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Golden Circle Small-Group Tour with Brúarfoss & Kerið

About 8 hoursGroup: Small group, up to 18 peopleEasySmall-group minibusAge 6+All year
5.0(15 reviews)

A Golden Circle small group tour that adds two extra stops to the classic route. Along with Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss you visit Brúarfoss, a small waterfall with bright blue water, and the red Kerið crater lake.

Þingvellir National ParkBrúarfoss waterfallGeysir and StrokkurGullfoss waterfallKerið crater
  • The three classic Golden Circle stops: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss
  • Brúarfoss, known for its bright blue glacial water
  • Kerið, a volcanic crater with a green-blue lake
  • Small group of up to 18 in a minibus with Wi-Fi
  • Pick-up in Reykjavík, back around 5 pm

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.
1Pick-up in ReykjavíkPick-up from set locations in Reykjavík between 9:00 and 9:30.
2Þingvellir National ParkÞingvellir National ParkWalk through the rift between two tectonic plates.
Þingvellir National ParkÞingvellir National ParkÞingvellir National Park

Þingvellir is where Iceland's parliament, the Alþingi, first met in 930, and it lies in a rift valley where the North American and Eurasian plates are pulling apart. Chieftains gathered here every summer, laws were recited from the Lögberg (Law Rock), and the plain below still shows where the assembly booths stood. The lake beside it, Þingvallavatn, is the largest natural lake in Iceland. The park is free to enter and open all year. You walk through Almannagjá, a rift at the edge of the North American plate, with views over the lake.

Walking · easy paths, some slopesFacilities · visitor centre and toilets
Read our Þingvellir National Park guide →
3BrúarfossBrúarfossA small waterfall with bright blue glacial water.
BrúarfossBrúarfossBrúarfoss

Brúarfoss is not the tallest or widest waterfall on the Golden Circle, but its colour is what draws people in. The Brúará is fed largely by clear spring water rather than glacial silt, which gives it an intense, glassy turquoise even on a grey day, set against the dark volcanic rock that frames the falls. It lies near Laugarvatn, just off the Golden Circle, and you can drive to a paid car park about 200 metres from the falls.

Walking · path to the falls; can be muddy or icyTip · wear waterproof shoes
Read our Brúarfoss guide →
4GeysirGeysirWatch Strokkur erupt every 5 to 10 minutes.
GeysirGeysirGeysir

Geysir gave every geyser in the world its name. The original Great Geysir now erupts only rarely, sometimes after earthquakes, so the show is Strokkur, a short walk away. It throws boiling water 15 to 20 metres into the air every 5 to 10 minutes, and sometimes a good deal higher, so you will see several eruptions while you are here. Keep to the paths between the pools and stay behind the ropes, as the water is very hot.

Walking · short, flat pathsFacilities · visitor centre, cafés, restaurant and toiletsTip · stand upwind of Strokkur to stay dry
Read our Geysir guide →
5GullfossGullfossThe great two-step waterfall in its canyon.
GullfossGullfossGullfoss

Gullfoss, the Golden Falls, drops about 32 metres in two steps into a narrow canyon roughly 70 metres deep and 2.5 kilometres long. The water comes from the Hvítá river, which is fed by the glacier Langjökull. Glacial water often turns golden-brown in sunlight, and rainbows hang in the spray on bright days. A path with stairs leads down to a lower level, closer to the water.

Walking · upper viewpoint is easy; lower path has stairsWinter · the lower path can close because of iceFacilities · café, shop and toilets
Read our Gullfoss guide →
6Kerið craterKerið craterA volcanic crater with a lake at the bottom.
Kerið craterKerið craterKerið crater

Kerið is a volcanic crater about 270 metres long, 170 metres wide and 55 metres deep, with a blue-green lake at the bottom. Unlike the black basalt found almost everywhere nearby, its walls are deep red, from oxidised volcanic rock. It is thought to have formed when a magma chamber emptied and the ground above collapsed, rather than in a violent explosion. You can walk the rim and, where allowed, down to the water. There is a small entry fee. You can walk around the rim or take the steps down to the water.

Walking · rim path and steps down to the lakeFacilities · toilets at the car park
Read our Kerið guide →
7Back to ReykjavíkDrop-off in Reykjavík around 5 pm.

About the Golden Circle small group tour

The Golden Circle is the most popular day trip from Reykjavík, and this version keeps the group small and adds two quieter stops. You start at Þingvellir, then visit Brúarfoss before going on to Geysir and Gullfoss. The last stop is Kerið crater on the way back to the city.

Brúarfoss is a low waterfall on the Brúará river, but the colour of the water is what people come for: a bright, milky blue that is hard to believe in photos. Kerið is an old volcanic crater with red and black walls and a lake at the bottom. Together they give a good break from the crowds at the big three.

Walks are short and on paths, but some are uneven and can be icy in winter. In winter daylight is short, so your guide may adjust the timing of stops. In summer the main sites are busy in the middle of the day, and a small group makes it easier to get on and off the bus quickly.

Make it your own

Optional extras, at extra cost
  • Hiking boot rental
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers rental
  • Hat and gloves to buy
  • Neck warmer to buy
  • Cap to buy

Included

  • English-speaking guide
  • Transport from Reykjavík by small-group minibus
  • Wi-Fi on board
  • Entry fees at Brúarfoss and Kerið

Not included

  • Food and drinks
  • Rental of boots and waterproof clothing

What to bring

  • Warm layers
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Waterproof shoes or hiking boots
  • Hat and gloves outside summer
  • Money for lunch and snacks

Good to know

  • The tour takes about 8 hours; pick-up is between 9:00 and 9:30 and you are back around 5 pm
  • Minimum age 6
  • Easy: short walks on paths, which can be icy in winter
  • Pick-up from set locations in greater Reykjavík, not from Keflavík Airport; give your pick-up point at least 24 hours ahead
  • Toilets at Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss and Kerið
  • Runs all year; the order of stops can change for weather, roads or short winter daylight
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start (a 3% fee is kept); no refund if you cancel less than 24 hours before

Questions people ask

How is this different from a normal Golden Circle tour?

It is a small group of up to 18, and it adds Brúarfoss and Kerið crater to the three classic stops.

Is lunch included?

No. At lunch time the group stops where you can buy a warm lunch, and there are other stops for snacks and drinks.

Is the tour good for children?

Yes, from age 6. The walks are short, but it is a long day.

Can I be picked up from the airport?

No. Pick-up is only from set locations in greater Reykjavík.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.
5.0Based on 15 reviews
5 stars15
4 stars0
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1 star0
Great tour to the Golden Circle

This tour was absolutely great - I can highly recommend it. Bruarfoss was my favorite part of the tour.

Fred M. · October 2025
Best tour

This day trip was fantastic! Our guide was awesome and took us to a few extra spots because of how sunny it was. Would highly recommend.

Emily R. · June 2025
Loved Bruarfoss

We saw the Golden Circle’s iconic highlights on this tour but the walk to Brúarfoss stole the show! The vivid blue water and quiet trail made it feel like a secret treasure. A perfect tour if you want the classic experience with a touch of off-the-beaten-path beauty.

Tara N. · May 2025
Great tour and value

Beautiful day exploring the golden circle. Very happy that the blue waterfall bruarfoss was also part of this tour. Great value for money and very nice guide.

Monica · December 2024
Espectacular

Este tour fue espectacular. Además de los clásicos del Círculo Dorado, la parada en Bruarfoss fue un verdadero tesoro escondido. Al ser un grupo pequeño, todo se sintió más personalizado, y nuestro guía fue amable y lleno de conocimientos. ¡Un día perfecto en Islandia!

Javier · November 2024
Bruarfoss was our favorite!

This tour was amazing! The Golden Circle stops were beautiful, and Brúarfoss was a hidden gem—absolutely worth it. Our guide made the experience even better with great stories and insights. Highly recommend!

Laura M. · October 2024
From12,927 ISKPer person

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