Geysir
One of the highlights of Iceland's Golden Circle, Geysir is home to geysers - yes, that's where we get the English word from! - which hurl boiling water up to 200 feet into the air.
Along the Haukadalur valley lies one of the most active geothermal areas in Iceland, home to a number of geysers - including one called Geysir, which is where the English word originally comes from! While Geysir, which is said to be the first known to modern Europeans, has been inactive for some time, you're highly likely to see the nearby Strokkur erupt.
Strokkur's eruptions of boiling water may not reach quite the same heights as the enormous Geysir - up to 230 feet, or 70 meters - but it hurls a steaming jet of water up to 100 feet (30 meters) into the air every six to ten minutes, making it an incredible spectacle.
If you plan on visiting Geysir in winter, we recommend bringing crampons to enjoy the experience comfortably.
How to visit Geysir?
The geothermal area in which Geysir is located is found in the Golden Circle, around 70 miles (110 km) from Reykjavik, and 37 and 6 miles (60 and 10 km) from Thingvellir and Gullfoss respectively. It's easy to reach if you're renting a car in Iceland, and there's a free parking area in the vicinity.
If you'd prefer not to drive, we recommend booking an organized tour of the Golden Circle to see all of its incredible sights in one day. Our Golden Circle Tour takes you to visit Geysir and its surrounding landmarks with transport from Reykjavik and an English-speaking guide - all you have to worry about is enjoying the excursion!
