Iceland best scenery8/12/2023 ![]() ![]() Thingvellir National Park (Þingvellir National Park) ![]() On the other, you will have the best chance to see the Northern Lights on the Golden Circle during the wintertime. Lastly, days are super short in the heart of Icelandic winter, so you might want to consider splitting the journey into two days. We would also consider renting a 4WD car.Īlso, be prepared that road closures might happen from time to time. While it's safe to do the Golden Circle in winter, never forget to check the road conditions before you go. The main road is plowed often, and even the access road should be cleared of snow. You can drive the Golden Circle in winter without worrying about the snow too much. WinterĪ huge upside of this tourist attraction is its year-round accessibility. Moreover, you can take advantage of fewer crowds and lower accommodation prices. Still, driving the Golden Circle in the spring or autumn is perfectly fine. The shoulder season brings shorter days and colder temperatures. It's also the best time to visit Iceland. Not only will you have the best chance for good weather, but you can also take advantage of the super long days due to the midnight sun phenomenon. Still, the best time to visit the Golden Circle is in summer. You can visit the Golden Circle year-round, so that's one less thing to worry about. Then we drove the Golden Circle clockwise, and our last stop was Selfoss.įrom there, we finally joined the famous Ring Road and continued toward the South Coast and East Fjords. Well, technically, in Hafnarfjordur, but it doesn't change the narrative The last thing you should know is that not that many travelers actually do the full loop, starting and ending in Reykjavik.įor example, we started in Reykjavik, where we also rented our campervan. The road is toll-free, like all roads in Iceland (with one exception). Tourists also drive slowly as the road is very scenic, and speeding will land you a hefty fine. Local people drive very considerably and safely. So you don't need to worry about being stuck in traffic jams. The road is busy in Reykjavik, but the traffic density significantly drops once you get out of the capital city. In all seriousness, if you are making a full loop and returning to Reykjavik, be ready to drive approximately 300 kilometers. Had it been our last day and been already accustomed to the incredible density of natural wonders, we might have made it in nine hours. It was our first day in Iceland, so we were super-excited to see as many wonderful places as possible. We would say that eight hours is the minimum time you will need when visiting the Golden Circle on your own as well.ĭriving around the Golden Circle took us around ten hours, but we made quite some stops. Most official tours plan for the route anything between seven to eight hours, including time for lunch. Of course, it would be rash just to circumnavigate the Golden Circle without making at least a few essential stops. ![]() So how long does it take to drive around the Golden Circle?Įxpect that driving around the Golden Circle will take you four hours without making stops. ![]() In this blog post, we share with you everything you need to know to plan your perfect day on the Golden Circle route. Of course, if you are traveling on a strict schedule, visiting only the top sights such as Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall make sense.īut when you allow yourself to spend a full day on the road, not only a few hours, we guarantee you that your experience will be much more rewarding.īreathtaking views, rural Icelandic landscapes, traditional architecture, and grazing horses are the other major highlights you can expect from driving the Golden Circle. This is a big advantage as the area has so much more to offer. Golden Circle gives you the opportunity to make a few detours and plan your own itinerary to suit your preferences. It was also one of the reasons why we enjoyed the trip so much. However, we believe that just driving the Golden Circle was an experience on its own. Most of the travel guides focusing on the must-visit places along the loop usually mention only three top locations a traveler should not miss. Yes, all that and much more you can expect from driving the Golden Circle route.Īnd these are also the main reasons to include this scenic drive in your Iceland itinerary. So what can you expect from the Golden Circle? Be prepared to explore untamed national parks, powerful waterfalls, unpredictable geothermal areas, picturesque churches, or water-filled craters. ![]()
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