Golden Circle South
5
Day Itinerary •
Iceland
Five days on the Golden Circle and the South Coast extend from the extraordinary Thingvellir rift valley and the erupting Strokkur geyser all the way to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, the most extraordinary floating iceberg lake in Europe, and the Vatnajokull glacier, the largest ice cap in Europe outside Greenland. From the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss to the extraordinary Diamond Beach where glacier ice washes onto black sand. This route covers the complete Golden Circle and South Coast. Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, Kerid crater and Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss and the Vik black sand beach, the extraordinary Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach, and the extraordinary Skaftafell Nature Reserve with its glacier hike on Vatnajokull, the largest ice body in Europe outside Greenland.
Best Time To Visit
Year-round. Jun to Aug best. Winter for ice lagoon and northern lights.
Getting There
Fly into Keflavik. Car hire essential from arrival.
Getting Around
Car essential throughout. Route 1 Ring Road along the South Coast.
Budget Per Day
Approx 20,000 to 45,000 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 Almannagj n rift valley where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart visibly and where the world's first parliament, the Althing, met from 930 AD. The extraordinary Law Rock, the Oxara river waterfall at Oxararfoss and the remarkable Nikulasargja gorge known as the Money Gorge where coins were thrown for luck are outstanding. The extraordinary underwater Silfra fissure visible from the surface is the clearest water in the world. Park free. Travel: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
THE GEYSIR AREA AND STROKKUR
The Geysir geothermal area contains the original Geysir that gave its name to all geysers worldwide, now dormant, and the extraordinary Strokkur erupting every 5 to 8 minutes to 20 to 30 metres. The extraordinary turquoise pool fills silently before the sudden explosion of superheated water and steam. The remarkable Blesi double hot spring pool shows the extraordinary colour contrast between clear and silica-clouded geothermal water. Entirely free. Travel: 10 min drive
AFTERNOON
GULLFOSS, ICELAND'S GREATEST WATERFALL
Gullfoss drops 32 metres in two stages into a 70-metre-deep canyon, the extraordinary volume of the Hvita river creating a permanent mist cloud above the waterfall. The extraordinary upper and lower viewing platforms give entirely different perspectives. In winter the extraordinary ice formations on the canyon walls and the frozen spray are outstanding. The remarkable story of Sigridur Tomasdottir who threatened to throw herself over the falls to prevent a hydroelectric dam is told at the visitor centre.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Silfra fissure at Thingvellir is the most extraordinary diving site in the world, up to 100 metres of visibility in glacial water between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Snorkelling tours approx 15,000 ISK from multiple operators. The most extraordinary underwater experience accessible from any European capital.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe before departure Coffee and provisions before the early Thingvellir departure. | Lunch: Geysir Center cafe Outstanding cafe at the geothermal area. Icelandic lamb soup and sandwiches. | Dinner: Restaurant in Selfoss Outstanding South Iceland. Local lamb and Icelandic trout.
DAY 2
GOLDEN CIRCLE SOUTH
MORNING
KERID VOLCANIC CRATER AND THE GOLDEN CIRCLE RETURN
Kerid is the most visually dramatic volcanic crater lake in Iceland, its extraordinary turquoise water in a 3,000-year-old red and black volcanic caldera walkable entirely around the rim. The extraordinary contrast of the red scoria walls and the turquoise water is the finest colour in the Icelandic landscape. Entry approx 800 ISK. Travel: 1 hour drive to Seljalandsfoss
MIDDAY
SELJALANDSFOSS AND GLJUFRABUI
Seljalandsfoss drops 60 metres and has an extraordinary path behind the waterfall curtain, accessible May to October, giving the most extraordinary behind-waterfall experience in Iceland. The hidden Gljufrabui waterfall 500 metres north is even more extraordinary, partially concealed in a narrow gorge requiring wading to enter the extraordinary enclosed chamber where the waterfall drops into complete enclosure. Both entirely free. Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
SKOGAFOSS AND THE FIMMVORDUHALS STEPS
Skogafoss drops 60 metres with a 25-metre width, the extraordinary volume creating permanent rainbow in sunshine. The extraordinary 527 steps to the top platform give the finest elevated waterfall view in Iceland. The path continues along the top of the waterfall escarpment giving extraordinary views over the South Coast plain to the sea and to the Eyjafjallajokull glacier above.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Gljufrabui is the most extraordinary hidden waterfall in South Iceland, entirely concealed in a narrow basalt gorge beside Seljalandsfoss, accessible only by wading 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 for Kerid before the tour groups. | Lunch: Picnic at Kerid crater Pack Icelandic provisions. The crater rim is the finest picnic spot on the Golden Circle. | Dinner: Hotel Kria restaurant, Vik Outstanding black sand coast restaurant. Local lamb and Icelandic fish.
DAY 3
VIK AND THE SOUTH COAST
MORNING
REYNISFJARA BLACK SAND BEACH AND SEA STACKS
Reynisfjara's extraordinary black volcanic sand, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising from the Atlantic and the Halsanef basalt column cave give the finest single coastal landscape in Iceland. The extraordinary power of the waves is dangerous. The remarkable puffin colony visible from the beach in summer adds extraordinary wildlife to the landscape. The cave formed by basalt columns is the finest geological formation on the South Coast. Entirely free. Travel: 10 min drive
MIDDAY
VIK AND THE DYRHOLA ISLAND SEA ARCH
The Dyrhola sea arch island off the Vik headland is the most extraordinary natural arch in South Iceland, its remarkable rock formation rising from the Atlantic entirely inaccessible by boat but visible from the black sand beach. The extraordinary Vik church above the town gives the finest panorama over the coast. The puffin colony on the Vik headland is the most accessible in South Iceland in summer. Entirely free. Travel: 1.5 hour drive to Hofn
AFTERNOON
DRIVE TO HOFN VIA THE LAVA FIELDS
The Ring Road drive from Vik to Hofn crosses the extraordinary Eldhraun lava field from the 1783 Laki eruption, the largest lava flow in recorded history covering 565 square kilometres with extraordinary moss-covered lava in all directions. The extraordinary Skeidararsandur glacial outwash plain and the remarkable bridges over the braided glacial rivers give the most extraordinary road scenery in South Iceland.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Foss a Sidu farm waterfall near Kirkjubaejarklaustur is the most extraordinary hidden attraction on the South Coast, the water dropping directly onto the farmhouse roof from the cliff above. The most extraordinary sight in South Iceland. Entirely free. View from the road.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast in Vik Early departure for Reynisfjara. | Lunch: Cafe in Vik Outstanding South Coast cafe. Lamb soup and skyr. | Dinner: Milk Factory Restaurant, Hofn Outstanding restaurant in the glacier lagoon town. Local langoustine and lamb.
DAY 4
JOKULSARLON
MORNING
JOKULSARLON GLACIER LAGOON
Jokulsarlon is the most extraordinary glacier lagoon in Europe, the extraordinary floating icebergs calved from the Breidamerkurjokull glacier in extraordinary blue and white forms filling the lagoon before flowing under the bridge into the sea. The extraordinary amphibious boat tour among the icebergs gives the finest close approach. The remarkable seals that live permanently in the lagoon are outstanding. Amphibious boat tour approx 6,000 ISK. Viewing from shore entirely free. Travel: 5 min drive
MIDDAY
DIAMOND BEACH
The Diamond Beach on the ocean side of the Jokulsarlon lagoon bridge is the most extraordinary beach in Iceland, the extraordinary glacier ice washed from the lagoon onto the black volcanic sand giving the most remarkable natural sculpture gallery in the world. Each piece of ice is unique, their extraordinary blue cores and transparent outer surfaces giving them the appearance of diamonds on black velvet. The beach changes entirely with each tide. Entirely free. Travel: 30 min drive to Fjallsarlon
AFTERNOON
FJALLSARLON GLACIER LAGOON
Fjallsarlon is the most extraordinary undiscovered glacier lagoon in Iceland, a smaller and less visited version of Jokulsarlon where the extraordinary Fjallsjokull glacier calves directly into the lake with nobody else present. The extraordinary icebergs here are often closer to the viewing point than at Jokulsarlon. The remarkable walk around the lagoon shore gives the finest close approach to the glacier face. Entirely free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Fjallsarlon is the most extraordinary undiscovered glacier lagoon in Iceland, smaller than Jokulsarlon but with the extraordinary glacier face much closer to the viewing point and almost no other visitors. 30 minutes west of Jokulsarlon. Entirely free. The finest hidden glacier lagoon in Iceland.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel in Hofn Breakfast before the early departure for Jokulsarlon. | Lunch: Cafe at Jokulsarlon Outstanding cafe beside the extraordinary glacier lagoon. Lamb soup and coffee. | Dinner: Restaurant in Hofn Outstanding langoustine dinner. Hofn is the langoustine capital of Iceland.
DAY 5
VATNAJOKULL
MORNING
SKAFTAFELL AND THE SVARTIFOSS WATERFALL
Skaftafell within Vatnajokull National Park contains the extraordinary Svartifoss waterfall, the most remarkable waterfall in Iceland, its extraordinary curtain of water dropping over a horseshoe of perfectly hexagonal basalt columns that directly inspired the Hallgrimskirkja church design in Reykjavik. The walk from the Skaftafell visitor centre to Svartifoss takes approximately 45 minutes through extraordinary birch forest. Park entry free, parking approx 750 ISK. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
GLACIER HIKE ON VATNAJOKULL
The glacier hike from Skaftafell onto the Vatnajokull ice cap, the largest glacier in Europe outside Greenland at 8,100 square kilometres, is the most extraordinary guided experience in South Iceland. The extraordinary blue ice, the remarkable crevasses and the outstanding views over the South Coast from the glacier surface are extraordinary. Walking on the glacier requires a guide by Icelandic law. Guided hike approx 8,000 to 15,000 ISK. Book well in advance. Travel: 2 hour drive back toward Reykjavik
AFTERNOON
RETURN VIA THE ELDHRAUN LAVA FIELD
The return drive to Reykjavik via the Ring Road gives the extraordinary Eldhraun lava field, the Myrdalsjokull glacier above Vik and the South Coast waterfalls visible from the road. The extraordinary Solheimajokull glacier tongue accessible from a short car park walk beside the Ring Road gives the finest drive-by glacier experience in Iceland. The entire South Coast ring road drive from Hofn to Reykjavik takes approximately 5 hours of driving.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Solheimajokull glacier tongue beside the Ring Road between Vik and Skogafoss is the most accessible glacier in South Iceland, a short walk from the car park to the extraordinary blue glacier face. Guided walks on the glacier approx 8,000 ISK. The glacier has retreated dramatically since the 1990s. The extraordinary change visible in photographs at the site.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel in Hofn Early breakfast before the Skaftafell drive. | Lunch: Skaftafell visitor centre cafe Outstanding cafe beside the extraordinary glacier national park. | Dinner: Restaurant on Ring Road return Outstanding Icelandic lamb dinner on the return to Reykjavik.
Where To Stay
Selfoss, Night 1 Hotel Selfoss or Gesthus Selfoss. Central for Golden Circle. Approx 15,000 to 28,000 ISK. Vik, Night 2 to 3 Hotel Kria or Puffin Hotel Vik. Black sand coast. Approx 18,000 to 35,000 ISK. Hofn, Nights 4 to 5 Milk Factory Hotel or Hotel Hofn. Glacier lagoon base. Approx 15,000 to 30,000 ISK.
Top Tips
1. Arrive at Thingvellir before 9am. The rift valley walk in early morning with nobody present is extraordinary.
2. Book the glacier hike at Skaftafell in advance. Walking on Vatnajokull requires a guide by law.
3. The Diamond Beach at Jokulsarlon is most extraordinary at dawn when icebergs wash ashore in golden light.
4. Seljalandsfoss walk behind the waterfall closes in winter due to ice. Check ahead if visiting October to April.
5. Vik black sand beach: never turn your back on the waves. Sneaker waves arrive without warning and are dangerous.
6. Pack all food from Bonus supermarket in Reykjavik. South Coast food options are limited and expensive.
Total Budget
20,000 to 45,000 ISK/day