Magpie
4.8(2,114 reviews)

Golden Circle Full-Day Minibus Tour

FromISK 96
8 hours
Reykjavik, Iceland

About this activity

Experience Iceland's iconic Golden Circle in a full-day minibus tour, visiting Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Great Geysir geothermal area.

Highlights

  • Thingvellir National Park
  • Gullfoss Waterfall
  • Great Geysir geothermal area
  • Strokkur Geyser eruption
  • Þingvallavatn Lake views

Full description

Discover Iceland's natural wonders on this full-day minibus tour of the Golden Circle. Begin at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Marvel at the powerful Gullfoss Waterfall, cascading over two tiers into a rugged canyon. Witness the geothermal activity at the Great Geysir area, home to the erupting Strokkur Geyser. Along the way, enjoy scenic views of Þingvallavatn Lake and the surrounding landscapes. This tour offers a comfortable and informative journey through Iceland's most famous sites, perfect for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.

Included / Excluded

  • Visit to Thingvellir National Park
  • Explore Gullfoss Waterfall
  • See the Great Geysir geothermal area
  • Meals and beverages

Itinerary

1

The first stop of the day is the town Hveragerði, where we have a short restroom stop. Hveragerði is about 45 min drive from Reykjavik. There are restrooms, a bakery and an exhibition about earth quakes. Consider this a short pit-stop on our way to the Golden Circle.

Duration: 20 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

Gullfoss, is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. It is powerful and tall. Through it the river Hvítá, which is a glacier river originating from Langjökull, plunges down this two step waterfall. There are a handful of viewing platforms to observe the waterfall and above Gullfoss there is Gullfoss center where there are restrooms, a cafeteria and gift shops. NOTE: The path leading all the way up to the waterfall is closed during the winter season.

Duration: 40 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3

In Haukadalur there is a field of hot springs associated with the hot spring Geysir, but Geysir is one of the most famous hot spring in the world and used to be a geyser. The main display is the hot spring geyser Strokkur, which erupts approximately every 5 minutes. Here we have time to walk around the area and this is also where we break for lunch. At Geysir center you find restrooms, gift-shops and the restaurant Glíma which serves for suitable for any pallet or diet.

Duration: 1h 15mAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
4

Þingvellir is full of history and natural beauty. It stands between the North-American and Eurasian tectonic plates. This rift valley has a special place in the hearts of all Icelanders. It is where our nation was formed by the Norse Viking settlers when they established the oldest parliament in the modern world, Alþingi Íslendinga, in the year 930 AD. At this stop there will be enough time to walk around and explore this natural marvel. This is the closest you can get to being in two continents at the same time. We will have the opportunity to walk in the rift valley, where the tectonic plates are pulling apart. We can observe this movement since under the national park the Eurasian and the North-American tectonic plates are moving apart by ~2 cm every year. Þingvellir was designated as a World Heritage of UNESCO in 2004 and is unquestionably one of the most beautiful and historic places in Iceland. In the area there are restrooms and coffee shops for visitors.

Duration: 45 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
5

We'll stop at Kerið crater, a 6500 year old volcanic formation containing a small lake. This crater is characterised by the contrasting colours of the moss, red volcanic rock and light blue water. Be sure to venture down to the lake side and take in the majestic beauty that is Kerið.

Duration: 30 minAdmission: YES

Important information

Know before you book

  • Tour operates in all weather conditions; dress appropriately.
  • Please be on time to avoid losing entry to the attractions.
  • At the time of booking, specify the name and address of your hotel for pickup.

Know before you go

  • Dress in layers to accommodate varying weather conditions.
  • Bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes.
  • Wear sturdy, waterproof footwear suitable for walking on uneven terrain.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Easy Public Transport

Good to know

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Minimum age is 6 years
  • At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
  • Unfortunately we are unable to transport or store travel luggage or suitcases

Traveler reviews

4.8
2,114 reviews
5
1,865
4
166
3
50
2
17
1
16

Wonderful tour

Bus is a little tight but driver and experience were awesome. Waterfall is magnificent. Well worth the visit.

JOY_MMay 18, 2026VIATOR

I was at first worried...

I was at first worried about an 8 hour tour. We had plenty of stops for snacks and WC. Communication with tour operator was excellent prior to our travels.

Maureen_KMay 17, 2026VIATOR

Excellent tour

We loved our day seeing these spectacular sights. Maggie was a great guide and shared her extensive knowledge of Iceland and everything we saw. Very happy with our experience.

fiona93May 15, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Favorite

This was my favorite tour! Every destination was an amazement. Highly recommended, must do! Franklin is a true gem, wonderful guide!

G9454CKerinmMay 14, 2026TRIPADVISOR

The trip itself was...

The trip itself was amazing, all the nature and touristic stops were beautiful. The tour guide was knowledgeable, but he didn’t come off on the stops and I could have used more information in loco.

Ticiana_dMay 12, 2026VIATOR

Additional information

Children must be accompanied by an adult Minimum age is 6 years At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time Unfortunately we are unable to transport or store travel luggage or suitcases
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