Iceland Travel Guide logo Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND My trip Talk to a local

Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon, Kerið & Northern Lights

About 12 hours with a breakGroup: Small group, up to 19 guests per guideEasyMinibus, pick-up in ReykjavíkAge 6+August to April
Gullfoss waterfall with a rainbow in the spraySteam rising from the Secret Lagoon on a cold morningThree guests watching the Northern LightsStrokkur erupting in winter with visitors watching
The Almannagjá rift at Þingvellir

A full day and evening in one booking. By day you see the three Golden Circle sights, bathe in the Secret Lagoon at Flúðir and walk the rim of Kerið crater. After a break in Reykjavík you are picked up again to look for the Northern Lights away from the city lights.

Þingvellir National ParkGeysir and StrokkurGullfoss waterfallSecret Lagoon in FlúðirKerið craterNorthern Lights hunt
  • Þingvellir National Park
  • Strokkur geyser
  • Gullfoss waterfall
  • Secret Lagoon in Flúðir
  • Kerið crater
  • Northern Lights hunt

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.
1Pick-up in ReykjavíkYour guide picks you up by minibus from your accommodation or a nearby bus stop in Reykjavík in the morning.

Your guide picks you up by minibus from your accommodation or a nearby bus stop in Reykjavík in the morning. The exact time is on your ticket, and pick-up can take up to 30 minutes.

Read our Reykjavík guide →
2The Almannagjá rift at ÞingvellirÞingvellir National ParkThe first stop is Þingvellir, where Iceland's parliament first met in 930 and where you can walk between the North American and Eurasian plates.
The Almannagjá rift at Þingvellir

The first stop is Þingvellir, where Iceland's parliament first met in 930 and where you can walk between the North American and Eurasian plates. They move apart by about 2 cm a year. Þingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

3Strokkur erupting in winter with visitors watchingGeysir and StrokkurAt the Geysir geothermal area you walk between steaming pools to Strokkur, which erupts every 4 to 10 minutes.
Strokkur erupting in winter with visitors watchingStrokkur on a summer day

At the Geysir geothermal area you walk between steaming pools to Strokkur, which erupts every 4 to 10 minutes. The original Geysir that gave its name to all geysers is mostly quiet today.

4Gullfoss waterfall with a rainbow in the sprayGullfoss waterfallGullfoss drops in two steps into the canyon of the Hvítá river.
Gullfoss waterfall with a rainbow in the spray

Gullfoss drops in two steps into the canyon of the Hvítá river. Paths lead to viewpoints above and beside the falls. In winter the spray freezes on the rocks, so wear shoes with good grip.

5Steam rising from the Secret Lagoon on a cold morningSecret Lagoon in FlúðirTime to warm up.
Steam rising from the Secret Lagoon on a cold morningThe old changing house beside the Secret Lagoon

Time to warm up. The Secret Lagoon, Gamla Laugin, is a natural hot pool in the village of Flúðir, first built in 1891 and one of the oldest swimming places in Iceland. The water stays at about 38 to 40 °C, and a small geyser next to the pool erupts every few minutes. Entry is included.

6Kerið crater and its lakeKerið craterOn the way back you stop at Kerið, a volcanic crater about 6,500 years old with red slopes and a blue-green lake at the bottom.
Kerið crater and its lake

On the way back you stop at Kerið, a volcanic crater about 6,500 years old with red slopes and a blue-green lake at the bottom. A path goes round the rim.

7Break in ReykjavíkYou are dropped off in Reykjavík for a few hours to have dinner and change into warmer clothes for the evening.
8Three guests watching the Northern LightsNorthern Lights huntPick-up for the Northern Lights is at 20:30 or 21:30, depending on the time of year.
Three guests watching the Northern LightsNorthern Lights over a snowy plain

Pick-up for the Northern Lights is at 20:30 or 21:30, depending on the time of year. Your guide follows the aurora and cloud forecasts and drives to dark places away from the city, such as Þingvellir, the Reykjanes peninsula or the countryside of South Iceland. There is hot cocoa and a blanket, and if the lights appear the guide takes photos of you under them. You are back in Reykjavík around midnight.

About the Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Northern Lights tour

This tour puts four of the most popular things to do near Reykjavík into one long day: the Golden Circle, a natural hot pool, a volcanic crater and a Northern Lights hunt. It runs in a minibus with a guide who stays with you all day.

The Golden Circle and the Northern Lights hunt are run as two separate parts. If the Northern Lights part is cancelled because of the weather, the day tour still goes ahead, and you can move the evening part to another night or get a refund for it.

The Northern Lights are a natural event and can never be promised. If you do not see them, you can join the Northern Lights minibus tour again for free, as often as you like, for up to three years (subject to availability).

Make it your own

Optional extras, at extra cost
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Waterproof trousers
  • Hiking shoes
  • Ice grips (October to April)

Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavík, morning and evening
  • Guided Golden Circle tour by minibus
  • Entry to the Secret Lagoon
  • Northern Lights hunt with an English-speaking guide
  • Northern Lights photos
  • Hot cocoa, chocolate and a blanket
  • Free Wi-Fi on board
  • Free retries for the Northern Lights for up to three years if you do not see them

Not included

  • Lunch and dinner (there is a stop at a restaurant, or bring a packed lunch)
  • Towel (bring your own or rent one at the lagoon)

What to bring

  • Swimsuit and towel
  • Warm, waterproof clothing
  • Hat and gloves
  • Sturdy shoes, and ice grips from October to April
  • Packed lunch if you like

Good to know

  • About 12 hours in total, with a few hours' break in Reykjavík before the Northern Lights part
  • Minimum age 6. Children 6 to 12 pay the child price
  • You will get an email by 17:00 if the Northern Lights part is cancelled for weather
  • Ice grips are recommended from mid-October to mid-April and can be bought when you book
  • The tour is guided in English
  • Pick-up from your accommodation or a nearby bus stop in Reykjavík

Questions people ask

What happens if we do not see the Northern Lights?

The lights can never be promised. If the tour runs and you do not see them, you can join the Northern Lights minibus tour again for free for up to three years, subject to availability. There is no refund if the tour runs and the lights do not appear.

What if the Northern Lights part is cancelled?

It is cancelled when the weather makes it pointless or unsafe. You are told by email by 17:00, and you can move it to another night or get a full refund for that part. The day tour still runs.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes, or rent one at the Secret Lagoon. Bring your swimsuit as well.

Is food included?

No. The tour stops at a restaurant during the day, and you have a break in Reykjavík for dinner before the evening part.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes, from age 6. The walking is easy, but it is a long day.

Reviews

A local reads every review before it is shown.
No reviews of this tour yet. If you have taken it, other travellers would like to hear how it went.
From30,990 ISKPer person

You may also like

Golden Circle & Secret LagoonGolden Circle & Secret LagoonFrom 15,990 ISKSolheimajokull Glacier HikeSolheimajokull Glacier HikeFrom 14,635 ISKKatla Ice Cave & South Coast Tour from ReykjavikKatla Ice Cave & South Coast Tour from ReykjavikFrom 36,199 ISK
More tours like this:Secret Lagoon IcelandNorthern Lights tours in IcelandHot springs in IcelandGolden Circle toursAll categories →
Our guides to places on this tour:GeysirGullfossKeriðReykjavíkThe Secret LagoonÞingvellir National Park
From30,990 ISK