And the nation's shared cultural heritage has grown ever since. In 930, it became Iceland’s - and the world’s - first parliament. Þingvellir was chosen as the assembly site because the region was accessible from all the most peopled areas. As their society developed, they decided an assembly could help ease disputes and create a fairer society. The first settlers put down their roots in South Iceland in the 9th century CE. Þingvellir is a keystone of Icelandic cultural history. If you’re travelling the Golden Circle clockwise from Reykjavik, it’ll be your first stop. It’s also Iceland’s first National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, too. Þingvellir (pronounced ‘Thingvellir’) is one of the most famous stops on the Golden Circle. The Golden Circle has many attractions, but it’s mainly known as the route that connects:Įach has its own special charms, which we've highlighted below.ĭiscover a fascinating mixture of Icelandic history and natural beauty. When you go with self-drive, though, how you experience the Golden Circle in Iceland is totally up to you. In summer, you could even use the long daylight hours to avoid the crowds often created by larger coach tours.įind out more about our friendlier take on coach tours, small group minibus tours, with 16 travellers at most You can start early (or late) and explore at times that suit you best. Hiring a car puts you in control of your trip. For this, you’ll need to rent a car, or even a 4x4 if you’re planning to drive onward to the Icelandic Highlands. While you can join a group tour of the Golden Circle, you may prefer to explore at your own pace and in your own style with a self-drive. How to drive the Golden Circle in Iceland And you can even start early or finish later for quieter sightseeing. But if you’re going self-guided, then you can choose exactly how long you want to stay at each attraction. Many guided coach tours will take the best part of a ‘9-to-5’ day to visit most stops on the route. But, of course, you need to factor in time to enjoy the attractions, take photos and stay fuelled as well. You can actually drive the route in just over 3 hours. 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 could visit a geothermal greenhouse on one trip, or a natural hotwater spa with another.Ĭan you drive it in one day? How many miles is it? You’ll find, though, that many tour routes take in extra attractions along the way. Starting in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, you’ll drive into the southern uplands and back, visiting Þingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. In the strictest sense, Iceland’s famous Golden Circle is a popular route between 3 of Iceland’s most visited attractions. It’s packed with insider tips on must-see attractions and handy local restaurants to help you make the most of your trip. When you're ready to hit the road, bookmark this handy guide to the route. Prefer someone else to take the wheel instead? Consider a private tour, a small group tour or a multi-day tour Relax and let someone else book your hotels and plan your itinerary: choose from these Golden Circle self-drive tours Think photogenic Lutheran churches, Icelandic horse farms, and restaurants dishing up Icelandic cuisine. And inbetween attractions you can find reasons to stop at any number of fascinating locations. This iconic route represents one of Iceland’s most popular day tours, where you can discover landscapes rich with history and folklore. If that sounds incredible, then you're ready for an iconic adventure with a driving tour of Iceland’s Golden Circle. The road passes through almost all areas of the country (everwhere apart from the Westfjords), making it a popular itinerary to take for tourists and vacationing locals alike in Iceland.Imagine coasting through stunning countryside to see spouting geysers, thundering many-tiered waterfalls, and dramatic cliff faces. Many popular tourist attractions in Iceland, such as the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Dyrhólaey cliffs, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, as well as Mývatn lake, Dettifoss and Goðafoss waterfalls in the north are easily accessible from the Ring Road. Vík to Höfn, had to travel north of the country through Akureyri, making the opening a major transport improvement to the country. Previously, vehicles intending to travel between southern settlements, e.g. The road was completed in 1974, coinciding with the 1,100th anniversary of the country's settlement when the longest bridge in Iceland, crossing the Skeiðará river in the southeast, was opened. Maintained by Icelandic Road Administration (Vegagerðin) The Ring Road of Iceland (as of 2004) and some towns it connects: (1) Reykjavík (2) Borgarnes (3) Blönduós (4) Akureyri (5) Egilsstaðir (6) Höfn (7) Selfoss
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