Day 1: The Golden Circle in a Day
Þingvellir National Park
Start early from Reykjavík and drive 45 minutes to Þingvellir National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates visibly drift apart. Walk the Almannagjá gorge trail along the rift valley, passing the site of the world's oldest parliament (Alþingi, founded 930 AD). The Öxarárfoss waterfall drops into the rift and is stunning in morning light.
Geysir & Gullfoss
Drive 50 minutes east to the Geysir Geothermal Area. The original Geysir is mostly dormant, but Strokkur erupts every 5–8 minutes, blasting boiling water 20–30 metres into the air. Free entry. Continue 10 minutes to Gullfoss — Iceland's most famous waterfall, a two-tiered cascade plunging 32 metres into a canyon. Walk both viewing platforms for different angles of the thundering falls.
Kerið Crater & Return
On the way back, stop at Kerið — a 3,000-year-old volcanic crater lake with vivid red walls and aquamarine water (400 ISK entry). The 270-metre-wide crater takes 15 minutes to walk around the rim. Head back to Reykjavík and warm up at the Sky Lagoon (6,990 ISK) with its infinity-edge pool overlooking the Atlantic, or hit Laugavegur for dinner at Bæjarins Beztu hot dog stand.
