OUR DIY GOLDEN CIRCLE ROAD TRIP: HOW TO EXPLORE IN ONE DAY.
When we were planning our Iceland trip, we hesitated about doing the Golden Circle. It felt a perhaps a little bit obvious, something everyone does. And we worried that it was a bit of a tick box activity. But with decided that it must be popular for a reason, and that we should take time to give it a go. We decided to do it with curiosity, and give it our own twist.
It wasn’t the wildest day we had in Iceland, but it was memorable – full of epic landscapes and easy-to-access sights. We’re glad we did it.
If you’re wondering can you do the Golden Circle on your own, the answer is yes, absolutely. A Golden Circle DIY road trip is one of the easiest and most rewarding things you can do in Iceland. With your own car, you can set the pace, dodge the big tour groups, and stop off for a picnic or leg-stretch whenever you like.
Here’s how we did it in one day, our full step-by-step itinerary, practical tips, and a few campsite recommendations if you’re travelling with a tent or camper.
What is the Golden Circle?
The Golden Circle is a popular sightseeing route in south-west Iceland that covers around 230 km. The three headline attractions are:
- Geysir Geothermal Area
- Gullfoss Waterfall
- Þingvellir National Park
There are also other points of interest depending on your route. With your own vehicle, you can easily add in lesser-known stops like Faxi Waterfall and Brúarfoss, both are quieter attractions.
Can you do the Golden Circle on your own?
Yes, you very much can do the Golden Circle on your own. We did the whole route ourselves in a 2WD car in June. Roads were clear, signposts were good, and there’s no need for a 4WD unless you’re visiting in deep winter or planning to veer off onto F-roads (which you do not need to do!)
Our One-Day Golden Circle DIY Itinerary
We left Reykjavik at around 08:00, packing up our tent so that we could camp elsewhere at the end of the day. Our original plan was to pitch up at Þingvellir National Park for the night, but as often is the case in Iceland, the weather had other ideas (more on that below.)
1. Geysir Geothermal Area
What to do:
Wander through steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, and geothermal fields. The star of the show is Strokkur, a reliable geyser that erupts regularly. It’s dramatic and surprisingly fun to watch (we stuck around for a few eruptions).
Most tour groups gather around Strokkur and things can get a bit crowded. But if you head further up the trails, you can see some of the smaller geysers and get away from everyone. Plus, there are fantastic views.
Tip: We got “geysered”, Strokkur spits water out to quite a distance. If you don’t want to get wet, keep well away. I was glad to be wearing a waterproof jacket!
Facilities:
There’s a large visitor centre across the road with clean toilets, a café, gift shop, and petrol station. I normally don’t love a gift shop, but have to admit that this one sucked me in. There are all sorts of wonderful things! Great spot for a coffee stop if you didn’t fuel up in Reykjavik.
How long do you need?
45 minutes to an hour is plenty for a good wander and a few eruptions.
Parking/Entry:
Free entry but you need to pay for parking. When we visited it was 1000 kr per car.
2. Gullfoss Waterfall
What to do:
Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls. The water crashes down into a deep canyon and the mist rises in clouds (waterproofs recommended!).
There are two main paths, one takes you to a viewpoint above the falls, the other lets you walk down closer to the edge. We did both and got totally windswept and soaked.
Tip: Take time to stop and read the information available at the waterfall. The history is really quite fascinating and we loved learning about Sigríður Tómasdóttir, who effectively “rescued” the waterfall.
Facilities:
Visitor centre with toilets, a café, and a shop. It’s quite busy but well organised.
How long do you need?
45 minutes to an hour, more if you want to linger for photos.
Parking/Entry:
Free parking and free entry.
3. Brúarfoss
What to do:
This is one of the lesser-known waterfalls in the Golden Circle area and we’re so glad we stopped. It’s a different sort of feel to Gulfoss, especially if you take the trail.
You have an option to park at the main site, then you can get access directly to the waterfall. If you prefer a hike and something a bit quieter, park at the trail head and take the 3km hike to the waterfall.
Trail info:
The full walk is around 6 km return, mostly flat and easy, though a bit muddy in places. You can see various smaller waterfalls on route.
Facilities:
No toilets or facilities at the trailhead, so go beforehand at Geysir or Gullfoss.
How long do you need?
1.5 to 2 hours for a leisurely walk and stop.
Parking/Entry:
The main carpark requires payment, but means you don’t have to walk. Parking at the trail head (here) is free.
4. Þingvellir National Park
What to do:
Þingvellir is full of history and geology. It’s where Iceland’s first parliament was established in 930AD, and you can walk through the Almannagjá rift, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates drift apart.
For us, it was the standout memory of the day.
There’s a lovely walk along a canyon path to Öxarárfoss, a pretty waterfall. You can also check out the Þingvellir Church and the clear waters of Lake Þingvallavatn.
If you’ve packed a picnic, this is a great place to enjoy it, there are benches dotted around and plenty of peaceful corners with a view.
If you enjoy walking, spend longer here and do the Thingvellir Loop. This is a 10km trail which takes in the main sights and loops around part of the lake, then back. Full details here.
Tip: for anyone keen to do something a little more adventurous, you can go snorkelling in the park with a guide. This experience allows you to swim between two tectonic plates. And you’ll be given all the specialist equipment required to get into the freezing water!
Facilities:
Visitor centre with toilets, maps, information boards. There are also toilets at the other car parks around the site.
How long do you need?
2 hours or more if you want to walk the full site. At least 3 if you want to do the Thingvellir Loop hike. You can also drive between different areas to save time.
Parking/Entry:
Entry is free, but parking costs 750 ISK. You can also park in the free carparks a little further from the main attractions. We parked a the campsite (here) and walked a few kms through forest trails.
What to Pack for a Golden Circle DIY Day
- Layers and waterproofs – Even in summer, it can be cold and wet.
- Comfortable walking shoes – The paths are uneven in places.
- Picnic lunch and snacks – Less reliance on busy (expensive) cafés.
- Reusable water bottle – Fill up at the different sites.
- Offline map or All Trails downloaded – Coverage is good, but it helps if you plan to do a hike.
Golden Circle Campsites (If You’re Staying Overnight)
If you’re camping, these are good options near the Golden Circle:
Þingvellir National Park Camping
Right inside the national park. We had planned to camp here and we so excited. But, this campsite is super exposed to wind and it just wasn’t possible on the day we visited.
Pros: Good location, scenic setting.
Cons: Very exposed – expect strong wind.
Facilities: Toilets, basic facilities.
Price: ~1,500 ISK per person.
Full details can be found here. Pay at the visitor centre of the park.
Faxi Waterfall Campsite
Small and quiet, near Faxi waterfall.
Pros: Peaceful location.
Cons: Not always open year-round.
Facilities: Toilets, showers, no frills.
Price: ~2,000–2,500 ISK per person.
Full details can be found here.
Mosskogar Camping (our pick)
After being unable to camp at Thingvellir, we found this campsite around 20 minutes drive. It was idyllic.
Pros: Beautiful forested site, sheltered pitches, warm facilities. The indoor cooking space inside a greenhouse was a dream.
Facilities: Clean toilets, hot showers, indoor kitchen, peaceful atmosphere.
Price: ~2,500 ISK per person.
Full details can be found here.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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