By far the most popular day trip from Reykjavik is the Golden Circle Tour. If you want to travel outside of the capital and see the best natural attractions in Iceland than this tour is for you.
Since it is so popular you can easily find a tour offering. Compare price and hours, the group size and where it will pick you up and drop you off in order to find the best one for you. The sites are pretty standard across all companies. Siddi, the guide and driver for our small group, was a native of Iceland and had been a guide since the age of 15. He boasted that his great grandfather times 34 was an original settler. Now only 24 he is obviously full of pride and knowledge about his birthplace. One fun component of our trip was that he played traditional music as well as popular music from Icelandic artists during our drive.
The first stop was the Thingvellir National Park, home to the Rift Valley where the two tectonic plates that divide Iceland can be seen. These plates are slowing moving apart and the valley that formed as a result is a wonder to behold. You can walk between the two rifts and follow the valley below.
From there went went to see a Geyser. The word geysir is Icelandic in origin and was originally the name of one specific geyser until the word became synonymous with the phenomenon. It occurs when “a hot spring in which water intermittently boils, sending a tall column of water and steam into the air”. The one we attended would send water and steam into the air about every 5 – 8 minutes so it was a great one to see. Along with the geyser there was a visitor center offering unique souvenirs and a cafe and restaurant.
The next major attraction was the Gullfoss Waterfall. This waterfall is on private land which the government originally expropriated in the 1920’s to dam as a power source. The daughter of the landowner argued that the government would make more money leaving it as a tourist attraction, and she was right. There is a small plaque in her honor. The waterfall was one of the most beautiful that we have ever seen, both rugged and raging. It is glacier fed from above and below is a long gorge that has been dug out by the water from it.
The last stop was the Kerid Crater which was formed by a volcano. You can hike down into the crater, right up to the banks of the lake that has formed in the bottom, or hike around the outer rim. For those not comfortable hiking there is an excellent view platform nearby.
Although there are plenty of other waterfalls, valleys and geysers throughout Iceland this is a great overview of what the country has to offer. A great guide will bring it to life for you as well as fill in the history and significance of each site.