Golden Circle from Reykjavík: will you get there before dark?
Short answer: 6 Nov 2026: Þingvellir National Park at 09:45 (Morning departure): in daylight. Sun up 09:26–16:52.
The shortest of Iceland's classic day tours, but in midwinter the first stop at Þingvellir is usually before sunrise.
Fri 6 November 2026
Key stops in daylight
Þingvellir National Park at 09:45 (Morning departure): in daylight. Sun up 09:26–16:52.
Morning departure ✓
Leaves Reykjavík about 08:30. Find this tour
| Stop | Arrive | Light |
|---|---|---|
| Þingvellir National Park (main stop) | 60 min | Sun up, but low Sunrise 09:26 · sunset 16:52 |
| Geysir (Strokkur) | 60 min | Daylight the whole visit Sunrise 09:23 · sunset 16:49 |
| Gullfoss (main stop) | 45 min | Daylight the whole visit Sunrise 09:23 · sunset 16:48 |
| Kerið crater | 30 min | Daylight the whole visit Sunrise 09:24 · sunset 16:53 |
Late-morning departure ✓
Small-group tours leaving around 10:30 to 11:00. Find this tour
| Stop | Arrive | Light |
|---|---|---|
| Þingvellir National Park (main stop) | 60 min | Daylight the whole visit Sunrise 09:26 · sunset 16:52 |
| Geysir (Strokkur) | 50 min | Daylight the whole visit Sunrise 09:23 · sunset 16:49 |
| Gullfoss (main stop) | 40 min | Sun up, but low Sunrise 09:23 · sunset 16:48 |
Arrival times are typical for these tours; change them to match your booking and the light updates.
Book the right version
Itineraries differ between operators and change with the season, so check the stop times on the booking page and enter them above.
Through the year (main stops)
| 15th of | Morning departure | Late-morning departure |
|---|---|---|
| January | Mostly dark | In daylight |
| February | In daylight | In daylight |
| March | In daylight | In daylight |
| April | In daylight | In daylight |
| May | In daylight | In daylight |
| June | In daylight | In daylight |
| July | In daylight | In daylight |
| August | In daylight | In daylight |
| September | In daylight | In daylight |
| October | In daylight | In daylight |
| November | Partly in daylight | In daylight |
| December | Mostly dark | In daylight |
Winter months
Questions
Will it be dark at Þingvellir National Park and Gullfoss on the Golden Circle tour in December?
On 15 December 2026: Þingvellir National Park at 09:45 (Morning departure): twilight only, the sun is down. Sun up 11:17–15:26. The "Late-morning departure" version keeps it in daylight.
In which months does the Golden Circle tour reach Þingvellir National Park and Gullfoss after dark?
With the usual "Morning departure" timing, January, November and December (checked on the 15th of each month). From spring to early autumn every stop is in daylight.
Which Golden Circle tour should I book in winter?
In December, "Late-morning departure" (in daylight at the main stops). Check the itinerary on the booking page and enter its times above.
How do you work out whether a stop is in daylight?
For each stop we calculate the sun's height above the horizon every 5 minutes of the visit, at that stop's own location and on your date. "In daylight" means the sun is up for the whole visit; twilight means the sun has set but the sky is still light. Mountains and cloud make it darker earlier than the calculation shows.
Sunrise and sunset are calculated for each stop's coordinates and are accurate to about 2 minutes. Arrival times are typical for these tours as listed in 2026; traffic, weather and the operator's own timetable decide the real ones. Times are local (Atlantic/Reykjavik).