Strokkur erupting a tall white column of water and steam in front of a hill under a cloudy blue sky

Nature · Haukadalur, Bláskógabyggð, South Region

Geysir & Strokkur

Haukadalur hot spring area, home of the Great Geysir and the regularly erupting Strokkur

Photo: Zack Yeo (@zackyeo) / Unsplash

Discover Geysir & Strokkur

Few places show the heat beneath Iceland as vividly as Haukadalur. Steam drifts across a hillside of mineral-crusted ground, pools of blue water bubble and hiss, and every few minutes Strokkur swells into a dome of water before bursting skywards.

The Great Geysir itself, which lent its name to geysers around the world, is rarely active these days, but its smaller neighbour more than makes up for it. Visitors gather around the roped-off edge, cameras ready, and the eruption almost always arrives sooner than expected.

Around the main geysers, marked paths lead past smaller springs, steaming vents and ground stained yellow, orange and white by minerals. The whole field sits at the foot of the low hill Laugarfell, and the visit can be as short as half an hour or stretched out over a leisurely morning between the other Golden Circle stops.

Don’t miss

01Strokkur, erupting in powerful bursts up to about 30 m high
02The Great Geysir, the historic geyser that gave its name to all others
03Blue hot springs such as Konungshver and Blesi
04Mineral crusts, steam vents and mud pots along the paths
05Views from Laugarfell hill above the geothermal field

History & culture

The story of Geysir & Strokkur

Geysir has been known for centuries, and its name entered many languages as the general word for an erupting hot spring. Its activity has varied over time, often stirred by earthquakes in South Iceland; according to the Environment Agency of Iceland it became active again for a while after the earthquakes of 2000 but has been largely dormant since.

Strokkur, close by, has become the main attraction because it erupts at regular intervals. The surrounding area was protected as a natural monument on 17 June 2020, Iceland's National Day, to preserve its geological formations, hot springs, micro-organisms and vegetation.

Local life & traditions

Haukadalur has long been a place of pilgrimage for travellers to Iceland, and the so-called king's stones recall visits by three Danish kings. Today the area is part of a farming community, and the geothermal water of the wider region heats homes, pools and greenhouses.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Follow the marked paths through the geothermal field and wait at Strokkur for at least a couple of eruptions; the moment the water bulges before it bursts is the one to watch. Stand on the upwind side to avoid being soaked by hot spray. A short climb up Laugarfell gives a view over the whole area.

The site is usually combined with Þingvellir and Gullfoss on a Golden Circle day, and Gullfoss is only about ten minutes' drive further on.

When to go

Strokkur erupts throughout the year, so any season works. Summer has the longest days and the most visitors, while winter steam rising against snow makes a striking sight, although paths can be icy. Visit early or late in the day to avoid the busiest periods.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Protection: The Geysir area was protected as a natural monument on 17 June 2020 and covers about 1.2 km². Source: co2.ust.is ↗
Strokkur: Erupts in short, powerful bursts up to about 30 m; Visit Iceland gives an interval of every 8-10 minutes. Source: visiticeland.com ↗
Safety: Visit Iceland advises staying on the designated paths and standing on the upwind side of Strokkur. Source: visiticeland.com ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Never touch the water or step off the paths; the springs are boiling hot and the crust can be thin.
Keep an eye on the wind direction and step back if the spray is blowing towards you.
Have your camera ready in video mode; eruptions are over in seconds.
Keep children close at all times around the springs.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Geysir & Strokkur: food, markets & places to stay

A visitor complex across the road from the geothermal area has a café, shops and toilets, and campsites and accommodation are found in the surrounding area. Gullfoss is a short drive to the north-east, and Þingvellir lies about an hour to the west.

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Sources & verification

This guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 27 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image.

Geysir area — Environment Agency of Iceland
Geysir area: nature and geology — Environment Agency of Iceland
What is the Golden Circle? — Visit Iceland (Promote Iceland)
Stunning places — Visit South Iceland (South Iceland Marketing Office)

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