Private Golden Circle & Snorkeling Tour
About this activity
The Golden Circle includes some of Iceland's most iconic sightseeing spots, beloved not only for their proximity to the capital but also for their breathtaking beauty, rich history, and fascinating geology. The traditional Golden Circle route covers Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall. However, we can customize your tour to include additional stops, such as the Kerið Crater Lake, the historic site of Skálholt, Laugarvatn Lake, and the unique Friðheimar Tomato Farm. Your tour will be tailored to your wishes, so don’t hesitate to contact us at info@yourfriendinreykjavik.com for further information.
Highlights
- Explore Iceland's Golden Circle Attractions.
- Visit Þingvellir's Historic Parliament Site.
- Experience Gullfoss Waterfall's Majestic Beauty.
Full description
Þingvellir is a deeply significant historical site for Icelanders. It’s where Alþingi, the world’s oldest Parliament, was founded in 930. It is also one of the rare places on Earth where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge rises above ground, and you can walk between two tectonic plates.
Explore the Almannagjá tectonic rift, visit the first parliament site, enjoy the beauty of Öxaráfoss waterfall, and see Þingvallavatn Lake, Iceland's largest lake. Fans of Game of Thrones will recognize filming locations here, and for a unique experience, consider diving or snorkeling between continents in the Silfra Fissure. Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, is also where Icelanders officially converted to Christianity. Gullfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss is one of Iceland's most spectacular waterfalls, cascading in three steps into a 64-meter-deep canyon. With the angle of the canyon and the constant spray, it often appears as if Gullfoss is pouring into an abyss. Early in the 20th century, there were plans to harness its power for electricity, but thanks to the landowner's daughter, Sólveig Tómasdóttir, this beautiful waterfall was preserved. Geysir Geothermal Area
Expect to see bubbling hot springs and erupting geysers here. While Geysir, the original geyser, is mostly dormant, its active brother Strokkur erupts every few minutes, sending water up to 30 meters (98 feet) in the air. Kerið Crater Lake
Located in Iceland's Western Volcanic Zone, Kerið is a unique crater lake with striking red volcanic sand due to high iron content, creating a vivid contrast against the blue lake water. The crater is approximately 55 meters deep, with dimensions of 170 meters wide and 270 meters across, offering a stunning sight. Optional Activities Included in the Tour Snorkeling in Silfra
Experience a rare adventure by snorkeling between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in Silfra, one of the clearest waters on the planet. Fed by glacial meltwater that filters through lava rock for up to 30 years, Silfra offers visibility exceeding 100 meters. Our guide will dress you in a dry suit and lead you through the four sections of the Silfra Fissure, where you can float in crystal-clear waters and immerse yourself in the beauty of this otherworldly underwater landscape. Friðheimar Tomato Farm
Enjoy a unique meal in a greenhouse at Friðheimar, where tomatoes grow year-round despite Iceland's long, dark winters. Visitors can savor freshly made tomato soup, bread, and other delicacies in a charming setting surrounded by the plants themselves. Additional Stops Additional stops can be added for a fee if time permits, including glacier hikes, snowmobiling, and visits to attractions like the Blue Lagoon. Extra time beyond the standard tour duration will also incur additional fees.
Note: The fee for snorkeling at Silfra is included in the tour price and is only suitable for children & adults above 12 years old.
Included / Excluded
- Expert and fun-loving Guide from Your Friend in Reykjavik
- Wi-fi on board
- Luxurious tour vehicle
- Tips or gratuity
Meeting point
Start Location
Reykjavík, Iceland
Reykjavík, Reykjavík, Iceland
Important information
Know before you book
- Let us know about your accommodation so we can ensure a smooth departure
- Remember to select the amount of participants for the snorkeling at the checkout!
- Please let us know where you wish to be picked up so we can ensure a smooth departure!
Know before you go
- Please dress according to the weather - we recommend wearing multiple layers
- Keep your phone turned on in case we need to reach out!
- Let us know about your accommodation so we can ensure a smooth departure
Cancellation policy
Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
Reviews
Frankly a waste of money, especially a waste of time. The first two stops were boring but OK. Then all downhill. We included in our description that we have 1 severe dairy allergy (the description said it could accommodate)but only one accommodation was made so my partner couldn’t eat anything after the first 2. The 3rd stop was literally the hot dog stand, which we had to stand and wait in a 30 minute line for?Anyone can go to a hot dog stand on their own at a better time in the day with no line. The hot dogs are made with milk powder. The 4th stop was supposed to be candy and fish jerky….from a store, not even a restaurant- I could buy this myself, so that felt like a joke. store the guide was going to buy it from was closed LOL so he went to a grocery store to get it. The last stop was a fish dish made with dairy. I would never recommend this tour. It was so unnecessarily drawn out. We are so sad one of our only nights here was wasted on this poorly done, time-consuming tour
The ferry was cancelled due to the weather so the trip changed; be flexible when booking the Westman tour for this reason. Your Friend Reykjavík driver Daniel made the tour so special. He is so personable and thoughtful. It was such a comfortable trip and so convenient when seeing the different places. The best part was going to and eating at places that are local treasures, not just touristy destinations. Highly recommend!
We had a lovely private tour on our last day in Reykjavik! Our boat had us disembark at 8am but our flight wasn’t until 5pm! Petra took us all around town and gave us a locals perspective! She showed us some beautiful spots to see before taking all of us to the airport. We had a lovely time with Petra and it was the perfect way to spend our last day!!!
