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Small Group Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavík

About 8 hoursGroup: Small groupEasySmall-group minibus from ReykjavíkAge 6+All year
5.0(1 review)

A Golden Circle small group tour from Reykjavík in a minibus rather than a big coach. You see Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss plus Kerið crater, with pick-up and drop-off included.

HveragerðiKerið craterGullfoss waterfallGeysir geothermal areaÞingvellir National Park
  • The three classic Golden Circle stops in one day
  • A stop at Kerið volcanic crater, which many big-bus tours skip
  • Small-group minibus with a guide-to-client ratio kept low
  • Pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavík included
  • Free Wi-Fi on board

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.
1Pick-up in ReykjavíkPick-up from central locations; the guide may take up to 30 minutes to reach you.
2Geothermal hillside at HveragerðiHveragerðiA short stop in this geothermal town.
Geothermal hillside at HveragerðiHveragerðiHveragerði

Hveragerði is a small town built on an active geothermal area, known for its greenhouses and steaming ground. It is a short stop with a bakery and toilets.

Facilities · bakery and toilets
3Kerið crater lakeKerið craterA volcanic crater with a blue-green lake.
Kerið crater lakeKerið 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.

Time here · about 20–30 minutesWalking · easy rim path, steps down to the lake
Read our Kerið guide →
4GullfossGullfossA powerful two-tiered waterfall in a deep 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.

Winter · lower path can close due to iceFacilities · café, shop and toilets
Read our Gullfoss guide →
5GeysirGeysirThe hot spring area that gave geysers their name.
GeysirGeysirStrokkur geyser erupting at sunrise

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.

Facilities · visitor centre, café and toilets
Read our Geysir guide →
6Þingvellir National ParkÞingvellir National ParkA UNESCO site where the tectonic plates meet.
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.

Walking · easy path, about 1–2 kmFacilities · visitor centre and toilets
Read our Þingvellir National Park guide →
7Return to ReykjavíkDrop-off back in the city.

About the Golden Circle small group tour

This is the classic Golden Circle route, run in a minibus rather than a full-size coach, which keeps the group smaller than the big bus tours that leave from the same city. You get the three sights that give the route its name, Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, plus a stop at Kerið, a red volcanic crater with a lake at the bottom.

The day starts with a short stop in Hveragerði, a geothermal town on the way out of Reykjavík, then continues to Kerið, Gullfoss and Geysir before finishing at Þingvellir on the way back. Walking is easy throughout and the pace suits most fitness levels, so it works for most travellers in fair general health.

It runs all year. In winter, daylight is short and the roads can be icy, so the order of stops may change and the lower path at Gullfoss can be closed; in summer you get long daylight hours and busier car parks at the main sights.

Make it your own

Optional extras, at extra cost
  • Ice grips for your shoes, to buy (October to April)
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers rental
  • Hiking boot rental

Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavík
  • English-speaking guide
  • Minibus transport
  • Free Wi-Fi on board

Not included

  • Food and drinks
  • Entrance fees where applicable

What to bring

  • Warm, waterproof jacket
  • Comfortable walking shoes

Good to know

  • About 8 hours, starting and ending in Reykjavík
  • Minimum age 6
  • Easy difficulty, suitable for most people in fair condition
  • Runs all year; the lower path at Gullfoss can close in winter
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start
  • Pick-up starts at 8:00 or 9:00, depending on the departure you choose
  • Child and booster seats are available on request, free of charge.

Questions people ask

How is this different from a big bus Golden Circle tour?

It runs in a smaller minibus with fewer passengers, so it feels less crowded on board.

Is there a minimum age?

Yes, the operator sets a minimum age of 6.

Does the tour run in winter?

Yes, all year, though the guide may adjust stop order or skip the lower Gullfoss path if it's icy.

Can I cancel if my plans change?

Yes, free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.
5.0Based on 1 review
5 stars1
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1 star0
Fantastic tour

The Golden Circle Small Group Tour was fantastic! We visited amazing sites like Þingvellir, Gullfoss, and Geysir. The small group made it feel personal, and our guide was friendly and informative. Highly recommend this tour!

Alicia F. · March 2025
From14,990 ISKPer person

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