Þingvellir National Park The historical site of Þingvellir is important to Icelanders. It is where Alþingi, the world’s oldest Parliament, was founded in 930, for example. It is also one of few places in Iceland (and the world) you can see the mid-Atlantic ridge above ground. Walk through the Almannagjá tectonic rift, pass the site of the first parliament, Althing and enjoy Öxaráfoss waterfall, take in the beautiful scenery, see where Game of Thrones was shot, visit Iceland’s largest lake Þingvallavatn Lake and even dive between the continents in the Silfra River. In 2004, Þingvellir became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That means it has cultural, historical, scientific, or other forms of significance, which Þingvellir indeed has.

Bubbling hot water and erupting geysers are what to expect in the Geysir geothermal area. The word “geyser” comes from the now mostly dormant Geysir, but the site is also named after it. Geysir would hurl boiling water and erupt almost 70 m (230 ft) into the air, but it has been years since it erupted last. It used to erupt regularly but stopped after a series of earthquakes. Instead, you can see its brother Strokkur erupt every few minutes. It isn’t as large as Geysir, but its eruptions can reach up to 30 m (98 ft).

Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s most famous and spectacular waterfalls. It is far from the largest, but it is a three-step waterfall that falls into a 64-meter-deep canyon. Due to the curve of the canyon right where it falls down and the spray from the waterfall, it can be nearly impossible to see the bottom. It thus sometimes looks as if it falls into an abyss. Early in the 20th century, there were ideas about harnessing the waterfall’s power to generate electricity. The landowner’s daughter, Sólveig Tómasdóttir, was fiercely against it and a pioneer environmentalist. She threatened to throw herself into the waterfall if the plans went ahead, and in the end, her father listened to her, and we are ever so grateful for her!

This optional stop is a beautiful crater lake is in the Grímsnes area, south of Gullfoss and Geysir. It is about 55 m (180 ft) deep, 170 m (560 ft) wide, and 270 m (890 ft) across. There are quite a few crater lakes in the area, but it is called Iceland’s Western Volcanic Zone. The sand around the crater is not black but red due to its high iron content. It is, in fact, rust you are seeing and contrasted with the blue lake water, making for a spectacular sight. Other stops you can add on for your bespoke private Golden Circle Tour (for an additional fee depending on each experience):

Another optional stop! Have you ever been out for a meal in a greenhouse? Enjoy a unique food experience at Friðheimar Greenhouse restaurant, with tomatoes growing all around! Tomato soup, fresh-baked bread, and other goodies in a charming environment among the plants. As the name suggests, tomatoes are grown all year round, despite Iceland’s long dark winters. They use artificial lighting in greenhouses to do that. Visitors can enjoy a taste of their crop, and many agree you will get the best tomato soup you will ever taste there! The farm grows about 370 tonnes of vegetables yearly (primarily tomatoes and cucumbers).

Yet another optional stop he Secret Lagoon, known locally as Gamla laugin (the Old Pool), is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. It was made in 1891 at Hverahólmur, a geothermal area near Flúðir. What makes the place unique is the rich natural resources of warm water coming from hot springs. Vaðmálahver, Básahver, or Litli Geysir (active geyser which spouts every few minutes, showing off for the guests), provide 100% of the water supply in the lagoon. The pool water flows continuously, and it takes only 24 hours for its complete replacement. Warm, clean, and rich in sulfur, it stays at 38-40 degrees Celsius all year round. Centuries ago, people used the hot springs of Hverahólmur to wash their clothes and bathe. The Old Pool was where people were taught how to swim between 1909 and 1947. The Secret Lagoon has been kept natural, simple, and unique for you to get the authentic Icelandic experience.

Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths are located in the center of Iceland’s most popular tourist route, the Golden Circle. A unique experience of the healing powers of the geothermal springs. Soak in a natural pool, listen to the bubbling hot spring in the steam rooms, or take a dip in the refreshing lake for the venturesome. There is also the opportunity to discover how to make the unique Icelandic Ryebread