Golden Circle 3-day itinerary

Drive from Reykjavík to Þingvellir National Park (45 minutes). Walk the Almannagjá rift gorge where the tectonic plates meet, past the Lögberg (Law Rock) where Viking-age parliaments gathered. Follow the path to Öxarárfoss waterfall tumbling into the rift. For an unforgettable experience, book a Silfra snorkelling tour (14,990 ISK) — you'll float between the continental plates in crystal-clear glacial water with 100-metre visibility.

Continue to the Haukadalur geothermal valley (50 minutes). Watch Strokkur erupt every 5–8 minutes, sending a column of boiling water 20–30 metres high. Explore the surrounding hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles — the ground literally steams beneath your feet. The Geysir Center has a decent café for lamb soup (2,200 ISK) and the gift shop is one of Iceland's better ones for wool and design.

Drive 10 minutes to Gullfoss — the "Golden Falls" that give the route its name. The two-tiered waterfall drops 32 metres into a narrow canyon, creating a permanent rainbow on sunny days. On your way back, detour to Flúðir and the Secret Lagoon (3,000 ISK) — Iceland's oldest natural geothermal pool, far less crowded and more authentic than the Blue Lagoon. Soak in 38–40°C water surrounded by steam.

Drive the Ring Road east to Seljalandsfoss (90 minutes from Reykjavík) — a 60-metre waterfall you can walk behind on a path carved into the cliff. Get thoroughly soaked by the spray but the view through the curtain of water is magical. Then walk 500 metres left to find Gljúfrabúi — a hidden waterfall inside a narrow canyon that most tourists miss. Wade through ankle-deep water to enter the cave.

Continue 30 minutes to Skógafoss — a 60-metre-wide curtain of water that's one of Iceland's most powerful waterfalls. Climb the 527 steps up the east side for a jaw-dropping view from the top where the Fimmvörðuháls trail begins. Then drive 15 minutes to the Sólheimasandur black sand beach to walk the 4km round trip to the famous DC-3 plane wreck, a US Navy transport that crash-landed in 1973.

End at Reynisfjara — the dramatic black sand beach near Vík with towering basalt columns, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, and Hálsanefshellir cave. The pounding Atlantic surf and jet-black sand create an otherworldly atmosphere. Have dinner in Vík at Strondin Bistro (fish of the day 3,900 ISK) or Suður-Vík for pizza and burgers overlooking the sea stacks.

Explore Reykjavík on foot. Start at Hallgrímskirkja church — climb the 74.5-metre tower (1,000 ISK) for panoramic views over the colourful tin rooftops. Walk down Skólavörðustígur, lined with design shops and galleries, to Laugavegur — the main shopping street. Visit the Harpa Concert Hall on the harbourfront, with its kaleidoscopic glass façade designed by Ólafur Elíasson reflecting the harbour light.

Join a whale watching tour from the Old Harbour (12,990 ISK, 3 hours). Minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and porpoises are regularly spotted in Faxaflói Bay. Back on land, explore the Old Harbour area — visit the Saga Museum (2,600 ISK) for Viking history, FlyOver Iceland (4,990 ISK) for a virtual flight across the country, or browse the Kolaportið flea market on weekends for dried fish and vintage wool.

Swim at a Reykjavík geothermal pool — Vesturbæjarlaug (1,150 ISK) is a local favourite with hot pots and a steam room, or Laugardalslaug is the biggest. In the evening, Reykjavík's bar scene packs Laugavegur and Hverfisgata. Start at Skúli Craft Bar for Icelandic microbrews, move to Kaffibarinn for a buzzy crowd, and end at Prikið which turns into a dance club after midnight.