Thingvellir National Park is a popular place to visit by both locals and tourists alike. Located conveniently close to the main road, one can easily choose to make it a full-day trip or a stop on-route.
But Thingvellir is much more than just a reserve with nice scenery. Thingvellir has a rich history, and you’ll find plenty of once-in-a-lifetime things to do and see here in the park. If you’ve got an upcoming trip to the island or would just like to know more about Thingvellir National Park –this article is for you.
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir is one of three national parks in Iceland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park can be found near Selfoss, just east of the capital city of Reykjavik (about 49 kilometers). The park is roughly 240 square kilometers big and is one of the oldest reserves here on the island.
The area has essentially been protected since the Thingvellir Conservation Act was enforced in 1928. Thingvellir National Park is one of the first stops when taking the Ring Road around the island, so whilst many make Thingvellir a day outing, most make it a stop along their Ring Road road trip.
How to Write and Spell Thingvellir
There’s a very good reason why most refer to the park as Thingvellir. Firstly, in Icelandic, Thingvellir is written as þingvellir, and unless you’ve got your hands on a Nordic computer somewhere, these special symbols are a schlepp when it comes to writing.
Secondly, do you know how to pronounce þingvellir? That’s why most, whether an Icelander or not, write the name as you would pronounce it; Thingvellir.
The Story Behind Thingvellir
Thingvellir’s story didn’t start with the Thingvellir Conservation Act in 1928. No, this site has been a pretty revered spot since the year 930! The word Thingvellir actually translates to ‘assembly point’, which is befitting its origin story. You see, in 930, an Althing (aka parliament) was founded here.
This would not only be Iceland’s first parliament but the entire world! This parliament convened in the fields of the river Oxara ‘till 1798, so a staggering 868 years! Throughout these centuries, the parliament discussed and made decisions on various important topics, one of which was for the island to officially convert to the Christian faith in the year 1000.
Most believe that many of the old parliamentary ruins will still be found underneath the ground if one was to start excavating (but please don’t try – it is a conservation area, after all).
The Best Things to Do at Thingvellir National Park
As we already touched on, Thingvellir has many interesting things to see and do, hence why we recommend that you stay over for at least a couple of nights to experience it all. A few of the things that you can consider adding to your trip itinerary include:
Dive or Snorkel the Silfra Fissure
Iceland’s continental divide can be found in Thingvellir and is probably one of the island’s most well-known and popular places to visit. This divide is caused by Iceland’s tectonic plates. The Silfra Fissure is the tear in the earth that can be seen due to the activity of these tectonic plates.
The tear (aka fissure) is the spot where the North American Plate and the Eurasian Plate push apart. This tear is now filled with the purest of glacial water. By going snorkeling or diving in the Silfra Fissure, you will essentially be between two continents. This fact alone makes it a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will result in memories for a lifetime, but the glacial water also makes this one of the few places where visibility is not an issue.
In fact, you can see up to 120 meters ahead of you whilst in the water. It is important to remember, though, that whilst snorkeling the Silfra is open to all, diving will require a valid diving license and sufficient experience. It might also sound counterintuitive, but since the glacial water will always require you to dive in a dry suit between the tectonic plates at Thingvellir, the Silfra is open all year round, irrespective of the season.
Check Out Thingvellir Church
Calling all history lovers, architect fans, and photographers! Thingvellir Church is not to be missed if you fall into any of these categories. This picturesque church, with its white exterior, green decal, and black roof, is one of the oldest here on the island.
If you’re lucky, you can actually catch the church open, but this is a rare occasion. You can inquire at the national park’s visitor center. As a (creepy) bonus, there’s also an old cemetery there that you can check out.
Visit Oxarafoss Waterfall
What makes Oxarafoss one of our most interesting waterfalls here in Iceland (and we have 10 000 of them!) is that this one is man-made. It’s not one of our biggest waterfalls, but it definitely is incredibly beautiful and worth taking a snapshot or two.
The waterfall tumbles over the cliffs, surrounded by lush green grass and moss-covered rocks. To get to Oxarafoss Waterfall, you will need to take a short hike, but it’s a super easy trail, suitable for all ages and experience levels, and won’t take you longer than 10 minutes.
Check Out the Biggest Lake in Iceland
Thingvallavatn Lake doesn’t just hold this impressive title but also offers impressive views across the Icelandic landscape, allows those exploring the park to stretch their legs, and is also a much-loved fishing spot. Whether as a rest stop, an outing, or a photo opp – Thingvallavatn Lake is always a good option.
How to Get to Thingvellir National Park
Getting to Thingvellir National Park is easy, and most pick one of two ways:
Via Guided Tour
There are many tour options one can take to Thingvellir National Park, most kicking off from Reykjavik since it’s so close. You can opt to go on a day tour or a multi-day holiday package tour that includes Thingvellir as an attraction along the way. These tours are led by knowledgeable and experienced guides that will give you much better insight into the area than the average guidebook.
Via Car
You can choose to rent a car and either take a day trip or go on a road trip and include Thingvellir as a stop along the way. Driving to Thingvellir is incredibly simple; just get on the Ring Road and drive north. Take Route 36 through Mosfellsbaer, which will literally take you straight to the Thingvellir parking lot.
Where to Stay Near Thingvellir National Park
There are accommodation around Thingvellir National Park that will suit all sorts and all budgets. You can choose to go camping, a favorite activity during the warmer months, and a good way to keep accommodation costs low.
The best place to camp is at Thingvellir itself at the Thingvellir Campgrounds. You can also opt for comfortable yet budget-friendly accommodation options such as the Lake Thingvellir Cottages. Or you can go full-out luxury with hotels such as Borealis Hotel and Hotel South Coast.
Thingvellir National Park: a Must-Visit Site on Any Iceland Trip
Thingvellir National Park holds something of interest to everyone. You can travel back in time and be astounded by the history of the area, or you can take part in some of Thingvellir’s favorite outdoor activities, such as snorkeling the Silfra or going hiking.
Or you can just marvel at the breathtaking scenery and natural wonders such as Oxarfoss Waterfall. But whatever your preference, Thingvellir is not to be missed! Give us a shout if you need any advice or help planning your trip.
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