Golden Circle and Kerid Volcanic Crater Tours in Reykjavik

Golden Circle is a natural wonder of Iceland, home to three special places: Gullfoss Waterfall, Thingvellir National Park and Geysir.

Andressa García

Andressa García

11 min read

Golden Circle and Kerid Volcanic Crater Tours in Reykjavik

Golden Circle | ©elisbergur

Here are some of my favourite tours to see the Golden Circle, which is definitely one of the best things to do and see in Reykjavik at any time of the year.

Private tours, full day tours and even combination tours, the Golden Circle has a lot to see and that's why I want to show you some of the options you have to get to know this popular place in Iceland.

1. Golden Circle Tour

Iceland's Golden Circle| ©wandereringJ
Iceland's Golden Circle| ©wandereringJ

This is the most basic tour you can get to this place. In this case, you will see the most typical places that comprise the Golden Circle and that you can only see in the southwest of the island.

It's a basic tour but with everything you need if you have little time to visit Reykjavík and Iceland in general and want to do it in record time. During this tour you will visit Iceland's Thingvellir National Park, Strokkur and the great geyser Geysir, as well as Kerid Krater.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 59 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately eight and a half hours for the entire trip.
  • Means of transport: This tour is conducted entirely by fully equipped bus.
  • Advantages of this tour: Transport from the hotel and back after the experience is included. Cruisers can participate in this experience by providing all their personal details. Entrance to the three places you will visit during the tour is included.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: There must be a minimum number of people to do this tour, otherwise it may be cancelled. Not suitable for wheelchair users. Food, lunch, drinks and snacks are not included in the booking.

Book your tour to the Golden Circle

2. Small group Golden Circle tour

Getting to know the Golden Circle| ©Shadowgate
Getting to know the Golden Circle| ©Shadowgate

This eight-hour experience is perfect for people travelling in small groups. One of the differences between this tour and other similar tours is that it has the advantage of being private. Only you and your group will be able to participate in this activity.

During the tour you will have the chance to see the sites that comprise the Golden Circle and you can do it in the comfort of a minivan with your group of family or friends. The places to see are Thingvellir, Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir and Faxi waterfall.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 73 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately eight hours for the whole tour.
  • Means of transport: minibus equipped with all the necessary facilities.
  • Advantages of this excursion: you will have wifi throughout the tour on board the minibus, which is also equipped with air conditioning. Hotel pick-up and payment of all taxes are included. A small meal typical of Icelandic cuisine is included.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: lunch is not included but there are stops where you can buy typical local food. Not suitable for wheelchair users. Children under 4 years old are not allowed to participate in this experience.

3. Golden Circle Premium Tour in small groups

Golden Circle| ©Iceland Tour
Golden Circle| ©Iceland Tour

This premium tour just for your travel group differs from others because you will get to see not only the most beautiful places in the Golden Circle, but also learn a lot about Iceland's history and culture, while having a personalised travel experience.

Besides the typical places to visit in the Golden Circle, you will be able to see an authentic Icelandic horse farm where you will also see a beautiful show of their skills and abilities. Some of these horses are responsible for giving the best horseback riding tours in Iceland from Reykjavík. Of course you will also see the Gullfoss waterfall.

Details of interest

  • Price: this experience is priced at approximately 74 euros per person.
  • Duration: the tour can take around 8 hours, although it is a flexible tour in terms of time.
  • Means of transport: all transfers will be by minibus with all facilities on board.
  • Advantages of this tour: you will have wifi during the whole trip. The entrance to the show is included in the price. Pick up and drop off at the hotel is included, as well as a professional guide who will explain everything along the way. Also included is the participation in all activities, the earthquake exhibition, the visit to the greenhouse and the tomato tasting.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: lunch and tips to the tour guides are not included.

4. Visit to the Golden Circle in the afternoon

Afternoon at the Golden Circle| ©Les Williams
Afternoon at the Golden Circle| ©Les Williams

This afternoon experience is one of the best you can have if you go on a tour to the Golden Circle. For approximately eight and a half hours you will have the chance to see the natural wonders of southwest Iceland in a different light, giving you the chance to take even more amazing pictures.

This is a classic version of the typical Golden Circle tour, with the difference that you will do it in the afternoon, making this plan ideal if you want to have the morning available for other activities or simply to take the time to do some of the best tours in Reykjavík. The places you will visit are Thingvellir, Gullfoss, Strokkur and Kerid Crater.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 50 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately eight and a half hours will be needed to do this complete tour.
  • Means of transport: The entire tour is done in a fully equipped bus.
  • Advantages of this tour: this tour is not cancelled due to weather conditions. Pick up and drop off at the hotel is included. Public transport is available in close proximity. Entrance fees to Thingvellir and Kerid Crater are included in the price.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: Not suitable for children under 4 years old. This tour is not wheelchair friendly. No refunds will be issued if the tour is missed due to late arrival or late arrival of the cruise ship, if you are travelling on one. Food and beverages are not included.

Book your Golden Circle afternoon tour

5. Evening Golden Circle and Northern Lights tour

Golden Circle and Northern Lights| ©Nathan B
Golden Circle and Northern Lights| ©Nathan B

This combination is one of my favourites because it mixes the best of an afternoon Golden Circle tour with an evening Northern Lights expedition, two of the most important attractions to include on your list of things to do in Reykjavik in winter, or at least close to the city.

In at least 10 hours you'll see the hidden wonders of typical Golden Circle sites such as Thingvellir, Gullfoss waterfall and Kerid Crater, just before you go with your expert guide to see the northern lights dancing in the sky. This is one of my favourite options for seeing the Northern Lights from Reykjavík.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 179 euros per person.
  • Duration: about 10 hours for the whole tour.
  • Means of transport: this expedition will take place entirely on board a bus equipped with all comforts.
  • Advantages of this excursion: you have a professional guide who will explain everything you need to know. You will also be able to connect to the wifi on board during the whole trip. Hot drinks are offered on board. Entrance to each of the places you will visit is included, as well as guaranteed pick up and drop off at your accommodation.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: no food and beverages except those included in the price per person. The tour is not wheelchair friendly.

6. Golden Circle Tour and visit to the Geothermal Energy Greenhouse

Fridheimar Greenhouse| ©MaxandNikki
Fridheimar Greenhouse| ©MaxandNikki

On this family-friendly experience you can take a comfortable ride to the Golden Circle and also enter the Fridheimar greenhouse, a beautiful area where tomatoes are grown in the geothermal heat typical of Iceland.

After learning a bit about tomato growing, next you'll see Thingvellir National Park, the geothermal area of Geysir, and the Gullfoss waterfall, all of which are must-sees if you're visiting Iceland.

Interesting details

  • Price: approximately 60 euros per person.
  • Duration: You can complete this tour in approximately eight hours.
  • Means of transport: the whole tour is done by tourist bus. But from your place of accommodation to the bus station you will have to travel on your own, either using public transport or a rental car.
  • Advantages of this tour: the bus ticket and free wifi are included during the whole experience. Also included is an expert guide who will tell you everything you need to know about this popular area. Admission to the Orangery is included.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: Entrance to Thingvellir National Park is not included, nor is entrance to the Geysir geothermal area. This tour does not include hotel pick up and drop off. Food and beverages are not included. Not suitable for wheelchair users.

7. Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon Tour

Blue Lagoon| ©Jim Nix
Blue Lagoon| ©Jim Nix

Eleven hours will be enough time to see all that the Golden Circle has to show you. Not only that, but it will also give you time to have your own relaxing thermal bath in Iceland's most important natural spa, the Blue Lagoon. If you don't want to miss out on this place, I also invite you to check out the best Blue Lagoon tours from Reykjavik.

Right after visiting amazing places like Kerid Crater, Thingvellir National Park and Gullfoss waterfall, you can take at least two hours to relax in the Blue Lagoon and enjoy its silica masks.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 113 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately 11 hours for the whole trip.
  • Means of transport: the whole trip is done by bus properly equipped with all the comforts.
  • Advantages of this tour: Pick up and drop off at the hotel is included if you request this option. Entrance to Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Kerid is included. You will also enjoy free wifi on board throughout the trip. This experience works in all weather, so you should dress appropriately.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: The price of the experience does not include entrance to the Blue Lagoon, so you have to book on your own and by the time you arrive at the site, which will be approximately 17:00.

Book your tour to the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon

8. Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon tour

At the Secret Lagoon| ©Ines van Megen-Thijssen
At the Secret Lagoon| ©Ines van Megen-Thijssen

Continuing with the geothermal activities that can be done in Iceland in conjunction with the visit to the Golden Circle, this is another of the ones I recommend you to do and one of my favourites. It is an excursion of approximately ten hours.

During the whole tour you will have the opportunity to visit the most special places of the Golden Circle, and then you can go to the Secret Lagoon to enjoy an hour and a half of relaxing thermal spa. This experience differs from others in that the tour starts at the lagoon and then continues to the other sites of interest.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 86 euros.
  • Duration: this tour can last approximately 10 hours.
  • Means of transport: the whole transfer is done by bus with all comforts.
  • Advantages of this tour: there is public transport nearby to get to the departure point. Entrance fees to the Secret Lagoon, Thingvellir National Park, Strokkur and Kerid Crater are included in the price.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: Food and beverages are not included during the trip and towels are not included during your stay at the Secret Lagoon.

9. Golden Circle Tour and snowmobile adventure on Langjökull

Snowmobiling on the Langjökull Glacier| ©Haukur Herbertsson
Snowmobiling on the Langjökull Glacier| ©Haukur Herbertsson

This is one of the best tours to get to know the Golden Circle and take the opportunity to do another interesting activity. In this specific case, you will be able to visit places like Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir, in addition to visiting the Langjökull Glacier.

Just at this last point of the excursion you will have the opportunity to drive a snowmobile on the most pleasant paths of the glacier. Of course, before you get on the snowmobiles, you will be trained and shown the necessary safety precautions.

Interesting details

  • Price: this excursion can cost approximately 210 euros per person.
  • Duration: you will be able to do the whole tour in approximately 10 hours.
  • Means of transport: the means of transport you will use to travel to this area will be a bus with all the basic amenities you will need along the way. The pick-up point in Reykjavík will be reached on your own using public transport or a rental car.
  • Advantages of this tour: The snowmobile tour is included, as well as protective clothing and safety equipment. The expert guide who will take you on this experience is included.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: The transfer from the hotel and back after the experience is not included in the price. Also not included in the price are drinks, food and tips to the guides. This experience is suitable for children over 5 years old.

10. Golden Circle Super Jeep Tour and Snowmobile Tour

Snowmobiling in Iceland| ©Ken Clark
Snowmobiling in Iceland| ©Ken Clark

On this combined experience you will visit the Golden Circle on board a super jeep for a completely extreme adventure, which I like to classify as one of the best snowmobile tours in Reykjavik. After this adventure, you will have the opportunity to ride a snowmobile around the Langjökull glacier.

The sights you will visit on the Golden Circle tour include Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir area and the Gullfoss waterfall. After this rewarding tour, you will head straight to the Langjökull area.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 274 euros per person.
  • Duration: between 9 and 10 hours.
  • Means of transport: by properly equipped bus you will reach the starting area of the trip in a super jeep. After that you will get into the jeep and drive through the most interesting places of the Golden Circle. Later on you will experience a snowmobile adventure.
  • Advantages of this tour: public transport is close by in case you have difficulties getting there. Safety equipment and everything you need to get on the snowmobile.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: Not suitable for pregnant women. Hotel pick-up is not included, but you can arrange to be picked up from a bus stop near the hotel where you are staying. Children under 6 years old are not allowed to participate in this experience.

Book your Golden Circle Super Jeep Tour and Snowmobile Tour

What will I see on this type of tour?

Gullfoss| ©Nickspix
Gullfoss| ©Nickspix

Depending on the tour you choose, you may see different places, but generally the natural attractions that will always be on your list of places to visit during these tours will be Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and the Geysir area, where Strokkur is also located.

During most of these experiences you will frequently see the Kerid crater, and in some cases you will have the opportunity to visit the Blue Lagoon or the Secret Lagoon, places where you can take special thermal baths, either to close the day's activity or to start the day's sightseeing.

Tips for a tour to the Golden Circle from Reykjavík

Hiking boots| ©Baihaki Hine
Hiking boots| ©Baihaki Hine
  • Wear comfortable clothes and trekking shoes so that you can walk on ice and snow without difficulty.
  • If you are going with children, be sure to check the minimum age for each of the experiences, as some experiences require children to be at least 4 years old, while others require children over 2 years old.
  • Even if you go in the winter season, don't forget to pack your swimming costume, as some of these Golden Circle experiences also include a visit to the hot springs.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is so special about the Kerid Crater?

    Kerid is a crater lake located in southern Iceland and remains unique among crater lakes in that its formation was not caused by an eruption. Instead, it is thought to have formed due to the dissipation of magma, either way the lake looks almost otherworldly, with the lake's water being bright sapphire blue and the volcanic rock contrasting red against the water.

  • What else can I do in Kerid Crater?

    If you're lucky, concerts are sometimes held in the Kerid crater, thanks to its unique amphitheatre-like shape. There's also the Strokkur geyser, a 30-minute drive away, and the impressively powerful Gullfoss just 10 minutes away.

  • When is the best time to visit Kerid Crater?

    The best time to see Kerid Crater is during the warmer seasons, such as late spring and summer. This way, you will be able to see the natural reds of the rock, the deep greens of the moss and the sapphire blues of the water. In winter, the natural pool is frozen, and the route itself to the crater and lake is icy and slippery, making it potentially dangerous.