Horse Riding & The Golden Circle

Combine two Iceland essentials in one well-paced day: a guided Icelandic horse ride at Eldhestar, followed by the classic Golden Circle highlights of Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.

Start the day on horseback at Eldhestar (near Hveragerði)

Your adventure begins at the Eldhestar riding centre, where you’ll meet your guide, get fitted with a protective helmet, and head out for a guided ride through the countryside. The riding tour lasts around 1.5–2 hours and is designed to be enjoyable for first-time riders as well as experienced horse lovers.

Icelandic horses are famous for their friendly nature and unique gaits, including the smooth tölt (and, in some cases, the flying pace). Your guide will introduce you to the horses and share what makes this breed so special in Iceland.

Vellir Farm: a comfortable base with a strong horse-first focus

Eldhestar’s home base at Vellir has been developed over the years with both guests and horse welfare in mind. Eldhestar notes that Vellir has added new stable facilities, a riding hall, expanded restaurant areas and additional rooms, creating a practical, well-equipped setting for year-round riding operations and guest comfort.

Lunch at Vellir / Hotel Eldhestar

After your ride, you’ll enjoy a light lunch at Vellir (Hotel Eldhestar), a welcome recharge before the sightseeing part of the day.

The Golden Circle: Iceland’s big three

In the afternoon, you’ll explore the Golden Circle route:

• Geysir geothermal area: see Strokkur erupt and feel the landscape steam with geothermal energy.
• Gullfoss waterfall: one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls, plunging into a dramatic canyon below.
• Þingvellir National Park (UNESCO): walk through the rift valley where tectonic plates meet, in one of Iceland’s most important historic landscapes.

With pickup available from Reykjavík and an easy overall difficulty level, this tour is a great choice if you want a hands-on Icelandic horse experience plus the most iconic sights in one day.