Ultimate guide to golden circle iceland/iceland travel/Part 1/Thingvellir national park/Day 1

Thingvellir is a favorite stop among travelers along the Golden Circle route. It has been a National Park in Iceland since 1930 and became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004. When Viking settlers arrived in the 10th century, it was their chosen site for Althingi, the world’s oldest Parliament.

In addition to its historic interest, Thingvellir holds a special appeal for geology buffs. It is the visible site of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. The plates are pulling apart at a rate of 2 centimeters (nearly an inch) per year, creating the Thingvellir Rift Valley.

Thingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland. Lava fields stretch into the lake from the north, and there are many fissures in the lava.

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