A walking path through a rocky rift gorge at Þingvellir, with mossy lava walls and a lake in the distance

National park · Bláskógabyggð, South Region

Þingvellir National Park

UNESCO-listed rift valley where Iceland's open-air parliament met from around 930

Photo: Alex He (@alex_he) / Unsplash

Discover Þingvellir National Park

Þingvellir is where Iceland's history and geology meet. The national park lies in a rift valley in an active volcanic zone, about 49 km east of Reykjavík according to UNESCO, and its walls of fractured lava, mossy fields and the broad lake Þingvallavatn make it one of the country's most memorable landscapes.

For Icelanders it is also hallowed ground. Here, beneath the cliffs of Almannagjá, chieftains and farmers gathered each summer for the Alþingi, the open-air assembly that made laws and settled disputes for centuries. Visitors walk the same paths, cross bridges over clear fissures and look out from the viewpoint at Hakið across the valley.

Don’t miss

01Almannagjá, the great gorge along the western edge of the rift valley
02The Lögberg area and flagpole marking the site of the old assembly
03Öxarárfoss waterfall on the Öxará river
04Silfra fissure, known for very clear water, for guided snorkelling and diving
05Þingvallakirkja church and the farmhouse buildings beside the river
06Views over Þingvallavatn lake from the Hakið viewpoint

History & culture

The story of Þingvellir National Park

The Alþingi was established around 930 and met at Þingvellir each year for about two weeks until 1798. UNESCO notes the remains of some 50 turf-and-stone booths used by those attending, with older remains believed to lie beneath the ground. The site was declared a national park in 1928, and on 17 June 1944 the Republic of Iceland was proclaimed here.

Þingvellir was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a cultural site, recognised for its reflection of Norse and Germanic governance and its role as a shrine of Icelandic national identity. Geologically, the valley floor has subsided by several metres since the assembly was founded, a reminder that the land here is still moving.

Local life & traditions

Þingvellir remains central to Icelandic national life. Major anniversaries of the settlement and the republic have been celebrated here, and families visit to show children where the nation's laws were first made. Respect the site by staying on paths, as the moss and vegetation are fragile and slow to recover.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Start at the visitor centre at Hakið for the view over the rift, then walk down through Almannagjá towards the assembly site, the church and the river. A short detour leads to Öxarárfoss. Longer marked paths explore the lava fields and abandoned farms of the valley.

Snorkelling or diving in Silfra is only possible with licensed operators, who provide dry suits and guidance. In winter, the park's paths can be icy, and the snow-covered gorge has a quiet beauty of its own.

When to go

The park is worth visiting all year. Summer gives the longest days and the greenest scenery, while autumn brings red and gold vegetation. In winter the gorges are dusted with snow, but paths can be slippery and daylight is short. On dark, clear nights from roughly September to April the open valley can be a good place to look for the northern lights, though no sighting can be promised.

Plan your visit

Verified information

UNESCO World Heritage: Inscribed as a cultural site under criteria (iii) and (vi); the park covers about 24,000 ha. Source: whc.unesco.org ↗
Distance from Reykjavík: About 49 km east of Reykjavík, as stated by UNESCO. Source: whc.unesco.org ↗
Parking: Parking fees apply in the national park; payment covers car parks P1 (Hakið), P2 and P5 for the day. Pay at machines or online via Checkit.is. Source: thingvellir.is ↗
Visitor centre: The visitor centre is at Hakið, at the upper end of Almannagjá. Source: thingvellir.is ↗
National park status: A national park since 1928, according to Visit South Iceland. Source: south.is ↗

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

Travel tips

Begin at Hakið and walk downhill through Almannagjá; arrange for a pick-up at a lower car park if travelling with a group.
Pay the parking fee promptly, as number plates are checked by camera.
Book Silfra snorkelling in advance; operators have health and swimming requirements.
Wear warm layers even in summer; the valley can be windy.
Stay on paths to protect the moss and avoid falling into hidden fissures.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Þingvellir National Park: food, markets & places to stay

The visitor centre at Hakið has toilets, a café and an exhibition. Þingvellir is about an hour's drive from Reykjavík and is the first stop on most Golden Circle routes, with the Geysir area roughly an hour further east. There is no public bus to the park, so most visitors come by car or on a guided tour.