Þingvellir National Park

Where History Meets Nature’s Power

Thingvellir National Park in Iceland showcases a unique landscape shaped by tectonic forces where the North American and Eurasian plates meet. Visitors walk along visible rifts that reveal Earth’s geological activity. The park also holds cultural importance as the site of Iceland’s first parliament established in 930 AD, making it both a natural wonder and historical landmark. Trails cross volcanic fields and crystal-clear lakes while offering views of rugged terrain. The area supports diverse plant life adapted to harsh conditions and serves as an important habitat for local wildlife.

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National Park in Iceland

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.7

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	10

Read details

5/5

English is widely spoken throughout Iceland, including at Þingvellir. Most locals in tourist areas can easily communicate in English, and signs are also often bilingual.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Þingvellir National Park Summary

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World-class for geology and natural landscapes. Walk between tectonic plates, snorkel clear rift waters, hike scenic trails and enjoy dramatic viewpoints.

Place score

7.9

Best at:

Natural sites

Spotless

Stargazing

Van travel

Historic sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

♻️ 10

Sustainability

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

Iceland – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type F Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Icelandic Króna (ISK) £1 ≈ ISK 163
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are highly common in Iceland, especially in cities. Most businesses accept credit and debit cards, including smaller establishments. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are popular. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not common in Iceland and not expected in restaurants. A service charge is usually included in the bill. Tipping taxi drivers or hotel staff is appreciated but not necessary.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed, especially in designated areas during festivals or outdoor events. Alcohol is also available at licensed venues.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces and on public transport. Designated smoking areas are available outside of many restaurants and public buildings.

Icelandic National Day (June)	Expect parades and celebrations throughout the country. Hotels and tourist spots can get busy.
Christmas (December)	Christmas is widely celebrated, and it’s a great time to visit for festive markets, but accommodation can be more expensive.
Þorrablót Festival (January)	A festival celebrating Icelandic cuisine, it’s a popular time to visit, though some businesses may have reduced hours.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Hreyfill, Reykjavik Taxi
Other:	Iceland's weather can be unpredictable, so it’s important to prepare for sudden changes in climate. Always check weather forecasts before venturing into nature.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

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The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

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Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Þingvellir National Park, Iceland

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Aug

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Dec

High season:	June - Aug.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - March, May, Sep., Dec.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Snorkelling and diving in the Silfra fissure is possible year-round; the water stays around 2 to 4 °C

Paths and nearby roads can be icy and close in winter storms from November to March

Don't miss

🌍 Walk through the rift valley between tectonic plates
💧 Visit Öxarárfoss waterfall in the Almannagjá gorge
🤿 Snorkel or dive in the crystal-clear Silfra fissure
🏛️ Explore historic Law Rock where Icelandic parliament met
⛪ Tour the Þingvellir Church, Iceland’s oldest church
🌄 Enjoy panoramic views from the Hakid observation deck

You've been here?

Why travel to Þingvellir National Park?

The park is a unique geological site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart. You can walk through Almannagjá Gorge and visit the site of Iceland's first parliament. It's also a beautiful spot for photography with its lakes, volcanic craters and lush green valleys. However, be aware that it can be quite chilly and windy, even during summer. Some paths can be slippery or difficult, so good footwear and caution are necessary. In the winter, snow and ice make it less accessible for those who aren’t used to cold weather.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Peningagjá
2 Lögberg

🎡Places for activities

1 Kalfholt Horse Breeding & Riding Tours

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Öxarárfoss
2 Lake Thingvellir Cottages

🎈Events

Þingvellir National Day Celebration
Viking Festival in Reykjavík
Iceland Airwaves Music Festival
Icelandic National Day (June 17)
The Great Icelandic Food Festival
Reykjavík Cultural Festival
Þingvellir Archaeology Day
Northern Lights Viewing Season
Icelandic Horse World Championships
Icelandic Snow Sculpture Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Start at the visitor center for park maps and history.
Walk the Almannagjá trail to see the tectonic rift and scenic views.
Visit in daylight for safety and better photography of geological features.
Book Silfra snorkeling or diving tours in advance for a unique underwater experience.

How to travel to Þingvellir National Park

To get to Þingvellir, fly into Reykjavik (Keflavik International Airport) and drive about 45 minutes to the park. Public buses also run from Reykjavik to the park or you can join a guided tour for a more convenient experience.

Access summary

From Keflavík Airport (KEF): Drive via Reykjavík and Route 36, about 1.5 hours.
From Reykjavík: Self‑drive Golden Circle route on paved roads, roughly 40–50 minutes.
Popular Golden Circle coach and small‑group tours include Þingvellir as first stop.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Þingvellir National Park

While Þingvellir itself doesn’t have extensive accommodation, nearby areas like Reykjavik offer a wide range of hotels and guesthouses. For a more scenic experience, consider staying in the countryside or at a guesthouse near the park.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

We couldn't find any nearby hotels for now.

How to get around Þingvellir National Park

The park is quite accessible by car and there are marked trails and viewing points. For those without a car, buses and guided tours are available from Reykjavik. Be aware of icy conditions in winter, which can make some roads and paths difficult to navigate.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

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To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+42 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 42% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+6 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to ISK) is 6% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Kopavogur, Iceland - 35 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£99	£204	£543
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£38	£90	£210
🍝 Food per day	£47	£99	£287
🚕 Transportation per day	£14	£15	£46

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£32
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£22
🍟 Fast food combo	£15
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£16
☕ Cappuccino	£4.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£8

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£3.50
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£26
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.90

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£13
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£70
🤧 Cold medication	£9.50
💇 Basic haircut	£35

Safety information overview

General safety

Þingvellir is generally very safe, though as with any natural site, be cautious of slippery rocks and icy trails. Always follow marked paths, especially near the rift or during winter when conditions can be unpredictable.

Health & Medical

Iceland has excellent healthcare facilities, especially in Reykjavik, which is about 45 minutes away. Minor injuries can be treated at the visitor center, but for serious issues, it's best to visit a hospital in Reykjavik.

Accessibility

While many parts of Þingvellir are accessible, some areas like the rift valley and Silfra require careful navigation, especially in winter. The main visitor areas are well-maintained, but uneven terrain may pose challenges for those with mobility issues.

Tap water

Iceland has some of the cleanest tap water in the world and you can drink it straight from the tap anywhere in Þingvellir. There are also plenty of public water stations in Reykjavik and surrounding areas.