History and Legends: A Golden Circle Audio Tour to Thingvellir

45 min – 3 hours Free cancellation Private tour

History and Legends: A Golden Circle Audio Tour to Thingvellir, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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.

Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Historical Tours Car Tours Short term availability Weather Dependent - Moderate

At a glance

Duration: 45 min – 3 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–30
Audio guide: English
Written guide: English
Operated by: VoiceMap Audio Tours

What is included

Included

Included: Directions to the starting point so that when you're in the right place, the tour will start
Included: Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Included: Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Included: Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Included: The VoiceMap App for Android and iOS

Not included

Not included: Car rental and other transportation
Not included: Smartphone and headphones
Not included: Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
Not included: An in-person guide
Not included: Food and drink

Itinerary

Golden Circle Route

Passing by

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.
Stop 2

Passing by

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.
Stop 3

Passing by

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.
Stop 4

Passing by

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.
Mount Esja

Passing by

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.
Stop 6

Passing by

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.
Stop 7

Passing by

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.
Thingvellir National Park

Passing by

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.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

This tour starts at N1 N1 Ártúnshöfða, Straumur 9, 110 Reykjavík. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point

This self-guided audio tour ends in Parking P1 of the Þingvellir National Park.

Using your ticket

VOICEMAP CODE

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Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. You've been sent an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS

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Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:

Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app

Create an account

Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes

Enter your code then select Download Now

PLEASE NOTE

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You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It's best to download before you set off for the starting point.

This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.

When the download completes, you'll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.

Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.

SUPPORT

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For technical support and other queries, please email [email protected]