Thingvellir National Park - Candid tips by Howard Hillman

Thingvellir
National Park

Travel tips you can trust

Why Thingvellir
National Park is special

The park's Althing (parliament) is the cultural soul of Iceland because it played a key role in the country's long history. Thingvellir National Park also has impressive rock formations and a unique snorkeling and diving spot.

Thingvellir
tips and insights

Parliament

The world's first and longest-lasting parliament met here from 903 to 1798. Chieftains from around Iceland gathered to debate and enact laws – and to settle disputes. The participants assembled in a natural outdoor amphitheater in the Almannagja Fault.

The Almannagja Fault (see photo)

This is the visitor's favorite attraction. You walk on a canyon floor flanked by high, craggy cliffs. The views are arresting from both within the canyon and from a panoramic viewing platform on a high nearby hill.

Geographical error

Some travel writers would have you believe that the cliff face on one side of the Almannagja Fault is the edge of North American tectonic plate and the other side is the edge of the Eurasian tectonic plate

Fact: Both sides of the canyon are part of the North American Plate. The Eurasian plate begins roughly five kilometers away. The land between is a geographical no-man's land, neither Eurasian nor North American.

Silfra underwater fissure

Here you can dive or snorkel in a Mid-Atlantic Ridge fissure. The glacial water is exceptionally clear but very cold.

Name

Thingvellir means "parliament plains", referring to the site where the lawmakers assembled. It is pronounced THINK-velt-tier.

Golden Circle

Thingvellir is one of the top three draws of the Golden Circle tour route. (The other two are Gullfoss waterfall waterfall and the Geysir Geothermal Field.)

Distance

Thingvellir National Park is an hour's drive northeast of Reykjavik.

Location in Iceland