Is 2 Days Enough Time to Explore the Golden Circle?

The Golden Circle is one of the most popular areas that people visit when traveling to Iceland. Most people see a few sights here in one day, then continue on. There is so much to see in the Golden Circle though! Don’t just visit the main attractions or you will miss some seriously beautiful sights. This article will detail exactly what to do with 2 days in the Golden Circle so you don’t miss anything!

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Where to Stay

Most people make Reykjavik their homebase for the Golden Circle but another great option is to stay in Hveragerði! Hveragerð is more centrally located for all the stops on this list and a great spot if you are plan on continuing on the Ring Road. It’s smaller than Reykjavik but still has good restaurant options and grocery stores.

Day One

Þórufoss

This waterfall is just 10 minutes from Thingvellir National Park and a short detour from the ring road, but so many people skip it!

A small, free parking lot is located at Þórufoss. Note there are no restrooms available here. From the parking lot, you can walk to the edge of the canyon and view the waterfall from above. However, I recommend doing the short hike, about 0.5mile round trip, to the base to get a better view of the falls. This trail will start on the right of the parking lot, depending on when you visit there might be a small stream to cross or you can walk close to the road to go around it. Follow the path down the hill then over the rocks to get closer to the falls!

The golden circle in 2 days — View from above

Thingvellir National Park

Up next is Thingvellir National Park, I recommend parking at the visitor’s center (P1), then walking the loop. Take the path next to the overlook to walk through Almannagjá, a long rift that is the eastern side of the North-American tectonic plate.

Continue down this path until you reach Öxarárfoss, a 42 foot waterfall! From here you can head back the way you came to reach the car, or make the trail a loop by heading to the Thingvellir church. By the church you’ll also be able to see the houses that are used by the Prime Minister in the summer.

Continue on this path, veering to the left and following the road to view the Silfra Fissure. Here, you have the option to watch people snorkeling between the tectonic plates, or if you’re interested, you can book a tour in advance to experience snorkeling yourself! After this, follow the path back up to the visitor center, where you can grab a light snack and cup of coffee before heading to your next location.

Kerid Crater

Before heading back to your Airbnb, stop by Kerid Crater, a 40 minute drive from Thingvellir.

The crater is around 180 feet deep and 557 feet wide and is filled with turquoise water. You can walk the 0.62 mile trail around the top of the crater or follow the stairs down to the water. The hike does consist of a lot of stairs but it is worth it if you have the time. There are no bathrooms here and there is a small entrance fee of 600 isk or around $4.31 per person.

Day Two

Faxafoss

Start day two at Faxafoss and do the short hike down to the base of the waterfall. You can view the waterfall from an overlook above, or follow the short trail down to the base. On the left of the waterfall you’ll notice a salmon ladder and might see a few salmon if you get lucky! There is a small fee for parking that is paid at the gate when you enter. One thing to note is if you visit early in the morning (before 9am) the gate might be closed. You can technically walk around it, but we just came back later and it was open. Another thing to note is there are no bathrooms here.

Geysir Hot Spring

Continue on this road until you reach Geysir Hot Spring. Parking is free and is located on the right side of the road, next to Geysir Center. In here you’ll find a gift shop, cafe, and bathrooms.

Cross the road then follow the trail to see different geothermal areas. You’ll find mud pots, hot springs, and fumaroles (vents that emit steam directly from the earth’s crust). The first large geysir you come to, Strokkur Geysir is the largest active geyser in this area. It erupts every 8-10 minutes and reaches around 65 ft high. You can continue following the trail around, but this is the main thing to see here. The other Geysir (to the right of Strokkur) is currently dormant and doesn’t erupt regularly.

Gullfoss

Once you’re done admiring the Geysir, continue down this road to Gullfoss. Parking is free and there are bathrooms in the gift shop. Follow the paved trail on the left side of the gift shop to the upper observation deck. This area will give you a beautiful view of the upper part of the Gullfoss gorge and a different perspective of the waterfall.

After taking in this view, follow the trail down the stairs to get a closer view of this powerful waterfall. This part of the trail is usually wet and can be slippery so be sure to watch your steps! There’s a bit of a rock scramble at the very end of the pathway to reach the final viewing platform. If you prefer not to do this, you will still get stunning views from the rest of this trail.

Brúarfoss

Heading back the way you came, make your way to another spectacular waterfall, Brúarfoss! This waterfall is special because of its incredibly blue water that comes from the Langjökull Glacier! If you put Brúarfoss in your GPS it will take you down a short gravel road, directly to the new parking lot to view the waterfall. This parking lot is relatively new; before you had to hike around 4 miles to see the waterfall. You can still do this trail, however if you want to save time just head to the new parking lot. There is a small parking fee here that you can pay on the Parka app or at the stall in the parking lot.

From the parking lot, follow the short gravel trail to the river. Here you’ll find a bridge that crosses the river, but this is where you’ll have the best view. The trail on the opposite side of the bridge is the 4 mile trail that will take you to the other parking lot. There are no bathrooms at this waterfall.

The Golden Circle in 2 Days

By exploring the Golden Circle in 2 days, you’ll not only have ample time to explore the must-see sights like Gullfoss waterfall, the Geysir geothermal area, and Thingvellir National Park, but you can also explore more of the region’s unique offerings! The beauty of having two days is the flexibility to relax and enjoy the moment, so don’t be afraid to slow down and savor the experience!