After our first night in Reykjavik, we headed out to explore the rest of Iceland starting with the Golden Circle. Being there was 7 of us, we had 2 rental SUVs to hold all the people and luggage. The Golden Circle in Iceland is one of the most popular tourist routes. You can drive right from Reykjavik and back again in one day as the complete circle is about 140 miles. The route comprises three main stops (Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall) as well as other options if desired.

Þingvellir is significant historically and geologically, as it's where Iceland's parliament was established in 930 AD and it sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. This unique geological setting has resulted in dramatic landscapes characterized by deep fissures, rocky cliffs, and the visible rift between the two tectonic plates. You can dive in the fissure Silfra within the park and touch both continents at once, but we did not dive. We did go to Öxarárfoss, a waterfall & one of the main attractions within the park. Öxarárfoss is a beautiful waterfall that cascades over a rocky cliff onto boulders below. The contrast between the white water and the dark basalt rocks creates a striking scene. The falls can be viewed from a platform at the base.

Geysir Geothermal Area is known for its geysers, including the famous Strokkur, which erupts every few minutes, shooting boiling water up to 30 meters into the air. With lots of geothermal activity, the area also includes many hot springs, smaller geysers, and bubbling mud pots. There are many marked paths to walk and explore the area to see the many smaller geysers, bubbling mud pools, and colorful mineral deposits. Across the street is also a visitor center with information and souvenirs.

Gullfoss is a stunning waterfall on the Hvítá River, cascading over two tiers of rocks into a deep canyon. Its name translates to "Golden Falls" and is one of Iceland's most popular tourist attractions. If you visit, you'll likely hear the roaring sound of water rushing over the rocks before you catch sight of it. When you finally see Gullfoss, you'll be struck by its size and power. There is a viewpoint near the top edge of the canyon offering a view of the waterfall from above and a trail that leads along the edge of the canyon, offering a closer look of the waterfall and allowing you to fully appreciate its beauty from various angles. Additionally, there's a visitor center nearby where you can learn more about the history and geology of Gullfoss.

We also stopped at another waterfall, Thorufoss. The waterfall is near the town of Selfoss and is fed by the river Elliðaár as it plunges over a series of rocky ledges into a gorge below. There is a short hike to the bottom Thorufoss from the nearest parking area, but you can see it from where the trail heads down the ravine if you chose not to hike down. Scott & Steve went to the foot of the falls, but the girls just went to the bottom of the hill and viewed the falls looking upstream.

An impromptu stop was made when we drove by a very picturesque gorge in the river Hvitá. The gorge was Brúarhlöð. The gorge is a stunning natural wonder located in Iceland, carved by the powerful Hvítá River. The water was a beautiful almost green color winding through dramatic rock formations. That’s one of the advantages of driving yourselves instead of a guided tour, just stopping when something catches your eye.

For lunch we went to a unique place, Efstidalur II. It is a farm and restaurant located near the town of Laugarvatn. It's a popular destination because of its charming setting and the opportunity to see and interact with Icelandic farm animals, particularly cows, which can be viewed through windows from the restaurant. In addition the restaurant that serves traditional Icelandic dishes, the farm also serves delicious homemade ice cream made from the milk of their own cows.

The Golden Circle offers a glimpse into Iceland's natural beauty, geological wonders, and historical heritage, making it a must-visit for travelers to the country. While you certainly can return to Reykjavik, driving the circle in one day, we went on to the town of Hella for the night, as our plans were to then continue with the ring road.

Iceland – driving the golden circle

Iceland – Ring Road

Iceland – Reykjavik