Midnight Sun Golden Circle Tour 2025: An Honest Review

So, you are thinking about seeing Iceland’s most famous spots, but honestly, you’ve heard about the crowds. I get it, you know. The idea of standing shoulder-to-shoulder just to get a picture of a waterfall is, well, not great. But what if you could see all those same places with way fewer people and under a light that feels like it’s from another planet? Well, basically, that’s the whole idea behind the Midnight Sun Golden Circle tour for 2025. I recently went on one, and frankly, it kind of turns the whole idea of sightseeing on its head. It’s a bit strange to start a big trip in the evening, right when you would normally be winding down for the day. At the end of the day, that strangeness is pretty much the whole point. This isn’t just a regular trip; it’s almost a rewriting of a classic tale, told in a totally different light.

Getting Ready for a Night of Sunlight

Actually, the whole thing begins with a kind of funny feeling in Reykjavik. It’s maybe 7 or 8 PM, yet the sun is up, acting like it’s the middle of the afternoon. People are still out at cafes. Our pickup was pretty straightforward, right from a designated bus stop near my lodgings. The vehicle was a smaller coach, which I frankly prefer; it feels a lot more personal than being on a giant bus. The mood inside was sort of a mix of tired and excited, you know? Everyone seemed to be thinking the same thing: this is a bit weird, but in a good way. The guide introduced himself, and he had a very calm, quiet way of speaking that was just perfect for a late-night outing. You can check out information about different kinds of Reykjavik evening trips if you’re curious about other options.

Now, let’s talk about what to put on, because it’s pretty important. I mean, the name says “midnight sun,” but it doesn’t say “midnight warmth.” When you leave Reykjavik, it could be a perfectly fine temperature, you know. But as the hours creep by and you get out into the open country, that temperature will almost certainly take a dive. The secret is layers, honestly. I wore a thermal base layer, a fleece mid-layer, and then had a waterproof and windproof jacket on top. A woolly hat, some gloves, and good, solid walking shoes are not optional, seriously. You will be so glad you have them when you are standing by Gullfoss and the wind picks up, carrying all that cold spray. Just trust me on this; having the right clothing for your Iceland summer trip makes all the difference in the world.

The ride out of the city is actually a nice part of the whole affair. As you move away from the buildings, the scenery opens up into these huge, moss-covered lava fields that look almost soft under the golden evening light. Our guide used this time to kind of set the scene, talking about elves and hidden folk, the Huldufólk. As a matter of fact, he pointed out some rock formations where they are said to live. It was done in a very lighthearted way, but it really added a layer of magic to the landscape we were passing through. At the end of the day, it’s these little stories and the personal feel of the smaller group that really make a trip stand out from just being driven from A to B. It’s like getting a little peek into the local mindset, which is pretty special. Getting the details on small group tours is probably a good idea if you like that sort of personal attention.

First Stop: Þingvellir National Park in the Golden Hour

So, we arrived at Þingvellir National Park, and frankly, it was quiet. Like, really quiet. On a normal day, this place is humming with people, but at this hour, it was more or less just us. The first thing you see is the great rift valley, a place where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are literally pulling apart. Our guide made this super clear, pointing out one side and then the other. It’s almost too big an idea to really get your head around, you know? He then walked us towards the Lögberg, or Law Rock, and talked about how the ancient Icelandic parliament, the Alþingi, met here starting in 930 AD. Standing in that spot, with the low sun casting these really long shadows, you could almost hear the echoes of history. It feels pretty profound to learn about the deep past of Þingvellir National Park right where it all happened.

Walking through the Almannagjá gorge, which is basically the edge of the North American plate, was a very different feeling at this time. The rock walls on either side seemed to kind of glow a warm, rusty color. The air was still and cool. Usually, this path is a steady stream of people going both ways, but now, you could actually stop and touch the rock, look up at the sky, and just be present without feeling rushed. It’s a completely different kind of connection to the place. You notice the small flowers growing in the cracks of the rock and the sound your footsteps make on the path. This sort of peacefulness is, I think, what many people hope for when they come to Iceland, but it can be hard to find at the big sites. To find your own calm spot in a popular country is a real win.

From the main viewpoint, the whole landscape just opens up before you. You can see the plains where the assembly camps were set up, and Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake, looks like a sheet of hammered silver in the distance. The low, golden angle of the sun just makes everything look more dramatic and textured. Nearby is the Öxarárfoss waterfall, which isn’t the biggest, but it’s really lovely. It spills over the edge of the tectonic plate into a rocky pool. In the evening light, with no one else around, it felt like a private showing. It’s honestly one of those moments where you just put your camera down and absorb it. Obviously, for those interested in photography, getting good photos in this light is a rewarding challenge.

As a matter of fact, photography in the midnight sun presents a fun puzzle. The light is soft and golden, which is great, but it’s also coming from a very low angle, which creates those super long shadows I mentioned. My advice is to play with that. Instead of fighting the shadows, make them part of your picture. Use them to create lines that draw the eye through the frame. You don’t need a super fancy camera; honestly, a modern phone camera with a good ‘pro’ mode can do wonders. Just be sure to maybe under-expose your shots a tiny bit to keep the beautiful colors in the sky from getting blown out into a white blob. To be honest, the best picture I took was just of the empty path winding through the gorge, all light and shadow. Sometimes the best landscape photos are the simplest ones.

The Mighty Gullfoss Waterfall Under a Low Sun

Okay, so after Þingvellir, the next stop was Gullfoss, the ‘Golden Falls’. And honestly, you can hear it before you can see it. As we walked from the parking lot, this low, powerful rumble got louder and louder. It’s a sound that sort of gets into your bones, you know? The anticipation really builds. Then you come around a corner, and there it is. The sheer amount of water thundering down is just hard to process. It comes down in two big steps, turning at a sharp angle, which makes it look even more chaotic and strong. Seeing it for the first time is one of those jaw-on-the-floor moments, for sure. Reading up on interesting information about Gullfoss waterfall beforehand makes you appreciate the scale of it even more.

From the upper viewing platform, you get this fantastic, wide-angle view of the whole scene. The Hvítá river, which means ‘White River’, looks more like a golden-brown river at this hour, full of glacial sediment. And because the sun is so low in the sky, it hits the massive plume of spray coming off the waterfall at just the right angle to create these endless rainbows. It’s not just one rainbow; it’s like bits and pieces of them flickering in and out of existence all over the place. It’s incredibly beautiful and something you just don’t get in the same way with the sun directly overhead. Seriously, I just stood there for a good ten minutes, trying to take it all in. You might see a lot of pictures, but standing in front of a natural force like this is a completely different thing.

Then, we took the path down to the lower viewing point, which gets you much closer to the action. Down here, you can really feel the power. The air is thick with mist, so that waterproof jacket I mentioned becomes your best friend, you know. You get a little damp, but it’s totally worth it. The roar of the water is deafening, making conversation pretty much impossible. It’s just you and this immense force of nature. Looking up at the falls from this angle is pretty humbling. You feel very, very small, but in a good way. It’s a moment that kind of clears your head of all the small, everyday worries. It’s hard to worry about an email when a whole river is falling off a cliff in front of you. Experiencing the pure force of massive waterfalls is a feeling that stays with you.

By the way, our guide shared a really cool story about the waterfall. In the early 20th century, some foreign investors wanted to dam the river and build a hydroelectric plant, which would have completely destroyed Gullfoss. The landowner’s daughter, a woman named Sigríður Tómasdóttir, fought tirelessly to protect it. The story goes that she walked barefoot all the way to Reykjavik multiple times to protest and even threatened to throw herself into the falls. Well, her efforts worked, and the waterfall was saved and later given to the Icelandic nation. There’s a small monument to her there. Honestly, knowing that story makes the waterfall seem even more special. It’s not just a natural wonder; it’s a place that was actively protected by someone who loved it, and learning about these kinds of local legends adds so much depth.

Geysir Geothermal Area: Bubbling Earth After Midnight

Our final stop on the main circle was the Geysir geothermal area. As soon as you get off the bus, you know you’re somewhere different. Basically, the air has a very distinct smell of sulfur—like boiled eggs, you know? It’s not overpowering, but it’s definitely there. The whole area is just steaming. There are roped-off pathways that wind between bubbling pools of mud that plop and gurgle, and vents in the ground where steam just pours out. It really feels like the earth is alive and breathing right under your feet. The ground itself is colored with these mineral deposits in shades of yellow, red, and green, which look particularly rich in the soft, low light. Visiting the famous Geysir field is a must-do for anyone visiting Iceland.

Of course, the main event here is Strokkur. The original Great Geysir, which gave its name to all others, is mostly quiet these days. But its neighbor, Strokkur, puts on a show every 6 to 10 minutes, like clockwork. A crowd always gathers around its pool, and there’s this shared sense of anticipation. You watch the water, which is this incredibly clear, bright blue color. It swells up into a dome and then sinks back down, over and over. It’s almost teasing you. You hold your breath, camera at the ready, waiting for that one moment when it finally decides to go. It’s a funny little ritual, everyone just standing and staring at a pool of water, but it’s completely captivating. Seeing a live feed of the Strokkur eruption just doesn’t compare to the feeling of waiting for it in person.

And then, it happens. Really fast. The blue dome of water suddenly shoots skyward in a towering column of superheated water and steam. It goes up maybe 20 or 30 meters, and there’s a collective gasp from everyone watching, followed by cheers and camera clicks. It’s over in a few seconds, and then all that’s left is a huge cloud of steam drifting away into the golden-hued sky. Honestly, seeing this against the backdrop of the midnight sun is something else. The water catches the light in a spectacular way. The steam cloud just seems to glow. We stayed and watched it go off three times, and it was just as impressive each time. The raw, sudden power of it is pretty amazing, and it is easily one of the most memorable sights Iceland has to offer.

After watching Strokkur a few times, it’s worth taking a little walk around the rest of the area. There are smaller hot springs and fumaroles, each with its own character. One is called Blesi, and it’s actually two ponds side by side. One is that same deep, clear blue, while the one right next to it is a milky white, almost opaque. It’s a really strange contrast. The guide explained that the temperature and mineral compositions are slightly different, causing the varied appearances. It’s these small, curious details that I find really fascinating. You came for the big show, but you stay for the little weird things the earth does here. The whole area is a reminder of the immense geothermal energy just under the surface in Iceland, something you can learn more about by checking out the science behind Iceland’s hot spots.

The Drive Back and Final Thoughts on the Light

So, the ride back to Reykjavik was very quiet. It was well past midnight by now, but the sky was still a canvas of soft pinks, oranges, and purples. It never gets fully dark, you know. Everyone on the bus seemed to be in their own little world, just watching the alien landscape slide by the windows. I think we were all tired but also full of the things we’d seen. It’s a very satisfying kind of tiredness. The guide put on some quiet, atmospheric Icelandic music, which was the perfect soundtrack. That drive was, in its own way, just as much a part of the experience as the stops themselves. It’s a time to just process everything. The experience of traveling through Iceland during the summer nights is pretty unique.

At the end of the day, this whole tour is really about the light. The Golden Circle sights are amazing any time of day, but seeing them bathed in the perpetual glow of the midnight sun is what makes this trip so different. It messes with your sense of time in a really interesting way. You feel like you have all the time in the world. There’s no rush to beat the sunset. The sun just hangs there near the horizon, seemingly for hours. This phenomenon is honestly as much of an attraction as the geysers or waterfalls. It changes the entire mood of the country, making everything feel a bit more calm and magical. If you are a photographer, or just someone who appreciates a different point of view, it is a big selling point for choosing the right kind of Iceland trip.

Is this tour for everyone? Honestly, probably not. If you’re traveling with young children who have a strict bedtime, staying out until 2 or 3 in the morning might be tough. Likewise, if you’re someone who really needs a solid eight hours of sleep to function, you might find the schedule a little difficult. You really have to be prepared to nap during the day and shift your body clock a bit. But, if you are looking to escape the daytime crowds and see Iceland’s most famous locations in a way that very few people do, then this is absolutely for you. It’s for the night owls, the photographers, and anyone looking for a more serene and almost spiritual connection with the landscape. Thinking about what is best for family travel in Iceland involves considering these kinds of schedules.

So, how does it stack up against a standard daytime Golden Circle tour? Well, they are just different beasts. The daytime tour is efficient and lets you see everything in bright, clear light. It’s a classic for a reason. But it also comes with crowds and a certain rush. This midnight sun version is slower, quieter, and more atmospheric. The biggest advantage is, without a doubt, the lack of people. At times, it honestly feels like you have these world-famous sites all to yourself. That feeling of solitude, combined with the ridiculously beautiful light, makes for a really special memory. It turns a tourist checklist into something that feels a bit more personal and profound. In a way, you need to decide if you want the standard, classic showing or the special, late-night director’s cut. Personally, I would recommend comparing the tour variations based on what kind of traveler you are.