Golden Circle & Blue Lagoon Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik
- Duration11 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
- Fair, honest prices
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Overview
Combine Iceland's two most visited attractions in one day on this small-group minibus tour from Reykjavik. You explore Þingvellir National Park, watch Strokkur erupt at Geysir, stand above Gullfoss waterfall and visit Kerið crater, then finish with about two hours in the warm, milky-blue water of the Blue Lagoon. Pickup within Reykjavik, Kerið entry and a Blue Lagoon Comfort ticket with a silica mud mask, towel and one drink are included on the default option. It suits couples, families and travellers with limited time.
Highlights
- The Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon in one day
- Small-group minibus with pickup and drop-off within Reykjavik
- Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss and Kerið crater with entry included
- About two hours in the Blue Lagoon's geothermal water
- Comfort entry with silica mud mask, towel and one drink; Premium upgrade available
- Choice of 9 AM or 10 AM departure, depending on the option you choose
Full Description
Þingvellir National Park: Walking between Continents
The day begins in Þingvellir, where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge rises above sea level and the plates of North America and Eurasia slowly separate. You walk into the Almannagjá rift, a long canyon with lava walls on either side, and stand at the Law Rock, where Iceland's chieftains met at the Alþingi from the year 930.
On a small-group tour your guide has time to point out the details: the clear water of the fissures, the tiny church and farm by the river, and the Öxarárfoss waterfall tumbling into the rift. A day trip to Þingvellir is the best introduction to Iceland, because its geology and history are both visible in one place.
Geysir and Gullfoss Waterfall
In the Haukadalur geothermal valley the ground steams and bubbles. The original Geysir now rests, but Strokkur erupts every few minutes, throwing a column of boiling water high into the air, and you can watch several eruptions while walking among the coloured hot pools. There is time here to buy lunch, which is not included.
A short drive later, Gullfoss, the Golden Falls, drops in two steps into a canyon carved by the glacial river Hvítá. Paths lead to viewpoints above and beside the falls, where the spray often forms rainbows. Is the Golden Circle worth it in winter? Yes: snow and ice around Gullfoss make it even more dramatic, though paths may be slippery.
Kerið Crater
Kerið is a volcanic crater in the Grímsnes area, about 55 metres deep and some 3,000 years old. Its walls show bright red and rust-coloured volcanic rock with patches of green moss, and a vivid blue-green lake fills the bottom. The contrast of colours makes it one of the most photographed craters in Iceland.
Entry to Kerið is included in this tour. You can follow the rim path for a view down into the crater and, if you like, take the steps down to the water's edge. The visit usually takes about 30 minutes, just enough to stretch your legs before the drive to the Reykjanes peninsula and the Blue Lagoon.
The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon lies in a black lava field on the Reykjanes peninsula, near the town of Grindavík. Its seawater, heated deep underground and rich in silica, algae and minerals, flows from the nearby Svartsengi geothermal plant and stays at around 37 to 39 degrees Celsius all year. The silica gives the water its famous milky blue colour.
You have about two hours to bathe, apply the silica mud mask and relax. Blue Lagoon tickets are included: Comfort on the default option, or Premium with extra masks and a bathrobe on the Premium options. Volcanic activity on the peninsula has occasionally closed the lagoon at short notice; if that happens, we will contact you about alternatives.
Itinerary
- Pickup in ReykjavikPickup from your hotel or a nearby stop within Reykjavik; 9 AM departure on the default option.
- Þingvellir National ParkWalk through the Almannagjá rift and see the site of the old parliament.
- Geysir geothermal areaWatch Strokkur erupt and take a lunch break (food not included).
- Gullfoss waterfallSee the two-step falls from the upper and lower paths.
- Kerið craterWalk the rim of the red volcanic crater, with entry included.
- Blue LagoonAbout two hours in the geothermal lagoon with your included entry ticket.
- Return to ReykjavikDrop-off in Reykjavik about 11 hours after pickup.
What's included
- Tour guide
- Return transport by minibus
- Pickup and drop-off within Reykjavik
- Wi-Fi on the bus
- Entry to Kerið volcanic crater
- About 2 hours at the Blue Lagoon
- Blue Lagoon Comfort entry ticket
- Silica mud mask, towel and one non-alcoholic drink
Not included
- Lunch and other food (available to buy on the way)
- Swimwear rental
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.9/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You prefer short outings — this takes about 11 hours
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Children under 5 years
- Guests who prefer a short or half-day tour
Meeting point
Pickup and drop-off within Reykjavik are included on all options. Your pickup time and point, your hotel or a nearby stop, are shown on your booking confirmation. Please be ready outside a few minutes before the stated time; the minibus departs at 9 AM on the default option or at 10 AM on the later options.
Important information
- Bring swimwear; it can also be rented at the Blue Lagoon at your own expense. Towels are included.
- Comfort entry includes a silica mud mask, towel and one drink; Premium entry adds two extra masks, a small silica mask to keep and a bathrobe.
- Food is not included; there are chances to buy lunch and snacks during the day.
- You spend about 2 hours at the Blue Lagoon; shower without swimwear before entering, as local rules require.
- Children aged 2 to 11 share a locker with their parent at the lagoon; this tour accepts children from 5 years.
- Wear warm, waterproof clothing and good walking shoes for the Golden Circle stops.
- Volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula can close the Blue Lagoon at short notice; we will inform you if plans change.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon tour cost?
The price depends on the option you choose: Comfort or Premium lagoon entry, 9 AM or 10 AM departure. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and children.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup and drop-off within Reykjavik are included on every option.
How long is the tour?
About 11 hours from pickup to drop-off, including about two hours at the Blue Lagoon.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Children from 5 years can join, with a child ticket for ages 5 to 11. It is a long day, so it suits children who travel well.
Is the Blue Lagoon ticket included?
Yes. The default option includes a Comfort ticket, and the Premium options include a Premium ticket.
What is the difference between the options?
The options differ in the Blue Lagoon ticket, Comfort or Premium with extra masks and a bathrobe, and in the departure time, 9 AM or 10 AM.
What should I bring?
Swimwear, warm and waterproof clothes, walking shoes, a hair tie and conditioner for long hair, and money or a card for lunch.
Is lunch included?
No, but there is a stop where you can buy lunch, usually at the Geysir area.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
If seats and lagoon slots are available, yes. The booking panel shows the dates you can book.
What happens if the Blue Lagoon is closed?
If volcanic activity or other reasons close the lagoon, we will contact you before the tour about the available alternatives.
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