One of the most common dilemmas for visitors in the planning stages of their Iceland vacation is whether to do a Golden Circle excursion or book a South Coast tour instead. These two regions are both popular – and deservedly so. In this article we’ll take a deep dive into what you can expect, giving you everything you need to make an informed choice. What we will say, though, is that when it comes to the Golden Circle versus the South Coast of Iceland, there’s no wrong decision: no matter which Gray Line day tour you choose the scenery will wow you.

Golden Circle or South Coast: what should you expect

Let’s start with a quick overview of each. If you book a tour of the Golden Circle, you can expect to tick off three of Iceland’s most iconic sights – Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area and Gullfoss Waterfall – in around seven and a half hours. That’s great if you’re trying to schedule a mix of activities, for instance if you plan to add a soak at the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon afterwards.

In contrast, the excursions we operate in South Iceland are a little longer. How much time you’ll need depends a lot on how far along the coast you want to go – to reach the glacier lagoons allow 14 to 15 hours and be prepared to make an early start. In South Iceland you’ll also get to appreciate Iceland’s Fire and Ice reputation, visiting waterfalls, black sand beaches and glacier lagoons.

Golden Circle Highlights

Iceland has a number of branded sightseeing routes and the Golden Circle is probably the most iconic. You can do it as a circuit or an out-and-back trip, depending on how much time you want to spend. Our introductory tour is ideal for anyone who’s never visited this captivating region before.

The first stop is at Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park. Here, the rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates is clearly visible and as you stroll down through the Almannagjá Gorge you’ll begin to appreciate why Iceland’s landscapes lure so many travelers. But layered upon this is an insight into the country’s settled history: for many centuries, it was here that the Alþing parliament convened. 

Next, you’ll move on to Geysir Geothermal Area, where you can watch Strokkur erupt. Heat from beneath the ground superheats underground water and creates a powerful jet of boiling water and steam. Strokkur performs every five to ten minutes, and it typically reaches a height of around 50 to 60 feet – sometimes even more – to the delight of the watching crowd.

The last stop on our Golden Circle classic tour is a visit to Gullfoss waterfall. This impressive landmark (even by Icelandic standards!) plunges down into the canyon of the Hvitá River in two steps. Follow a well-maintained trail leading to numerous vantage points alongside it where you can witness the awesome power of Mother Nature at close quarters. 

While you can return to Reykjavik at this point, many travelers opt to combine the Golden Circle with a visit to one of Iceland’s geothermal lagoons. The famously photogenic Blue Lagoon is another popular combo, while stylish Sky Lagoon is a must for anyone in need of a little pampering after their tour. You can read more about these two market-leading spas if you’re struggling to decide. Don’t forget, you can also choose to remain in the area and team your Golden Circle sightseeing with a dip at Secret Lagoon.

South Coast Highlights

Iceland’s South Coast delivers drama in spades – it’s no surprise why it’s so popular with visitors. Traveling east from Reykjavik on our South Coast Wonders tour, you’ll follow the ring road and will soon get your first tantalizing glimpse of the South Coast’s striking terrain, where towering cliffs give way to a broad, flat coastal plain.

Seljalandsfoss waterfall is clearly visible from the road, noteworthy not only because of its height – though at 200 feet tall it’s certainly going to make an impact – but also as you can walk behind the curtain of water. Just 20 minutes further east Skógafoss also makes a powerful first impression; this time, you can climb steps up beside the waterfall and take in the view from the top.

What could possibly beat a pair of waterfalls as spectacular as these? Iceland’s black sand beaches pack a punch, especially Reynisfjara. Here, Atlantic breakers relentlessly pound the beach, which is backed by a huge cave flanked by magnificent basalt columns. Offshore, craggy sea stacks add depth to the scene.

Sólheimajökull is another highlight and if you’re an active, outdoorsy type, you will want to add a glacier hike while you’re here. Strap on crampons and pull on a helmet for an adventurous walk over the surface of the ice, enjoying a close up view of its crevasses and other features such as moulins.

Iceland’s glaciers not only sculpt the valleys they cover, but also shroud some of its most active volcanoes, such as Katla and Eyjafjallajökull. If you join a tour that goes as far as Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, you’ll see first-hand that the ice calves into tranquil lakes. Take an optional boat trip out to get a closer look at the icebergs and maybe spot seals frolicking in the icy water. Follow the icebergs as they float along a narrow inlet and are washed back onto shore at Diamond Beach. It gets its nickname from the effect created by the sight of glistening chunks of ice against the charcoal gray sand.

What are the key differences when comparing the Golden Circle versus South Coast of Iceland?

So, the scenery on the Golden Circle and the South Coast is very different. The drama on the Golden Circle comes from the sight of Strokkur and all those gallons of water cascading over Gullfoss waterfall. South Iceland has more variety: it’s not just about the waterfalls but also the glaciers, iceberg-strewn lagoons, moss-covered lava fields and beaches pummeled by Atlantic breakers.

It’s also worth mentioning that the south coast tours cover considerably more distance and are more of an undertaking than the easy, shorter Golden Circle excursions. Particularly if you have the glacier lagoons on your wish list you might wish to consider whether you have the stamina for such a lot in one single day – though with scenery this incredible it’s most definitely worth the commitment.

That said, the quaint coastal village of Vik, known for its hilltop church, is a welcome pit stop where you can refuel before you return to the capital. Another factor to consider is that on a South Coast day trip, as with the Golden Circle, the sightseeing itself is manageable. With the exception of a glacier hike, most likely you’ll be walking only for short distances. There’ll be plenty of opportunities back on the coach to rest in between.

Golden Circle versus South Coast – which should you choose?

The short answer is either – or both! It often comes down to logistics: the Golden Circle is takes less time yet is still perfect for getting a flavour of the Icelandic countryside. The South Coast is more dramatic but longer; by traveling further from your Reykjavik base you’ll appreciate the frequent change in landscapes.

While neither excursion is underwhelming, they are very different. If you have enough space in your itinerary to do both, you really should. You’ll get the uniqueness and cultural heritage of the Golden Circle together with the breathtaking scenery that comes as standard with a South Coast day trip. There’s very little overlap between the two – even the waterfalls are very different.

Does the time of year have a bearing on your decision?

In Iceland, the changing seasons can result in a very different experience between summer and winter. Both the Golden Circle and South Iceland tours operate year-round, so if the weather’s cooperating you won’t miss out. Occasionally, winter storms can be fierce; the combination of strong winds and blizzard conditions can’t be ruled out.

Road closures are sometimes necessary to ensure everyone’s safety. That doesn’t mean you should rule out taking a trip to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon during the winter, but it pays to have some wiggle room in your schedule to accommodate any unexpected changes. Shorter days out (like the Golden Circle or even South Iceland but only as far as Vik) can sometimes be less vulnerable to cancellation due to inclement weather.

Another consideration is the Northern Lights. It’s possible to see this magical, celestial phenomenon in Iceland from late August through April, so long as you have dark, clear skies and sufficient solar activity. If you book a long South Coast tour at a time of year when it gets dark quite early, you might even spot the aurora borealis from the bus on your journey back to Reykjavik.

It’s also possible to tag on a Northern Lights tour to your Golden Circle day; even in midwinter the bus doesn’t depart until 9pm, giving you plenty of downtime in between the two. We never know exactly where the Northern Lights tour will go; it depends where conditions look the most promising.

Golden Circle versus South Coast of Iceland: is it ever better to drive yourself?

There are pros and cons to guided tours and self-drive itineraries. Guided excursions really come into their own outside summer, thanks to the increased chance of challenging driving conditions, poor light and lower visitor numbers. At any time of year, tours offer good value, particularly if you are traveling solo or as a couple. If you have a full carload, the cost of renting a vehicle can work out more favorably, even when you factor in essentials like fuel and insurance.

If you travel independently, you’ll be fully in control of how long you spend at each location. Where a parking lot is overflowing, you can simply move on or come back later.  Yet, driving between sites is tiring; don’t underestimate how much so, with traffic to contend with and even sheep wandering out onto the road in front of you. Unless you are prepared to split time between the wheel, a long day trip is probably too ambitious to be fun.

There’s one instance where guided tours are not only preferable, but they’re the only possibility. In extreme environments, you aren’t permitted to go it alone for safety reasons. For instance, if you’re content to view Sólheimajökull glacier from the parking lot, then self-drive is doable, but to get up onto the ice to hike or climb – so much more rewarding! – you’ll need to be accompanied by a guide.

So which would we recommend? The Golden Circle or the South Coast?

That’s such a hard question to answer! In the end, it comes down to a number of things:

• How much time you have to spare

If time’s really at a premium or you’re only looking for one day trip into the countryside, then the Golden Circle is not only quickest but also a much shorter distance from the capital. It packages up three very different landmarks in that condensed period – making it an efficient use of your limited vacation time.

• What other activities you’re hoping to do

If you’re keen to add other activities to your day out, then plan accordingly. You can team a south coast tour with a glacier hike, or relax after the Golden Circle with an unhurried soak in one of the country’s legendary geothermal lagoons. Figure out where your additional activity takes place and see which tour makes more sense geographically.

• Whether you’re driving yourself or not

It’s a considerable distance to drive all along the south coast and reach Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and back in a day. Letting someone else take care of the driving gives you chance to take a quick nap if you need to, though with landscapes this extraordinary you won’t want to close your eyes for a second.

• Whether you’re planning to be in Iceland in winter

In summer capitalize on the long days. We suggest you make the most of the many hours of daylight and travel as far along the south coast as you can – the scenery just gets better and better and at that time of year you’ll be able to enjoy it on both the outbound and return journey.

• How much you want to weatherproof your plans

In winter, and to a lesser extent spring and fall, storms can blow in (and fortunately out) remarkably fast. From time to time, tour cancellations are unfortunately inevitable. The south of Iceland tends to be more exposed. Being much closer to the capital and inland, you might sometimes find that the Golden Circle excursions can still go ahead.

What’s our verdict on the two tour destinations? Simple: if you can, do both. Book a Golden Circle or South Coast day trip with Gray Line to take the stress out of your vacation planning and entrust your arrangements to us. Sit back, enjoy the guide’s commentary and let Iceland’s unrivaled landscapes work their magic. When it comes to the Golden Circle versus the South Coast of Iceland, we’ll have to concede: it’s a tie.

TLDR

Gray Line’s tours of the Golden Circle and South Coast center on extraordinary landscapes. Comfortable, comprehensive and great value, they showcase some of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls, glaciers and beaches. Try to do both if you can.