Golden Circle · Iceland
Thingvellir
Þingvellir is about 45 minutes from Reykjavík on Route 36 — a UNESCO site, and the place where the Alþingi, the world’s oldest parliament, first met in 930. It is also where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart: the Almannagjá gorge is the visible edge of that split, and you walk along the bottom of it.
I walked the gorge, hiked on a bit further, and stayed at the campsite here. It was good — but like Dettifoss, it does not quite keep pace with the rest of what Iceland puts in front of you. And the gorge was busy: that stretch between the plates is where every coach stops, so you are rarely alone in it.
My rating
Scale 1–5. On Cost, 1 means free and 5 means pricey. On Crowd level, 1 means near-solitude and 5 means tour-bus central.
Three out of five, measured against the rest of Iceland rather than against national parks in general. The gorge is good and the history sits on top of it, but this is a place you read more than you look at.
Thingvellir is easily reached by car via Route 36, with multiple parking options near major attractions. Well-maintained paths and boardwalks provide accessible routes for most visitors, though some more rugged trails require sturdy footwear. Facilities include a visitor center with information, restrooms, and a café
Entry to the park is free. Parking is 1,000 ISK for a car with up to five seats and 1,200 ISK for six to nine seats, and one payment covers all the main car parks for the whole day. Checked August 2026.
As a key stop on the popular Golden Circle, Thingvellir attracts many visitors year-round, especially in summer. Early arrivals or off-season visits offer a quieter experience, with ample space to explore the broad park.
Before you go
Planning your own Ring Road trip?
Iceland Ring Road Campervan Guide
My full 14-day route — roughly 2,500 km, every campsite I used, what I actually spent, and the stops worth the detour. The plan I drove, in one PDF.
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How I booked my campervan
I compared three rentals before I chose mine. These are the ones worth checking — Lava gives 5% off with code CREATOR.