Golden Circle, Bruarfoss & Kerid Volcanic crater from Reykjavik

Bruarfoss is the unusual stop on this full-day Golden Circle trip: a waterfall known for its striking blue water, added to a route that already takes in Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss. I like that you get this lesser-known contrast alongside Iceland’s big-name sights, and that an English-speaking guide can add context during the drives between them.

I also like the practical setup: round-trip transfers from Reykjavík, WiFi on board, and a route that covers several major sights without asking you to drive. The trade-off is a packed day. Stops can feel short, especially at Gullfoss and Kerid, and Iceland’s weather or road conditions may change the schedule.

• Bruarfoss adds a different kind of waterfall: Its sapphire-blue water gives the day a striking contrast to the scale and force of Gullfoss.
• Five major stops fit into one day: See Thingvellir, the Geysir area, Gullfoss, Bruarfoss, and Kerid from a Reykjavík base.
• Guiding is a real part of the trip: Guides such as Bjorn and Ari have been praised for sharing Icelandic stories, answering questions, and keeping the mood friendly.
• Pickup takes patience: The shared transfer pickup window runs from 09:00 to 09:30, so be ready early at your confirmed location.
• Bring proper outdoor gear: Waterproof clothing and sturdy hiking shoes are recommended, and the tour does not provide either.
• Budget for food: Meals and drinks are not included, though the route includes stops where you can buy snacks and warm food.

A Golden Circle day with Bruarfoss added in

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This is a full-day guided outing for people who want the Golden Circle’s best-known stops plus a waterfall that many standard routes leave out. You’ll travel from Reykjavík to Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss, Bruarfoss, and Kerid crater, then return to the capital around 17:00, with timing subject to conditions.

The small-group format should feel more personal than a large coach tour, though no exact group size is specified. The English-speaking guide is more than a driver: the drive between stops is a chance to hear about Icelandic history and everyday life, and to ask questions while the scenery changes outside the window.

The overall appeal is simple. You trade the freedom of a rental car for an organized route, transport, and local commentary. For a first visit, or for a day when you would rather watch the scenery than navigate Icelandic roads, that can be a very fair exchange.

👉 See our pick of the 25 Best Guided Tours In Reykjavik

Thingvellir: geology you can see underfoot

Thingvellir National Park is a strong opening stop because its importance is visible as well as historical. Here, the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, and the park is also home to Iceland’s largest natural lake. You don’t need a geology degree to appreciate the idea: this is a place where the forces shaping the island become part of the view.

The visit gives you a chance to walk through the park and take in its broad rock formations and open spaces. Your guide can help put the setting into context, which matters when the day has several stops and you want more than a quick photo before climbing back into the vehicle.

The pace is still that of a group tour. You’ll have a set window rather than as long as you like, so take in the main sights first and save any extra wandering for a return visit. The park is also exposed to the elements, making a warm layer and waterproof outerwear useful even if the morning in Reykjavík seems mild.

Strokkur at Geysir: wait for the next eruption

At the Geysir Geothermal Area, the star is Strokkur, which erupts at intervals. The waiting is part of the stop: you watch the steaming ground, keep your camera ready, and see the water shoot upward when the geyser lets go. It is a simple, memorable demonstration of Iceland’s geothermal power.

This stop offers a different pace from the waterfalls. Rather than following a cascade along a trail, you can pause in the geothermal area and watch for the next eruption. The guide’s explanations can make the steaming vents and hot ground easier to understand, especially if this is your first time around geothermal features.

Keep to the marked areas and follow the guide’s instructions. The ground is hot, and the group needs to stay on schedule for the rest of the route. If you’re trying to capture the eruption, give yourself time to watch rather than spending the whole stop focused on your phone.

Gullfoss: a powerful cascade, with limited linger time

Gullfoss is the grand-scale waterfall on this route. Glacial water drops into a deep canyon, and on a clear day the spray can create rainbows. It is a dramatic stop, but the falls are also popular, so the viewing areas can feel busy.

Plan for walking between viewpoints and allow time to pause. The paths can involve uphill sections, and you’ll want footwear with a sturdy grip. In cold or wet weather, waterproof layers help you stay comfortable near the spray and on exposed paths.

The main practical caution is time. A full Golden Circle itinerary has several stops to fit into one day, and some visitors find the Gullfoss visit rushed. If you like lingering at waterfalls or walking to every available viewpoint, this schedule may feel tight. If you’re content to take in the main views and move on, you can still get a satisfying sense of the falls.

Bruarfoss: the blue-water surprise

Bruarfoss is the route’s distinctive extra. Its water is famed for its sapphire-blue colour, which makes it feel different from the more forceful, broad cascade at Gullfoss. The appeal here is not just the waterfall itself, but the contrast it brings to a day already full of Iceland’s familiar sights.

Give this stop your attention. The entrance or exact location can be easy to miss, and it helps to stay with the group and listen to the guide’s directions. On one outing, the guide personally helped a visitor find the waterfall, a useful reminder that this stop can take a little more orientation than pulling up beside a large, obvious viewpoint.

Conditions affect how the water looks, and Iceland’s weather can change quickly. Don’t expect every view to match a photograph exactly. Still, Bruarfoss gives the day a more varied feel, and its colour is a good reason to choose this version of the Golden Circle over a route that sticks only to the best-known stops.

Kerid crater: colour and a short uphill walk

Kerid is a volcanic crater with red volcanic rock, a blue lake, and moss on its slopes. The combination makes it a vivid final stop, especially after a day of waterfalls and geothermal activity. You can look down into the crater and appreciate its shape, rather than seeing only a flat rim or distant peak.

There is some walking, including uphill sections, so take your time and wear proper shoes. The crater stop can feel brief, and the available time may not allow for a slow circuit or a long pause. If Kerid is a personal priority, be ready to make the most of the time you have rather than assuming you can explore at your own pace.

The tour includes the extra fees for Bruarfoss and Kerid, so you do not need to treat those as separate admission costs. That is a helpful detail when comparing the total price with other Golden Circle options.

The guide and the drive make a difference

There is a fair amount of time on the road between stops, with drives often around 30 to 45 minutes. That can be tiring on a full day, but it also gives the guide room to explain what you’re seeing and share stories about Icelandic culture and history.

Guides have included Bjorn and someone whose name was given as Ari, though the spelling was uncertain. The important point is that the guiding style can shape the day: past tours have featured humorous, friendly explanations, thoughtful answers to questions, and attention to the group. The exact guide on your date is not guaranteed.

An air-conditioned vehicle has been used on a relatively warm day, and the tour includes WiFi on board. Those are useful comforts, but don’t mistake a comfortable ride for a relaxed timetable. With five stops and a return to Reykjavík in the late afternoon, you’ll still be moving through the day at a brisk pace.

Food, clothing, and pickup: small details that matter

Pickup begins at the departure time on your voucher and can take up to 30 minutes. The stated departure window is 09:00 to 09:30, and you should be at your designated location 15 minutes before the time shown. Because this is a shared transfer, the vehicle may arrive early or late within the pickup window. Enter your hotel name and address when booking, and be ready outside.

The tour returns to a hotel or personal address in Reykjavík, usually between 17:00 and 17:30. Road conditions, traffic, weather, and winter daylight can affect the schedule. The operator may adjust the route or timing to work around those conditions.

Food is at your own expense. The route includes stops at gas stations and small shops for snacks, sandwiches, and drinks, as well as lunchtime stops with warm meal options. One stop can be around 45 minutes, which may feel short if you need to queue, order, and eat. Keep lunch simple and have a snack handy if you know you get hungry between meals.

Dress for Iceland, not just the forecast at your hotel. Wear warm layers under waterproof outerwear, plus sturdy waterproof hiking shoes or boots. Hiking boots and waterproof clothing are not included. The tour is rated for beginner fitness, but there is walking and some uphill ground, so consider that if you are travelling with someone who has difficulty walking.

Is the price fair for a full day out?

The advertised starting prices differ: the tour summary gives a price from $121.90, while the join-in package option is shown from US$106.00. Treat either figure as a starting point, not a guaranteed price for every date. Check the amount shown for your chosen day before booking.

For the price, you’re paying for round-trip transport, an English-speaking guide, WiFi, and a route that combines five well-known or distinctive stops. The included extra fees for Bruarfoss and Kerid also help make the total easier to assess. You still need to cover meals, drinks, tips, and personal purchases.

I see the strongest value for a first-time visitor who wants to cover the Golden Circle without renting a car. The guide’s commentary and help finding Bruarfoss add something beyond transport, while the extra waterfall and crater make the itinerary broader than a basic circuit. If you want long, unhurried walks at each stop, however, a self-drive trip or a slower itinerary may suit you better.

The tour is for participants aged six and older. Luggage storage is not provided, and pickup outside the Reykjavík capital area is not included unless the location is on the way. In extreme weather or other unforeseen conditions, the operator may cancel and offer the choice of rescheduling or a full refund.

Should you book this Golden Circle tour?

Book it if you want a guided, one-day introduction to Iceland’s classic sights and like the idea of adding Bruarfoss and Kerid to the usual route. It suits solo visitors, first-timers, and anyone who would rather leave the driving and route planning to someone else. The friendly guide-led format can make the long stretches between stops part of the day, not just dead time.

Think twice if you want to linger at every viewpoint, need a flexible meal break, or prefer to set your own walking pace. This is a packed circuit, and the time at Gullfoss and Kerid may feel short. Bring waterproof layers, sturdy shoes, and a little patience for shared pickup. If that sounds like a fair trade for seeing five major sights in one day, this is a practical way to get beyond Reykjavík without taking the wheel.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

It departs from Reykjavík between 09:00 and 09:30 and usually returns between 17:00 and 17:30. Weather, traffic, road conditions, and winter daylight can change the schedule.

What stops are included?

The route includes Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss Waterfall, Bruarfoss Waterfall, and Kerid volcanic crater. The order or timing may change.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip transfers to and from your hotel or personal address in Reykjavík are included. Pickup outside the capital area is not included unless the location is on the way.

Are the extra fees for Bruarfoss and Kerid included?

Yes. The tour includes the extra fees for Bruarfoss and Kerid. Meals, drinks, tips, and other personal expenses are not included.

Is food included?

No. You can buy snacks, sandwiches, drinks, and warm meals at stops along the route.

What should I wear?

Wear warm clothing in layers, waterproof outerwear, and sturdy waterproof hiking shoes or boots. Hiking boots and waterproof clothing are not provided.

What is the minimum age, and is luggage storage available?

Participants must be at least six years old. Luggage storage is not provided.