Geysers · Iceland
Iceland Geysers
4 mapped · Golden Circle · Strokkur every 6–10 min · Near-boiling water
Alexander Grebenkov · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0
Christoph Strässler from Oberdorf BL, Schweiz · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Iceland has one reliably erupting geyser: Strokkur, in the Haukadalur geothermal field on the Golden Circle, about 1.5 hours from Reykjavík. It fires water 15–20 metres up every 6–10 minutes. Right beside it sits the original Geysir — the spring that gave every geyser in the world its name — now mostly dormant. The water and ground are near boiling: stay behind the marked barriers.
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Iceland geysers map
Both geothermal fields sit in the southwest: Haukadalur on the Golden Circle — Strokkur and the original Geysir side by side — and the steam field above Hveragerði, 40 minutes from Reykjavík.
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The geysers
Iceland’s active spouts, with eruption timing and real safety notes.
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When & how to visit Iceland's geysers
Iceland's geysers sit in the Haukadalur geothermal field, a standard stop on the Golden Circle alongside Gullfoss and Þingvellir — an easy day trip from Reykjavík on paved roads. Strokkur erupts every 6–10 minutes year-round, so you rarely wait; the original Geysir next to it is mostly dormant. The whole area is free and open in every season, with a paid car park and a visitor centre across the road. The real hazard is heat, not weather: the pools and the ground are near boiling, the crust can be thin, and people have been scalded stepping off the paths — stay behind the barriers and keep children and dogs close. Check live road and weather conditions before you drive, as Golden Circle roads can close in winter storms.
Browse geysers by region
The geysers of Iceland, compared
All 4 mapped geothermal spouts, ranked — our best-documented picks first. Tap any name for the full guide. Location and eruption details come from Wikidata, Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap where they exist.
| Geyser | Region | Activity | Known for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Stóri Geysir | Highlands | Geothermal | Worth discovering |
 | Strokkur | Highlands | Geothermal | Worth discovering |
 | Grýla | Reykjavík Area | Geothermal | Geothermal spout in Reykjavík Area |
 | Hverasvæði | Reykjavík Area | Geothermal | Geothermal spout in Reykjavík Area |
Geyser
questions
Where are Iceland’s geysers?
The active geysers are in the Haukadalur geothermal field on the Golden Circle, about 1.5 hours from Reykjavík. Strokkur is the one that erupts on a schedule; the original Geysir — which gave every geyser in the world its name — is right beside it but now rarely erupts.
How often does Strokkur erupt?
Strokkur erupts roughly every 6–10 minutes, sending water 15–20 metres up and occasionally as high as 40 metres. You almost never wait long. Stand upwind — the spray is scalding.
Is it safe to stand near a geyser?
Only from behind the marked barriers. The water and the ground around a geyser are near boiling — around 80–100 °C — and the surface crust can be thin. People have been badly scalded stepping off the paths. Keep children and dogs close and never touch the water.
Why doesn’t the original Geysir erupt anymore?
The Great Geysir has been mostly dormant for decades. Its activity is tied to earthquakes, which periodically reopen its plumbing, and to water levels; for now it only rarely erupts. Strokkur, next to it, is the reliable one.
Do the geysers cost anything to visit?
No. The Geysir/Haukadalur geothermal area is free and open year-round; there is a paid car park and a visitor centre with facilities across the road. Check live road and weather conditions before you drive, especially in winter.
Can I see the geysers in winter?
Yes. The geothermal field is active in every season and Strokkur erupts year-round. Winter access depends on the roads — check live conditions before you set out, as Golden Circle roads can close in storms.
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from 31 Aug 06:10