Iceland is a country that is turning into an an increasing number of in fashion trip spot for individuals who discover themselves looking out for utterly completely different and numerous experiences. Whether or not or not you will have a stopover in Iceland on a flight from North America to Europe or are planning to spend two weeks in Iceland, there could also be positively no shortage of factors of curiosity and interesting experiences you might take pleasure in.
If you don’t have 10 days to drive the Ring Freeway throughout the island, driving the Golden Circle route out of Reykjavik is an incredible experience, and will likely be explored in as little as only a few hours- although I might advocate as long as potential!
Proper right here’s my info to driving Iceland’s Golden Circle in a day!
What is the Golden Circle?
To not be confused with the Ring Freeway in Iceland, which takes just a few week to find and full, the Golden Circle is a spherical route that covers about 300 kilometers and loops from Reykjavík into central Iceland and once more in a day journey.
The route takes you through among the many most excellent sights in central Iceland, with environment ranging from pure web sites to historic buildings, and presents company the chance to experience the number of Iceland in a relatively transient journey.
Whereas it is the pure elements of curiosity which might be prone to get primarily essentially the most consideration, there are so many breathtaking elements alongside the route, along with Icelandic horses!
You’ll be part of organized tour groups, nevertheless driving the Golden Circle your self means you can stop anytime you want and even take considerably detour off the overwhelmed path.
Think about me, you may wish to make a million stops, so give your self reliant time to take pleasure in all of it!
Renting a Vehicle in Iceland
On the subject of renting a automotive in Iceland, it’d in all probability often be pretty an pricey experience, so proper right here are some ideas that you must use to reduce your costs:
- You’ll pre-book your rental on-line to get probably the greatest deal. My pal Matt and I decided to go the rental automotive route and used the company, SadCars.
- For these of you that require a automotive with automated transmission (like me!) make certain you e-book successfully prematurely on account of there’s a restricted present in Iceland. SadCars had a sturdy, automated 4×4 so I was able to take turns driving.
- Gasoline might be pricey, at current over $7 USD per gallon, so you should definitely situation this worth into your Iceland funds too and start with a full tank!
- In case you might be versatile with journey dates, the low season between September and Would possibly will carry down the rental costs.
- The Golden Circle route is paved with a great deal of indicators, so four-wheel drive is not on a regular basis needed for the precept route, nevertheless rental automotive companies will likely be succesful to current any information or gear that you just might want!
Navigation & Timing
In all probability essentially the most tough part of navigating the Golden Circle route is certainly getting out of Reykjavik, which is by far the busiest part of this route.
As quickly as you are outdoor city, nature surrounds you and, by driving the route your self, you’ll stop to profit from the drive nearly anyplace you need.
Scrolling over the map will help you to zoom in, and clicking Additional Selections will take you to a stop by stop itinerary!
<span data-mce-type=”bookmark” sort=”present: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;” class=”mce_SELRES_start”></span>
The precept sights throughout the Golden Circle are posted successfully, nevertheless most automotive rental companies gives you with the selection of renting a GPS unit too.
Helpful Tip
You’ll get hold of your route with Google Maps in your smartphone to utilize offline, it may possibly prevent some money by skipping the GPS.
With out stopping, the Golden Circle route can take as little as 3.5 hours to drive, nevertheless we spent about 8 hours on the freeway capturing quite a lot of images and didn’t actually really feel too rushed.
Keep in mind that timing is completely as a lot as you whereas driving the Golden Circle!
The place to Stop Alongside the Golden Circle
Whereas there are quite a few stopping elements alongside the Golden Circle, listed under are only a few of the popular areas that we chosen to stop at alongside our drive!
Thingvellir Nationwide Park
Thingvellir Nationwide Park is a UNESCO World Heritage web site and has carried out a big half in Iceland’s historic previous. You will discover lakes, waterfalls, pure formations, and most satisfying to me, the Silfra Fissure!
The Silfra Fissure is a crack between the North American and Eurasian continental plates, and it’s the one place on this planet the place you can dive or snorkel immediately between two continental plates. Since I purchased my PADI Open Water Diver certification in Bocas del Toro, this was on the best of my itemizing!
Strokkur Geyser
Located throughout the Haukadalur Valley, Strokkur is actually considered one of two large geysers throughout the area, and the one one which’s at current energetic.
Strokkur might be among the reliable geysers on this planet, sending plumes of steam and extremely regarded water extreme into the air, erupting every eight to 10 minutes.
Gullfoss Waterfall
The dramatic Gullfoss waterfall of the Hvita river crashing over the cliffs into a relatively slender crevice is probably going one of many hottest spots in Iceland for vacationers. From some angles, you’ll’t even see the place the water disappears, and will solely see the plume of spray rising into the air.
Kerid Crater Lake
Kerid crater lake is a beautiful crater made up of crimson rocks alternating with streaks of inexperienced grass and moss, which contrasts with the deep blue coloration of the lake itself.
It is an fascinating place to stop, with a transient hike to the waterfront, and the place you’ll see the stays of the collapsed volcano.
Completely different Consideration-grabbing Stops Alongside the Golden Circle
- Laugarvatn Fontana – A Spa & Wellness coronary heart constructed on pure scorching springs. You’ll take pleasure in steam baths, geothermal swimming swimming pools & additional!
- Skálholt Cathedral – Following Iceland’s adoption of Catholicism, Skálholt turned residence to the nation’s largest cathedral. It is a spectacular building!
- Hveragerði – Home to scorching springs and a geothermal park, shopping for, and fairly just a few nature adventures you’ll take pleasure in on a protracted pit stop!
- The Geothermal Vitality Exhibition – This energy plant is owned by Reykjavík Vitality and divulges how geothermal energy is harnessed in a sustainable technique and expert guides are on-hand to supply informative shows.
