, as soon as we had done this we felt it was a waste of money. There was not much at all to see and it was very disappointing. The only interesting exhibit was about the volcano which erupted in 2010 and caused all the chaos for European air travel with the ash cloud.

Geysir is the original erupting hot spring that gave its name to the word geyser. It is now inactive unfortunately. Apparently it used to spout 80 metres high, but has been dormant since 1916. It came to life again once in 1935, but there has been nothing since.

There is plenty to see - there are lots of bubbling pools, steam vents and springs which are amazing colours caused by algae and mineral deposits. We loved watching the belching mud pools, all the unusual colours and the almost primitive plants that grow here. It was as if you were standing right on the top of a vast, bubbling cauldron (actually we were!).

The real star of the show here though is Strokkur. This is close to Geysir and they say it is the most reliable geyser in the world. It erupts every 10 minutes and the boiling water spouts about 30 metres up into the air. This mesmerised us - we watched it erupt about 6 times, it really is fascinating. You can actually get really close to the geyser and see the water bubble just as it is about to "go". Just be careful not to get too close and also not to stand down wind.

We spent over an hour here - you need at least 45 minutes to wander around, see all the hissing pots and pools and watch the geyser Strokkur erupt a few times. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on July 23, 2013

Geysir
Geysir
Reykjavik, Iceland

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Golden Falls (Gullfoss)

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Attraction | "Gullfoss Waterfall"

Gullfoss Photo - Golden Falls (Gullfoss), Iceland, Europe

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This is the last stop on the Golden Circle tour. It is a very easy and short (just about 15 minutes) drive from Geysir and is the most famous waterfall in Iceland. It is stunning, glorious, nature at its very best - you absolutely must see Gullfoss.There is lots of free car-parking and beside that a visitors centre with cafe and shop. We parked, got ready to explore, then a huge black cloud settled overhead and it poured and poured with rain. We hunkered down, ate chocolate and waited for the rain to pass. That is the great thing about Iceland, the weather changes so often, even if there is a storm, it does not stay around for long.This is definitely my kind of waterfall. ...Read More

This is the last stop on the Golden Circle tour. It is a very easy and short (just about 15 minutes) drive from Geysir and is the most famous waterfall in Iceland. It is stunning, glorious, nature at its very best - you absolutely must see Gullfoss.

There is lots of free car-parking and beside that a visitors centre with cafe and shop. We parked, got ready to explore, then a huge black cloud settled overhead and it poured and poured with rain. We hunkered down, ate chocolate and waited for the rain to pass. That is the great thing about Iceland, the weather changes so often, even if there is a storm, it does not stay around for long.

This is definitely my kind of waterfall. We have visited lots of other waterfalls in other European countries in the past, which involved much strenuous hiking to either reach the bottom or the top - none of that at Gullfoss. You just walk a little way along a boardwalk from the car park, and you are right at the top of these breath-taking falls.

Gullfoss is massive - it spans a huge river and it makes several drops at it sprays mist on those who come to look at it. They claim it is Europe's best waterfall - I think it is! The average water flow is 109 cubic metres per second. As we looked at it from the top and thought it couldn't get any better, we saw a rainbow form right across the falls!

It is quite an easy walk down to the lower level of the falls and also well worth doing. You get drenched with spray but some more fantastic views and a different perspective of Gullfoss. This is probably not the best place to bring very young children - some steep drops with only flimsy ropes to keep you off the edge and slippery rocks. Our 9 year old loved it here however and had never seen anything like it.

We spent about an hour walking around, exploring and taking in the views.

It took us the whole day to travel the Golden Circle route - I definitely think hiring a car to do this is the best option. The organised tours will get you there, but it seemed like they were hurrying people from one stop to the next without enough time to really explore and take in these wonderful sights.

One tip though - if you are travelling by car be sure to fill up with fuel before you leave Reykjavik. We did not see any petrol stations on the whole journey. You can eat and buy refreshments at Geysir and Gullfoss but again, apart from these two places we saw no other restaurants or shops on the journey. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on July 24, 2013

Golden Falls (Gullfoss)
White River
Geysir

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Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach

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Geothermal beach Photo - Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach, Reykjavik, Iceland

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Imagine this - you can go to the beach and swim in the sea in Reykjavik at any time of year - whatever the weather, whatever the temperature, the water will be warm! We wanted to see this interesting beach for ourselves.We visited on the same morning we went to the Perlan. If you stroll through the woods behind this tourist building, you eventually come to the coast and the geothermal beach. It is open in summer every day between 10 am and 7 pm. Summer in Reykjavik is 15 May to 15 August. Opening times are reduced in winter. Admission is free in summer, in winter it costs 500 ISK.The sea around Reykjavik is far too cold to tempt swimmers - except for the sea here. Apparen...Read More

Imagine this - you can go to the beach and swim in the sea in Reykjavik at any time of year - whatever the weather, whatever the temperature, the water will be warm! We wanted to see this interesting beach for ourselves.

We visited on the same morning we went to the Perlan. If you stroll through the woods behind this tourist building, you eventually come to the coast and the geothermal beach. It is open in summer every day between 10 am and 7 pm. Summer in Reykjavik is 15 May to 15 August. Opening times are reduced in winter. Admission is free in summer, in winter it costs 500 ISK.

The sea around Reykjavik is far too cold to tempt swimmers - except for the sea here. Apparently there is insufficient heat from the sun to warm up the sea, but the volcanoes, geysers and natural hot springs can do this job instead. Iceland takes advantage of these naturally occuring heat supplies - in Reykjavik they use geothermal energy to power the whole city and keep it warm too.

A hot stream that runs from the tanks at the Perlan was a very popular bathing place for Reykjavik residents in the 1980's. It was closed in 1985, until someone had the idea of having a beach here. They built a seawall, formed an artificial lagoon and diverted hot geothermal water into the lagoon to make the temperature of the water nice and warm.

The beach opened in 2000, after they shipped in sand from Morocco to make it golden, sandy and beautiful. There is a hot tub and some changing rooms. The temperature of the hot tub is 38 degrees centigrade all year round. The temperature of the sea is around 16 degrees centigrade.

We brought swimming costumes, but none of us fancied a dip when we got there. It was icy cold, the wind was blowing and we just could not bear the thought. There were a few people in the hot tub - those standing looking at them were wearing fur hats and were wrapped up! Some hardy souls also sprinted across the beach and into the sea. I couldn't understand how you could actually get from the changing rooms to the sea and not freeze en-route.

Smoking, alcohol , bikes and dogs are not allowed on this beach. It was too cold for us to take a dip, but it is a lovely place and even if you just dip your fingers into the warm sea water, it is still quite an experience. Read Less

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on July 25, 2013

Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach
Things to Do,
Reykjavik, Iceland
511 6630

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