Golden Circle: Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Welcome to Iceland!

  Your tour of Iceland's famous Golden Circle begins in picturesque Reykjavik. From here, you'll drive out into the stunning Icelandic wilderness toward the island nation's most beautiful sights. As you drive, you'll also hear tons of history and mythology, including the settlement of Iceland, Viking traditions, and Norse myths of Loki, Odin, Thor, and more!

• Reykjavik Pier: How This Tour Works

  Let’s get started! Here's how this tour guide app works: The app senses your location as you move. When you approach an exciting spot, an audio message will pop up and start playing. It’s totally automatic!

• The Legend of the Raven

  Continue driving as you listen. * When you first imagined Iceland, what came to mind? * Probably… ice! And cold! But maybe you remembered that story about the Vikings — they came here and found it so beautiful that they wanted to keep others out. So they called it Iceland. And to really drive people elsewhere, they gave the frozen island next door an inviting name: “Greenland.” *

• Vikings vs Monks

  Continue straight. * When the very first Vikings spotted this island, they also glimpsed someone already living here: a monk!

• Iceland’s Settlement

  Ing-ólfur Ar-nar-son is the next Nordic settler to have a lasting impact on Iceland. He and his brother have just been kicked out of Norway for killing the sons of a nearby Earl. Looking for some land to call his own, Ar-nar-son decides Iceland is probably fairly empty. He’s right — in the mid-800s, humans have hardly touched Iceland’s wild shores. *

• Vikings, everywhere?

  Despite Iceland having a large number of Norwegian settlers, that doesn’t mean that the island was overrun with Vikings! The term ‘Viking’ only refers to the raiders, and many of the new Icelanders spent their days farming rather than pillaging. *

• Odin & Thor

  When the Vikings first landed here in Iceland, they brought their religion with them. Unlike most modern religions, the Old Norse religion didn’t feature churches or temples. Instead, ceremonies were held outside, either in the open or in forests. And while not much is known about how the Vikings practised their faith, what we do know is that they often had animal sacrifices. *

• Loki the Trickster

  So what about Loki, Thor’s brother? * Well, first of all — he isn’t Thor’s brother at all! In Norse mythology, Loki is Odin’s blood brother. That makes him a sort of step-uncle to Thor. *

• Thor & Loki at Utgarda

  It’s hardly surprising that a land home to Vikings has myths jam-packed with adventures. One of them begins with Thor and Loki reaching the home of the giant Utgarda-Loki.

• Baldur & Ragnarok

  I mentioned Ragnarok earlier, the Old Norse version of doomsday. But it’s actually a bit different from typical doomsdays since it prophesied the end for both humans AND gods. And what makes this doomsday even more foreboding is that one of the warnings of its arrival has already happened.

• Vikings on Horseback

  As you drive, you may notice quite a few signs for horse farms. Despite being notorious seafarers, Vikings spent a good amount of time on horseback. Norse sagas are filled with heroes who are experienced horse-riders — and the poor riders tend to be made into the butt of jokes

• Icelandic Horses

  You might've noticed what appear to be ponies during your drive. But these are actually super rare breeds of horse found only in Iceland. Icelandic horses are typically pony-sized and known for their great strength. About a thousand years ago, the Althing parliament passed a law that forbade any new horses coming to Iceland. So the horses that are around now are very similar to the ones of the Viking Age.

• Helgufoss

  Up ahead, you have the option to stop for a quick waterfall hike. Helgufoss may not be as Instagram-famous as other Iceland waterfalls but it’s quite beautiful and worth a visit if you have the time. You might even have the falls all to yourself! It’s a 1-mile out and back trail. *

• Halldór Laxness

  The countryside you’re driving through was once home to Iceland’s one and only Nobel Prize winner: Halldór Laxness. Born in 1902, Halldór showed potential as a writer from a young age. He spent a great deal of time in Europe and the US, where he became a socialist. It’s during this period in his life that he wrote one of his most famous works: Independent People. The story focuses on a farmer’s struggles to remain economically independent.

• Icelandic Music

  Books aren’t Icelanders’ only passion! Music ranks highly too. Traditional Icelandic folk music has a loooooong history — all the way back to the 1300s! And because this little island was so isolated, it’s music remained free of any modernizing influences for hundreds of years

• Vikivaki Dances

  What’s some singing without dancing? In the traditional Icelandic Vikivaki, dancers form a circle and follow repeated steps around while singing.

• Bjork

  Icelandic music transformed rapidly once outside influences crossed the ocean. Grammy-winning 90s artist Bjork became an international sensation with songs like “It’s Oh So Quiet”:

• Vinaskógur, the Friendship Forest

  Next, you'll see Vinaskógur, the Friendship Forest. As one of the few remaining forests in Iceland, this would stand out regardless of its history. But Vinaskógur actually owes its existence to the late Queen Elizabeth of England! It marks friendship and collaboration between the two nations which were at one time far from allies.

• Thingvellir & Althing

  You’re on your way to one of the most important areas of all of Iceland: Thingvellir. It served as the seat of Althing, the oldest parliament in the world!

• Geology of Thingvellir

  Thingvellir is more than the Althing site though — it’s also one of the most geologically stunning places on earth. Iceland is a nation that sits on both the North American tectonic plate and the Eurasian plate. Can you guess what plate we’re currently on? *

• Thingvellir National Park (detour lines of hikes through here) (Silfra, Ocararfoss)

  Then you'll have the chance to visit Thingvellir, a historic site and national park boasting some of Iceland's most incredible landmarks. The park occupies a rift valley created by the separation of tectonic plates, giving it a dramatic geology like nowhere else on earth. Here, you'll be able to hop out of the car and walk through the park, admiring its many wonders.

• Seat of Parliament: Walking Detour

  While walking along the Thingvellier detour, you'll stop at what was once the seat of Iceland's parliament. This also just so happens to be the oldest parliament in the entire world! Continuing past it, you'll learn more about how this landscape formed and what makes Iceland's national parks unique.

• Oxararfoss: Walking Detour

  Next, you'll reach one of Thingvellir's main attractions: Öxarárfoss. This pristine waterfall flows from the river Öxará over the Almannagjá. The pool at its base is as clear as the river which feed it, but legend has it that the waterfall turns red on New Year's Eve every year.

• Silfra Dive Site: Walking Detour

  Then there's the Silfra Dive Site, a phenomenal spot for underwater adventures. Here, you can dive and snorkel right where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. Once you continue beyond the park, you'll hear all about the Aurora Borealis and the ancient legends people created to explain those northern lights. You'll also get to know some of Iceland's most famous mythical creatures, such as trolls and the Hidden People.

• Geothermal Baths

  Up next is an essential Iceland experience: the Geothermal Baths. These natural steam baths, fed by hot springs, aren't just soothing. They're also packed with minerals that the locals swear carry healing properties. Past these, you'll hear how Vikings kept themselves squeaky clean. Then you'll get to know Egil, a viking folk hero (or anti-hero, depending on who you ask) whose fascinating tale blends history and mythology together into an iconic Viking saga.

• Strokkur & Geysir

  Your route takes you next to Geysir, sometimes known as The Great Geysir. As one might guess from its name, this is a geyser which has been known to send eruptions of hot water and steam over 200 feet into the air! It's been dormant for a while, but could become active again at any time. Its neighbor, Strokkur, is much more predictable, erupting every 5-10 minutes!

• Gullfoss

  After that is one of the Golden Circle's most popular attractions: Gullfoss. This 100-foot waterfall really earns its name, which means "Golden Falls" in English. Once you're done admiring this impressive waterfall, you'll hear about the important role of magic in ancient Viking mythology and culture. Then you'll find out what ultimately became of Egil the folk hero and learn the truth behind a couple stereotypes about Vikings.

• Coming Up: Secret Lagoon

  As you drive, you'll next have the chance to visit the Secret Lagoon. This is one of the best geothermal pools in Iceland and is absolutely beloved by locals. Whether or not you opt for a soak, your tour will introduce you next to a particularly bizarre Icelandic folk tale, then explain the importance of greenhouses on this remote, rocky island.

• Friðheimar

  Getting hungry? Friðheimar is your next stop. This country-style, family-run restaurant offers tomato-based dishes from onsite greenhouses. If you plan to stop by, however, you should call in advance, as this little establishment is remarkably popular.

• Skálholt Cathedral

  Your route brings you next to Skálholt Cathedral, one of the most important historic sites in Iceland. This church dates all the way back to 1106! The current structure isn't that old, but the land and its history most certainly are. Continuing past the cathedral, you'll hear lots more about the role of religion in Iceland and the sometimes bloody conflicts it created during the Viking Age.

• Sólheimar Ecovillage

  Next, you'll pass the totally unique Sólheimar, an eco-village renowned for its ecological, artistic, and international community ethics. Home to about 100 people, this village grows their own food, makes organic soaps, creates art from recycled materials, and much more. Then, you'll learn about Iceland's volcanoes, an early Viking visit to North America, and Icelandic myths about the end of the world.

• Kerid Crater

  Finally, you'll reach Kerid Crater. 3,000 years ago, a huge volcano collapsed, leaving behind this impressive crater. It's a must-see spot, and a great location for photos! After visiting the crater, you'll head back toward Reykjavik. Along the way, you'll get acquainted with modern day Iceland, some more recent history, and what the future might look like for this unique nation. Your tour will conclude just outside Reyjavik.