What to do and see in Þingvellir?

Þingvellir is a must see if you are ever in Iceland. It's a part of the Golden Circle, oldest national park in Iceland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site so this place is of great importance.

Þingvellir has a long story behind it and it's a special place for all Icelanders. In the year 930 AD, Viking settlers established the Alþingi, one of the oldest parliamentary institutions in the world. Leaders gathered annually at Lögberg (Law Rock) to make laws, settle disputes, and shape the future of the young nation.

So if you find yourself in Þingvellir what can you see or do?

A Walk Between Continents
Did you know that in Þingvellir you can walk between two continents. The park sits on the boundary of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, which are slowly drifting apart. In Almannagjá you can walk along the edge of a tectonic plate while seeing the other one across from it. It’s not every day you stroll through a place where the Earth is actively pulling itself apart.

Öxarárfoss waterfall
The Öxarár waterfall is 1.6 km away from the parking area. Öxarárfoss flows from the Öxará River, cascading over dark basalt rock formations into a rocky pool below. What makes it especially interesting is that the river’s path was partly altered by humans centuries ago, made to provide water for the ancient Alþingi assembly nearby. 

Lake Þingvallavatn
Lake Þingvallavatn is the largest lake in Iceland and it stretches all over the Þingvellir area. It Covers an area of 84 square kilometres (32 square miles) and is 114 metres (374 feet) deep. There are four morphs of Arctic Char that inhabit the lake. The Artic Char has fit and adapt to the lake over ten thousand of years. One species of Char has transformed into four different-sub branches. Other fish in the lake include the Brown Trout and the Three-Spine Stickleback.

Þingvallakirkja (church of Þingvellir)
​Þingvallakirkja was build in 1898 and stands In the historic assembly site in Þingvellir. According to the saga's, the church has been standing at Þingvellir since the year 1017, around 17 years after Iceland's convertion to christianity by law. Þingvallakirkja is open to visitors from June 1 to August 31, provided a park ranger is present. During winter, the church is generally closed, except when services are held at irregular times.

Drekkingarhylur
​​Drekkingarhylur was an execution site in the river Öxará at Þingvellir. It is located right by the bridge, where the river flows east out of Almannagjá. In Drekkingarhylur, women were drowned for “secret crimes” and incest. This was after the adoption of Christianity in the year 1000 and after capital punishment was introduced into Icelandic law in later centuries. An informational sign at the ''pool'' states that 18 women were drowned there, the first in 1618 and last in 1749. The names of the women are listed, and their crimes were most often related to illicit childbirth, sexual offenses, or witchcraft.

Skógarhólar
Skógarhólar is a facility for equestrians run by the Icelandic Equestrian Association in agreement with Þingvellir National Park. The Icelandic Equestrian National Championships have been held four times at Skógarhólar, first in 1958. Now it is used by Icelandic horse riders who want to go out of the city and ride out in Þingvellir. There is also 5 fields to put horses in and a community housing with sleeping area for up to 16 people. 

Snorkeling Between Continents
​If you are the adventure type and want to dive between two tectonic plate you can do that in Þingvellir. The water comes from glacial melt that has been filtered through lava rock for decades, resulting in visibility often exceeding 100 meters. Floating between continents, surrounded by some of the clearest water on Earth, gives you a rare sense of both scale and stillness. 

Hiking in Þingvellir area
Þingvellir has a lot of hiking trails to choose from. The paths are well-marked and generally easy, making Þingvellir perfect for casual walkers or experienced hikers. You don’t need to go far to experience something extraordinary. Outside the ancient assembly site most of the hiking paths are associated with the abandoned farms of Hrauntún, Skógarkot and Vatnskot, remains of which can still be seen. 

Fishing in Þingvalla lake
Are you a fisherman and want to try fishing in a historical site? Lake Þingvallavatn is a popular place to go angling. In the lake you can find Artic Char and Brown Trout. The angling season is from April 20 - September 15, and you need to buy a day licence and fishing card. 

Horse riding in Þingvellir
We offer horse riding tours for experienced riders around and in the park. This tour takes you straight into the Rift Valley at Þingvellir. While riding on secluded lava and birch lined trails in between the North American and Eurasian continental plates you will get a magnificient insight into the fascinating geology and history of Iceland! Imagine tölting on our soft and gentle horses through lava fields, over highland plateaus and along lovely lake shores as you will discover the wonderful natural wonders of the South. On this tour we offer a special lunch on each day out in nature with our horses.

​Explore the ancient parliamentary place which is the birthplace of the Icelandic Nation. Included are visits to Geysir hot spring, the Golden Waterfall Gullfoss and to the geothermal Fontana SPA is where you can sweat in the steam of a natural hot spring and jump into Lake Laugarvatn to cool off!  

​Find out more here: https://www.exploringiceland.is/riding-the-rift-valley.html

Þingvellir is so much more than just one place. There is so much to explore and to see and you are surrounded by nature and history all in one place. 

You come for the geology, stay for the history, and leave with loads of pictures.

If you are planning a trip to Iceland and want to visit þingvellir (or any other place) you can contact us via [email protected] and we can create an adventure for you.