After days of exploring Iceland’s raw and untamed beauty, today’s adventure felt like the perfect mix of iconic sights and a touch of city life. Our goal was to visit the famous Golden Circle landmarks — Gullfoss, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Thingvellir National Park — and make our way closer to Reykjavík by evening. While the full loop of the Golden Circle wraps around southern Iceland, these three main attractions are conveniently clustered along the top section of the route, which makes it easy to explore them en route to the capital without doing the full circle.
The entire drive, including stops, took us about 6 hours — though we could’ve stretched it to 7 with more leisurely breaks. If you’re like us and love pausing to take in the scenery (or stop for a surprise coffee), give yourself some wiggle room!
🌊 Stop 1: Gullfoss — Iceland’s Golden Gem
We started at Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls, and honestly, photos don’t do it justice. The name translates to “Golden Falls,” and when the sun hits just right, the mist and glacial water sparkle like gold.
This powerful two-tiered waterfall crashes down into a rugged canyon, creating a thunderous sound that echoes across the valley. There are well-marked paths that take you to a few different vantage points — some right beside the waterfall where you can feel the spray on your face, and others from higher up where you get a wide-angle view of the entire gorge.
We spent about 45 minutes here, just taking it all in. There’s a visitor center with restrooms and a café too, which was perfect for a quick warm-up in the chilly wind.
🌟 Our Tip: Bring a rain jacket — even on a sunny day, you’ll get misted (and it’s totally worth it).
🌋 Stop 2: Geysir Geothermal Area — Earth in Action
Next, we headed to the Geysir Geothermal Area, a steaming, bubbling landscape that feels like something out of another planet. The area is named after “The Great Geysir,” which is now mostly dormant, but don’t worry — Strokkur, its much more active sibling, puts on a show every 5 to 10 minutes!
We stood there, holding our breath with the crowd, watching the pool of water pulse and rise until — boom! — a huge column of water shot 20–30 meters into the sky. It’s one of those sights that’s impossible to get bored of, no matter how many times it happens.
Aside from Strokkur, we wandered past boiling mud pots, hissing steam vents, and mineral-rich hot springs that glowed in surreal colors. It’s a fairly compact area, and we easily walked around the entire field in under an hour.
📍 Entrance is free, and there’s a restaurant, gift shop, and restrooms right across the road.
🌍 Stop 3: Thingvellir National Park — Where the Earth Splits
Our final stop before Reykjavík was Thingvellir National Park — and it blew us away in every sense. This UNESCO World Heritage Site isn’t just naturally stunning; it’s also where Iceland’s heart beats historically.
Thingvellir is where the Althing, Iceland’s original parliament, was established back in 930 AD — making it one of the world’s oldest. But what makes the park truly unique is that it sits right on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are literally pulling apart.
We walked through Almannagjá gorge, the massive rift valley formed by this slow but powerful movement. With towering cliffs on either side and crystal-clear streams running through the lava fields, it felt like walking between worlds.
Don’t miss:
Öxarárfoss, a small but scenic waterfall tucked into the cliffs Law Rock (Lögberg), where ancient laws were once proclaimed A viewpoint over Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake
We spent a little over an hour here, and it easily could’ve been more if we weren’t keeping an eye on the time. Parking costs 750 ISK, but access to the park is otherwise free.
🧭 Bonus: Thingvellir is also where people go diving/snorkeling in Silfra — the glacial fissure with some of the clearest water on the planet. Next time, we’re doing it.
🛏 Where We Stayed: A Night at Héraðsskólinn Historical Guesthouse
After a day packed with stunning sights, long walks, and a few hundred photos, we were more than ready to unwind. Thankfully, our stay tonight was something truly special — the Héraðsskólinn Historical Guesthouse in Laugarvatn.
Nestled between scenic hills and lakes, this charming guesthouse felt like the perfect Icelandic retreat. The building itself has a rich past — originally a schoolhouse built in 1928 — and it still carries that sense of history in its cozy interiors, creaky wooden floors, and vintage-style décor.
What made it even better? The location. Laugarvatn is right at the heart of the Golden Circle, making it an ideal base if you’re planning to explore Thingvellir, Gullfoss, and Geysir, just like we did. After driving between sights all day, it was such a relief not to have to head all the way back to Reykjavík.
Even better, Fontana Geothermal Baths are just next door. We didn’t have time to soak this time around (sunset was already knocking), but imagine relaxing in naturally heated pools while gazing over a peaceful lake — it’s officially on our list for the next visit.
The views around Laugarvatn were magical, especially at dusk. Golden skies reflecting on the water, soft light spilling over the hills, and crisp air that makes you feel completely alive. We took a short walk before dinner and felt like we had Iceland all to ourselves.
🌟 If you’re looking for a cozy, atmospheric place to stay in the Golden Circle — close to nature but still full of character — Héraðsskólinn is a gem.
Two Yellow Jackets 