Geysir Hot Springs, Iceland: 2024 Visitor’s Guide

When traveling to Iceland, one place you simply can’t miss is the Geysir Hot Springs!

Located in the Haukadalur geothermal area in the Golden Circle, Geysir is home to the famous Great Geysir and Strokkur Geysir, as well as smaller hot springs and stunning walking areas.

There’s so much to know about Geysir Iceland, so read on to discover more about this remarkable attraction.

QUICK ANSWERS: GEYSIR HOT SPRINGS

Before going into the main topic, let’s cover some quick answers about the Geysir geothermal area including where it’s located, how to get there, the opening times, and more.

WHAT IS GEYSIR HOT SPRINGS?

Geysir Hot Springs is a geothermal area that is home to the Great Geysir and Strokkur, two of the most active geysers in the world.

Strokkur erupts every 4 – 10 minutes, usually reaching heights of 15 – 20 meters (49 – 65 feet) and sometimes even 40 meters (131 feet).

WHERE IS THE GEYSIR GEOTHERMAL AREA?

The Geysir geothermal area is located in Haukadalur Valley in southwest Iceland, about 1.5 hour’s drive from the capital city of Reykjavik.

Click here to see the location on Google Maps.

HOW TO GET TO GEYSIR HOT SPRINGS?

Located approximately 100 km from Reykjavik, the area is easily accessible by car via Route 35 or Route 37.

It takes about an hour and a half to get there from the capital city, depending on your route, and you can easily reach the Geysir geothermal area from the capital city.

Alternatively, the most convenient way to reach Geysir Iceland is by joining a day tour around the Golden Circle.

This tour will take you to the iconic Geysir hot spring, as well as other nearby attractions such as the Gullfoss Waterfall and Kerid Crater.

It’s a great way to explore the region if you don’t have your own vehicle or prefer to leave the driving to someone else.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE GEYSIR GEOTHERMAL AREA?

The best time to visit Geysir Iceland is during the summer months from June to August.

During this time, temperatures are mild and the days are long, allowing for plenty of time to explore the area.

The Great Geysir is especially active during these months, with Strokkur erupting every few minutes.

WHAT ARE THE OPENING TIMES & ENTRANCE FEES?

Geysir in Iceland is open 24/7 and is free to visit.

Geysir Visitor Center, on the other hand, which is home to a souvenir shop and a restaurant, is open from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE GEYSIR GEOTHERMAL AREA

I traveled to Geysir in the month of May as part of my Golden Circle itinerary and we parked the car right outside of the hot springs.

Almost immediately, you’ll make your way to the famous Strokkur Geyser, which is the most active and erupts every few minutes.

When reaching Strokkur, you’ll join a small crowd around waiting for the geyser to erupt.

Every few minutes, the anticipation would build as the water in the geyser’s mouth began to churn and bubble.

And then, without warning, Strokkur will shoot a powerful column of scalding hot water up to 30 meters into the air – what a show to enjoy!

You can spend about 30 minutes exploring the Geysir geothermal area, walking along well-maintained boardwalks, and stopping at various points.

It’s worth noting that, despite the Strokkur Geysir being pretty active, the smaller ones are inactive, so don’t expect them to erupt.

After seeing the eruption a few times, you can hike up the hill nearby and see the views from above, which only adds some uniqueness to the experience!

Before leaving, don’t forget to stop at the Geysir Visitor Centre, which is home to a souvenir shop, an ice cream store, and two restaurants.

Plus, if you have to use the restroom, this is the place to go.

BOOK NOW: GOLDEN CIRCLE TOUR WITH GEYSIR

STROKKUR GEYSIR

Strokkur is the largest geyser in Iceland, located in the Geysir Geothermal Area of Haukadalur Valley in the Golden Circle.

It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. As mentioned earlier, it erupts hot water up to 15-20 meters (49-65 feet) and sometimes even as high as 40 meters (131 feet).

As soon as you get to Geysir Iceland, you’ll see Strokkur, as it’s easy to spot it from afar.

Visiting Strokkur is a must for anyone looking to experience Iceland’s unique geothermal activity.

FACILITIES AT HAUKADALUR GEOTHERMAL AREA

The Haukadalur geothermal area (or Geysir geothermal area) has a few convenient facilities which I have listed below.

• Toilets
• Parking lot
• 2 restaurants
• An ice-cream shop
• A souvenir store
• The Geysir Hotel
• The Geysir Campiste

Despite being a small area, at the Geysir Hot Springs, there is a lot to do and you can even spend the night here at The Geysir Hotel which is convenient.

GEYSIR HOT SPRINGS – FAQ

I couldn’t end this Geysir Hot Springs guide without going through some frequently asked questions from first-time visitors.

IS GEYSIR ICELAND WORTH VISITING?

Geysir is definitely worth visiting while in Iceland as it’s one of the most impressive geological sights in the country. It was the first geyser known to Europeans.

The Great Geysir is not the only famous geyser in the Geysir hot spring area – there’s also Strokkur, which erupts every few minutes and reaches heights of up to 40 meters.

As the Geysir geothermal area is a very popular tourist attraction, it’s recommended to book your Geysir Hot Springs tour ahead of time.

BOOK NOW: GOLDEN CIRCLE TOUR WITH GEYSIR

HOW FAR IS GEYSIR FROM REYKJAVIK?

Geysir is located approximately 100 kilometers east of Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland.

It is part of the Haukadalur Valley geothermal area and is known for its impressive hot springs and geysers.

HOW OFTEN DOES GEYSIR STROKKUR ERUPT?

Geysir, which gave the name to the smaller ponds around, is not active anymore. However, Strokkur is.

Strokkur Geysir is Iceland’s most active geyser and one of the three major attractions on the Golden Circle sightseeing route.

It consistently gives spectacular eruptions that occur every 5 to 10 minutes.

IS IT SAFE TO VISIT THE GEYSIR GEOTHERMAL AREA?

Absolutely, visiting the Iceland Geysir is very safe, however, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First of all, always stay on the designated trails or pathways while exploring the area. This will help you avoid any potential hazards such as boiling water or steam vents that could cause serious injury.

Additionally, make sure you keep a good distance from any of the active geysers and hot springs – these can become very hot and unpredictable at times.

There are designated areas around the geysers and you’ll want to stay within those for safety reasons.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HOT SPRING & A GEYSER?

A hot spring is a pool of water that is heated by the Earth’s internal heat, usually located near volcanoes or other areas of high geothermal activity.

The water in these pools is typically warm to the touch and can reach temperatures up to 50°C.

Geysers, on the other hand, are hot springs that periodically erupt with water and steam. These eruptions occur when pressure builds up beneath the surface due to heated groundwater and eventually forces its way out.

WHAT TO PACK FOR ICELAND

When visiting Iceland, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

SUMMARY – GEYSIR ICELAND

In conclusion, visiting the Geysir Hot Springs is a must-do when visiting Iceland.

With its unique geothermal activity and stunning views, it’s easy to see why this area is one of the most popular attractions on Iceland’s Golden Circle, so make sure to include it in your itinerary!

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

THANKS FOR READING

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