The Golden Circle Classic Tour

OUR BEST-SELLER, GUIDED IN 10 LANGUAGES!

The Golden Circle Classic is our bestselling day tour! This outstanding tour offers a collection of sights - not to be missed by any visitor to Iceland. Behold the iconic erupting geyser & hot springs, experience the mighty Gullfoss Waterfall, and sense the ancient history of the Vikings as you follow in their footsteps down a lava canyon in Þingvellir - where the continents are being pulled apart.

We welcome you on board our all-new bus fleet that is equipped with WiFi-connected computer tablets in each seat. On the tablets, you can use our GPS Sensitive In Bus Audio Guide, available with a choice of several languages. So if you wish to know interesting facts about Iceland and the places you will visit on the tour, in a language you are comfortable, that is very possible! On the bus, there will also be a professional tour guide, ready to answer any questions that you might have about our peculiar country. In each seat, you will also conveniently find a USB Charger.

The tour starts with a stop in Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site listing and the birthplace of the oldest existing parliament in the world. This is also where the gigantic tectonic plates of America and Eurasia have pulled apart and the resulting rift valley is right there before your eyes on the shores of Iceland’s biggest lake.

The next stop is one of Iceland’s most iconic natural wonders: Geysir Hot Springs, the home of the one-and-only original geyser. Here the ground trembles and steaming hot water spouts spectacularly skywards from the famous Strokkur Geyser every few minutes.

Now for a leisurely walk down to Gullfoss Waterfall, which is an impressive sight to behold. Here a powerful glacial river cascades down 32 meters on two levels and into a narrow canyon with a thunderous roar.

Simply put, if you only do one tour in Iceland, then this should be the one!

Highlights

• Þingvellir: the rift valley and the site of the oldest modern parliament.
• Geysir: hot spring & geothermal area and home to Strokkur, the erupting geyser.
• Gullfoss Waterfall: the powerful glacial waterfall known as the 'Golden Waterfall' in English.
• GPS synced audio guide: will give you all the information you need for your journey. 

Reykjavik Terminal

Tours depart from the Reykjavik Terminal located at Skógarhlíð 10. Please be sure to arrive 15 minutes prior to departure along with a printed or digital copy of your ticket/voucher.

If you have booked a hotel pickup with SmartBus™, please be at your chosen pickup location 30 minutes before the departure of the tour. Look for the Green SmartBus™ which will be outside your accommodation within 30 minutes of pickup. 

Þingvellir National Park

Located on the northern shores of Þingvallavatn (Iceland's largest lake), Þingvellir (anglicized as 'Thingvellir') is the national pride of Iceland and our first National Park. It is, for one, a key location in Icelandic history as the oldest existing parliament in the world was first assembled there in 930 AD. For this reason, Þingvellir has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is, therefore, a protected national park due to its unique geology and natural features. From the viewing area, the Almannagjá canyon between two tectonic plates can be seen, a visual representation of continental drift.

As the first stop along the tour, you will have an opportunity to walk through the park and use the restroom if needed.

Geysir Geothermal Springs

A favorite stop along the Golden Circle is the highly active Geysir Hot Spring Area with boiling mud pits and the lively Strokkur which spouts water 30 meters (100 ft) into the air every few minutes. The area became active more than 1000 years ago and comprises more than a dozen hot spring holes. Although one can only see steam emerging from the surface of Geysir these days, its name was adopted to represent spouting hot springs all over the world.

Along the tour, the newly opened Geysir Center offers guests and travelers a chance to use the restroom and to catch some refreshments as well as lunch.

Gullfoss Waterfall

As one of the most popular attractions in all of Iceland, Gullfoss is a waterfall located in the canyon of Hvítá river in the southwest of the country. The beautiful Hvítá river rushes southward in three steps into a narrow canyon with a breathtaking roar and grandeur. Furthermore, on clear days the magnificent Langjökull glacier, Iceland's second largest glacier, can be seen in the distance.

Guests and Travelers may use the restroom and purchase food and refreshments at this location as well.

Important information

• Please show up at our Reykjavik Terminal (located at Skógarhlíð 10) 15 minutes prior to the departure time. We kindly ask you to be ready at your pick-up point with your voucher, either in digital or printed form.
• If you have booked a hotel pickup with Smartbus™, please be at your chosen pickup location 30 minutes before the departure of the tour. Look for the Green Smartbus™ which will be outside your accommodation within 30 minutes of pickup.
• You will be traveling in a coach that holds approximately 40-65 people, but is very spacious and comfortable. The bus offers free wifi and USB charging ports.
• Lunch is not included. There are stops in Geysir & Gullfoss where you can buy food and drinks.
• Bring with you: Dress according to the weather. In Iceland, it is always wise to dress in warm, waterproof clothes. Weather changes can be sudden so expect the unexpected. Bring a waterproof jacket and pants, headwear and gloves. Good outdoor shoes are recommended.
• In-Bus-Audio-Guide: We recommend that you bring your own headphones, simply because they will fit you best. It is also great for the environment. If you don’t have your headphones, with you or forgot to bring them, no worries we sell earphones on board.
• The tour is available all year round (depending on weather conditions)
• Prices: Teenagers 12-15 years 50% discount & children 0-11 years old free.
• Min: No minimum number of participants.
• Age limit: No age limit.
• The tour is Approx. 7,5 hours including a minimum 45 minute stop at Geysir Hot Springs, Gullfoss Waterfall and Þingvellir National Park. 
• Total distance covered during tour: 290 km.