Þingvellir National Park is the only UNESCO World Heritage site on the Icelandic mainland. Here are the basic facts on the Golden Circle route’s top points of interest. Planning the trip of a lifetime to Iceland? Be sure to include the Golden Circle in your itinerary. Whether you’re a nature lover, geology enthusiast, or simply in pursuit of the perfect travel photo, the Golden Circle is sure to please. Within and around each of these primary sites, there’s a multitude of individual landmarks and activities to explore. The three major stops for Golden Circle tours are Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Haukadalur Geothermal Area. Travel the Golden Circle route to behold incredible open spaces and stunning geology. And it’s a must-see excursion for any visitor to Iceland. The route that spans these sites is known as the Golden Circle. The worst thing about your trip to Iceland? It ends too soon.įortunately, Europe’s most sparsely populated nation contains a few of its most iconic sites clustered together closely enough to visit in one sweeping day tour. When you visit Iceland, it’s possible to simply run out of time: so much beauty, splendour, and activity and so little time. In 2004, Þingvellir National Park was listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.5 Learn More About Iceland’s Greatest Landmarks and Attractions The water is crystal clear at Thingvellir as the meltwater from Langjökull glacier seeps through the underground lava field, considered to be the best natural filter in the world.Ī national treasure, Þingvellir is a great place to learn about Iceland’s history and heritage, especially if you are interested in Vikings, and how the laws of the land came about. Thingvellir National Park is home to a diverse range of scenery which includes the Öxaráfoss waterfall, Almannagjá gorge, Hakið panoramic viewpoint, Silfra Fissure and the Þingvallakirkja Church. As you walk along the pathway, you are walking in between the rift valley between two diverging tectonic plates that are home to North America and Eurasia, respectively. Thingvellir sits right on the only visible section of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which is mostly submerged in the ocean. Most surprisingly the parliament is still active and fully functioning! In 930 AD, the world’s first parliament was established here in Thingvellir by Vikings, making it the oldest parliament. Please be aware that the path can be closed if it’s icy and conditions are not ideal.Īs one of the most famous sites and must-visits in Iceland, Thingvellir National Park has great significance in both the history and geology of Iceland. Then you can see the first plunge of the waterfall in a closer distance on the lower deck. The first viewpoint is the upper deck next to the visitor center, from which you have a panoramic view of the waterfall in its entirety.įollowing the path, you can walk down to the lower deck, to view another side of the thunderous drop that vanishes into the depth of the earth. Well-paved pathways are available with different viewpoints to admire the Gullfoss waterfall. Its roaring cascade first runs down a gradual slope for 11 meters (36.01 ft) then tumbles down deep into the canyon with a 21 meter (68.9 ft) magnificent, wide drop, creating impressive, beautiful mist to splash up in the air, reflecting a giant rainbow in the sunlight. It is an astonishing waterfall originating from Iceland’s second-largest glacier Langjökull. Gullfoss Waterfall, aka the Golden Falls, is a must-visit attraction of the Golden Circle tours in Iceland.
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