Time to read: 7-10 min | Tags: history, parliament, culture, geology, heritage.
The concept of the Golden Circle as a defined travel route began to emerge as the government sought to showcase what unique natural wonders for tourism the country could display. The parliament’s elected representatives and local tour operators realized that the country’s most notable natural attractions, Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall, which were already starting to draw attention, could be connected into one unified route. Such an endeavor was not only done to promote these sites but also to boost tourism in a country that hadn’t yet tapped into tourism and Iceland as a potential global travel destination. The name ‘Golden Circle,’ however, was not branded yet, as the route remained nameless until tourist marketers came up with the name ‘Golden Circle’ in the 90s. The Golden Circle route was, however, developed in the 1970s as a convenient loop from the capital, Reykjavik, making it accessible for visitors to take in some of Iceland’s monumental sites and extraordinary landscapes in just one day. But the route offered more than just convenience or beauty for travelers. The Golden Circle is especially significant due to its historical, geological, and cultural heritage. With each landmark having its own remarkable story to tell, together they contribute to Iceland’s unique identity.
In the following years, the Golden Circle route remained relatively unknown among international travelers, as tourism in Iceland was still in its early stages. During the 1990s, the route gained popularity as tourism expanded and infrastructure improved, making these natural wonders more accessible to visitors. A section of this route traces the old King’s Road (Konungsvegur), built for the visit of King Frederick VIII of Denmark in 1907, when Iceland was still under Danish rule. At that time, the road symbolized progress and national pride, linking key landmarks in the south. Decades later, marketers recognized an opportunity to name the route the Golden Circle, believed to reference Gullfoss waterfall (Golden Falls). Today, the Golden Circle ranks as Iceland’s most popular travel route, with its highlights drawing well over one million international visitors each year.
The iconic route covers approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) in total, connecting three of Iceland’s popular and historically significant natural wonders: Þingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss. The Golden Circle route begins in Reykjavik, with a 45-kilometer (28-mile) drive along Route 36 to Þingvellir National Park, a journey that typically takes about 45 to 60 minutes, depending on road conditions and traffic. From there, you’ll head east on Route 36 toward Geysir Geothermal Area, which is about 60 kilometers (37 miles) away, taking approximately 1 hour to reach. The final stop, Gullfoss waterfall, is just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Geysir, a short 15- to 20-minute drive. For the return trip to Reykjavik, simply follow Route 35 south to Route 1, the famous “Ring Road.” From there, it’s about 100 kilometers (62 miles) back to the capital, completing the loop.
Þingvellir
Þingvellir (pronounced Thing-vet-lir) is the first stop on the Golden Circle. The history here is as deep as the geological significance of the area. This UNESCO World Heritage site is not only home to Iceland’s first parliament but also to the location where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, creating a rift valley where you can stand between two continents as the earth’s crust slowly separates beneath your feet.
Following the Viking settlement of Iceland, early inhabitants gathered in open-air assemblies to settle disputes, trade goods, and forge alliances. In 930 AD, Iceland’s national parliament—Alþingi—was established at Þingvellir. The site was chosen for several important reasons. Its central location in the southwest made it accessible from all parts of the island, allowing chieftains and farmers to travel there each summer. The dramatic rift valley provided a natural amphitheater, with the cliffs of Almannagjá offering excellent acoustics for addressing large crowds. The nearby Þingvallavatn lake and surrounding plains supplied fresh water, grazing land, and ample space for temporary camps, making it possible for thousands to gather and live there during the assembly. Equally important, Þingvellir lay on neutral ground, unclaimed by any single chieftain, which helped ensure that debates and decisions could take place in a fair and peaceful setting. Each summer, chieftains and farmers convened here to debate laws, resolve conflicts, and shape the destiny of their fledgling nation. Walking through Almannagjá, you can almost feel the weight of history, imagining the voices of these early lawmakers echoing between the towering walls of ancient lava.
Þingvellir is not only historically relevant but also sits astride the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The Almannagjá Gorge is the most dramatic example of this tectonic activity. It is one of the clearest examples of the boundary between two continents, and it is possible to hike there while taking in the view of the earth literally splitting beneath your feet. This stunning rift valley serves as a lesson in geology, slowly pulling apart at a rate of about 2 cm (0.8 inches) per year. Amidst this geologically rich environment lies Lake Þingvallavatn, covering an area of 84 square kilometers (32 square miles), making it the largest natural lake in Iceland.
Geysir Geothermal Area
After exploring the historical and geological wonders of Þingvellir, it’s time to experience one of Iceland’s most famous natural phenomena: the Geysir geothermal area. Located in the Haukadalur Valley. Geysir is the namesake for all geysers around the world; although it is now mostly dormant, it used to erupt regularly with enormous force, sending water up to 70 meters into the air. The name Geysir was originally adopted from the Icelandic verb “geysa,” which means “to gush.” Geysir was known for its eruptions, but from around 1900 it became more unpredictable, erupting two to four times a day some years and much less frequently in others. It stopped erupting regularly in the 1960s due to changes in the area’s geothermal conditions. During that era and up until the 1980s and early 1990s, locals began using soap to force Geysir to erupt in an attempt to lure in more tourists to the area. Each eruption required 40 to 50 kilograms of soap. After the soap injection, the surface of the water decreased, eventually triggering the geyser to erupt 20–30 minutes later. However, the negative environmental impact and disruption to the geyser’s natural behavior eventually led to the discontinuation of this method. Currently, Geysir is mostly inactive, with a brief exception in the year 2000 on Iceland’s National Day, June 17th, when an earthquake in the area temporarily revived the dormant geyser, causing it to erupt 2-4 times daily throughout the year; however, these eruptions were less powerful than before, with the boiling water only reaching about 15 meters high. Although Geysir remains inactive, that is not the case for its active neighbor, Strokkur, which erupts every 5–10 minutes, sending a plume of water as high into the sky as 15 to 20 meters (49 to 66 feet), although it can occasionally reach up to 40 meters (131 feet) during particularly strong eruptions. The geothermal area in Haukadalur is home to bubbling mud pots, hissing fumaroles, steaming vents, and a moon-like landscape.
Gullfoss waterfall
The third main attraction of the Golden Circle is the majestic Gullfoss waterfall. Gullfoss, which means “Golden Falls,” is one of Iceland’s most famous landmarks. It is in the Hvítá River in the southwest part of the country. Gullfoss has one of the largest water flows of any waterfall in Europe, with approximately 500 cubic meters per second of water cascading down its two wide tiers. The first tier drops about 11 meters (36 feet), and the second tier falls approximately 21 meters (69 feet), making the total drop about 32 meters (105 feet). The waterfall cascades into a deep canyon, which is about 70 meters (230 feet) wide and 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) long. The canyon’s sheer cliffs provide dramatic views of the falls as the water surges into the gorge below.
In 1907, English investor Samuel Howell (sometimes spelled Howells) sought to harness Gullfoss for hydroelectric power. The waterfall’s owner at the time, farmer Tómas Tómasson of the Brattholt farm, initially refused to sell—famously declaring, “I will not sell my friend.” Yet despite his resolve, he later leased the land to Howell, inadvertently granting the foreign investor rights that allowed him to pursue the proposed hydroelectric project.
Tómas’s daughter, Sigríður Tómasdóttir (born 24 February 1871 in Brattholt), had deep affection for the waterfall and could not bear to see it threatened. When the lease put its future at risk, she became the driving force behind the effort to protect it. She guided early visitors to the falls, helped build the first trail down to the gorge, and made repeated journeys—on foot or horseback—over roughly 100 km (62 miles) to Reykjavík to petition authorities. At one point, she even threatened to throw herself into the falls if construction went ahead.
As legal and financial pressures mounted, Howell abandoned his plans in 1929, unable to sustain the costs and logistics of the project. The Icelandic government later acquired the land, and in 1979 Gullfoss and its surrounding gorge were declared a nature reserve. Today, the site is fully protected, and a small memorial near the falls honors Sigríður’s legacy—a reminder that this natural wonder was once nearly lost. With its blend of history, symbolism, and breathtaking power, Gullfoss remains one of Iceland’s most treasured landmarks.
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