Þingvellir
Þingvellir, Iceland
Where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart, and the site of Iceland’s parliament from 930.
Þingvellir lies about 40 km north-east of Reykjavík in the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian plates. The Alþingi, Iceland's general assembly, met here from 930 until 1798; at the Lögberg, the Law Rock, the Lawspeaker addressed the gathering. In 1930, marking the assembly's millennium, the area became Iceland's first national park, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004.
The Hakið visitor centre stands at the top of Almannagjá, a canyon-like rift along the plate boundary. The Öxarárfoss waterfall, where the Öxará river plunges into the rift, is also well worth a look. To the south lies Þingvallavatn, Iceland's largest natural lake, and the Silfra fissure is a site for diving and snorkelling. The park is on the Golden Circle and busy accordingly. A parking fee applies at P1 (Hakið), P2 and P5; it covers all of the park's car parks on the day of payment.
- Nearest town
- Þingvellir, Iceland
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 64.2559, -21.1299
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Iceland: No motorway tolls for cars. Many roads are gravel; F-roads need a 4×4. Motorway limit for cars: 90 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- VatnskotCampsite2 km from ÞingvellirTents
- FagrabrekkaCampsite3 km from ÞingvellirTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterToiletsFree
- Útilífsmiðstöð skáta ÚlfljótsvatniCampsite18 km from ÞingvellirElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- LaugarvatnCampsite20 km from ÞingvellirTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- HjalliCampsite21 km from ÞingvellirElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- BjarteyjarsandurCampsite24 km from ÞingvellirTentsCaravansShowersWi-Fi
All campsites in Iceland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Þingvellir?
Þingvellir is in Þingvellir, Iceland, at GPS 64.2559, -21.1299. It is about 20 km from Laugarvatn.
Can you camp near Þingvellir?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Vatnskot, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 9 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Þingvellir?
Þingvellir is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Iceland’s south coast and Iceland’s Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.
What is there to see near Þingvellir?
Places worth a stop nearby: Kerið (27 km), Skálholt (33 km), Geysir and Strokkur (40 km) and Hallgrímskirkja (41 km).
When is the best time to visit Þingvellir?
Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)