Golden Circle and Kerid Volcanic Crater Tours in Reykjavik

Golden Circle is a natural wonder of Iceland, home to three special places: Gullfoss Waterfall, Thingvellir National Park and Geysir.

Andressa García

Andressa García

11 min read

Golden Circle and Kerid Volcanic Crater Tours in Reykjavik

Golden Circle | ©elisbergur

I show you some of my favorite tours to know the Golden Circle, which is undoubtedly one of the best activities to include among the things to see and do in Reykjavik at any time of the year.

Private tours, full day tours and even combined tours, the Golden Circle has many things to see and that's why I want to show you some of the options you have to get to know this popular place in Iceland.

1. Golden Circle Tour

Iceland's Golden Circle| ©wandereringJ
Iceland's Golden Circle| ©wandereringJ

This is the most basic excursion you can get to this place. In this case, you will see the most typical places that comprise the Golden Circle and that you can only see in the southwest of the island.

It is a basic tour but with everything you need if you have little time to visit Reykjavik and Iceland in general and want to do it in record time. During this tour you will visit Iceland's Thingvellir National Park, Strokkur and the great geyser Geysir, as well as Kerid Krater.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 59 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately eight and a half hours for the entire crossing.
  • Means of transport: this tour is conducted entirely by fully equipped bus.
  • Advantages of this excursion: transportation from the hotel and back after the experience is included. Cruisers can participate in this experience by providing all their personal information. Entrance to the three places you will visit during the tour is included.
  • Disadvantages of this excursion: there must be a minimum number of people to make this trip, otherwise it may be cancelled. It is not suitable for people in wheelchairs. Food, lunch, beverages and snacks are not included in the reservation.

Book your tour to the Golden Circle

2. Golden Circle small group getaway

Getting to know the Golden Circle| ©Shadowgate
Getting to know the Golden Circle| ©Shadowgate

This eight-hour experience is perfect for people traveling in small groups. One of the differences between this tour and other similar tours is that it has the advantage of being private. Only you and your group will be able to participate in this activity.

During the tour you will have the opportunity to visit the places that comprise the Golden Circle and you will be able to do it in the comfort of a minivan with your group of family or friends. The places to visit are Thingvellir, Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir and Faxi waterfall.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 73 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately eight hours for the whole tour.
  • Means of transport: minibus equipped with all the necessary amenities.
  • Advantages of this tour: you will have wifi during the whole tour on board the minibus, which is also equipped with air conditioning. Pick up from hotels and payment of all taxes is included. A small meal typical of Icelandic gastronomy is included.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: lunch is not included but there are stops where you can buy typical food of the area. Not suitable for wheelchair users. Children under 4 years old cannot participate in this experience.

3. Premium tour to the Golden Circle in small groups

Golden Circle| ©Iceland Tour
Golden Circle| ©Iceland Tour

This premium tour just for your travel group differs from others because you will get to see not only the most beautiful places of the Golden Circle, but also learn a lot about the history and culture of Iceland, while having a personalized travel experience.

In addition to the typical places to visit in the Golden Circle, you will be able to see an authentic Icelandic horse farm where you will also appreciate a beautiful show of their skills and abilities. Some of these horses are responsible for giving the best horseback riding tours in Iceland from Reykjavik. Of course you will also see the Gullfoss waterfall.

Details of interest

  • Price: this experience is priced at approximately 74 euros per person.
  • Duration: the tour can last around 8 hours, although it is a flexible tour in terms of time.
  • Means of transport: the whole transfer will be done by minibus with all comforts on board.
  • Advantages of this tour: you will have wifi during the whole trip. The entrance to the show is included in the price. Pick up and drop off at the hotel is included, as well as a professional guide who will explain everything along the way. Also included is the participation in all the activities, the earthquake exhibition, the visit to the greenhouse and the tomato tasting.
  • Disadvantages of this excursion: lunch and tips to the tour guides are not included.

4. Visit to the Golden Circle in the afternoon

Afternoon at the Golden Circle| ©Les Williams
Afternoon at the Golden Circle| ©Les Williams

This afternoon experience is one of the best you can have if you go on an excursion to the Golden Circle. For approximately eight and a half hours you will have the chance to see the natural wonders of southwest Iceland in a different light that will give you the chance to take even more amazing pictures.

It is a classic version of the typical Golden Circle tours, with the difference that you will do it in the afternoon, being this plan ideal if you want to have the morning available to do other activities or simply to take the time to do some of the best tours in Reykjavik. The places you will visit are Thingvellir, Gullfoss, Strokkur and Kerid Crater.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 50 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately eight and a half hours will be necessary to do this complete tour.
  • Means of transportation: the entire tour is done in a fully equipped bus.
  • Advantages of this excursion: this tour is not cancelled due to weather conditions. Pick up and drop off at the hotel is included. Public transportation is available nearby. Entrance fees to Thingvellir and Kerid Crater are included in the price.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: not suitable for children under 4 years old. This tour is not wheelchair friendly. No refunds will be issued if the tour is missed due to late arrival or late arrival of the cruise ship, if traveling on one. Food and beverages are not included.

Book your afternoon Golden Circle tour

5. Evening Golden Circle and Northern Lights tour

Golden Circle and northern lights| ©Nathan B
Golden Circle and northern lights| ©Nathan B

This combination is one of my favorites because it mixes the best of an evening tour to the Golden Circle, along with an evening Northern Lights viewing expedition, two of the most important attractions to include in the list of things to do in Reykjavik in winter, or at least close to the city.

In at least 10 hours you'll see the wonders hidden in typical Golden Circle sites like Thingvellir, Gullfoss waterfall and Kerid Crater, just before you go with your expert guide to see the northern lights dancing in the sky. This is one of my favorite options to see the Northern Lights from Reykjavik.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 179 euros per person.
  • Duration: about 10 hours for the whole tour.
  • Means of transport: this expedition will take place entirely aboard a bus equipped with all amenities.
  • Advantages of this excursion: you have a professional guide who will explain everything you need to know. You will also be able to connect to the wifi on board during the whole trip. Hot drinks are offered on board. Entrance to each of the places you will visit is included, as well as guaranteed pick up and return to your accommodation.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: it does not offer food and beverages except those included in the price per person. It is not an adapted tour for people in wheelchairs.

6. Walk to the Golden Circle and visit to the Geothermal Energy Greenhouse

Fridheimar Greenhouse| ©MaxandNikki
Fridheimar Greenhouse| ©MaxandNikki

On this family-friendly experience you can take a comfortable ride to the Golden Circle and also enter the Fridheimar greenhouse, a beautiful area where tomatoes are grown in the geothermal heat typical of Iceland.

After learning a bit about tomato growing, next you will see Thingvellir National Park, the geothermal area of Geysir, and the Gullfoss waterfall, places you can't miss if you go to Iceland.

Details of interest

  • Price: approximately 60 euros per person.
  • Duration: you can complete this tour in approximately eight hours.
  • Means of transport: the whole tour is done by tourist bus. But from your place of accommodation to the bus station you will have to move on your own, either using public transport or a rental car.
  • Advantages of this excursion: the bus ticket and free wifi are included during the whole experience. Also included is an expert guide who will tell you everything you need to know about this popular area. Entrance to the greenhouse is included.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: Entrance to Thingvellir National Park and Geysir geothermal area is not included. This tour does not include hotel pick up and drop off. Food and beverages are not included. Not suitable for wheelchair users.

7. Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon Excursion

Blue Lagoon| ©Jim Nix
Blue Lagoon| ©Jim Nix

Eleven hours will be enough to see all that the Golden Circle has to show you. Not only that, but it will also give you time to have your own thermal and relaxing bath in Iceland's most important natural spa, the Blue Lagoon. If you don't want to miss this place, I also invite you to check out the best Blue Lagoon tours from Reykjavik.

Right after visiting amazing places like Kerid Crater, Thingvellir National Park and Gullfoss waterfall, you can take at least two hours to relax in the Blue Lagoon and enjoy its silica masks.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 113 euros per person.
  • Duration: approximately 11 hours to do the whole tour.
  • Means of transport: the whole trip is done by bus properly equipped with all the comforts.
  • Advantages of this excursion: pick up and drop off at the hotel is included if you request this option. Entrance to Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Kerid is included. You will also enjoy free wifi on board during the entire trip. This experience works in any weather, so you should dress appropriately.
  • Disadvantages of this excursion: the entrance to the Blue Lagoon is not included in the price of the experience, so you have to book on your own and by the time you will arrive at the site, which will be approximately 17:00.

Book your tour to the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon

8. Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon tour

At the Secret Lagoon| ©Ines van Megen-Thijssen
At the Secret Lagoon| ©Ines van Megen-Thijssen

Continuing with the geothermal activities that can be done in Iceland in conjunction with the visit to the Golden Circle, this is another of the ones I recommend you to do and one of my favorites. It is an excursion of about ten hours.

During the whole tour you will have the opportunity to visit the most special places of the Golden Circle, and then you can go to the Secret Lagoon to enjoy an hour and a half of thermal and relaxing spa. This experience differs from others in that the tour starts at the lagoon and then continues to the other sites of interest.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 86 euros.
  • Duration: this tour can last approximately 10 hours.
  • Means of transport: the whole transfer is done by bus with all the comforts.
  • Advantages of this excursion: there is public transportation nearby to reach the starting point. Entrance fees to the Secret Lagoon, Thingvellir National Park, Strokkur and Kerid Crater are included in the price.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: food and beverages are not included during the trip, as well as towels during your stay at the Secret Lagoon.

9. Golden Circle Tour and snowmobile adventure on Langjökull

Snowmobiling on the Langjökull Glacier| ©Haukur Herbertsson
Snowmobiling on the Langjökull Glacier| ©Haukur Herbertsson

This is one of the best tours to get to know the Golden Circle and take the opportunity to do another interesting activity. In this specific case, you can visit places like Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir, in addition to visiting the Langjökull Glacier.

Just in this last point of the excursion you will have the opportunity to drive a snowmobile through the most pleasant paths of the glacier. Of course, before you get on the snowmobiles, you will be trained and shown the necessary safety measures for handling them.

Details of interest

  • Price: this excursion can have an approximate price of 210 euros per person.
  • Duration: you will be able to do the whole tour in approximately 10 hours.
  • Means of transport: the means of transport you will use to travel to this area will be a bus with all the basic amenities you will need along the way. To the pick-up point in Reykjavik you will have to get there on your own using public transportation or a rental car.
  • Advantages of this tour: The snowmobile tour is included, as well as protective clothing and safety equipment. The expert guide who will take you on this experience is included.
  • Disadvantages of this excursion: The transfer from the hotel and back after the experience is not included in the price. Drinks and food are not included in the price, nor are tips to the guides. This experience is suitable for children over 5 years old.

10. Excursion to the Golden Circle by super jeep and snowmobile ride.

Snowmobiling in Iceland| ©Ken Clark
Snowmobiling in Iceland| ©Ken Clark

In this combined experience you will be able to visit the Golden Circle aboard a super jeep, for a completely extreme adventure that I like to classify as one of the best snowmobile tours in Reykjavik. After this adventure, you will have the opportunity to ride a snowmobile to get around the entire Langjökull glacier.

The sights you will visit on the Golden Circle tour include Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir area and the Gullfoss waterfall. After this rewarding tour, you will go directly to the Langjökull area.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 274 euros per person.
  • Duration: between 9 and 10 hours.
  • Means of transport: by properly equipped bus you will reach the starting area of the trip in a super jeep. After that you will get into the jeep and drive through the most interesting places of the Golden Circle. Later you will experience a snowmobile adventure.
  • Advantages of this excursion: there is public transportation nearby in case you have difficulties to get there. Safety equipment and everything you need to get on the snowmobile.
  • Disadvantages of this tour: not suitable for pregnant women. Hotel pick-up is not included, but you can arrange for pick-up at a bus stop near the hotel where you are staying. Children under 6 years old cannot participate in this experience.

Book your excursion to the Golden Circle by super jeep and snowmobile ride

What will I see on this type of excursion?

Gullfoss| ©Nickspix
Gullfoss| ©Nickspix

Depending on the tour you choose, you will be able to see different places, but generally the natural attractions that will always be on your list of places to visit during this type of tours will be Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and the Geysir area, where Strokkur is also located.

During most of these experiences you will be able to see the Kerid crater, and in some cases you will have the opportunity to visit the Blue Lagoon or the Secret Lagoon, places where you can take special thermal baths, either to close the day's activity or to start the day's visit to places of interest.

Tips for a tour to the Golden Circle from Reykjavík

Hiking boots| ©Baihaki Hine
Hiking boots| ©Baihaki Hine
  • Wear comfortable clothes and trekking shoes so that you can walk on ice and snow without difficulty.
  • If you go with children try to check the minimum age to participate in each of the experiences, since for some of them you need to be at least 4 years old, while for others children over 2 years old are allowed to attend.
  • Even if you go during the winter season, don't forget to pack your bathing suit, because in some of these experiences in the Golden Circle you will also be able to visit the hot springs.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is so special about Kerid Crater?

    Kerid is a crater lake located in southern Iceland and remains unique among crater lakes in that its formation was not caused by an eruption. Instead, it is thought to have formed due to the dissipation of magma, either way the lake looks almost otherworldly, with the lake water being bright sapphire blue and the volcanic rock being red in color contrasting with the water.

  • What else can I do in Kerid Crater?

    If you're lucky, they sometimes have concerts in the Kerid crater, thanks to its unique amphitheater-like shape. There is also the Strokkur geyser, located 30 minutes away by car, and just 10 minutes away is the impressively powerful Gullfoss.

  • What is the best time to visit Kerid Crater?

    The best time to see Kerid Crater is during the warmer seasons, such as late spring and summer. This way, you will be able to see the natural reds of the rock, the deep greens of the moss and the sapphire blues of the water. In winter, the natural pool is frozen, and the trail itself to the crater and lake is icy and slippery, making it potentially dangerous.