Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Southwest Iceland & the
Golden Circle
Why Go?
Black beaches stretch along the Atlantic, geysers spout from geothermal fields, and water-
falls glide across escarpments while brooding volcanoes and glittering ice caps score the
inland horizon. The beautiful southwest has many of Iceland's most legendary natural
wonders, so it's a relatively crowded and increasingly developed area. The Golden Circle
(a tourist route comprising three famous sights: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss) draws by
far the largest crowds outside of Reykjavík, but visit during off-hours or venture further
afield and you'll find awe-inspiring splendour.
The further you go the better it gets. Tourist faves like the silica-filled Blue Lagoon and
the earth-rending parliament at Þingvellir are just beyond the capital. Churning seas lead to
the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago offshore. At the region's far reaches lie the powerful
Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes, hopping Skógar and Vík, and the hidden valleys of
Þórsmörk and Landmannalaugar.
