Reykjavik: Golden Circle tour, Crater & Icelandic Horses

Iceland packs plenty into one day. This 7.5-hour trip from Reykjavik links the country’s famous Golden Circle sights with Kerid Crater and a short stop to photograph Icelandic horses. I especially like the small-group minibus feel praised in several comments, along with the guide’s steady stream of facts during the long drives. The route also gives you more than the standard three-stop Golden Circle circuit.

I like the sensible stop lengths, too. You get about an hour at both Geysir and Gullfoss, enough time to walk, take photos, and avoid feeling rushed. The main consideration is that this is a full day in a vehicle, and the itinerary moves at a fixed pace. With no food or drinks included, you will need to bring supplies.

Key points at a glance

• Kerid Crater adds a colorful volcanic stop that many basic Golden Circle tours leave out.
• Strokkur provides the geothermal action at Geysir, while the original Geysir gives the area its name.
• Gullfoss gets a full hour, giving you time to view the falls from more than one point.
• Thingvellir combines Icelandic history and dramatic geology in a 45-minute visit.
• A horse photo stop adds a gentler rural moment between the major attractions.
• Six Reykjavik pickup points include City Hall, the Old Harbour area, Hotel Cabin, Höfðatorg, the Culture House, and the Skarfabakki cruise terminal.

Why this Golden Circle route works well

The Golden Circle is Iceland’s most practical day trip from Reykjavik. Three major sights fit within reach of the capital: the geothermal area at Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall, and Thingvellir National Park. This tour adds Kerid Crater and a horse stop without turning the day into an exhausting race.

At $76 per person, the price is good for a guided 7.5-hour outing, especially if you do not have a rental car. You get transport, an English-speaking guide, entrance to Kerid, and visits to Iceland’s best-known natural sights. You also avoid the extra work of driving, parking, and planning the order of stops.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If you prefer to linger at one waterfall or hike away from the main viewing areas, a self-drive trip gives you more control. If you want the main Golden Circle sights explained and arranged in one straightforward day, this tour makes practical sense.

The transport received a 94 percent perfect-score rate, and the overall rating is 4.9 from 28 ratings. The strongest praise focuses on friendly guides, clear explanations, good timing, and the smaller minibus. Several people also liked that the group moved easily from stop to stop without a rushed feeling.

Starting from six Reykjavik pickup points

Pickup begins 45 minutes before departure, so do not treat the printed departure time as your meeting time. Look for the Soleil de Minuit bus, also called Midnight Sun, and a guide wearing a green jacket.

The available locations are useful if you are staying in different parts of central Reykjavik or arriving by cruise ship:

• City Hall, Bus Stop 1, Ráðhúsið
• The Culture House, Bus Stop 6, Safnahúsið
• Vesturbugt, Bus Stop 15, near the Old Harbour
• Höfðatorg, Bus Stop 12, near Storm Hotel
• Hotel Cabin
• Skarfabakki 312 Cruise Terminal

The cruise terminal pickup is a helpful touch, though you should allow enough time to reach the meeting point. Pickup instructions list different times for the locations, so check the exact time attached to your chosen stop after booking.

The bus ride is part of the day, not dead time. The guide explains Icelandic places and daily life as you travel through southern Iceland. Past comments praise the amount of information given on the road, including one guide who adjusted his English and spoke slowly enough for Italian-speaking passengers to follow easily.

The horse photo stop adds a rural pause

The first countryside stop comes after about 40 minutes on the road and lasts roughly 20 minutes. It is described as a photo stop to see Icelandic horses, and the horses provide a welcome change from waterfalls and geothermal vents.

Icelandic horses are small, sturdy animals known for their distinctive appearance. Here, the point is not a long riding activity or a farm tour. You get a brief chance to see and photograph them in a rural setting.

One detailed account called the farm and horse visit a highlight and described the chance to see and interact with the horses. Still, the official inclusions focus on viewing and taking pictures, so you should treat this as a short stop rather than a guaranteed hands-on animal encounter.

Twenty minutes is enough for photos, but not for a long visit. Bring a warm outer layer even if Reykjavik feels mild. You will be outside, and Icelandic weather can change quickly.

Kerid Crater shows Iceland’s volcanic side

Kerid Crater gets about 25 minutes, with entrance included in the tour price. The crater is a red volcanic bowl with a lake at its base, giving you a different view of Iceland’s geology than the steaming ground at Geysir or the rushing water at Gullfoss.

This stop works well because it is compact. You can take in the crater, walk a short section around the rim, and photograph the contrast between dark volcanic rock, red earth, and the water below. The visit is not long enough for an extended hike, but it gives the day another clear geological chapter.

Kerid is also one of the most useful additions to this route. A basic Golden Circle outing can feel like a checklist of three famous sights. The crater breaks up that pattern and gives you a place where the shape of the land itself is the attraction.

If you have mobility concerns, note that the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. You should also bring hiking shoes, since the ground around natural sites can be uneven.

Geysir and Strokkur: one name, two geysers

The geothermal area at Geysir receives about an hour. The word geyser comes from Geysir, the original namesake in the Haukadalur valley. Today, Strokkur is the active feature most people watch, located about 50 meters south of Geysir.

The area sits on the slopes of the Laugarfjall lava dome, and the ground is marked by geothermal activity. You can walk through the hot-spring area, observe the vents, and wait for Strokkur to erupt. The exact timing of eruptions is not stated, so you should allow a little patience rather than expect a perfectly scheduled show.

An hour is a useful amount of time here. You can see the main geothermal features, take photos, and hear the guide explain why this place gave a name to similar eruptions around the world. The walk is exposed, so warm outdoor clothing matters even when the bus feels comfortable.

This stop can be busy, and the experience is centered on viewing rather than solitude. Still, the mix of steam, bright mineral ground, and sudden geothermal activity gives Geysir a strong sense of place.

Gullfoss gives you a full hour beside the falls

After about 15 minutes on the bus, you reach Gullfoss for another one-hour stop. The waterfall drops in two stages through a rugged gorge, and the walk to the viewing areas lets you see the water from different angles.

Gullfoss is the visual high point of the route for many people. The scale becomes clear as you get closer, while spray and wind can make the viewing area feel raw and dramatic. You will want waterproof clothing or at least a reliable rain jacket, especially when the weather is unsettled.

The hour is generous enough for photographs and a proper look without leaving you stranded. It also gives you time to move at a comfortable pace, though the path and weather may affect how far you walk.

The drawback is simple: Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s most famous sights, so it may not feel quiet. The tour does not promise a private viewing or a long walk away from the main route. What it does offer is reliable access and enough time to appreciate the falls without reducing the stop to a quick photograph from the bus.

Thingvellir closes the day with history and geology

Thingvellir National Park comes later, with about 45 minutes to walk and take photos. This is where the route shifts from waterfalls and hot springs to Icelandic history and the forces that shaped the ground beneath you.

The supplied tour details emphasize Thingvellir’s history, geology, lava fields, and broad scenery. Your guide can connect the visible terrain with Iceland’s past, making this more than a final scenic stop. The park is an important part of the Golden Circle because it gives context to the country as a whole.

Forty-five minutes is enough to walk through a selected area and take in the main views. It is not enough to cover every path in the park, so you should see this as an introduction rather than a full park visit.

Because Thingvellir is the final major stop, the timing may feel different from the morning. You have already spent hours outside and on the road, and the one-hour return drive follows. Still, ending here provides a quieter contrast to the excitement of Strokkur and Gullfoss.

What the 7.5-hour schedule feels like

The day includes several bus sections: roughly 40 minutes at the start, about 30 minutes before Kerid, another 30 minutes before Geysir, 15 minutes to Gullfoss, 45 minutes to Thingvellir, and about an hour back to Reykjavik.

That adds up to a lot of sitting, but the stop pattern is well judged. You get outdoor time at regular intervals, and the major stops last long enough to feel worthwhile. One detailed assessment praised the organization and said the breaks never felt hectic or dull.

A smaller minibus can make the schedule easier. One comment specifically liked the group size and the way the vehicle moved efficiently between stops. Exact vehicle capacity is not provided, so I would not assume a particular number of seats, but the transport is described as a minibus rather than a large coach.

The English-only guiding is another practical point. Several comments describe the explanations as easy to follow, including for people who were not native English speakers. Still, if you need another language, this tour does not list one.

Food, clothing, and practical comfort

Food and drinks are not included. Bring water and something to eat, since the supplied schedule does not list a meal stop. You should not count on the tour price covering snacks along the route.

Dress for the ground, not just the bus. Warm clothing, outdoor clothing, and hiking shoes are specifically recommended. A waterproof layer is a sensible addition because the route includes a waterfall, exposed geothermal areas, and open paths.

The tour is not suitable for children under six. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Pets are not allowed.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Iceland plans are still shifting, but the key decision is still the schedule: this is a fixed, active day rather than a flexible private outing.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if you have one free day in Reykjavik and want the main Golden Circle sights without renting a car. It suits first-time visitors, cruise passengers using the Skarfabakki pickup, and anyone who values a guide’s explanations during the drive.

It is also a good fit if Kerid Crater and Icelandic horses appeal to you. Those additions give the day more variety than a simple Geysir, Gullfoss, and Thingvellir circuit.

I would look elsewhere if you need wheelchair access, plan to travel with a child under six, want a non-English guide, or prefer to spend long stretches at one site. You should also avoid expecting a full horse experience. This is primarily a sightseeing and photo stop.

Final verdict: good value for a first Golden Circle day

At $76, this is a strong-value introduction to southern Iceland. You get the three classic Golden Circle sights, Kerid Crater, a horse stop, transport, guiding, and a schedule that gives the major attractions real time.

The best features are the well-spaced stops, small-group transport, and guides who explain Iceland beyond simple place names. The tradeoff is the fixed pace and long day on the road. For most people staying in Reykjavik, I would book it, especially if you want a clear first look at Iceland’s geothermal activity, waterfalls, volcanic features, and history in one outing.

FAQ

How long is the Golden Circle tour?

The tour lasts 7.5 hours, including transport from Reykjavik, sightseeing stops, and return drop-off.

What sights are included?

The route includes the Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss Waterfall, Thingvellir National Park, Kerid Crater, and a photo stop to see Icelandic horses.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Guided transportation from Reykjavik and return drop-off are included.

Where can I be picked up in Reykjavik?

Pickup is available at City Hall Bus Stop 1, the Culture House Bus Stop 6, Vesturbugt Bus Stop 15 near the Old Harbour, Höfðatorg Bus Stop 12, Hotel Cabin, and the Skarfabakki 312 Cruise Terminal.

When does pickup begin?

Pickup starts 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Check the exact pickup time for your selected location.

Is a guide included?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide. Look for the Soleil de Minuit bus and a guide in a green jacket.

Is the entrance fee for Kerid Crater included?

Yes. Entrance to Kerid Crater is included in the tour.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should bring your own supplies.

What should I wear?

Bring warm outdoor clothing and hiking shoes. Weather can vary at the outdoor stops.

Is the tour suitable for children and wheelchair users?

The tour is not suitable for children under six, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users. Pets are not allowed.