The Golden Circle (Icelandic: Gullni hringurinn [ˈkʏtlnɪ ˈr̥iŋkʏrɪn]) is a tourist route in
southern Iceland
, covering about 300 kilometres (190 mi) looping from Reykjavík into the southern uplands of Iceland and back. It is the area that contains most tours and travel-related activities in Iceland.
What is considered the Golden Circle in Iceland?
The Golden Circle is
a 300 kilometre (186 miles) route to the three most popular natural attractions in Iceland: the Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss Waterfall and Þingvellir National Park
.
How far is Reykjavik from the Golden Circle?
It's a
190-mile
driving loop from Reykjavik into the southern uplands of Iceland and back. But the best part is you can do the whole trip in just a day! It's ideal for people on a short layover flying to Europe without much time. Self-driving the Golden Circle in Iceland allows you to go at your own pace.
Why do they call it the Golden Circle in Iceland?
The name Golden Circle or “Gullni hringurinn” in Icelandic
refers to the route from Reykjavik to Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss which are the highlights of the route and back to Reykjavik and make it a circle
. The Gold in the name comes from “Gullfoss” which literally means Golden waterfall.
Is Iceland Ring Road worth it?
Is the Ring Road in Iceland worth it?
Definitely!
Driving the Ring Road of Iceland is a great road trip idea. As it circles the island, you will be able to reach the different parts of Iceland (except the highlands and Westfjords).
Is the Golden Circle worth it?
The Golden Circle is definitely worth visiting
! Whether you'd prefer a guided tour or self guided tour is another question. The Golden Circle is free to visit, so you'd only need to pay for car rental on a DIY tour.
Can you drive the Golden Circle in winter?
Yes, you can drive the Golden Circle in in Winter
. It is a very touristic area and roads are frequently cleared of snow. Note that if you visit early, you will enjoy the attractions with much less tourists, but the roads might be icy as not many vehicles will have driven on them yet.
Is the Blue Lagoon in the Golden Circle?
Where is the Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon? The Golden Circle is in southwest Iceland, just outside of the city of Reykjavik. The round trip has approximately 250 kilometers from Reykjavik.
Blue Lagoon is on the other side, as you would be heading to the Keflavik International airport
.
What do you wear to the Golden Circle?
- Long or short sleeve t-shirt as a base layer.
- Warm jumper. …
- Lightweight, wind and waterproof jacket.
- Lightweight, wind and waterproof trousers.
- A warm hat, scarf and gloves or mittens (yes, even in the summer)
Is there a black beach in Iceland?
Iceland boasts a number of black beaches awash with silky dark sand including
Diamond Beach on the eastern coast near to Iceland's highest mountain peak Hvannadalshnúkur, and Djúpalónssandur Beach on the west coast near Snæfellsjökull National Park
.
Can you do Golden Circle in a day?
The whole Golden Circle route can easily be done in one day
, as the classic journey covers around 230 kilometres (140 miles to you and me). You can actually drive the route in just over 3 hours.
Is Iceland expensive?
Is Iceland expensive to visit, or is it possible to travel on a tighter budget? According to Numbeo's Cost of Living Index,
Iceland currently ranks as the third most expensive country in the world
. Local banks have also studied the essential travel costs for tourists, and the numbers are staggering.
How long does it take to drive around Iceland?
A: The Ring Road which encircles the island is approximately 1,333 kilometers. Assuming that it takes around one hour to complete 100 kilometers, you can drive around Iceland in
12-13 hours
.
What language do they speak in Iceland?
Icelandic
Can you do the Golden Circle tour yourself?
You have two main options for visiting the Golden Circle –
you can drive yourself
, or you can take a guided tour. What is this? Guided tours are a very popular option, and because so many companies offer them, prices are competitive so you can get a full day tour at a good rate.
Is English spoken in Iceland?
English is
almost universally spoken in Iceland
, with many people very fluent as well. Icelanders learn English from a very early age and are exposed to English language film and TV a lot and so are very proficient at English. Almost the entire population can speak it to some degree.
How much does it cost to drive the Ring Road in Iceland?
Fuel in Iceland is pricey (around $7.50-8.00 per gallon), and travelers can expect to pay
around $300 (USD)
in total to drive the entire route. Many gas stations, even those in the countryside, also offer basic groceries, plus pre-made sandwiches and hot soups.
Can you do the Ring Road in 5 days?
Can you drive the Ring Road in 5 days? Short answer: absolutely.
You can drive Iceland's route 1 in five days
, and still enjoy many of the spectacular locations available along the way.
Is 4 days enough for Iceland?
Four days is more than enough time to immerse yourself in Icelandic culture and nature
. Although you might not choose to tour the whole island in four days, you may want to take multiple trips out of the capital city.
Can you see northern lights in Iceland?
Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora borealis, or northern lights
. Here, at 65° N on the southern edge of the Arctic Circle, you can see auroras almost every night (and in warmer temperatures than other viewing locations in Scandinavia).
Is it safe to drive in Iceland during winter?
During winter, Iceland is blanketed in snow making it look like a winter wonderland!
The roads are all cleared regularly and are quite safe for driving
! If there is one place to road trip during the winter, I recommend visiting the South Coast of Iceland because all the sights are easily accessible from the road!
How many days do you need in Iceland?
8-12 days
is an ideal amount of time to spend in Iceland as it means you can explore different regions. You could drive around the Ring Road in a full circle to reach the diverse corners of Iceland, from the South Coast to eastern fjords, around North Iceland and over to the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
Can you tour Iceland on your own?
If you're planning to visit Iceland for at least 5 days or more, then a self-guided road trip is the best way to go, so long as you're comfortable with renting a car and driving yourself. If you have at least 7 days, you can follow our 7-day Golden Circle and Southern Iceland itinerary.
Is there Uber in Iceland?
Unfortunately,
there's no Uber in Iceland
, not even in the capital city of Reykjavik. There's no Lyft in Iceland, either. Public transportation and taxis are your best options. With flag fall starting at around 5.75 USD, a short drive from the Central Bus Station to downtown Reykjavik will cost around 17.50 USD.
What is included in the Golden Circle tour?
The classic Golden Circle tour consists of Iceland's three most popular tourist attractions:
Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park
. The route covers approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) and loops from the capital city to the center of Iceland and back.
How long does the Golden Circle tour last?
Yes, the Golden Circle tour takes
7 hours
, which means that if you liked it a lot, you can do it even two times in one day.
How much does it cost to get into Blue Lagoon Iceland?
What's the cost of Iceland's Blue Lagoon? Price: $40 return if you book online. Price:
6100 Icelandic crowns, about 45 euros or 51 dollars
.
