Iceland is the perfect example of a country that has transitioned very well from coal and fossil fuels to clean energy. Given its geological location, tectonic activity and high concentration of volcanoes, the majority of the country’s energy is geothermal and hydro power based. Energy costs for residents are close to free! Clean energy has greatly reduced the cost involved in importing coal and the pollution that plagued Reykjavik in the 1940s and 1950s.
We decided to take the Golden Circle tour to witness the nature’s bounty that has helped Iceland become a leader in renewable energy. Many operators offer this as an all day tour that begins from the Reykjavik BSI Bus Terminal. There are several pick up locations throughout Reykjavik where shuttles will take you to the BSI terminal.
Our tour started with a visit to The Great Geysir. As you walk towards the Great Geysir, you will pass Litli (Little) Geysir which does not erupt but you can see the water bubbling on its surface. The Great Geyser erupts approximately every 5-7 minutes and gushes boiling water up to 20-30 meters high in the air. What fascinated me is how we were surrounded by mountain peaks covered with snow in sub-zero temps, and at the same time earth’s crust was spitting out fire. It is surreal to see how Mother Nature has allowed the co-existence of Fire & Ice in this breathtaking setting. Before you board the bus for Gullfoss (the next stop), do check out the rest stop market at the Great Geysir. It has a food court and a nice souvenir shop.
Gullfoss, the 3 step waterfall is one of the biggest and most famous waterfalls in Iceland. There are well paved trails that overlook the canyon and allow access to see the different tiers of the falls. Be a little cautious as you might encounter forceful winds.
The final stop during this tour will be the Pingvellir National Park; yes, this might end up being the same destination if you decide to opt for the Northern Lights tour as all buses usually park here to watch the flare ups in the sky. Pingvellir National Park is a UNESCO Heritage site where you can see the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates up close. This is one place where you can step on two continents at the same time with one foot on the European plate and another on the North American plate (so they say :)). The true division can be observed by scuba divers who can clearly see the separate plates under water. These tectonic plates pull a couple of centimeters apart from each other every year.
Once you are back in Reykjavik, I would recommend spending the evening hitting some of the local bars & restaurants around the Ingólfur Square and Laekjarata; nothing like a cold beer and good fish & chips after a long day of sightseeing. We thoroughly enjoyed the local Viking beer and I would rank the fish & chips one of the best I have had so far. The seafood is plentiful and fresh, and for adventurous eaters, puffin meat is a must try. The nightlife in Reykjavik is very lively and the locals are out drinking and socializing late in to the night. The city center is not huge and easily walkable. We spent evenings exploring this fun city, and wish we had more time to discover more hidden gems.
Here is a video I was able to capture of the eruption from the Great Geysir –
Here are some tips –
- If you are vegan or vegetarian, carry some snacks on the tour as you won’t find too many appetizing options during the tour stops
- Bundle up and carry your ear muffs, scarf, gloves, cap etc as it can be brutally cold during winter
- If you are in a big group, it might be better to rent a car and visit these places on your own flexible itinerary. We wish we’d done that, and will definitely drive around on our own when we visit again in the warmer months.
- Refrain from touching the water at the Geysirs – it’s boiling hot and you can get burnt
The Icelanders appreciate being thanked in their language so do use the word “Takk” generously!
Enjoy your visit to these fun places in Iceland and do share your comments with us.
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