5 Must-Visit Geysers in Iceland

Of course, first on our list is the mother of all geysers: the Great Geysir, or simply Geysir. The name comes from the Icelandic verb geysa, meaning to gush — and that’s exactly what it does! This incredible geyser is known to shoot boiling water up to 70 meters into the air. Just 20 meters into Geysir’s feeder channel, you would find water reaching a temperature of nearly 125 ºC! It's no wonder that many people tour Geysir in Iceland as part of the Nordic adventure.

Location: Haukadalur Valley, Southwestern Iceland

How to get there: Haukadalur is on Iceland’s famous Golden Circle route, and can be seen as part of many popular tours. Alternatively, you can rent a car from Reykjavik for an approximate 90-minute drive. 

The Great Geysir facts:

• Geysir was the first geyser discovered in Europe and has been attracting travelers since the 1800’s.
• The Great Geysir is currently dormant. It last erupted in 2016, and before that, in 2000.
• Eruptions from the Great Geysir are infrequent and, throughout history, have been known to stop altogether for years at a time. It tends to become more active following earthquakes.
• This geyser’s highest recorded eruption height is 170 meters, occurring in 1845.
  

Strokkur is often considered the most famous geyser in Iceland (after Geysir) due to its reliable eruptions. Strokkur expels steaming hot water every 8 to 10 minutes, so you will see it erupt several timeon your visit. Stand by and watch the water gurgle and boil right before it surges upwards.

Location: Haukadalur Valley, Southwestern Iceland

How to get there: Strokkur is just a quick minute’s drive or a four-minute walk from Geysir. Most Golden Circle tours make a stop at Strokkur, more than long enough to see it in action.

Strokkur facts:

• The surrounding Haukadalur Valley area is full of other geological delights, from mud pools to fumaroles, which are openings in the Earth’s crust where steam and gasses are emitted.
• Strokkur stopped erupting for a time after an earthquake in the early 20th century. In 1963, a blocked conduit was cleaned out, and this geyser has been erupting since.
• ‘Strokkur’ is the Icelandic word for ‘churn.’
• Strokkur attracts a lot of visitors because it erupts every 8–10 minutes.

Known as the “Secret Lagoon”, Gamla Laugin’s geothermal water spouts from a small geyser and is better known for its hot springs rather than its geyser. This large pool is perfect for swimming in, with temperatures of 38–40 ̊C (already sounds like an incredibly relaxing day out). The warm water will help you fight the cold. Visit during the winter months for a chance to see the Northern Lights. Read our When and Where to see Northern Lights in Iceland article for more information.

Location: Just outside the village of Fludir near Geysir  

How to get there: It may be a “secret” lagoon, but some tours do offer transfer from Reykjavik, giving you around five hours to float around in its waters. Otherwise, it’s just over an hour’s drive from the capital city.

Gamla Laugin Facts:

• The geyser at Gamla Laugin is quite small, but erupts every five minutes or so.
• Fludir is in the Golden Circle area, so you can visit the secret lagoon after experiencing Geysir and Strokkur.

Though seemingly insignificant when compared to its neighbouring Strokkur, the Litli Geysir is worth seeing just because of its adorably small size. Constantly bubbling away, Litli Geysir (literally ‘small geyser’) proves that you don’t have to be big to be interesting.

Location: Haukadalur Valley, Southwestern Iceland

How to get there: This little guy can be found just around the corner from Strokkur

Litli Geyser Facts:

• Litli Geysir did once erupt, as shown in some photos dating from circa 1900.
• Right next to Litli Geysir you can find Seidir, one of Haukadalur area’s main springs.

If seeing these geysers up close and personal isn’t enough for you, drop by the Geysir Centre (or Geysirstofa in Icelandic). Just across the road from Geysir, Strokkur and Litli Geysir, this museum can be found within Hotel Geysir. Pop in for a geyser multimedia show, along with fascinating information on ice caves, volcanos and the aurora borealis in Iceland.

Hveravellir in North Iceland, not to be confused with its namesake in the central highlands, is a testament to Iceland's rich geothermal history. Once home to some of the most impressive geysers in the country, this area offers a glimpse into the past glory of Iceland's geothermal wonders. While visitors can no longer witness the grand eruptions of North Iceland’s most famous geyser of the past, Uxahver, or other geysers such as Syðstihver, they can witness how this area has developed into a center for the greenhouse industry, utilizing geothermal energy. A fountain-type geyser, Ystihver, remains uncovered and is among the major visible geothermal features in the area today.

Location: North Iceland, about 32 km (19 miles) from Lake Mývatn on road 87 towards Húsavík
How to get there: Follow road 87 from Lake Mývatn towards Húsavík. The site is visible from a distance due to its pyramidal cistern roofs and steam plumes.

Hveravellir Facts:

• The area was once home to three notable geysers: Ystihver, Uxahver, and Syðstihver.
• Uxahver was the most important geyser in North Iceland during the 19th century. It erupted from a huge 2.5 x 3.5 meters sinter cone, reaching heights of up to 9 meters (30 feet).
• Uxahver and Syðstihver were covered by concrete cistern roofs in 1970 for industrial use.

Geysers in Iceland are a nature lover’s treat! If you have always wanted to see a geyser in action, Iceland is surely the place for you. Though many of its geysers no longer erupt, hot springs in Iceland are full of the same warm (or very hot) geothermal waters that spout from these vents in the Earth’s surface. 

Iceland offers activities for every age and interest to keep backpackers, families, and adventure seekers happy. Want to plan an itinerary for your Icelandic adventure from scratch? Fill out our Iceland customized trips form. For more information, read our Iceland travel guide.