Southwest Iceland & the Golden Circle - Iceland - page 222

Geysir
One of Iceland's most famous tourist attractions, Geysir ( gay -zeer, which literally means
gusher) is the original hot-water spout after which all other geysers are named. Discovered
in the Haukadalur geothermal region , The Great Geysir has been active for perhaps 800
years, and once gushed water up to 80m into the air. But the geyser goes through periods
of lessened activity, which seems to have been the case since 1916. Earthquakes can stim-
ulate activity, though eruptions are rare. Luckily for visitors, the very reliable geyser,
Strokkur , sits alongside. You rarely have to wait more than five to 10 minutes for the hot
spring to shoot an impressive 15m to 30m plume before vanishing down its enormous
hole. Stand downwind only if you want a shower.
The undulating, hissing geothermal area containing Strokkur and Geysir were free to
enter at the time of research, though there is discussion of instituting a fee.
The large Geysir Center ( 480 6800; www.geysircenter.com ; 10am-10pm Jun-Aug, to
6pm Sep-May) has been erected to corral the masses across the street. Here you'll find three
options for eating, a souvenir shop of mall-like proportions with Icelandic name brands
and an N1 petrol station. Geysirstofa ( 480 6800; 10am-5pm May-Aug, noon-4pm Sep-
Apr) , inside the centre, is an audiovisual exhibition about geysers, volcanoes and earth-
quakes.
Activities
Geysir Golf Course GOLF
(Haukadalsvöllur; 893 8733; www.geysirgolf.is ;9 holes Ikr3000)
Nine well-groomed holes look out on Geysir.
Tours
Geysir Hestar HORSE RIDING
( 847 1046; www.geysirhestar.com ; Kjóastaðir 2)