Þingvöllum / Þingvellir National Park / Iceland Trip Day 2
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| It takes 50 minutes to get from Reykjavík to Þingvellir National Park. |
Now, we leave the city and head towards Þingvellir National Park. Þingvellir National Park is a famous tourist destination included in Iceland's renowned 'Golden Circle' tour.
Golden Circle
Iceland's travel routes are broadly divided into the 'Ring Road' and the 'Golden Circle'. While the Ring Road circles the entire island, the Golden Circle is a route that covers famous tourist attractions near Reykjavík within a day. It's a course for tourists staying in Iceland for a short period, and it can be considered a collection of representative travel destinations that symbolize Iceland. Therefore, to truly see Iceland, one should experience both routes. I had to complete the Golden Circle in half a day, so I had to move quite quickly.
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| The view from the car as we drive by, |
In Nordic countries and Iceland, as soon as city signs disappear, houses quickly vanish, and fields or nature unfold. I never felt sleepy while driving throughout my trip in Iceland. Although it might not look like much in photos, I felt as if I was immersed in an uncommonly majestic landscape. Driving itself was a source of comfort.
If you want to experience it indirectly, I recommend Sigur Rós's 'Route One' music video on YouTube. Their music plays continuously as they drive along Iceland's national road for 24 hours.
2. Þingvöllum
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| Þingvöllum seen from Thingvellir National Park Visitor Center |
It took 2 hours to briefly look around Þingvöllum. It would have taken longer if I had gone to Öxarárfoss waterfall. If you want to see Öxarárfoss waterfall, a P2 parking lot is nearby, so it might be good to park there.
I parked in the Thingvellir National Park Visitor Center parking lot. You can pay the parking fee directly at the payment machine or via an app when you park. I liked Iceland because most tourist attractions had no entrance fee, and you could park all day for a cheap parking fee.
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| The path leading down to the park. Going straight will take you to Öxarárfoss. |
This place is where Iceland's parliament, Alþingi, began in 930, and where Iceland declared its independence in 1944. While important for political reasons, it is also located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. It's not easy to understand just by words, so you'll understand if you open Google Maps and check the topography. You can see how the land is strangely crumpled. The Silfra fissure, formed between them, is a famous snorkeling spot. If you want to try snorkeling, you can find guides through a travel guide app.
Due to its historical and geological significance, it is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Therefore, there is a King's House within the park. It was built in 1907 for the visit of King Frederik VIII of Denmark, and after that, kings and prime ministers reportedly used it as a summer retreat.
You can take a light stroll around the park.
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| King's house |
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| The park feels peaceful. |