The Best Time to Visit the Golden Circle
Many visitors to Iceland will be keen to include a tour of the Golden Circle in their plans. It’s one of the country’s most famous sightseeing routes and a must for anyone who’s keen to get a taste for Iceland’s extraordinary landscapes without straying too far from Reykjavik. But what is the best time to visit the Golden Circle? Before you make firm decisions about when to come, let’s take a look at how this part of Iceland varies between the seasons.
What are the Attractions That Comprise the Golden Circle?
There are many different landmarks and visitor attractions within this part of Iceland, but three main stops characterise Gray Line’s Golden Circle tours. You’ll get to see how the country’s position straddling two tectonic plates influences the area’s geology, landforms and geothermal activity. Also, you’ll get to appreciate the impact that water has in sculpting the landscape with a visit to one of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls.
- Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park
See the rift between two diverging tectonic plates at this stunning national park, whose role hosting Iceland’s early lawmakers also bestows a cultural significance. Stroll through the breathtaking Almannagjá Gorge to Öxarárfoss waterfall.
- Geysir Geothermal Area
The steaming vents and plopping mud pools of this geothermally active valley are a big draw for tourists. They gather to see Strokkur, Iceland’s most spectacular geyser, erupt every few minutes.
- Gullfoss waterfall
Iceland is littered with splendid waterfalls, some tall, others broad. Gullfoss is one of the most powerful, as huge quantities of water tumble over a double step in the rock into the dramatic Hvitá Gorge.
How Does the Golden Circle Change With the Seasons?
Gray Line’s Golden Circle tours operate year-round, though cancellations are possible in really bad weather. There are pros and cons to visiting in each of the different seasons, so let’s take a look at each in turn.
Spring
Winter starts to loosen its grip by March and the longer hours of daylight will appeal to those who are keen to pack a lot into their schedule. On days when the sun shines, the sights of the Golden Circle are bathed in a warm light. Snow and ice come and go; in milder weather at this time of year, Þingvellir National Park starts to shed its winter coat and green up again.
Standing around at Geysir as you wait for Strokkur to erupt, the air doesn’t seem to numb your fingers so much as you snap away with your camera at this astonishing geyser. At Gullfoss, wildflowers start to push through the meadows that surround the waterfall adding the splashes of colour that are largely absent in winter’s monochromatic landscape.
Summer
As spring gives way to summer, Iceland’s most ravishing pest starts to show up. Lupines are an invasive species, but their stunning purple flowers make them a welcome sight where tourists are concerned. On the Golden Circle, you’ll see them in swathes alongside Laugarvatn and waterfalls such as Faxafoss.
Throughout the summer months, Iceland’s weather is a little less unpredictable and you’ll have better odds of blue skies and fine conditions. This, combined with the increase in daylight hours, means that considerably more travellers visit Iceland than in any other season. There’ll be a crowd waiting for Strokkur to erupt, and maybe even a queue of selfie takers at key sites such as the Lögberg in Þingvellir National Park.
Popular sites such as those found on the Golden Circle can be busy, and in summer you shouldn’t expect to have them to yourself. But the long days help you maximise your time in Iceland – this is the ideal time of year to add on other activities such as horse riding or soaking in the country’s famous geothermal pools without any time pressure.
Yet there are other advantages to coming at this time of year. In late spring, glacial meltwater feeds Iceland’s rivers and their discharge swells. That’s definitely the case with the Hvitá River on which Gullfoss waterfall sits. The volume of water cascading over the rock is at its peak in summer as a result: an average of 130 cubic metres per second, often more. You’ll quickly forget that there are lots of people around with your attention firmly fixed on the waterfall instead.
Autumn
Iceland isn’t renowned for its fall foliage like, say, New England, but nevertheless the vegetation takes on more varied colours at this time of year. The leaves of the area’s birch trees turn to gold. Meanwhile among the park’s shrubby vegetation, you might catch sight of an Arctic fox, its white fur easily distinguishable amid this russets and terracottas of this landscape.
As with spring, a major advantage of an autumn visit is that the crowds thin but the days are still usefully long, making it easy to fit in the sightseeing you’re keen to achieve. The temperatures are cooling down, but on days when the wind dies down, soaking in Golden Circle geothermal lagoons such as Laugarvatn Fontana and Secret Lagoon is a real treat. You’ll also find it much easier to secure the timeslots you want at busier spas such as Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon, both exceptionally popular bolt-ons in peak season.
Winter
Relatively few tourists come to Iceland compared to the warmer months but if you’re blessed with good weather, this can be one of the most magical times to visit. Winter days are short but the light is soft and a delight for visiting photographers. This is the best time to seek out quiet spots where others on your tour haven’t followed, not quite solitude, but getting there.
Dusted with snow and slick with ice, the countryside that is overlooked by the Almannagjá Gorge in Þingvellir National Park looks even more striking. Likewise, the steam rising from Geysir Geothermal Area is impressive at any time of year but especially so when the air is so chilly you can see your own breath.
Gullfoss, too, has a majestic quality against a wintry backdrop. Though it doesn’t freeze over, icicles can form during cold spells at the edges of the waterfall, making it extra photogenic at this time of year. However, the spray from the waterfall turns the path that runs beside it into a slippery hazard and because of this, part of it is typically roped off to ensure visitors stay safe. There are still plenty of vantage points from which to view Gullfoss and its gorge, so you needn’t let this put you off coming.
Adding on Other Activities to a Golden Circle Tour
If you plan to combine your Golden Circle tour with another activity, then this might have a bearing on which time of year might suit you best. Most of our combination tours operate in all seasons, though a few are winter only. For instance, if you are planning to add on a visit to an ice cave, or want to head up onto a glacier in a monster truck, then you’ll need to time your trip so that it falls between November 1st and March 30th.
Other outdoor activities might be more pleasant when the weather isn’t so cold. For example, one of our tours combines a circuit of the Golden Circle with the opportunity to ride an Icelandic horse. These sturdy horses are hardy creatures, but riders might find it more appealing to ride in mild weather or on sunny days rather than when it’s raining or the cloud is so low it obscures the scenery you’ve set out to see.
No matter when you choose to book a Golden Circle tour with GrayLine, you can be sure the places you visit will make a lasting impression.