If you have an extra day in Reykjavik and you want to see some of the natural wonders Iceland is famous for, one of the best regions to explore is the Golden Circle, a 300+ km long circuit that will take you through some of the most epic sceneries this country has to offer from the epic Gullfoss or the Golden Falls, to all the natural hotspring spreading out across this wonderful geothermal wonderland.
Within this backpacking itinerary, you will find all the information you need to plan the most epic trip around the Golden Circle including a comprehensive list of the best places to visit, best things to do, how to get around, and so much more.
Without further ado, here is the ultimate one day backpacking itinerary for Iceland's Golden Circle. Let's begin by looking at all the places we will be visiting in this itinerary with the map below:
- One Day Iceland's Golden Circle Itinerary Map
- One Day Iceland's Golden Circle Itinerary
- More Golden Circle Activities
- Where to Stay in Reykjavik?
- Iceland Travel Video
- When to Visit Iceland?
- How to Get to Iceland?
- How to Get Around Iceland?
- Is it Safe in Iceland?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Iceland?
- What to Pack for Iceland?
- Further Reading for Iceland
One Day Iceland's Golden Circle Itinerary Map
| ❤️ Must Visit: | Gljufrabui |
| 🌤️ Best time: | May-September |
| 🚘 Get around: | Car |
| 🕓 Time to spend: | 1 day |
One Day Iceland's Golden Circle Itinerary
Þórufoss
After you have rented the car in Reykjavik, it is time to start exploring the Golden Circle, probably one of the most popular day trips to make from the capital city. It is approximately 300 km long with a ton of cool things to see and do, all can be done in a day.
One of the first places you should check out along the Golden Circle is Þórufoss, a broad 18 meters high waterfall located in the middle of nowhere which means that they will likely be fewer tourists here than most places along the Golden Circle.
The waterfall is not big when it comes to Iceland's standard but it is still very beautiful with a great opportunity for photos without people which is not so easy to come by given the rising amount of travelers visiting Iceland.
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Trust me, it will get crowded the further we travel further along the Golden Circle so use this opportunity and enjoy this remote waterfall in solitude before we continue to our next destination.
Öxarárfoss
Once you are done, continue along the Golden Circle and visit Öxarárfoss, a beautiful waterfall located right along the meeting point of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, which creates a rift valley and stunning landscape you can walk around in.
You can park your car at the Öxarárfoss Parking Lot #3 to check out the rift valley from above before walking along the walking trail to the waterfall. It is a longer way to get to Öxarárfoss but you will be able to see more along the trail than if you were to park in other parking lots.
You will be walking along a pretty easy flat trail that should take about 15 minutes to reach the waterfall. It is more of a stroll than a hike so anyone should be able to do it.
Geysir
After Öxarárfoss, we will be visiting Geysir next which is one of the most popular landmarks along the Golden Circle. This is where it will get pretty crowded especially around the large active geyser as people wait for the explosive geyser eruption.
Thankfully, the geyser erupts very frequently and you should be able to witness a massive amount of water gushing sky-high around every 10 - 15 minutes. You do not need to bring a rain jacket for this as you are quite a distance from the geyser.
Spend around 30 minutes here before we head over to our next destination. Geysir is free to enter and there is a restaurant, toilets, and cafes located on site so you can spend a few minutes freshening up before we continue our journey.
Gullfoss Falls
Next up, we are visiting Gullfoss Falls, also known as the Golden Falls, one of our first sightings of the massive waterfall Iceland is renowned for.
This waterfall is truly epic and will literally take your breath away the moment you see it from the viewpoint. The waterfall cascades over two tiers, with a total height of 32 meters, and falls into a deep canyon.
During sunny days, visitors can often see a rainbow over the waterfall, creating a picturesque view. In fact, you can even see double rainbows here, especially around the time we are here, given the sky is open.
Spend around 30 minutes to an hour and walk all the way to the viewpoint over the waterfall itself and witness the true power of Gullfoss up close. You will likely get sprayed quite a bit here as you walk to the viewpoint but not by much. You can pack a raincoat just in case but I didn't have one and it was fine.
The Secret Lagoon or Hrunalaug Hot Spring
Once you are done at Gullfoss, it is time to bathe in the hot springs of Iceland, if you have not done so at the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik. Along the Golden Circle, you will have 2 options you can choose from.
One is Secret Lagoon, another premium experience just like the Blue Lagoon but with fewer people and a nice view over the landscape around the area. It is also cheaper here than at the Blue Lagoon. If you want to visit the Secret Lagoon, be sure to buy the entry ticket from here.
Another option is to visit Hrunalaug Hot Spring, a more remote and natural experience where you will be bathing in the natural hot spring while being surrounded by real nature, away from the crowds.
The owner of the area decided to convert the hot spring into a place that accommodates tourists and with the entry price of 10 EUR (1,500 ISK) per person, you will get access to this natural hot spring for around 1 hour which is plenty of time to enjoy the place.
They also have a limited capacity of 10 people at one time and so you are guaranteed to have a nice and quiet time at Hrunalaug Hot Spring. You might also have to wait a little bit but if you want the ultimate experience of bathing in a natural hot spring in Iceland, it is definitely worth the wait.
Seljalandsfoss
By the time you are done at the hot spring, you should be approaching sunset soon and one of the best places to watch the sunset is at Seljalandsfoss, an incredible waterfall that is technically not in the Golden Circle but since it is near and you are probably going to be there at the best time of the day, we might as well check it out and take some photos of this incredible waterfall.
What sets Seljalandsfoss apart from other waterfalls in Iceland is the fact that you can walk behind the waterfall and see it from a pretty awesome perspective. The waterfall cascades over a cliff that used to be part of Iceland's coastline, and you can walk along a pathway that takes them behind the waterfall and out the other side.
This is the place where a waterproof jacket is highly recommended as you will be blasted by the powerful spray from the waterfall right on the get-go as you walk through, behind, and out from the other side of the waterfall.
Gljufrabui
When you are visiting Seljalandsfoss, be sure to walk a little bit further north and check out Gljufrabui, a hidden waterfall tucked away inside a cavern, and you are going to have to hop on stones or power through the stream to get to it. It is probably one of my favorite waterfalls out there and definitely worth getting wet to see this natural wonder in person.
As you make your way through the narrow opening in the rock face, wading through the stream gushing out from the cavern, you will come face to face with Gljufrabui.
Gljufrabui is around 40 meters high and it cascades down a narrow cliff face, surrounded by moss-covered rocks and greenery, creating a magical and serene atmosphere that you won't find anywhere else.
Once you are inside, you will be right below the waterfall, being blasted by the water spray of Gljufrabui so be sure to secure your camera and wear a waterproof jacket. Get as many selfies as you can here before you make your way out the same way.
Gljufrabui is probably one of the most fun experiences I had in Iceland and if you want to do something challenging and fun while being rewarded with an incredible scene and experience, I can not recommend Gljufrabui enough!
You can park at the same parking lot for Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui but you will have to pay for the parking fee which is around 5 EUR (750 ISK) per car. Be sure to pay the parking fee and put the receipt on the front mirror before you check out the waterfall.
Hunt For Northern Lights
Once you are done at Seljalandsfoss, it will probably be dark outside which, if you are there in September or late and you want to witness the northern light as I did here, you can hunt for clear sky and the northern light as you make your way back to Reykjavik.
I highly recommend you use the Hello Aurora app to hunt for the northern light as this incredible app will help notify you when the northern lights are being spotted around your area in real-time by other travelers.
It is pretty convenient and you will be able to see what others are seeing in different areas around Iceland. I highly recommend you download the app for this trip if you want to go northern light hunting in Iceland. It is available on both Android and IOS.
It should take around 2 hours to drive back from Seljalandsfoss to Reykjavik thus completing our one-day itinerary exploring the Golden Circle, plus a little bit of the southern coast. If you have any questions regarding this itinerary, do not hesitate to ask me in the comments below.
More Golden Circle Activities
Looking to save some costs on your travel? Why not join a shared group tour from Reykjavik? Here are some activities you might be interested in:
Where to Stay in Reykjavik?
When to Visit Iceland?
In my opinion, the best time to visit Iceland is between late May to early September when you will generally experience good weather, longer days, and a higher chance of clear days which will allow you to enjoy the outdoors more.
If you want to see the northern lights in Iceland, I highly recommend you visit Iceland in September which is exactly what I did for my trip. Out of the 10 days I stayed, there were 3 - 4 clear days where I was able to witness the northern lights without problems. Although the weather can get pretty cold at times in September, it is not unmanageable and if you want to catch 2 birds with one stone in Iceland, September is the way to go.
That said, due to its proximity to the arctic circle and its island topography, it is not uncommon to see a few days of freak weather in Iceland even at the best of times as I learned the hard way when I was stranded in Hofn for 3 days due to road closure and hurricane-speed wind. All that happened in September and so if you can spare some time, be sure to add a few buffer days to your trip just in case.
Technically, you can also visit Iceland in winter and things like accommodation are going to be cheaper but the days are short and if you are not experienced in driving a car under extreme conditions, I wouldn't recommend it.
How to Get to Iceland?
From the US, there are several direct flights from the US to Keflavík International Airport, the main airport in Reykjavik, operated by airlines like Icelandair and Fly Play from big cities like New York, Boston, and Seattle but you can also find plenty of transit flights that will take you to Iceland at a cheaper price. You can browse through great direct flights from here.
From Europe, you can find plenty of flights flying from major European hubs like Rome and Berlin to Iceland via either Fly Play or low-cost airlines like Wizz and Ryanair that will take you to Iceland in no more than 5 hours.
From Asia, you can fly into cities in Europe like Rome via middle eastern airlines like Emirates or Qatar, and then fly to Iceland via low-cost airlines like Wizz Air. The journey can take between 16 - 20 hours depending on the transit time. Keep in mind that you are going to have to do the transit of the Europe-to-Iceland leg yourself.
To find a cheap flight to Iceland, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.
How to Get Around Iceland?
By Rental Cars: There is no way around it. The best way to explore Iceland is to rent a car and drive around the Golden Circleyourself. With your own cars, you will be able to stop wherever you want (in a designated area of course), whenever you want, and you are going to want to do it once you see the landscape that awaits. Trust me!
The best way to rent a car in Iceland is to pick the local rental car companies over international brands like Hertz and Sixt since most of the global policies these companies provide are not well suited for the extreme weather in Iceland and even a single scratch can land you a hefty fine.
I recommend you rent a car with Lotus Rental, an excellent local car rental company with a large fleet of cars you can choose from, from a small car like Toyota Yaris to a full-on 4WD jeep with the price ranging from 120 EUR per day to over 240 EUR depending on the type of car you pick.
The company also provide a favorable insurance option that will help you avoid hefty fine after returning the cars due to minor scratches which can easily happen along the way with all the sand, ashes, and gravel roads you will be putting the cars through.
You will also get certain benefits by renting a car with Lotus Rental Car like the discounted gas price at N1 gas stations, which is one of the most widely available gas stations in the country. You will also get unlimited mileage which is essential for driving long distances like this itinerary. Best of all, deposits are not required to rent a car here.
I rented a Toyota Yaris (automatic) (which is all you need for this itinerary) with Lotus Rental together with their Gold Insurance plan which offers gravel, sand, and ashes protection for around 700 EUR for 10 days, and we didn't get a single fine afterward.
The pickup and return service were swift and stress-free. We were picked up at the airport by them and they took us to their headquarters located not too far from there. In 20 minutes, we were already on the road driving ourselves to Reykjavik. When we returned the car at the headquarter, it only took a few minutes for us to complete the return process and they were dropping us off back at the airport in no time.
If you are looking for a reliable local car rental company to rent a car from. I highly recommend you give Lotus Rental a go. You can reserve the car with the link below:
By Tours: you can also explore the Golden Circle with an organized tour from Reykjavik if you do not fancy driving yourself. There are several tours available that will take you to most of the highlights of the Golden Circle depending on the itienrary so be sure to browse throguh available tours here.
Is it Safe in Iceland?
In Iceland, the only thing you have to keep an eye out for is the weather which can be pretty extreme at times and may result in road closure that can affect your trip drastically.
For your safety, watch out for traffic warnings and road closures on Road.is, a website that keeps track of road closures and weather warnings across the island. Check it every morning before you embark on the journey.
When it comes to driving safely in Iceland, avoid the F-road if you did not rent a 4WD. The F-road is a network of unpaved roads that will take you deeper into the wilderness of Iceland but you will have to make sure that you have a 4WD and you know how to drive off-road.
Do not stop along the road since most roads in remote areas come in only one lane and you will be essentially blocking the way. There will be designated resting stops spread out all over the main road around the country so if you want to stop, do it there.
Stick to the 90 km/h speed limit when driving along the main road (Route 1/Ring Road) and the 60 km/h speed limit in urban areas since speed cameras are everywhere in Iceland and you might find yourself with a hefty fine at the end of your trip because of it.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Iceland?
There are 3 major carriers in Iceland, Síminn, Vodafone, and Nova, that offer prepaid sim cards tourists can buy while they are traveling in Iceland. These sim cards should provide enough coverage for you to use for navigation around Iceland. You can also buy an esim which is something I recommend as it is extremely convenient and can be done prior to your arrival in Iceland.
If you have a smartphone that supports esims, I highly recommend you take a look at these esims. They have a variety of data packages, price points, and durations for you to choose from.
The setup is fast and instant and you can buy it prior to your trip so you don't have to scramble your way to get one at the airport after a long flight. The data speed is also equivalent to what you get with a local sim card with 4G speed across the entire country.
Or if you are traveling to Iceland as part of a bigger Europe trip, I highly recommend you get the regional Eurolink esim which will give you access to data from over 39 countries across Europe. I have personally used this esim on my 3-months trip around Europe and it has worked wonders.
For more information on esims in Iceland, click here: Check Iceland's Available eSim.
What to Pack for Iceland?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Golden Circle, Iceland:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Iceland
I hope you found this Iceland travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Iceland, here is a selection of articles you might like:
- Looking for a complete Iceland's Ring Road itinerary? Check out: 7 Days Iceland's Ring Road Itinerary.
- Have only 5 days in Iceland? Here's a perfect itinerary for you: 5 Days In Iceland: A Perfect Itinerary.
- First time visiting Iceland, but not sure where to begin? Check out: 13 Best Places to Visit in Iceland.
- Every trip to Iceland begins in Reykjavik, and if you plan to spend a day there, be sure to check out the 11 Best Things to Do in Reykjavik.
- Planning to drive a car around Iceland? Here are the 13 Important Things to Know Before Driving in Iceland.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- To see all the articles about Iceland, visit the Iceland Travel Guide page.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Northern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.