Visiting the Golden Circle in Iceland in Winter
If you’re visiting Iceland in winter, you might be wondering whether the Golden Circle is actually doable. With shorter daylight hours, snow on the roads and constantly changing weather, it’s easy to assume it might be better saved for summer.
Visiting the Golden Circle in winter requires a bit more planning, but it’s one of the most popular and accessible day trips from Reykjavík, so the road is well maintained even in bad weather.
My boyfriend and I spent a week in Iceland in February and visited the Golden Circle in the snow and had the best day. This is exactly what to expect if you’re thinking of doing the same.
What is the Golden Circle?
The Golden Circle is a driving route starting and finishing in Reykjavík, and it’s one of the most popular things to do in Iceland.
The route takes you to three of Iceland’s most popular landmarks – Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall.
It’s called the Golden Circle because the route forms a loop, and “Gullfoss” translates to “Golden Waterfall” in English.
It can be done in either direction but most people do it clockwise, like this: Reykjavík > Þingvellir National Park first > Geysir geothermal area > Gullfoss > Reykjavík.
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that sits between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. You can actually walk in between them which is pretty surreal.
It’s also where Iceland’s parliament, was founded back in 930 AD, so it’s a really important place historically as well as geographically.
In winter, Þingvellir is especially beautiful. When we visited, the ground was covered in snow and the frozen landscapes made it look even more dramatic.
I imagine it’s still beautiful in summer, but there’s something very special about a snowy view.
Geysir geothermal area
Next up is the Geysir geothermal area, home to Strokkur, the geyser that erupts every few minutes and shoots boiling water high into the air.
This was the stop I was most excited about, because it’s hard to believe something like that just happens naturally.
The whole area is full of steaming vents and bubbling pools, and in winter, the steam against the cold air makes it look even more dramatic.
The paths are well laid out, but they can get icy, so wear good shoes.
Gullfoss waterfall
The final stop on the Golden Circle is Gullfoss, a powerful two tiered waterfall that crashes down into a canyon below.
There are multiple viewing platforms, so you can see it from above and from closer to the edge. I’d recommend walking around all of them if the paths are open, because it looks completely different depending on where you’re standing.
When we visited, Gullfoss was covered in snow and ice and it was really magical.
Driving yourself
You can absolutely drive the Golden Circle yourself in winter, and lots of people do.
The main advantages are flexibility and cost. Hiring a car is cheaper than booking a tour, and you can set off early to avoid the crowds.
You can also spend as long as you like at each stop and pull over for photos along the way.
➡️ I booked my hire car in Iceland through Discover Cars. They compare the cost across loads of different providers to find the best price for your trip, have flexible cancellation policies, and they’ve won awards for their customer service.
That said, winter driving in Iceland isn’t something to underestimate. Even if the main roads are clear, snow and wind can appear quickly. If you’re not confident driving in those conditions, a tour might be the better choice.
If you do decide to drive yourself, I’d recommend:
- Checking road and weather conditions before you leave
- Starting early to make the most of daylight
- Allowing extra time in case of delays
➡️ Read my full guide to driving in Iceland in winter so you know exactly what to expect, plus some helpful tips
Taking a tour of the Golden Circle
If you don’t fancy driving in winter, you can book a Golden Circle tour, which is what we did.
This is the exact tour I did, which included all three stops, plus snowmobiling on Langjökull glacier at the end of the day, which ended up being one of my favourite experiences in Iceland.
You’re picked up in Reykjavík in the morning and driven between each stop, with an expert guide on the coach telling you lots of interesting information about Iceland and the Golden Circle.
Once you arrive at each stop, you’re free to explore on your own. I really liked the balance of getting all of the information on the journey, and then be able to wander around in my own time.
Obviously the biggest benefit of booking a tour is not having to drive if there’s bad weather.
It snowed on our tour and by the end of the day there was a snowstorm with limited visibility, and I was VERY happy that someone else was driving.
Read my other Iceland guides:
16 Best Things to Do in Iceland
The Ultimate Iceland Winter Packing List
Renting a Car in Iceland in Winter
