Golden Circle: Secret Lagoon, Tomato Farm & Small Group Tour

4.90

(484 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The day didn’t start quite as planned — I realized halfway to Þingvellir that I’d forgotten my towel for the Secret Lagoon. Our guide, Sigrún, just grinned and said not to worry, “They rent them out — happens all the time.” That little moment kind of set the tone: easygoing, not too precious. At Þingvellir, she pointed out where the earth literally splits under your feet. The wind was sharp but not mean, and you could smell wet moss everywhere. I tried to imagine what it was like when people gathered here a thousand years ago, but honestly, my mind kept drifting back to how the ground felt weirdly springy under my boots.

At Geysir, there was this hush right before Strokkur erupted — everyone holding their breath. It’s funny how something so famous can still catch you off guard. The spray hit my face (cold!) and then someone next to me laughed because I flinched. Gullfoss came next; it’s loud enough that you have to lean in close if you want to hear anyone talk. Sigrún told us about Langjökull glacier off in the distance — you could just make out its edge through a thin veil of mist. I didn’t expect the light there to feel so blue.

Icelandic tomato soup at Friðheimar was a surprise highlight — sweet and almost floral from the geothermal greenhouse warmth. We sat around long tables with bowls steaming up our glasses while one of the staff explained how they grow everything using hot spring water. She had this dry humor about Icelanders loving tomatoes more than sunshine. After that, we finally made it to the Secret Lagoon. The steam rising off the water smelled faintly of minerals — not unpleasant, just earthy and honest. Locals chatted quietly in Icelandic at one end; I floated on my back watching clouds roll by and thought about nothing for once.