7 of the Best Golden Circle Tours in Iceland 2024
Have you been wondering the Best Golden Circle Tours in Iceland? I’ve got you covered!
Travelling to Iceland can be an incredible experience – there’s no doubt about it. But with so many different Golden Circle tours in Iceland, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you.
Having spent a lot of time in Iceland and gone on a number of Golden Circle Tours, I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Here at Travelling King, we believe that everyone should find the perfect tour – and I’m going to share my top picks with you so that you can find the best Golden Circle Tour for your needs.
I’ve done my research and spoken to fellow travellers who have been on these tours before as well as taking a few of these tours myself. So trust me when I say that these are some of the most unique and memorable experiences you’ll have in Iceland!
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My Top 3 Picks: best iceland golden circle tours
7 Of The Best Golden Circle Tours In Iceland
1. Golden Circle Private Day Tour From Reykjavik
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 | ⏳ LENGTH: 8 hours | ✅ Book it!
This is my personal favourite tour!! Discover Iceland’s renowned Golden Circle as you go on a private day tour from Reykjavik to see various iconic natural landmarks. During this tour, you will be accompanied by an expert guide who will share important facts and information about each spot you visit.
Some stops you will be seeing on this tour are Gullfoss Waterfall and Thingvellir National Park. You will also see erupting geysers at Haukadalur Valler and steam rise from the surface of Luvgarvatn’s hot springs.
However, the highlight of this private golden circle tour Iceland trip is having the undivided attention of your expert guide throughout the tour. With this, you will have the opportunity to gain more insight into the geological features of Golden Circle’s magnificent landscape.
“Enjoyed the privacy of the tour for just our family. Sergei, the guide was extremely knowledgeable and informative. He educated us with rich history of the region and personalized the whole experience for us Although it was a long day of touring, the frequent stops and walks and hikes to beautiful locations made the day interesting and not at all tedious. Highly recommended” – Ellen C.
This Golden Circle day trip allows you to have a more intimate yet enjoyable time with family and friends when travelling around Iceland. It starts with a convenient pick-up of your choice, where a private car will take you to Golden Circle.
The tour’s first stop will be at Thingvellir National Park, which is known because of its historical and geological importance. This spot is considered the best in golden circle Iceland and does not disappoint.
The next stop on this day tour is Haukadalur. Here you can see active geysers that erupt every 5 to 10 minutes. You will also visit the Gullfoss Waterfall, Fridheimar and the Kerid Cater, famous spots in Golden Circle.
Important details
- Start Time (and location): Starts at your chosen time at Reykjavik (can select to pick up point)
- Duration: 8 hours
- Includes: Hotel pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik, Private tour for your party, Driver/guide services, Transportation for the tour
2. Iceland Complete [Around Iceland In 10 Days]
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 | ⏳ LENGTH: 10 days | ✅ Book it!
Getting around Iceland can become overwhelming, especially if you plan to see all tourist destinations within ten days. In this complete Iceland tour, you will be catered to by a professional team to discover the best of Iceland. This includes Iceland accomodation, transport, meals and a few activities to enjoy a hassle-free vacation.
Since Iceland is famous for its rugged terrain, home to volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls and mountains, you can enjoy these picturesque landscapes within ten days minus the planning.
Some places you’ll visit are the classic Golden Circle, East Fjords and Skogafoss. As you take the Golden Circle route, you’ll enjoy seeing glaciers and steaming hot springs. At East Fjords, you can interact with locals more while staying on the farm.
“There is no better way to see Iceland. I joined Iceland Complete in 10 days. Our guide Dori was fantastic, knowledgeable and accommodating and making sure we saw everything!! Beautiful and breathtaking scenery along the coast as well highlands. Enjoyed every bit of it from volcanoes, beaches, geysers, waterfalls, hot springs and other remote gems. Good accommodation at unique places like farms, guesthouses and golf course. Friendly staff, clean and comfortable rooms and good food too. So happy to have joined this tour and made new friends. Highly recommended.” – Tripadvisor Reviewer
Within the ten days of your tour, you will also hop to different places in Iceland. Day one is when you will arrive in Reykjavik to meet your tour guide and small group tour. On your second day, you will enjoy the famous best stops on Golden Circle.
For days 3 and 4, you will go around several stops on the South Coast of Iceland, Skaftafell Area and Glacial Lagoon.
Other places and stops you will enjoy are East Iceland, Lake Myvatn Area, North Iceland and The Snaefellsnes Peninsula. During your 9th and 10th days, you will be visiting Borgarfordur Area and have enough time to prepare for your departure.
All these you can enjoy with a well-scheduled and planned trip when you book this tour. This tour is also an excellent opportunity to learn and immerse yourself fully in Iceland’s history, culture and geology.
Important details
- Start Time (and location): Starts at your chosen time at Reykjavik (can select to pick up point)
- Duration: 10 days
- Includes: A guided tour according to the itinerary, Accommodation for nine nights in a twin/double room, Boat tour on the Glacial Lagoon, Admission to the Folk Museum of Skogar, Breakfast (9), Dinner (7)
3. Golden Circle, Volcano Crater & Blue Lagoon Small Group Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4/5 | ⏳ LENGTH: 11 hours | ✅ Book it!
Get to explore two of Iceland’s most famous attractions, the blue lagoon and the Golden Circle, within a day. During this Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon tour, a professional guide will join your small group tour to assist you throughout the day.
This tour lets you enjoy geysers, lakes, waterfalls and craters that comprise most of Iceland’s landscape. But aside from that, you can relax in warm geothermal waters at the famous Blue Lagoon, which is this trip’s highlight.
“Halla was the most amazing guide! She went above and beyond for the group. I highly recommend this tour. We saw all the best sites in the area.” – Michell_D
If you want to enjoy the picturesque landscape of the Golden Circle and end the day with a relaxing time at the blue lagoon, this tour is something you should consider. Starting early in the morning, you will be picked up by a car that will serve as your daily transportation (together with your tour group).
The first stop you will make for this tour is Þingvellir national park. You will also head to Strokkur, where you can watch it actively blow water into the air every 7 to 10 minutes. Here you will also be given time to purchase food for your lunch.
You will then head over to the iconic Blue Lagoon, which may be the highlight of this tour. This natural wonder is famous for its healing waters, and here you are sure to leave feeling renewed and reinvigorated. Other stops you will be making include the Kerid Crater and the Gullfoss Waterfall.
Important details
- Start Time (and location): Starts at tour group’s chosen time at the chosen pick-up point
- Duration: 11 hours
- Includes: Professional guide, Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, Blue Lagoon Comfort Admission Ticket (with use of towel, silica mud mask, 1st drink of your choice)
🤩 Check Prices and Availability!
4. Small-Group Golden Circle Tour And Secret Lagoon Visit From Reykjavik
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 | ⏳ LENGTH: 8 hours | ✅ Book it!
Combining the iconic spots in Iceland, this small group Golden Circle tour and secret lagoon visit is the perfect day tour to maximise your time during your vacation. Enjoy Iceland’s extraordinary Golden Circle and see famous spots like Thingvellir National Park and Gullfoss Waterfall.
A professional guide will also join you and share knowledge on the Geysir geothermal area. Compared to other Golden Circle tours, the highlight of this tour is visiting the Secret Lagoon, where you can enjoy a serene time in its warm and cleansing hot spring bath.
“Really enjoyed our tour of The Golden Circle. Our guide was Trond. He shared many facts and stories about Iceland and had answers to all of our questions. Loved his humor and love of his job. Our pickup and drop off was seamless at one of the local tour bus pick up points. We would highly recommend taking this tour for a great overview of Iceland and a chance to have great discussions with a local. A 19 person bus was small enough to make this tour seem personalized… and Trond helped make that happen.” – Lori_B
As you get picked up from your chosen pick-up point, you and your small group tour will head directly to the Golden Circle Route and enjoy several stops there. You can visit the UNESCO world heritage site Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and Strokkur.
After enjoying a few hours of touring around the Golden Circle, you will head over Gamla Laugin, where the Secret Lagoon is. Here you can enjoy time to slow down and relax like a local. This is Iceland’s oldest swimming pool, which helps cleanse your body.
The Secret Lagoon is a great spot to end your day. If you plan to swim, ensure your swimsuits; if not, they also have a rental area where you can get an outfit to wear before soaking in the water.
Important details
- Start Time (and location): 10:00 AM at the chosen pick-up point
- Duration: 8 hours
- Includes: Professional and local driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Pickup and drop-off from designated bus stops & hotels, Small-group tour (tour operated exclusively on minibuses with a maximum of 19 passengers)
🤩 Check Prices and Availability!
5. Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon Including Admission & Kerid Volcanic Crater
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 | ⏳ LENGTH: 11 hours | ✅ Book it!
Iceland is known to house various glaciers, volcanoes, lagoons and mountains. To make the most out of your visit, this Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon & Kerid Volcanic Crater tour offers to take you to key attractions with just a small group.
During the tour, you will drive around the Golden Circle and stop at iconic spots like the Thingvellir, Geysir Hot Spring, and Gulfoss. You will also head to see the Kerið volcanic crater and end your day at the Blue Lagoon.
All site admissions are already included to enjoy a packed itinerary with less planning. Plus, since you’re only travelling with a small group, you will have more attention from your guide.
“Our tour was wonderful from start to finish. We all showed up early, so we were able to leave before all of the big bus tours left which was great to get to the spots before they were even in the parking lot. Our guide/driver was Bart. He was terrific! He was extremely knowledgeable and also very personable. The waterfall was spectacular, the crater was awesome, but by far, The Blue Lagoon was the highlight of the day. Would highly recommend this tour and this company.” – tmc351
This Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik offers pickup and drop-off from hotels. So after being picked up, your group will first head to drive around the Golden Circle. The famous Thingvellir National Park is situated there, offering a time to discover the old site of the Icelandic parliament.
The tour’s next stop is Laugarvatn Lake, which sits in a geothermally active area. You will also witness the famous Geysir hot spring active neighbour, Storkkur. After getting lunch (if you wish), you will go to Gullfoss Waterfall and then visit the small town of Reykhotl to see greenhouses.
One highlight of this Golden circle day tour Iceland is visiting the Kerid Crater, a 3000-year-old crater 55 meters deep. Finally, you will wrap off this Iceland golden circle tour at Blue Lagoon, where you can take a relaxing bath and enjoy their Silica Mud mask.
Important details
- Start Time (and location): 8:20 AM or 9:20 AM at the chosen pick-up point
- Duration: 11 hours
- Includes: WiFi on board, Air-conditioned vehicle, Entry fee to the Kerid Volcanic Crater, Comfort admission tickets to the Blue Lagoon
🤩 Check Prices and Availability!
6. Golden Circle Classic Day Trip From Reykjavik
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 | ⏳ LENGTH: 7 hours | ✅ Book it!
Considered one of the best golden circle tours Iceland, this classic day trip from Reykjavik will take you to witness the three wonders of the famous Golden Circle. You will be travelling with a small group in an air-conditioned vehicle, and joining you is an expert guide to share information on each site.
This tour’s itinerary includes the breathtaking Gulfoss waterfall, the waterspout at Geysir and the tectonic rifts at Thingvellir National Park. Aside from seeing the unique and picturesque landscapes and natural sites, you will also learn more about how the locals use Iceland’s steam and geothermal waters to produce sustainable energy.
“Emilia and Siggi were great guides! This was an ideal highlights tour to see the natural wonders in this area. Ideal for a half day and then on to more activities.” – Danielle_B
Starting with a pick-up at your hotel or the cruise port, you will drive to Golden Circle and take in the panoramic views of Iceland. As you reach Golden Circle, you will stop at Thingvellir National Park, a place of untouched beauty.
Your guide will also bring your tour group to see the Gullfoss waterfall. While discussing with you how the plates are pulling apart, marvel at the double-tiered falls and don’t forget to snap photos before heading to the following location.
The geothermal region of Geysir will be the next destination of this tour. This area is known for its hot springs and geysers, where you can see bubbling pools and steam vents.
Many travellers consider this classic Golden Circle tour if they want to enjoy the Golden Circle route and maximise their time roaming around the area’s highlights. So if you will experience the same thing, consider booking this tour.
Important details
- Start Time (and location): Time can vary at the chosen pick-up point
- Duration: 7 hours
- Includes: Professional guide, Air-conditioned vehicle, Pickup and drop off from selected locations (if requested), WiFi on board
🤩 Check Prices and Availability!
7. The Golden Circle Direct 6-Hour Tour From Reykjavik
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 | ⏳ LENGTH: 6 hours | ✅ Book it!
Another trip to see the Golden Circle in Iceland is this direct 6-hour tour from Reykjavik. To maximise your time, you will see the highlights of Golden Circle without spending the whole day in the area.
In this Golden Circle minibus tour Iceland, you will be heading directly through the Geysir geothermal area and see the Fulfoss waterfall and Thingvellir National Park. Along the way, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of countryside scenery and even reach far-flung sites.
“Our tour guide and driver were simply amazing. They planned adequate time at many cool stops, were funny, attentive and caring. I absolutely loved their tour and would recommend it to anyone going to Iceland and wants to see cool things for a good price.” -Tajae_H
Golden Circle in Iceland is a famous day tour destination, and on this tour, you’ll be able to enjoy it without worrying about transportation and itinerary planning. After meeting the tour group at Reykjavik, the bus will take you first to see the Strokkur, a geothermal area that boasts the most active geyser in Iceland.
Like any classic Golden Circle tour Iceland, you will also visit the Gullfoss Waterfall and Thingvellir National Park. These three are the highlights of the Golden Circle route and are a must-see when visiting Iceland. Of course, within the 6 hours of touring around, you will get the chance to take great photos and bring knowledge about these Iceland sites.
Important details
- Start Time (and location): Time varies; Bus Terminal Reykjavík
- Duration: 6 hours
- Includes: Bus fare, Professional local guidance, Free Wi-Fi
🤩 Check Prices and Availability!
FAQs About best of golden circle iceland
how long is the golden circle tour in iceland
The Golden Circle Tour in Iceland is a popular self-drive route (and tour group route) that covers approximately 300 kilometers of some of the country’s most iconic sights.
The tour usually takes about 8 to 10 hours which includes stops at various sites like Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss Waterfall, Thingvellir National Park, and more.
Along the way you’ll also get to see beautiful views of lush hills, rugged mountains, and other amazing nature scenes. So if you’re looking for an exciting adventure in Iceland and want to explore some of its greatest landmarks, then the Golden Circle Tour could be the perfect fit for you!
is the golden circle worth it
The Golden Circle is definitely worth the visit if you’re travelling through Iceland. The three main attractions, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall are all absolutely stunning sites and provide a great way to experience some of Iceland’s unique geological features.
Visiting the famous Blue Lagoon is also a must-see for anyone travelling in Iceland, and it’s conveniently located near the Golden Circle. Taking a dip in the lagoon is an incredibly relaxing experience and something you won’t soon forget!
what do you see on the golden circle tour in iceland
Golden Circle Tours in Iceland are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. The route that takes visitors to some of the most breathtaking sights in Iceland, including Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall.
On these tours, you will also get to explore some of the incredible volcanic and glacial landscapes that make up this unique country.
Golden Circle Tours provides plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, as well as learning more about Icelandic history and culture. So if you’re looking for an unforgettable experience during your stay in Iceland, then this is definitely a tour worth taking!
Final Thoughts: golden circle iceland day tour
Iceland’s Golden Circle tours offer a unique opportunity to explore some of the most incredible sights and attractions that this breathtaking country has to offer.
With this article you can book the best tour for you – whatever your budget and experience level. So if you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, why not visit Iceland and explore the Golden Circle today?
Most tours are suited to all budgets and levels of experience, there’s never been a better time to get exploring – so don’t miss out! Book one of these amazing tours now and see what Iceland has in store for you!
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