Thingvellir National Park Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Thingvellir National Park. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Small-Group Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon With Ticket & Kerid Crater

• Silfra: Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates - Meet on Location

• Golden Circle With Kerid Volcanic Crater Day Tour From Reykjavik

• Silfra: Diving Between Tectonic Plates - Meet on Location

• Golden Circle, Volcano Crater and Blue Lagoon Small-Group Tour

While Thingvellir National Park is free to visit, you will pay around 1,000 kronur for parking. Additionally, the Visitor Center hosts paid exhibitions that cost 1,200 kronur for adults, with discounts for seniors and students and free entry for kids. Streamlined park tours start at US$76 per person.

Yes, Thingvellir National Park is worth visiting. The site of the world's first parliament—and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site—Thingvellir is an essential stop on the popular Golden Circle sightseeing route, alongside Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir geothermal area. It's also known for its dramatic landscapes; its Silfra fissure is where two tectonic plates divide, and you can go diving there. In lieu of arranging a trip yourself, book a tour as most include transit and make for a seamless way to explore.

Per one customer who booked the Small-Group Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon With Ticket & Kerid Crater, "A great experience. Well paced and saw some truly beautiful sights. Christina was prompt, communicative and knowledgeable. Would really recommend."

The top attractions in Thingvellir National Park include Almannagjá Gorge, a prominent fissure that offers a glimpse into the geological forces shaping Iceland; Öxarárfoss Waterfall, which lies on the Öxará River and is accessible via a scenic walking trail; and Silfra Fissure, a unique site where visitors can snorkel or dive between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Yes, you can snorkel and dive in the Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park. Silfra is a unique and popular diving site because it is the only place in the world where you can swim directly between two tectonic plates—you can even reach out and touch the North American and Eurasian plates at the same time. Multiple tour operators offer snorkeling and diving tours, complete with equipment and wetsuits.

Thingvellir National Park is around 31 miles (50 kilometers) east of Reykjavik, and the drive typically takes under an hour. If you don’t have your own wheels, you can join a guided tour to Thingvellir; or book a longer Golden Circle tour, as those always stop at Thingvellir.

Thingvellir is historically special because it was the original site of the country’s first parliament—in Old Icelandic, “Thing” means “assembly” and “völlur” means “field.” The park is a great place to learn about Icelandic culture and nature. Thingvellir is special as it is one of the few places in the world where you can walk (or swim) between two tectonic plates.

The best time to visit Thingvellir is summer when long daylight hours and warmer weather provide optimal conditions for exploring. However, as it is one of the most visited places in Iceland, Thingvellir can get crowded during the summer months. In July and August, be sure to visit first thing in the morning or later in the evening to dodge the biggest crowds.

Yes, camping is allowed in Thingvellir, but only in the five designated campsites. Nyrdri-Leirar campground, by the national park service center, is open year-round, while the other campgrounds are limited to the summer months. Nyrðri-Leirar and Syðri-Leirar campgrounds are suitable for both tents and campers, while Vatnskot, Fagrabrekka, and Hvannabrekka are for tents only.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Thingvellir National Park. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Reykjavik:

• Blue Lagoon

• Gullfoss

• Vatnajokull National Park

• Skógafoss

• Seljalandsfoss

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Reykjavik.