Þingvellir National Park
Thingvellir National Park · Southwest Iceland (Golden Circle)
The site where Icelanders founded their parliament, the Althing, in 930 — one of the oldest surviving parliaments in the world.
Know before you go
- Don't leave the paths in the national park — the moss and lava landscapes are extremely fragile
- diving in the fissure requires certification and advance booking.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
A day and a night thinking under a blanket
In 999 or 1000, Iceland's parliament, the Althing, was deadlocked over whether to follow Norse paganism or Christianity. The Christian side's lawspeaker left the decision to the pagan chieftain Þorgeir. He covered himself with a fur cloak and thought silently for a day and a night, then announced that Iceland would convert to Christianity, averting a possible civil war. Legend says that on returning home he threw his statues of the Norse gods into a waterfall, which is why it's called 'Goðafoss', the waterfall of the gods.
Source: Wikipedia: Torgeir
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
In 930 Iceland's free farmers founded the Althing here, reading out the laws each summer at the Law Rock — a symbol of Iceland's thousand-year spirit of independence. The parliament plains sit on the rift between the North American and Eurasian plates, which are pulling apart by centimetres a year, so geological wonder and human history share the same frame.
Local customs
- Icelanders regard this as a national sanctuary, and national days and major commemorations are often held here
- visitors walk quietly along the paths of the old assembly site, while divers come to snorkel between two continental plates in the Silfra fissure.
Religion & beliefs
- In 1000 the Althing met here and voted to adopt Christianity, ending the standoff between the old gods and the new faith
- today the site has a 19th-century church, and the tradition of religious tolerance continues.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Iceland: headlights on all year when driving
- Keep dipped headlights on all year, fit suitable tyres in winter and keep to the speed limit
- Drink-driving (Iceland's limit is stricter than the UK's)
Breaking traffic rules brings heavy fines.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Iceland travel advice
Iceland: keep away from waves, cliff edges and hot-spring vents
- Stay behind warning lines and tell your hotel your plans or register them with Safe Travel Iceland
- Going near waves, cliff edges and geothermal vents
These are the most common causes of accidents in Iceland.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Iceland travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Don't leave the paths in the national park — the moss and lava landscapes are extremely fragile
- diving in the fissure requires certification and advance booking.
Locals appreciate DO
Locals like to bring their children here for a 'history lesson', using the geological wonders as a classroom of national pride.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- It is about 40 minutes' drive from Reykjavík and the first stop on the Golden Circle
- the park is free, and a visit takes about 2–3 hours
- it's windy and cold, so bring windproof clothing.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
There's no regular food in the park, only the visitor-centre café (sandwiches, soup, coffee; seasonal opening)
Must-try
- Rye-bread sandwiches
- Lamb soup
- Simple meals at the visitor centre
Bring your own: rye-bread sandwiches, lamb soup in a flask, chocolate
| Where to eat | The Þingvellir visitor-centre café; back in Reykjavík or Selfoss for restaurants |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Leave no trace in the national park; no open fires outside designated picnic areas (follow the signs); don't feed wildlife |
| Typical price per person | Café CNY 103–171 (ISK 1,800–3,000) |
| Tips | Golden Circle day tours mostly stop for lunch at farms or tomato-greenhouse restaurants along the way (around Friðheimar) — check in advance whether lunch is included. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
The blanz · CC BY-SA 3.0
Photos
Photos
Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
Balou46 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Jakub Hałun · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sources & verification notes
More in Islands & Polar Regions
Also nearby
Lake Tekapo Dark Sky Reserve
An international dark-sky reserve in the southern hemisphere: the Milky Way and aurora australis above the Church of the Good Shepherd.
Arctic Village, Mohe
China's northernmost city and village, the coldest place in the country in winter; the aurora is occasionally visible, but chances are slim.
Fairbanks
A gold-rush town where the aurora is visible on more than 200 nights a year on average.