Experiences
Iceland: the Golden Circle, the Blue Lagoon and the south coast
Geysers shooting into the sky, waterfalls you can walk behind and warm lagoons in the middle of the lava. How to plan a trip to Iceland, and where to stay along the way.
22 October 20269 min
Picolo Editorial
In short
The Golden Circle, with Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, is a day trip from Reykjavík. Add the Blue Lagoon near the airport and the south coast with Seljalandsfoss and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Five to seven days gives you time, and a hire car is easiest. You can see the aurora from September to April, best outside the city.
Our first choice: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, the luxury hotel in the lava beside the lagoon. Check availability and prices
The ground is steaming. Somewhere beneath you something rumbles, and then, without warning, a column of boiling water shoots twenty metres into the air. People cheer, and half an hour later you stand at Gullfoss with spray on your face. Iceland is a land where the earth is still moving, and you feel it everywhere.
The island is a short flight from the UK, and even on a long weekend you can fit in the Golden Circle, a soak in a warm lagoon and an evening chasing the aurora. Here are the experiences and the hotels.
The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is Iceland’s most famous loop, about 300 kilometres from Reykjavík and back. It can be done in a day, by hire car or on a guided tour.
Þingvellir: the national park where the North American and Eurasian plates meet, and where the Althing, one of the world’s oldest parliaments, was founded.
Geysir and Strokkur: Strokkur erupts every few minutes, so you never wait long.
Gullfoss: a mighty two-tier waterfall, at its best in sunshine when rainbows hang in the spray.
Hot lagoons: the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon lies in the lava field near Grindavík, not far from the airport, and is Iceland’s best known spa. The water is milky blue and warm, and many people bathe straight after landing or before flying home. Volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula have closed the area at times in recent years, so check the status before you travel.
Sky Lagoon sits by the sea just outside Reykjavík, with an infinity pool facing the Atlantic and a seven-step sauna ritual.
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland
Iceland’s most exclusive hotel sits by the Blue Lagoon, with a private lagoon for hotel guests and rooms facing the blue water. Breakfast and lagoon access are included.
The south coast and Jökulsárlón
From Reykjavík, the Ring Road runs along the south coast past Seljalandsfoss, which you can walk behind, and Skógafoss, to the black sand beach of Reynisfjara near Vík. The waves here are powerful and unpredictable, so keep well back from the water.
Further east lies Jökulsárlón, a lagoon full of icebergs calved from the glacier. The ice washed up on the black beach next to it is known as Diamond Beach.
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon
The hotel stands alone on the plain between the glacier and the sea, a short drive from Jökulsárlón. It is a natural stop on a south coast road trip, and the darkness around it gives good aurora chances. Guests rave about the breakfast.
Where to stay in Reykjavík and on the Golden Circle
Hotel Borg by Keahotels
Hotel Borg is a classic art deco hotel on Austurvöllur square, right in the centre of Reykjavík. Guests love the location, and the hotel has a spa and gym.
ION Adventure Hotel
ION sits at Nesjavellir, near Þingvellir and the Golden Circle, with a spa and large windows facing the lava. It is dark here at night, and the aurora can appear right above the hotel.
When is the best time to visit Iceland?
June to August: midnight sun, open highland roads and green landscapes. Peak season.
September to March: the northern lights, fewer visitors and snow-covered landscapes. Shorter days and tougher driving.
Shoulder months: April, May and September often bring light, calm and lower prices.
There are direct flights from several UK airports to Keflavík, about 45 minutes from Reykjavík.
Iceland FAQ
What is the Golden Circle in Iceland?
The Golden Circle is a loop from Reykjavík to Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir area and Gullfoss waterfall. It is about 300 kilometres and can be done in a day, by hire car or on a guided tour. Start early to reach the stops before the crowds build.
Is the Blue Lagoon worth it?
Yes, for most people the Blue Lagoon is worth it, especially as a last stop before your flight, since it is close to the airport. It is popular, so book well ahead. Sky Lagoon near Reykjavík is a good alternative. Check the status before you travel, as volcanic eruptions periodically close the area.
When can you see the northern lights in Iceland?
You can see the northern lights in Iceland from September to April, when the nights are dark enough. Drive out of Reykjavík, for example to Þingvellir, to escape the city lights. The weather changes fast, so follow both the aurora forecast and the cloud map. Tours from Reykjavík drive to wherever the sky is clearest that night.
Do you need a hire car in Iceland?
No, you do not need a hire car for the Golden Circle or the lagoons, which have good guided tours from Reykjavík. To drive the south coast at your own pace, a hire car is easiest. In winter the roads are icy and the wind strong, so choose a car with good tyres and follow the road reports.
Where should I stay in Iceland?
Hotel Borg is a classic choice in central Reykjavík. ION Adventure Hotel is close to the Golden Circle, and The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon is the luxury pick. Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is well placed on the south coast. Split your stay between town and country to get some nights with dark skies.
Enjoy Iceland
Picolo Editorial