The history of Strokkur Geysir
Strokkur Geysir is one of the most famous and active geysers in Iceland, cementing its place as one of the main attractions on any Golden Circle tour. You can expect to see eruptions every 6 – 10 minutes, and when they happen the steam can reach 20 metres high. Occasionally it has been known to have a large eruption and double that to reach heights of 40 metres. Next to it is Geysir, the oldest recorded geyser in history and in fact is the origin of the name geyser, but despite having a brief revival after an earthquake back in the year 2000, this geyser has since been classed as inactive.
When we arrived at Strokkur Geysir we were already into our routine of filing off the bus and going through the arduous process of putting the crampons back on our boots. It’s not the most fun but nobody fancies returning to Reykjavik with a bruised rear, so by now, we had just accepted that this was something we had to do if we wanted to continue our journey upright. Despite being a natural attraction, we felt like we were close to the city again due to the large tourist centre and car park filled with other tours dominating the area.
Walking to Strokkur Geysir
We crossed the main road and started to walk down to the geyser. What they don’t tell you in beforehand is the stench surrounding the geyser! This is due to the high levels of sulphur in the water. You can smell the sulphur long before the pools come into sight, especially for us as we were walking downwind. We were lucky when we arrived as it was relatively quiet. We crossed a small bridge and our guide, Francois, lead us over to the far side of the geyser’s pool, and managed to find a spot on the fence where all of us could have a clear view.
Watching the eruptions
Francois pointed to the tourists piling up on the other side of the pool “they don’t know it but they are about to get soaked” and chuckled to himself. The next few minutes were filled with tension as we waited for the Strokkur Geysir to erupt. Every little bubble sent a little “ooh” amongst our group and was quickly followed by an innuendo when it failed to erupt.
What’s amazing about Strokkur Geysir though is that you can depend on it to make a show. It rewards the patient traveller then you will be rewarded. When it erupted it was an incredible sight. We were immediately thankful we followed Francois’ advice as we would have stood right in its path if we had decided where to stand. Check out the video below to see for yourself. I have shortened the video as it is originally over 10 minutes of us standing around waiting.
After watching Strokkur Geysir erupt a few times, we decided to head back to the visitor’s centre. We were getting hungry and thought we would try our luck at some food. By this point it was getting harder to tell if the rumblings were from the geyser or our own stomachs. Unfortunately, it was peak lunchtime and the place was packed. It was near on impossible to tell where one queue ended and another began. A few of us were successful, but many more gave up and hoped it would be quieter at our next stop – Gullfoss.
Strokkur Geysir FAQs
How much is entry to Strokkur Geysir?
Access is free, it just costs petrol and a car rental fee to get here. Although another option is to join a tour of the Golden Circle. And that takes away all the stress of planning and driving. If you want to book a tour, you can do so through Get Your Guide using the link below. You don’t pay any extra for doing so, but I may get a commission which goes towards supporting the blog.
How much is the parking?
Parking for Strokkur Geysir is accessible 24 hours a day and is free.
What times should I go to avoid the crowd?
The best times to visit Strokkur Geysir are before 10 am or after 4 pm to avoid the larger crowds.
Are the geysers dangerous?
Despite looking incredible, the waters here are incredibly hot, reaching temperatures of up to 100℃. So as tempting as they are to swim in, stick to the highlighted paths and don’t crowd too closely to the fence line.
Are there places to shop and eat nearby?
Yes, the visitor’s centre in the car park has plenty of food so it is perfect for everyone. There is also a souvenir shop for any trinkets you may want to buy. Just make sure you arrive with plenty of time as it can be extremely busy. Naturally, the further outside of the city you go the drastically fewer food options there are.
How often and how high does Strokkur Erupt?
Eruptions are between 6 – 10 minutes apart and are generally up to 15 – 20 metres in height, although they have been known to reach 40 metres.
How hot is the water?
The water here is between 80 – 100℃
Where should I go next?
If you are driving yourself, your next stop should be Gullfoss, and if you are on a tour then it’s most likely where you will be heading next.
