Iceland’s Golden Circle is among the country’s most popular tourist destinations. But there are several hidden gems to discover beyond its big three attractions, Gullfoss, Geysir and Þingvellir National Park. If you’re planning a trip, add these SEVEN hidden gems in Iceland’s Golden Circle to your list.
This is your guide to SEVEN Hidden Gems in Iceland’s Golden Circle.
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Golden Circle Classics
Whether you explore on your own or take a tour, expect crowds at these three classic Golden Circle sites, especially in the summer. But don’t let that deter you; all are awe-inspiring and worth a visit.
Þingvellir National Park
My mind was blown when I first visited Þingvellir National Park. In 930 AD, the Vikings established the world’s oldest surviving parliament on the Mid-Atlantic Rift.
Iceland is the only place in the world where the rift is above sea level. Þingvellir is an incredible historic site where you can see the moss-covered edges of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Geysir
Walk up a gentle hill and find a bunch of people encircling a rather large puddle, phones and cameras at the ready. You’ll wait no more than 10 minutes before a powerful Geysir shoots a jet of boiling water up to 40 meters (130 feet) into the air.
Gullfoss
In a country with 10,000 waterfalls, Gullfoss is a standout. Bonus: rainbows often linger over this three-step waterfall.
Getting Around the Golden Circle
You can visit the Golden Circle on a guided tour from Reykjavik or drive yourself. The 300km (190 mile) route can easily be done in a day.
If you don’t want to drive yourself, the Golden Circle plus Sky Lagoon is one of my favourite tours. Spend the day enjoying Iceland’s natural wonders and end it with a relaxing soak in one of Iceland’s most beautiful thermal pools. This tour also includes my first hidden gem, the Kerið Crater.
If you want to see ALL seven of the Golden Circle’s hidden gems, rent a car and spend two days exploring these beauties.
Discovering the Golden Circles Hidden Gems
Kerið Crater
This 6,500-year-old volcanic crater lake is a unique must-see. It was once a cone volcano that collapsed, and you can now stroll around the entire caldera.
The contrast of colours makes the Kerið Crater a hidden gem in the Golden Circle. Its unique red volcanic rock is covered by mossy patches that slope into the blue-green water.
Hours: It’s open when the sun is shining. Cost: There is a small fee to visit. Location: Just off Road 35, about a 15-minute drive from Selfoss. Time Needed: 30-45 minutes.
A few guided tours like this one include the Kerið Crater in their full-day Golden Circle Tour.
Hrafnagjá Observation Deck
The Hrafnagjá Observation Deck is within the Þingvellir National Park. You might drive past it without realizing what you’re missing.
Pull into the small (free) parking lot off Road 36. Spend a few minutes viewing the moss-covered faultlines of Hrafnagja, the western boundary of the Eurasian plate. And get a glimpse of Þingvallavatn, the largest lake in Iceland.
Hours: Always open. Cost: Free. Location: Parking lot on Road 36 in Þingvellir National Park. A 12-minute drive from the Þingvellir Visitor Centre. Time Needed: 10 minutes.
Brúarfoss
Brúarfoss is a stunningly beautiful blue waterfall, but what makes it extra special is the 7km (4.4 miles) hike along the Brúará River.
Most of the trail meanders along the brilliantly blue river, and you pass not one but two smaller waterfalls. At Brúarfoss, a bridge over the river is just the spot to get your perfect photo.
Hours: The trail is always open. It can be muddy in spring and icy in winter. Cost: Free. Location: Park at the Brúarfoss Trail Parking lot just off Road 37. Time Needed: 2.5 to 3 hours to complete the there-and-back hike. NOTE: There’s nothing else here, just a parking lot for approximately 20 cars and no washrooms.
There aren’t many tours that include a stop at this magical waterfall, but this tour includes Brúarfoss and Kerið Crater. However, the tour stop at Bruarfoss does not include the lovely hike. You will, however, get enough time to pop out and take a few photos.
Faxafoss
While the Faxafoss waterfall might not be as spectacular as its massive neighbour, Gullfoss, which is a 20-minute drive away, it is definitely worth visiting this wide curtain waterfall.
It’s an easy walk from the parking lot to view Faxafoss from above. Or, you can take the pathway down to a small cafe, Við Faxa. This is an incredible (and not crowded) spot for lunch.
Hours: The waterfall is on private property. Opening hours vary by season. Cost: 900kr per car Location: There is a parking lot on Road 35, 6 minutes from the 37 & 35 junction on the Golden Circle. Time Needed: 20 minutes, longer if you stay for lunch.
Helgufoss
Many people zip past the road to Helgufoss, just half an hour from Reykjavik. But if you are travelling Road 36 to the Golden Circle, stop at this hidden gem.
This is a local place; there isn’t even a parking lot. I followed Helgufoss on Google Maps and parked on the shoulder of a narrow gravel road.
Follow the markers; you won’t see much of anything at first, but as you head down the path, ta-da! You’ll discover Helgufoss.
The Kaldakvísl River streams down moss-covered lava rock formations, creating this unique waterfall. Sit near the base and picnic, or take a pleasant hike along the river.
Hours: Always open. Cost: Free Location: Park on the shoulder or side road off Road 36. Time Needed: 1-2 hours.
Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths
Visiting a geothermal bath is almost a requirement when visiting Iceland. The Blue Lagoon is world famous, and the Seven Step Ritual at Sky Lagoon will make you feel beyond relaxed. While I’d highly recommend them both, they are a bit of a splurge.
The Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths is a local hidden gem in the heart of the Golden Circle. Experience Icelandic bathing culture at half the price of the more touristy options.
Relax in one of three thermal pools or enjoy time in the steam room or sauna. There is also access to Lake Laugarvatn, where you can dip into its cool waters.
After a trans-Atlantic flight, I drove directly from the airport to Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths. I spent a few hours relaxing in the pools while enjoying the lakeside views before returning to Reykjavik to check into my hotel. It was the perfect way to start my Icelandic adventure.
You can also visit their geothermal bakery, which offers daily tours. Learn how the Icelanders baked bread in the ground for 24 hours, using the earth’s geothermic heat.
Watch as they dig up the potted bread from a nearby beach and try a slice of the dark, hardy rye bread. It’s a totally unique and delicious experience.
The Geothermal Bread Baking Experience often sells out, especially in the summer, so get your tickets in advance to ensure you get to taste some of their wonderful and unique bread.
Hours: 10 am -9 pm in the summer and 11 am – 9 pm off-season. Location: In the village of Laugarvatnon on the waterfront. Time Needed: 2 hours.
Efstidalur II – Ice Cream Barn
Icelanders love ice cream and eat it year-round. Efstidalur II makes some of the best ice cream I’ve EVER tasted.
Efstidalur is a family-run dairy farm with an ice cream cafe and restaurant right in the barn. There are big windows where you can eat ice cream while watching their adorable cows.
Their ice cream is homemade, organic, and absolutely delicious! While they offer traditional varieties like chocolate, I was drawn to their more Icelandic flavours, rhubarb and black licorice.
All I can say is yum! This might be some of the creamiest ice cream ever made! If you love black licorice, their black licorice ice cream is insane!! The flavour was intense, and the ice cream was dark and oh-so-good! A must-try for licorice lovers.
Hours: 10 am—8 pm in the summer; hours vary off-season. Location: on Road 37, 15 minutes from Geysir.Time Needed: 1/2 hour.
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If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, this post will help! Check out: I’ve booked my ticket to Iceland. Now what!
