Iceland-Golden Circle, Kerið Crater & Tomatoes

Apr/May 2022

If there is one day trip that feels like a perfect introduction to Iceland, it is the Golden Circle. Our tour with Wake Up Reykjavík took us from Reykjavík into some of Iceland’s most iconic landscapes — from tectonic plates and steaming geothermal fields to powerful waterfalls and a volcanic crater lake. The beauty of the Golden Circle is that you don't have to travel incredibly far from Reykjavík to experience the raw forces that have shaped Iceland.

Gullfoss — The Golden Waterfall

First up was Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls — and one that is genuinely difficult to appreciate from photographs alone.The Hvítá river thunders over two enormous tiers before plunging into a deep canyon, creating an impressive wall of spray and mist. The sheer power of the water is what makes Gullfoss so spectacular. On a windy day, be prepared to get a little wet from the spray! The walking paths provide several viewpoints, so take your time rather than stopping at the first lookout.

Tip: Bring waterproof layers and shoes with a good grip. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and the paths can become slippery.

Þingvellir National Park

Next was Þingvellir National Park, a place that is significant for both Icelandic history and geology. Þingvellir was the original meeting place of Iceland’s parliament, the Alþingi, established in 930 AD. Walking through the area, it is easy to see why this landscape was chosen — the dramatic cliffs and open valley create a natural amphitheatre. Þingvellir sits in a rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are gradually pulling apart. You can literally walk through the landscape created by this movement.Öxarárfoss is one of the highlights of Þingvellir National Park, tucked among the dramatic cliffs and rift landscape of the park. The waterfall is formed by the Öxará River, which drops over a rocky cliff into a pool below. What makes it particularly special is its setting ,the waterfall sits within the same landscape where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart. The walk to Öxarárfoss is relatively short and easy, making it a great stop while exploring Þingvellir.

Geysir

Then came one of the most exciting stops on the Golden Circle: the Geysir geothermal area.The original Geysir gave its name to geysers around the world, although it is now largely dormant. The star of the show today is Strokkur, which erupts regularly.And when I say regularly, I mean you don't have to stand around for hours waiting. You can see the geothermal pool bubbling and swelling before suddenly shooting a column of steaming water into the air. Everyone gathers around with cameras ready, waiting for that perfect moment.

Kerið

Our next stop was Kerið, a striking volcanic crater filled with a vivid blue-green lake.Unlike many of Iceland’s natural attractions, Kerið is not completely free to enter, but the small admission fee is worth it for the scenery. The crater was formed by a volcanic eruption and later collapsed, leaving behind the bowl-shaped formation we see today. The contrast between the reddish volcanic rock, dark soil and bright water makes it particularly photogenic. You can walk around the rim and also descend into the crater for a closer look at the lake.

Tip: If you're visiting on a busy day, walk around the rim first before heading down. The views from above are the best way to appreciate the crater's size and shape.

Friðheimar

And then, completely unexpectedly, came one of my favourite stops of the day: Friðheimar. A tomato farm might not be the first thing you associate with Iceland, but Friðheimar is a great example of how Iceland uses its geothermal resources. Inside the greenhouse, tomatoes are grown year-round using geothermal energy to provide heat and electricity. The warm, humid greenhouse feels like a completely different world compared with the cold Icelandic landscape outside. And yes — you get to eat the tomatoes too.

The restaurant is famous for its tomato-based buffet, including tomato soup, freshly baked bread, cucumber and tomato dishes, and other tomato-inspired creations. After a morning of exploring waterfalls and volcanic landscapes, sitting inside a warm greenhouse surrounded by tomato plants was such a nice change of pace, and naturally, we couldn't leave without trying their famous tomato soup.