I’ve been receiving a number of inquiries about Iceland lately, so I want to dedicate a post to a beautiful and easy-to-reach park that’s near Reykjavík.
Thingvellir National Park – also known as Þingvellir National Park – is a beautiful area that is home to the largest lake in Iceland and also features a wide variety of trails to explore. Visitors can even walk between two continents and snorkel or scuba dive in the Silfra fissure, which is a crack between the Eurasian and North American continents.
Thingvellir National Park is Beautiful Year-Round
I’ve visited this park multiple times throughout both winter and summer, and it’s always been gorgeous.
If you are more of a tame adventurer and prefer to not venture far away from your car, have no fear! There are plenty of beautiful overlooks to park your car at around Thingvellir. This will allow you to view the beautiful park with ease.
Ample Parking, Clean Restrooms & A Gift Shop/Educational Center
There are also facilities available, making Thingvellir a great place for travelers to stretch their legs and recharge. The bathrooms are very clean and even offer a stunning view of the landscape. It’s about $2.00 USD to use the restrooms at this park, and machines by the restrooms take most credit cards.*Updated* Visitors must now pay to park here. The price is about $3.80 USD, credit cards accepted.
Bathrooms at Thingvellir
In addition to the clean restrooms, there’s a nice gift shop and educational center by the main parking lot. Inside, you can learn about the park’s history, buy souvenirs, and even enjoy some hot cocoa!
You Can Stop at Thingvellir National Park When on the Way to Other Famous Sights
Plus, Thingvellir is only a 40-ish minute drive from Reykjavík and is easy to find! It’s also on the way to Gullfoss and the geysirs, making it a convenient stop.
Winter Warning: It Gets Very Cold & Windy at This Park
Also, please be aware that in the winter months, this park gets very, very cold. When I visited Thingvellir National Park in winter, it was below freezing, and the wind was ripping. So, I highly recommend bringing gloves and proper protection for your head, neck, and even face. At times, I had to wear my buff to keep my face protected from the wind. To read more about my suggestions of how to dress in Iceland during winter, please visit my article about Iceland in December.
Seeing the Northern Lights at Thingvellir National Park
Yep, you can totally spot the Northern Lights at this awesome park! I had the honor of doing so one winter, and I wrote about it in my blog post: Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Because of its beauty, well-maintained facilities, and proximity to Reykjavík, Thingvellir National Park is high up on my list of must-see destinations in Iceland.
Get in Touch
If you decide to visit Thingvellir National Park while in Iceland, feel free to connect with me on Instagram at EmilyKeenPhotography to let me know what your experience was like! Or, you can email me at emilykeenphotography@gmail.com. If you are planning a trip to Iceland, don’t forget to check out some of my other Iceland-related posts, like Arriving in Iceland Early in the Morning? Here’s What You Need to Know.
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