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 Centre 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.