Travelers give this area full marks—it is close to Reykjavik (if you're short on time), but it packs a lot into a day—sprouting geysers, tectonic plates, a mighty waterfall, plus the essential soak in the Secret Lagoon, Iceland's oldest swimming pool (and yes, you can have a cold beer while you do it). You are on holiday, so don't forget treat yourself.

Golden Circle's greatest hits:

• Þingvellir National Park, where Iceland's first parliament was established in 930 AD, and brace yourself for a surprise – thanks to its unique geography, you can walk from the North American to the European tectonic plate
• Geysir, an iconic hot spring in Iceland, where the real star, Strokkur, erupts every 5-8 minutes—make sure your camera is ready for this incredibly fun natural spectacle
• Gullfoss waterfall, nestled in the Hvítá canyon, offering nothing short of a spectacular scenic view—and when conditions permit, stroll all the way down to experience its force and beauty up close
• Secret Lagoon, a natural hot pool in the open air
• Friðheimar tomato farm, a thriving greenhouse, famous world over for its tomato soup and homemade bread. Please note that the cost of lunch is not included in the booking fee.

This is a packed tour, our guide Matt was great, loads of information and funny too. The Gullfoss waterfall is a must see. So happy I've ticked this off. - A 5-star review on Tripadvisor.

Sounds good? Keep on reading for more tour details.

Insta-ready natural sites

After we pick you up, we're hitting the road straight out of the city. Soon enough, we'll breeze by Hellisheiðavirkjun—just the 8th largest geothermal power station globally, no big deal, only the largest one in Iceland.

Reykjavik to Þingvellir National Park

Next on the adventure list is Þingvellir, the national park with a history dating back to 930 AD when the parliament made its debut. We won't spoil it too much, but get ready to get close and personal with some of Iceland's proudest moments in history and wander between the North American and European tectonic plates. Trust us, the experience is nothing short of thrilling.

Geysir

Back on the road, our next pit stop is Geysir. While the big Geyser has been taking a nap for a bit, Strokkur, its lively sidekick, steals the show by erupting every 5-8 minutes. Word of advice: keep a respectable distance and have your camera at the ready—it's eruption o'clock!

Gulfoss

We continue our journey and the next stop is the Golden Waterfall. Located in the canyon of Hvítá, the waterfall plummets down into a 32-meter (104.9 feet) deep crevice. From the parking area, it's also possible to walk all the way down to the falls. It’s about a 10-minute walk but please be aware the walkway might be closed off in poor weather conditions.

Secret Lagoon

As we wrap up our tour, our final destination is the Secret Lagoon, Iceland's oldest natural swimming pool. Fuelled by geothermal energy and sourced from nearby hot springs, the pool, which maintains a constant temperature of 38/40°C (100.4/104°F), provides the perfect setting to unwind. Picture yourself soaking in the warm water, surrounded by nature views — a serene and natural conclusion to your adventure.

Next stop: Northern lights

Our expert guides read the weather forecast to pinpoint the best spots for the Northern Lights spectacle. Decision time is 6pm, and if the stars are aligned, we'll pick you up at an agreed time for an out-of-town adventure.

While you wait

Once your guide locks in the perfect spot, it's time for the northern lights – get your cameras ready! As you soak in the sights of the aurora, the experience you've travelled to Iceland for, we'll treat you to traditional pastries and Brennivín, our favorite local liquor. (Ask your guide why it's also known as Black Death). Plus, we'll keep you warm during the hunt with cozy blankets and yummy hot chocolate.

Your guide will tell you about the science behind the northern lights and keep you entertained with folk stories and old beliefs connected to them.

Our guide was absolutely amazing and his enthusiasm to share the lights with us was such a delight to see as his passion was lovely to see. He managed to give me the opportunity to propose under a star surrounded by the green glow of the lights, what more could we have asked for! - 5-star review on Tripadvisor

If the northern lights don't show up

Even with our top-notch guides, northern lights sightings cannot be guaranteed. Not to worry, though! If the lights decide to play hide-and-seek and we don't see them during the tour, we'll invite you to a Small Group Northern Lights Tour on another day — no refunds in this case, but loads of cosmic fun. Just shoot us an email ASAP (info@holidaytours.is) to reschedule (subject to availability).

In case we can’t operate the tour at all during your stay in Iceland, we will fully refund you the tour price. And you'll have to come back!

Return to Reykjavik full of life-long memories, and why not choose another tour with us, such as the South Coast & Iconic Glacier Hike Full Day Tour?

Choose the Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Northern Lights With Hot Chocolate From Reykjavik Tour if you

• Only have one day for sightseeing
• Are looking for an idyllic escape
• Want to travel with a small group of like-minded travelers
• Enjoy flexibility of a small group tour
• Want to educate yourself about the geology, history, and culture of Iceland
• Always dreamed of seeing the northern lights in Iceland