Golden Circle South
3
Day Itinerary •
Iceland
Three days on the Golden Circle and the South Coast take you through the most extraordinary concentration of natural wonders in Iceland, from the Thingvellir rift valley where Iceland's parliament met since 930 AD to the erupting Strokkur geyser and the extraordinary Gullfoss double waterfall, then south to the extraordinary Seljalandsfoss waterfall you can walk behind and the black sand beaches of Vik. This route covers the essential Golden Circle and South Coast. Thingvellir National Park where two continents meet and the Althing first convened, the Geysir geothermal area with the erupting Strokkur geyser, the extraordinary Gullfoss double-tiered waterfall, Kerid volcanic crater, the extraordinary Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, and the extraordinary black sand beaches and basalt sea stacks at Vik.
Best Time To Visit
Year-round. Jun to Aug best for waterfalls. Winter for northern lights.
Getting There
Fly into Keflavik. Car hire essential from arrival.
Getting Around
Car essential throughout. No adequate public transport.
Budget Per Day
Approx 20,000 to 40,000 ISK per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly short walks from car parks
DAY 1
THINGVELLIR AND GEYSIR
MORNING
THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK
Thingvellir is the most extraordinary site in Iceland, the extraordinary Almannagj n rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are visibly tearing apart at 2cm per year, and where the world's first parliament, the Althing, met continuously from 930 AD. The extraordinary Law Rock where the Lawspeaker recited the laws to the assembled Icelanders, the remarkable Oxara river and the extraordinary clarity of the Silfra fissure where you can snorkel between two continents are outstanding. Park free. Travel: 45 min drive to Geysir
MIDDAY
THE GEYSIR GEOTHERMAL AREA AND STROKKUR
The Geysir geothermal area is the most extraordinary active geyser field in Iceland, the original Geysir that gave all geysers their name now dormant but the extraordinary Strokkur erupting every 5 to 8 minutes to 20 to 30 metres with no warning. The extraordinary boiling turquoise pool fills silently before the extraordinary explosion of water and steam. The surrounding fumaroles, mud pools and hot spring terraces are outstanding. Entry free. Travel: 10 min drive
AFTERNOON
GULLFOSS, THE GOLDEN WATERFALL
Gullfoss is the most extraordinary waterfall in Iceland, its extraordinary double-tiered cascade dropping 32 metres into a canyon 70 metres deep with the Hvita river thundering through at extraordinary volume. The extraordinary mist rising from the canyon and the remarkable rainbow visible in sunshine make it the finest single waterfall in the country. The extraordinary upper viewing platform gives the finest overhead perspective. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Silfra fissure at Thingvellir is the most extraordinary snorkelling and diving site in the world, a crack between the North American and Eurasian plates filled with glacial meltwater of extraordinary visibility, up to 100 metres clear. Snorkelling tours approx 15,000 ISK. The most extraordinary underwater experience in Europe.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Reykjavik or Selfoss Coffee and provisions before the early departure for Thingvellir. | Lunch: Geysir Center cafe Outstanding cafe at the Geysir geothermal area. Icelandic lamb soup and sandwiches. | Dinner: Restaurant in Selfoss Outstanding South Iceland restaurant. Local lamb and Icelandic trout.
DAY 2
GULLFOSS AND THE SOUTH COAST
MORNING
KERID VOLCANIC CRATER LAKE
Kerid is the most extraordinary volcanic crater lake in Iceland, its extraordinary turquoise water in a red and black volcanic caldera giving one of the most visually dramatic landscapes on the Golden Circle. The crater is approximately 3,000 years old and entirely walkable around the rim and down to the lake. The extraordinary contrast of the red scoria walls and the turquoise water is the finest colour combination in the Icelandic landscape. Entry approx 800 ISK. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
SKALHOLT CATHEDRAL AND THE GOLDEN CIRCLE INTERIOR
Skalholt Cathedral is the most historically extraordinary building in Iceland outside Thingvellir, the site of Iceland's medieval episcopal centre and the location where the extraordinary Skalholt manuscript of the Sagas was preserved. The remarkable modern cathedral built in 1963 contains extraordinary 12th-century crypt foundations and a remarkable collection of medieval artefacts. The extraordinary Tungufljot river valley around Skalholt is outstanding. Cathedral free. Travel: 1 hour drive to Seljalandsfoss
AFTERNOON
SELJALANDSFOSS, THE WATERFALL YOU WALK BEHIND
Seljalandsfoss on the South Coast is the most extraordinary walkable waterfall in Iceland, its remarkable path behind the 60-metre curtain of falling water giving an extraordinary experience of standing in a cave behind a waterfall. The path is accessible May to October. The extraordinary Gljufrabui hidden waterfall 500 metres north of Seljalandsfoss is even more extraordinary, partially hidden in a narrow gorge requiring wading to enter fully.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Gljufrabui is the most extraordinary hidden waterfall in South Iceland, a remarkable waterfall entirely concealed in a narrow basalt gorge beside Seljalandsfoss, accessible only by wading through a shallow stream into the extraordinary enclosed chamber. Entirely free. The most extraordinary hidden waterfall on the South Coast.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast in Selfoss Early departure breakfast before the Kerid drive. | Lunch: Picnic at Gullfoss or Kerid Pack Icelandic flatbread and lamb. The crater rim picnic is extraordinary. | Dinner: Hotel Kria restaurant, Vik Outstanding black sand coast restaurant. Local lamb and Icelandic fish.
DAY 3
SKOGAFOSS AND VIK
MORNING
SKOGAFOSS AND THE FIMMVORDUHALS TRAIL
Skogafoss is the most extraordinary main waterfall on the South Coast, its extraordinary 60-metre drop and 25-metre width giving the finest volume of any South Coast waterfall. The remarkable 527 steps to the viewing platform above give the finest overhead view. The extraordinary Fimmvorduhals hiking trail begins here and ascends through extraordinary rainbow mist to the plateau above, giving views over the entire South Coast plain to the sea. Travel: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
REYNISFJARA BLACK SAND BEACH AND SEA STACKS
Reynisfjara is the most extraordinary black sand beach in Iceland, its remarkable beach of volcanic basalt sand, the extraordinary Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising from the Atlantic and the remarkable Halsanef basalt column cave giving the finest single coastal landscape in the country. The extraordinary power of the Atlantic waves on the black sand is dangerous, with sneaker waves arriving without warning. Never turn your back on the sea. Travel: 10 min drive to Vik
AFTERNOON
VIK AND THE COASTAL DRIVE
Vik is the most extraordinary small town on the South Coast, its extraordinary position below the dramatic Myrdalsjokull glacier at the southernmost point of Iceland giving remarkable views in all directions. The extraordinary Vik church on the hill above the town gives the finest panorama over the black beach and the sea stacks. The puffin colony on the Vik headland is accessible from May to August. The town centre has the finest petrol station food in Iceland.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Foss a Sidu waterfall near Kirkjubaejarklaustur east of Vik is the most extraordinary free-falling farm waterfall in Iceland, the water dropping directly onto the farmhouse roof from the cliff above. The extraordinary sight of a working farm with a permanent waterfall directly above it is unique in Iceland. Entirely free to view from the road.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast in Vik Early departure for Skogafoss before the tour groups arrive. | Lunch: Skogafoss cafe Outstanding cafe at the waterfall. Icelandic lamb soup and skyr. | Dinner: Sudur Vik restaurant Outstanding South Coast restaurant. Local lamb and the finest South Iceland trout.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Selfoss, Nights 1 to 2 Hotel Selfoss or Gesthus Selfoss. Central for Golden Circle. Approx 15,000 to 28,000 ISK. Vik, Night 3 Hotel Kria or Puffin Hotel Vik. On the black sand coast. Approx 18,000 to 35,000 ISK.
Top Tips
1. Arrive at Thingvellir before 9am. The rift valley walk in early morning light with nobody present is extraordinary.
2. Strokkur erupts every 5 to 8 minutes. Stand upwind. The eruption reaches 20 to 30 metres with no warning.
3. Seljalandsfoss walk behind the waterfall is possible May to October. The path closes in winter due to ice.
4. Vik black sand beach: never turn your back on the waves. The waves arrive without warning and are dangerous.
5. Pack your own food. Iceland's roadside petrol stations have surprisingly good and cheaper food than restaurants.
6. Gullfoss is extraordinary in winter when partly frozen. The ice formations around the waterfall are outstanding.
Total Budget
20,000 to 40,000 ISK/day