Top 10 Things To Do in Golden Circle Iceland

10. Kerio Crater Lake

Having a beautiful lake is great, but having a beautiful lake inside of a volcano caldera is far superior. Popular stop Kerið Crater in the southern Golden Circle offers striking contrasts between the bright turquoise color of the crater lake’s waters and the lush patches of greenery which makes the scarlet rocks surrounding it stand out.

The dimensions of Kerið are roughly 55 METERS in-depth, 170 METERS in width, and 270 METERS around the outside. Wow!

Researchers concluded that because there was no sign of a volcanic explosion during the previous eruption of the Kerið volcano, which occurred about 3,000 years ago, the magma store was depleted, resulting in the hefty cone collapsing into the empty magma chamber.

In the centuries that followed the collapse, Kerið’s crater eventually got full of water. Depending on the time of year and the amount of rainfall, the resulting lake ranges in depth from SEVEN TO FOURTEEN METERS. 

9. Frioheimar Greenhouses

A popular tomato farm in South Iceland known for its fresh produce, horse breeding program, and horse events performed in fourteen different languages is called Friðheimar.

Because of Iceland’s exceptionally long and dark winters, residents had only a little access to fruits and vegetables. Fortunately, when geothermal energy was introduced, Friðheimar is the first to cultivate tomatoes in greenhouses year-round using artificial lights.

Through the use of clean energy, pure waters, and biological pest management, Friðheimar places a high priority on producing the best possible taste while upholding environmental standards.

Aside from the scrumptious food, it’s also a must-see destination because Friðheimar has a wealth of experience in horse breeding. Icelandic horses are renowned for being a highly unique breed.

These horses have five gaits, including the tölt, whereas the majority of horses in the world only have four. This allows them to offer several activities like their HORSEBACK RIDING, as well as HORSE SHOW. 

8. Bruararfoss Waterfall

Brúarárfoss, also known as “THE BRIDGE WATERFALL” is relatively tiny compared to its other Icelandic waterfalls, however, its picturesque and staggering beauty makes up for the lack of size.

Its beauty is mostly delivered due to its deep blue color, which is rumored to be the bluest color you have ever seen. In fact, locals and travelers have regarded this waterfall as “ICELAND’S BLUEST WATERFALL.”

Aren’t you glad you heard this hidden gem here? The glacial river Brúará cascades 2-3 meters before doing a U-turn and condensing into a deep cleft at the base of the waterfall, which is surrounded by dark volcanic rock formations.

This produces sky-blue rapids that nearly defy description, and the surrounding, rich green flora, which offers a dramatic contrast to the moving water, makes the vistas all the more breathtaking.

Southwest of the Golden Circle in Iceland is where you’ll find Bruararfoss. This is a fantastic addition to your day of sightseeing if you are visiting the Golden Circle.

7. Black Sand Beach

Well, it’s no secret that most people are used to gold and white sand beaches, but in Iceland, you can actually visit one of the most stunning and unique black sand beaches in the world. Honestly, it looks like another planet, absolutely unique to anything you’ve seen before. Have you ever been to a black sand beach?

Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to see your feedback. Now, if you’re familiar with Games of Thomes you probably have seen Reynisfjara beach. This is one of the most popular black sand beaches in Iceland.

The cliffs and sea caves with their variety of basalt columns of all sizes and twists are mesmerizing. Take safety precautions as there are sneaker waves, you’ll see warning signs at the beach.

If you are in Iceland even for a short while, this place should be included in the short “must-see” locations because it is one of a kind. 

6. Þórufoss Waterfall

Gullfoss Waterfall is the star of the show when touring the Golden Circle, overshadowing all other waterfalls in the region.

Nevertheless, despite the brief detour on the way to Þingvellir National Park, you don’t want to miss Þórufoss. The waterfall is a portion of the 25-kilometer Laxá Kjós river, which is well-known for having an abundant population of Atlantic salmon.

The waterfall is not particularly signposted because it is not as well-known as its equivalents across the nation. They have around a 54ft drop and are around 100 ft wide.

In the winter, Þórufoss is known to ice over. The waterfall also served as the CHILDREN OF THE FOREST residence during the filming of HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Wouldn’t this beautiful waterfall be a glorious addition to your pleasant and peaceful adventure?

5. Laugarvatn Fontana

The Laugarvatn Fontana is a NATURAL POOL that makes the most of the local geothermal activity and is situated halfway between Þingvellir, Gullfoss, and Geysir.

Since 1929, the area’s unique geothermal springs have drawn tourists. Steam rooms and warm pools with views of the lake are just a couple of the sensations available here. A hot tub and sauna are also available.

You can even have a nice swim in the lake itself, which is reachable from the swimming area if you’re feeling very daring. The medicinal properties of water are mixed with magnificent views of the beach and Laugarvatn Lake in these thermal baths, which are intended to promote both PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING. As the steam rises from the soil, you can hear the natural spring bubbling beneath your feet from the steam baths.

You may also receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the geothermal bakery where you can watch how the rye bread is excavated from the scalding black sand and, of course, sample it. Thanks to the ground!

4. Secret Lagoon Hot Spring

Although Secret Lagoon is only secret in name, it is nonetheless a haven of calm and well-being that should not be missed along the Golden Circle Route. The second geothermal bath you can visit while traveling the Golden Circle is the Secret Lagoon Hot Spring. It is also the first public swimming pool in Iceland that was established here in 1891, making it the OLDEST-MAN MADE SWIMMING POOL. It is situated in the little settlement of Flir, some 30 minutes from Geysir. However, it was abandoned until the current owner began using it as a private pool for himself about 2005 when it was given its name. Today, the pool offers a relaxing bathing experience and is open to everyone for a price. As it is a part of a wider geothermal area, you can also observe boiling pools and a baby geyser. Taking a warm bath next to geysers that are gushing water and steam that is rising into the air is just what you need in between two attractions. Additionally, the northern lights mirror the Secret Lagoon during the winter, providing the most amazing sight and energizing experience. I trust you’ll be reluctant to leave!

3. Gullfoss Waterfall

The third and final of the Golden Circle’s three most well-known sites is Gullfoss or the GOLDEN FALLS. The driving time from Haukadalur to the waterfall, which is on the Hvtá river, is around 10 minutes.

With a total height of 105 FEET, it is one of Iceland’s most stunning waterfalls. The actual falls consist of two stages, the first of which is around 36 FEET TALL and the second of which is about 70 FEET TALL. A large three-step plunge that spans the river’s breadth comes before these stages.

The falls are stunning because of the amount of water they produce; in the summer, 4,900 cubic feet of water flow over the falls per second. Both the summer and the winter are gorgeous in Gullfoss.

If you visit in the afternoon,  there is a considerable probability that you will see rainbows in the spray because it is surrounded by lush green vegetation in the summer. It’s a very different view in the winter, with distant mountains covered with snow.

No matter what time of year you visit, Gullfoss will leave you speechless with its beauty and strength!

2. Haukadalur Geothermal Field

The geysers of Iceland are among its most well-known sights. The finest location to view this natural phenomenon is at Haukadalur Geothermal Field.

STORUKKUR and GEYSIR are the two most well-known geysers. Although Geysir hasn’t erupted much recently, we think taking a break now and then is only reasonable given that he’s been erupting for at least 10,000 YEARS.

The burst of steam and boiling water that rises more than 400 FEEET is amazing when he does, though. The best part is that Strokkur, which is only 50 meters from Geysir, is much more consistent, erupting typically every 5 to 10 minutes.

Although this eruption normally averages around 50 FEET in height, it is nonetheless incredibly remarkable although not nearly as large as Geysir.

There are also more than 40 tiny hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots are also present in the vicinity.

1. Þingvellir National Park

This national park is considered the only UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE and Iceland’s first national park. Not only that but Þingvellir’s long and rich history is also intertwined with the origin of the current Icelandic culture and heritage.

ALþINGI, the first democratically elected parliament in history to still be in existence, was established here in 930 AD.

Aside from the history lesson, visitors to the National Park are immediately struck by its stunning aesthetics: dried magma fields coated in Icelandic moss, sitting in glacial spring carvings, and around a bowl of old mountain peaks.

As a matter of fact, fans of Game Thrones will be thrilled to know that several scenes were shot in the park, recognizably the “BLOODY GATE” in Season 4.

There are also additional mini sights you can visit in the park, like the SILFRA FISSURE, which is a bucket list for snorkellers and scuba divers.