Geysir: geothermal area and Golden Circle tours
In southwest Iceland, Geysir occupies part of the Haukadalur valley on the slopes of the hill Laugarfell. The surrounding geothermal field goes by the names Geysir and Haukadalur.
Geysir geothermal area
Haukadalur belongs to the municipality of Bláskógabyggð in Iceland's Southern Region. The English term geyser takes its name from Geysir, whose own name traces back to geysa, an Icelandic verb meaning to gush. Geysir is now mostly dormant; in its active periods its eruptions sent boiling water up to 60 metres high.
A quake in 1896 restarted Geysir's eruptions, and after the earthquakes of 2000 it became active again for a while. In 1935, people cut a channel through the silica edging around its vent.
In 1894 a British man bought part of the hot spring area; in 1935 Sigurður Jónasson bought the land back and gave it to the Icelandic people. In 2016 the Icelandic state agreed to buy the entire Geysir area.
Golden Circle tours
The Golden Circle tourist circuit runs through southwest Iceland. Its roughly 300 kilometre loop leaves Reykjavík, reaches the southern uplands and returns to the city. Þingvellir National Park and Gullfoss waterfall account for two of its three main stops. Kerið volcanic crater also features among the route's common stops.
A small group private Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik lasts 6 hours and 30 minutes. It includes a private vehicle, a local guide, Icelandic snacks and refreshments, lunch at Geysir Restaurant, and activities and snacks for children.
The Golden Circle small group tour with a farm visit and Kerid crater takes 9 hours. Included are return minibus transport from Reykjavik, a guide speaking English, and stops at Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Efstidalur, Friðheimar and Kerið.
A private Golden Circle tour in Iceland lasts 8 hours. It includes private transport, a guide speaking English, entry to Kerid volcanic crater, and stops at Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Brúarfoss and Efstidalur, with an itinerary adapted to the group.
Things to do at Geysir in Iceland
Strokkur is 50 metres from Geysir and erupts considerably more often. Its eruptions generally come at intervals of 6 to 10 minutes, with water usually reaching 15 to 20 metres. Strokkur sits in the Haukadalur geothermal area. Strokkur was first recorded in the late 18th century.
The Iceland tour combining the Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights lasts 15 hours. It includes minibus transport, a Golden Circle driver guide, a Northern Lights guide, Blue Lagoon admission, and visits to Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir area, Strokkur, Gullfoss and Kerid crater lake.
The Iceland tour combining the Golden Circle, an ice cave and Northern Lights lasts 10 hours. Included are a guide speaking English, a guided Golden Circle tour, admission to the Wonders of Iceland exhibition at Perlan Museum, access to Perlan's artificial ice cave and its Northern Lights Planetarium show.
Gullfoss and Þingvellir
Gullfoss occupies a canyon on the Hvítá River in southwest Iceland. The waterfall falls in two drops of 11 metres and 20 metres. It was declared a nature reserve in 1979.
Protected by a law of 1928, Þingvellir became a national park in 1930, the 1,000th anniversary of the Althing. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Geysir?
Geysir is on the slopes of the hill Laugarfell in Haukadalur, in southwest Iceland.
Where does the word geyser come from?
Geysir gave the English word geyser its name.
How often does Strokkur erupt?
Strokkur generally erupts at intervals of 6 to 10 minutes.
How high does Strokkur erupt?
Its water usually reaches heights of 15 to 20 metres.
How long is the Golden Circle route?
The loop covers approximately 300 kilometres from Reykjavík through the southern uplands and back.
