History and Legends: A Golden Circle Audio Tour to Thingvellir

About this experience

This self-guided driving tour follows the Golden Circle from Reykjavik to Þingvellir National Park, once home to the ancient Viking parliament. Along the 46km drive, you'll pass Reykjavik's Danish colonial quarter, the Elliðaárdalur valley's urban salmon river, and mossy lava fields.

You'll hear about Iceland's prohibition era and the rise of Brennivín, the legend of Grýla and the 13 Yule Lads, and the country's strict horse export ban. You'll also stop at the birthplace of Nobel laureate Halldór Laxness. The tour ends at Þingvellir, where you'll stand in the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, overlooking Lake Þingvallavatn.

Perfect for road-trippers and independent travellers who want context, not just scenery. After booking, install the VoiceMap app and enter your ticket code to download and start touring.

Please note: You'll need to organise your own car.

Itinerary

1. Tour stop

   We'll then head out on the legendary Golden Circle, Iceland's most iconic road trip: history, geology and drama, all within a single loop.

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2. Tour stop

   This self-guided driving tour starts in N1 Hringbraut in Reykjavík, where you'll learn how Danish trade monopolies stunted the city's growth for centuries before it finally expanded into the modern capital it is today.

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3. Tour stop

   Heading east, you'll pass through the Elliðaárdalur valley, home to one of the world's few urban salmon rivers, before the landscape opens into mossy lava fields and mountain views as you leave the city behind. The route follows the old King's Road, once tied to Danish royal authority, toward Þingvellir.

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4. Tour stop

   This district is also home to Ölgerðin Brewery which you will soon see on your right, founded in 1913, one of Iceland’s oldest producers of beer and soft drinks.

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5. Tour stop

   Along the way, you'll be treated to stunning views of the iconic Esja mountain range and discover the geology and legends that make it one of Iceland's most mythical landmarks.

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6. Tour stop

   Just a short drive from Reykjavík, we'll stop at the former home of Halldór Laxness : Iceland's only Nobel Prize-winning author, where you'll get a glimpse into the life and mind of the man who shaped modern Icelandic literature.

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7. Tour stop

   As Þingvellir comes into view, you'll spot the vast Þingvallavatn lake – Iceland's largest – sitting directly in the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

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8. Tour stop

   Our route takes us to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Vikings gathered to establish the world's oldest parliament in 930 AD, making it the birthplace of democracy as we know it, set against a backdrop of volcanic rifts and crystal-clear glacial waters.

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Know before you go

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels