How To Visit Iceland’s Golden Circle in Winter & What To Do!

The Golden Circle is a must visit whether you are visiting Iceland in summer or in winter. I visited Iceland in December and I must admit that I feel that we got a bit lucky with the weather. It wasn’t as snowy as I anticipated but the contents of this guide should not change as you can see the main sights of the Golden Circle in any weather as long as it is not extreme.

Some of the things that you need to keep in mind is having to plan around short daylight hours, icy roads and wind. These are all normal considerations whenever you go in Iceland in winter but in this guide I will offer some specific and helpful tips on how to get the most out of your visit to the golden circle in winter.

How to Get to the Golden Circle in Winter

Firstly we need to ask ourselves how to get to the golden circle. The classic Golden Circle loop is roughly 230–300 km depending on detours, and usually includes Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. These are the main sights of this route and most visitors start and end in Reykjavík, either on a tour bus or in a rental car. However I do not suggest doing so as you will be wasting a bit of time having to come and go. Let’s start on the guide from Reykjavik first and in the next section I will explain what I did to optimise the route

From Reykjavík

If you’re doing this as a day trip in winter, think of your day as “one big daylight window” rather than a normal 9–5 day. In December and early January, you’ll get around 4–5 hours of usable light; by March you’ll have closer to 10–11 hours, which is far more forgiving.

From Reykjavík, you usually:

• Take Route 1 (the Ring Road) east out of the city.
• Turn left onto Route 36 towards Þingvellir.
• Continue from Þingvellir towards Laugarvatn and Geysir on Route 36/365/37.
• Carry on to Gullfoss on Route 35, then return towards Reykjavík either the same way or via Selfoss and Route 1.

In decent winter conditions, the pure driving time is around 3.5–4 hours. Add stops and photo breaks, and you’ve easily filled a full day.

If you’re staying in Reykjavík:

• Aim to leave before sunrise so that you reach Þingvellir as it gets light.
• Plan to be off the roads not long after dark unless you’re very comfortable with winter driving.
• Always check the forecast on Vedur (Iceland’s weather service) and road conditions on Road.is before you leave.

Visiting the Golden Circle via a Tour

If you do not know how to drive or afraid to drive a rental in the ice and snow, then you will need to join a tour. While it offers less stress, it is by far averages out more expensive then renting a car for the entirety of your trip. Most classic Golden Circle bus tours includes:

• Pick you up from central Reykjavík or major hotels.
• Hit Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss in one long day (usually 7–9 hours).
• Sometimes add an extra stop like the Secret Lagoon hot spring or Kerið crater.

Pros of a winter tour:

• Someone else worries about ice, wind, and visibility.
• Drivers know when to skip a stop because conditions at Gullfoss are nasty.
• You can actually look at the scenery instead of white-knuckling the steering wheel.

The downside is obvious: you’re stuck to their timetable, and it’s expensive.

Rental Car

If you’re comfortable driving in winter and want the flexibility to stop wherever you like, renting a car is ideal for the Golden Circle in winter. There are a few musts though that need to be followed in the general Iceland road trip and not only for the golden circle. I’ll go into further details in my more generic Iceland guide but here is a reminder:

• Car type: In the core winter months (Nov–March), a 4×4 with winter tyres is strongly recommended. Roads are paved and usually well maintained, but wind and black ice are the real issues.
• Insurance: Get proper gravel and wind protection. Icy grit and insane gusts are not rare; doors can literally be ripped out of your hands.

Budget-wise, a winter rental plus fuel for the Golden Circle can be cheaper per person than a tour if there are three or four of you in the car. For one or two people, it might be closer, especially once you add proper insurance. However if you work it out across an entire road trip then a rental definitely works out. If you proceed with caution then it shouldn’t be a problem to drive in the golden circle. Routes are generally well maintained and you can check road conditions on the Icelandic app/website Road.is.

My Route to The Golden Circle

Since I visited in December, daylight is extremely limited with an average of 5 hours of daytime. I tried to save as much time as possible and instead of staying in Reykjavik I stayed my first night in Selfoss. This shaved around 20 minutes of driving time that trust me you will want every minute you can get. It allowed us a more relaxed start before starting off on our circular route. In the next section I am listing all the things to see in the golden circle in order of our visit.

This allowed us to start right away with the early hours of the twilight time where it is starting to get light. The route below is the same whether you are starting off from Reykjavik or from Selfoss. The only thing I would change is that if you are starting from Selfoss and you plan to end your day in Reykjavik instead, I would do this in reverse order ending with the Thingvellir National Park, and then continue onto Reykjavik from there. Otherwise if you are heading east or back to Selfoss then I would keep this route stop by stop.

The blue locations are the must visits, the red ones are the optional. Parking is self explanatory next to each stop with the exception of Thingvellir National Park which I highlighted the parking in the map.

Things to Do in the Golden Circle

There are plenty of things to do in the golden circle and in the winter months it can be a bit of a stretch to fit everything in one short day of 5 daylight hours. Therefore we had to skip on a couple of activities here that if you are visiting in the summer you can partake in. I will be listing and marking the optional activities as we go so do not worry about having to choose yourself.

1) Þingvellir National Park – Tectonic Plates and Frozen Paths

Þingvellir (Thingvellir) is usually your first major stop from Reykjavík and it was ours as well from Selfoss. The national park sits in a rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart. In winter, that valley is often buried in snow and frost, which somehow makes the whole place feel even more dramatic. There are other things to see in this national park and here are the best ways to see them.

Parking at Thingvellir National Park

I think this is the most important part. When researching things to see in Thingvellir national park, I got incredibly confused on the best parking lot. I think I found the best parking lot both in the winter and in summer. Park in P2, the parking near Oxararfoss as this is the midway point to the major attractions of the park. Even though that the waterfall itself may be tricky to get to in bad weather it will still put you in prime position to visit the key sights in Þingvellir:

• The main viewpoint over the rift valley.
• The path through the gorge, where you feel dwarfed by the rock walls.
• The site of Iceland’s first parliament, the Althing.
• Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake, often edged with ice.

If the sky clears and you’re around after dark, Þingvellir is also a classic spot for Northern Lights tours because it’s far darker than Reykjavík but still easy to reach.

Öxarárfoss – Winter Waterfall in a Gorge

Still inside Þingvellir, the short walk to Öxarárfoss (Öxará waterfall) is worth the time if conditions allow. We actually started with this as our first stop and it did not disappoint. The waterfall tumbles over basalt cliffs into a pool surrounded by rocks that freeze into wild shapes as spray turns to ice.

In summer, the trail is straightforward. In winter, you’re again dealing with compacted snow and ice. If the weather has been bad or the path feels sketchy, don’t force it; no photo is worth a broken ankle. But when it’s accessible, Öxarárfoss is one of the more atmospheric winter waterfalls on the Golden Circle. Personally I think the weather favoured us, the wooden planks were slippery but manageable, take small steps and no rush to get there. If not there are plenty of other Icelandic waterfalls, so it won’t be the end of the world!

Langistigur – Walk between Tectonic Plates

There may be some confusion about which is the actual walk between tectonic plates. It is Langistigur, follow the signs from the waterfall and you will get inside a gorge/valley where you will be actively walking between 2 tectonic plates.

On the other hand in the opposite direction there is an equally dramatic experience where you will walk where the first parliament in the world was founded. It is the Logburg walk where you will see dramatic cliffside rock as you walk. Both are worth walking in my opinion as it is only a short 15-20 minute walk and you will have just enough time to do this and the remaining stuff left on this itinerary.

Snorkelling Silfra – Glacier Water Between Plates (Additional)

A unique experience and one maybe for those who like to snorkel and dive is the Silfra fissure. This narrow crack is between the tectonic plates and is filled with crystal-clear water fed from Langjökull glacier, filtered through lava over decades. Visibility can be over 100 metres.

Tours run year-round, even in winter. You climb into a heavy drysuit (over your thermals), shuffle down to the water, and then float along the fissure as the current slowly carries you. Your face will go numb, your lips will complain, but the water is unbelievably clear and the feeling of drifting between plates is worth the faff.

If you’re on a tight budget, this is one of the more expensive activities on the Golden Circle. It’s also weather-dependent – high winds or poor visibility can cause cancellations. We skipped mostly because of time but even the price point is expensive like most activities in Iceland. If you are interested in the tour you can find and book through GetYourGuide below.

Geysir Geothermal Area

Next major stop: the geothermal area usually just called “Geysir”. The original Great Geysir is dormant now with the last eruption coming in around 20 years ago. On the other hand, Strokkur, its smaller sibling, erupts every 5–10 minutes, blasting boiling water 15–20 metres into the air. You will find people all around it with their mobile phones in a continuous shoot awaiting the eruption. Sometimes the eruption is small but if you wait another one chances are it will be spectacular.

In winter, the ground around Strokkur is a mix of crusted snow, steam, and patches of bare earth where the heat bleeds through. Pools bubble away in impossible blues, and the cold air makes the steam linger. It was truly atmospheric but on the other hand the area does smell like a bunch of rotten eggs. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Gullfoss – Iceland’s Most Powerful Waterfall

Gullfoss is where you really feel the elements. Make sure that you have a good waterproof and windproof jacket if you plan to get close. This waterfall drops in two stages into a narrow canyon, and in winter much of the spray freezes, leaving chunky ice all over the dark rock walls.

The car park and upper viewpoints are usually accessible year-round, but lower paths and viewing platforms may be closed when they turn into ice rinks. In winter, you’re often limited to the upper viewpoints, it is still impressive, and it is safer. When I visited only one viewpoint, the nearest to the waterfall was closed but I could feel the spray from the waterfall on the upper further platform so I couldn’t imagine what it was like if you go straight up to it.

What most glossy guides don’t stress enough is how exposed Gullfoss is. Wind howls up the canyon and hits you in the face, and the chill from the spray cuts straight through inadequate clothing. Take your time, get your photos, but don’t feel like you have to stand there and freeze for half an hour. There’s a café and toilets near the car park – it is great to warm up with a soup or hot chocolate, you are at the second to last mandatory stop, so the fun is almost over and it is a good time to catch a break.

If waterfalls is your thing then Iceland has got you covered and so do I. Read my 17 Best waterfalls in Iceland post, grouped by region and guides you on what waterfalls are a must visit in this nature filled country.

Kerið Crater – Snow on Red Volcanic Rock

Kerið (Kerid) is a volcanic crater lake just off Route 35, usually visited either on the way back towards Selfoss or as a short detour from the main loop. The crater is about 55 metres deep, with red volcanic slopes, a small lake at the bottom, and circular walkways along the rim.

There’s a small entrance fee charged by the landowners. In winter, the contrast between the snow and the rusty rock makes it more photogenic than in summer, but you need to be careful on the steps and paths. Ice loves this place.

If you’re running out of daylight, Kerið is the first “optional extra” I’d skip. It’s nice, but the big three (Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss) are more essential. In fact we visited on our way back to Reykjavik from our venture to the east as it started to get dark and we spent more time than we had planned at the previous spots. I don’t blame anyone though, it was our first day and the sights are truly spectacular and one of the best you will see in your lifetime when visiting the Golden Circle in winter until…. the next big waterfall and mountain in Iceland!

Secret Lagoon – Soaking in Steam at Flúðirc (Optional)

The Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) near Flúðir is a simple, old-school geothermal pool fed by natural hot springs. The water stays around 38–40°C year-round, and there’s even a tiny geyser that goes off every few minutes right next to the pool.

In winter, soaking here while snow sits on the surrounding fields is exactly as good as it sounds. It’s less polished and more relaxed than the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon, and often cheaper. You shower, step outside into the biting air, and then sink into water that instantly makes you forget your toes were numb.

I would honestly skip unless you will have extra daylight in the summer, it is impossible to spend some quality time and get your money’s worth in winter while fitting all of the above in 1 day.

Brúarfoss – Off the beaten path (Bonus)

Brúarfoss is a smaller, intensely blue waterfall on a side trail off Route 37/35. In photos, it looks unreal – turquoise water dropping over a series of small steps. In winter, the access trail can be snowy or icy, and it’s longer than many people expect.

This is an absolute bonus, and I would visit if you have more daylight, during Feb/March. But be weary that the trail conditions won’t be ideal so maybe it is more of an extra stop if you are visiting here in the slightly hotter months.

Horse Farms, Snowmobiles, and Extra Experiences

Along the Golden Circle you’ll pass Icelandic horse farms offering short riding tours – some run all year. A slow ride through snowy fields on a famously sturdy Icelandic horse is a pretty solid way to break up the day.

From the Gullfoss area, you’ll also see snowmobile tours heading onto Langjökull glacier. They usually shuttle you by super-jeep to the base camp, then kit you out with helmets and overalls. It’s not cheap, but if you want “winter activity” photos and a dose of adrenaline, this is the place.

Personally I did not fancy snowmobiling at the price point that is offered in Iceland. I would dedicate half a day if you do go for it but fitting it in the same day is next to impossible.

Visiting the Golden Circle in Winter – Specific Tips

I know I touched on a lot of these but going to reiterate down below so you will know everything there needs to know about visiting the Golden Circle in the winter.

Weather, Daylight, and When to Go

Winter in the Golden Circle runs roughly from late October to March. Temperatures around this area in mid-winter usually sit between about –5°C and +3°C, but wind chill can make it feel much colder.

Daylight is the bigger limiting factor:

• Late Nov–early Jan: Around 4–5 hours of usable daylight.
• Late Jan–Feb: 7–9 hours.
• March: 10–12 hours, still wintry but far more relaxed.

Road Conditions and Safety

Most guides will tell you “the Golden Circle is easy in winter”. That’s true if the weather plays nice and if you already know how to drive on snow and ice. It’s also true that the Golden Circle is inland, which often means more snow and ice than the coastal roads. Before you leave, always:

• Check the weather forecast on Vedur.
• Check road conditions on Road.is and closures/alerts on SafeTravel.is.

Driving tips that locals and guides repeat over and over:

• Slow down; the speed limit is not a target.
• Leave much longer stopping distances than you would at home.
• Open car doors against the wind with two hands so they don’t get ripped open.
• Don’t rely on Google Maps time estimates in a storm – they’re based on perfect conditions.

If all this makes you feel uneasy, go back to the tour section above.

What to Wear for the Golden Circle in Winter

This is not the place for thin jeans and city trainers. You’ll be standing still in the wind a lot, and you’ll enjoy approximately none of it if you’re cold and wet. This is the winning formula I found personally on my trip to Iceland.

• A thermal base layer on top and bottom.
• A warm mid-layer like fleece or wool.
• A waterproof, windproof outer shell.
• You can also include a thick jacket underneath the windproof jacket.
• Insulated waterproof boots with decent grip, ideally paired with microspikes.
• Warm hat, scarf or neck warmer, and gloves (a thin liner plus thicker over-glove works best).

Also very useful to have:

• A headlamp if you’re leaving or returning in the dark.
• A thermos with something hot in it.
• Power bank – the cold drains phone batteries.

Facilities, Food, and Toilets

One thing winter does not change: Iceland charges for parking and toilets in many places, and prices are not exactly budget friendly. Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss all have paid facilities or parking. Make sure to pay as the fines are not worth it. Pay using the Parka app, it was quick and easy, just input the number plate once and the parking lots pop up whenever you are visiting somewhere.

Food options on the loop are clustered at:

• The service centres at Geysir and Gullfoss.
• Cafés in Laugarvatn, Selfoss, and Flúðir.

If you’re on a tight budget, do what most Icelanders do: stock up at Bonus or Kronan supermarket in Reykjavík the day before and bring sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. Then treat yourself to one hot meal or coffee somewhere en route instead of stoping and buying a meal/snack in one of these cafes.

Northern Lights and the Golden Circle

Can you see the Northern Lights on the Golden Circle in winter? Yes – if the sky is clear, the solar activity is strong enough, and you’re out after dark in a dark area like Þingvellir.

But don’t build your entire Golden Circle day around aurora hunting. The sensible way is:

• Do the Golden Circle during daylight.
• If the forecast looks good and you still have energy, either join a dedicated Northern Lights tour in the evening or drive to a dark spot closer to Reykjavík.

The Golden Circle is about landscapes and geothermal weirdness first; northern lights are a bonus, not a guarantee.

Accommodation / Campsites Nearby

You can absolutely do the Golden Circle as a day trip from Reykjavík, but staying in the area (even for one night) makes winter logistics easier and gives you a better chance at both sunrise and Northern Lights.

Guesthouses and Hotels

If you want four solid walls and heating (fair), good bases include:

• Þingvellir / Laugarvatn area: Great for being close to the national park and Fontana spa.
• Flúðir: For the Secret Lagoon, with guesthouses and small hotels nearby.
• Selfoss: A bigger town with supermarkets, cheaper food options, and more choice in budget-friendly accommodation, about an hour from Reykjavík and a handy stop if you continue along the south coast afterwards.

Booking early for winter weekends is smart – the Golden Circle is busy year-round, even if the photos make it look empty.

Campsites and Winter Camping Reality

If you are traveling in a camper van you should know that winter camping around the Golden Circle is possible, but you need to know what that really means. Most Icelandic campsites only open from late spring to early autumn. A smaller number stay open all year for campervans and hardy tent campers.

Key options in or near the Golden Circle:

• Þingvellir (Nyrdri-Leirar Campsite): Open in winter from 1 September to 31 May. Facilities are more limited between December and April – toilets and a laundry room stay open, but showers may be shut in mid-winter. You can find all the Thingvellir Camping Information on their website. It has pricing and opening times along a list of facilities.
• Camping Selfoss (Gesthús Campsite): Open year-round and one of the more reliable winter stops, with access to town services, swimming pool, and shops.
• Skjól Campsite (near Geysir/Gullfoss): Open all year for campervans and tents, with electric hook-ups and basic facilities, making it a strategic overnight if you want to be close to the big sights.
• Laugarvatn Campsite: Well-located between Þingvellir and Geysir, but usually only open late April to early October, so don’t count on it in mid-winter. Find all the information here: Laugarvatn Campsite

Most winter campsites operate on a “we’re open, but expect fewer services” basis. That can mean limited indoor common areas, patchy hot water, and the occasional closed shower block. Prices are not a bargain either so make sure you do your homework whether a camper saves a lot more money then staying in cheap guesthouses.

Conclusion

Visiting Iceland’s Golden Circle in winter is not complicated, but it can prove a challenge. The loop is short on paper and looks easy on a map especially when only checking driving times, which is why a lot of people underestimate it. In reality, your day is shaped by daylight, weather, and how well you handle snow, ice, and wind.

The good news is that the main sights don’t change irrelevant whether you are visiting the golden circle in winter or in summer. Þingvellir still shows you the raw tectonic forces shaping the island. Geysir still sends Strokkur shooting into the sky every few minutes. Gullfoss still roars through its canyon, half-frozen and as powerful as ever.

The additional attractions mentioned in this guide should only be considered if you have enough time or visiting in summer. Do not rush to fit all of them in, otherwise consider spending more than one day here. Honestly, I don’t really recommend as the main sights are more than enough and the country has a lot more to offer heading east.

I fully recommend getting behind the wheel, renting a 4×4 and driving the Golden Circle yourself as it gives you maximum freedom – to linger where it’s quiet, to grab food from a supermarket instead of paying top-end café prices, and to detour when something catches your eye. After touring the golden circle we took on a long drive around 2-3 hours east to the village of Vik where we continued on the rest of our road trip.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for our rest of Icelandic guides coming soon! In the meantime consider reading more of our posts and if you are craving nature I would highly recommend Lake Bled in Slovenia or Hallstatt in Austria both of which you can find guides on our blog.

Iceland’s Golden Circle in Winter – FAQs