Þingvellir National Park is about 40 km northeast of Reykjavík and is the first stop of most Golden Circle days. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site (inscribed 2004), the place where the Alþing general assembly met from around 930 until 1798, and the rift valley where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart. The visitor centre is open every day and parking costs ISK 1,000 for a car. This page contains partner links: if you book, we earn a commission at no cost to you.
Highlights
The rift valley
The landscape of cliffs and lava plains is the reason the park is listed by UNESCO, together with its role in Iceland's political history.
The Alþing site
The general assembly of Iceland gathered here from around 930 to 1798, which is why the park is a cultural, not only a natural, site. The visitor centre exhibition covers the history and the nature of the park.
Silfra
The fissure inside the park is the best-known place for snorkeling between the plates. The small-group option is the Silfra half-day snorkeling day trip with underwater photos, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 1,234 reviews on 8 November 2026; the price depends on the date and the group. Who can join and what is provided are in Silfra snorkeling: tours and who can join.
The exhibition
The visitor centre shows an exhibition on the history and nature of Þingvellir.
Practical info
Tips
- The visitor centre exhibition costs ISK 1,200 for adults, ISK 600 for seniors and students aged 18 and over, ISK 1,000 per person in groups of 10 or more, and is free for children aged 17 and under and for disabled visitors; you can pay online or on site. Parking is a service charge covering the cost of running the lots: ISK 400 for a motorcycle, ISK 1,000 for a passenger car with 5 seats or fewer, ISK 1,200 for a car with 6 to 9 seats, ISK 2,200 for a bus of 10 to 19 seats, ISK 3,800 for 20 to 32 seats and ISK 4,200 for 33 seats or more. A self-drive visit is easy to combine with Gullfoss and Geysir; a full-day tour covers the three for one price, as compared in Golden Circle tours. If you drive, see how to get around Iceland. For a dry-suit dive, see Silfra diving.
How to get there
The park is in the municipality of Bláskógabyggð, 806 Selfoss, about 40 km northeast of Reykjavík, reached by car or on a Golden Circle tour. Phone 488 1800, [email protected].
Opening hours
Nearby
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