The best waterfalls in Iceland will absolutely blow you away – whether you are looking for a waterfall you can walk behind, or one you can admire from afar.
If you like waterfalls, you’ll love your time in Iceland. Like Norway, Iceland is covered in them, from small streams to roaring drops that will take your breath away.
With crystal-clear glacial meltwater tumbling over more than ten thousand thundering falls, Iceland offers a non-stop parade of thrilling cascades in every part of the country.
And even better, some of the most magical waterfalls lie right next to the Ring Road on the South Coast, within easy reach of the capital Reykjavik.
In this article, we’ll give you the lowdown on seven of our favourite “fosses” – that’s the Icelandic word for waterfalls!
Quick Iceland Travel Guide
Where to stay: Most people visiting Iceland stay in Reykjavik, as it is the main hub and largest town on the iceland. It is also where most tours depart from. Classic hotels include the Hilton Reykjavik and the Hotel Reykjavik Saga, but for a more budget-friendly option you’ll find that people are renting out their homes (this one has a car included!) and apartments.
Top activities and tours in Iceland:
- Golden Circle & Blue Lagoon
- Glaciers & Waterfalls Tour
- Whale Watching
- Reykjavik Local Food Tour
- Northern Lights Photography Tour
Packing for Iceland: The time of year you visit will affect your packing list. If you are visiting in winter, I have covered everything you need in this guide. In the warmer months, you still need to keep in mind that the weather can change quickly, and it can get chilly in the evenings. Layers is always key, and a light puffer jacket such as this one should be with you year-round when visiting the Nordics.
Getting from the airport: The airport in Reykjavik (located in the smaller town of Keflavik, and named thereafter, KEF) is about 50 km/31 miles from Reykjavik. You can easily book a bus transfer in advance, taking you to the Reykjavik city center (where most hotels are within walking distance). For an even more hassle-free arrival, book a private transfer.
The 10 Best Waterfalls in Iceland
Iceland is a country that never fails to amaze its visitors with its natural beauty. From stunning landscapes and northern lights to majestic waterfalls, this Nordic island has it all. If you are planning a trip to Iceland, make sure to include a visit to the best waterfalls the country has to offer.
These magnificent cascades are not only a sight to behold but are also must-stop destinations for any traveler. Get ready to be mesmerized by the power and beauty of these waterfalls as they showcase the true wonders of nature. Let’s dive into the list and discover the magic that awaits you in Iceland!
Read next: What is the best time to visit Iceland?
#1 Seljalandsfoss: walk behind a waterfall!
Have you ever walked behind a waterfall to see the cascade from the other side?
When you visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall on Iceland’s spectacular South Coast, you’ll have the chance to enjoy an unforgettable experience when you walk all the way around a 60-meter waterfall.
Experience the power of the thundering waters and feel energized by the sheets of spray hanging in the air as you explore the enormous cave behind the waterfall.
How to get there
Seljalandsfoss is one of the most accessible waterfalls in Iceland, just a couple of hours from the capital city on Iceland’s famous Route 1.
It’s also pretty close to some of the most famous Icelandic hot pots where you can bathe in the wilderness.
You’ll see Seljalandsfoss framed against the volcanoes lining the route as you approach from the west, turning off Route 1 on a paved road to a car park.
Tips for visiting & Fun Facts
- You can enjoy Seljalandsfoss from beside its plunge pool or walk on the path all the way around if you want
- Bring waterproofs – you’ll get wet if you walk behind the falls!
- Check out Iceland waterfall map to find them all
- Remember to pay for parking in the car park
- Justin Bieber filmed the video for “I’ll Show You” here
- Seljalandsfoss is fed by glacial meltwater from Eyjafjallajökull, the famous volcano that stopped the world from flying in 2010
#2 Gljúfrabúi: the “Canyon Dweller”
Exploring something “hidden” or off the beaten track is always fun, and that’s just what Gljúfrabúi is – a secret waterfall!
Tucked away in a moss-covered canyon just a few minutes walk away from Seljalandsfoss, you have to look closely to find the entrance to Gljúfrabúi.
Squeezing between a giant crack in the cliffs and hopping from stone to stone, you’ll discover a beautiful hidden waterfall that plunges into a concealed cave.
How to get there?
After you’ve explored Seljalandsfoss, with the falls behind you, turn right and walk along the path for about ten minutes, and you’ll soon see the entrance through a rock face. You might get your feet wet, but it’ll be worth it!
Tips for visiting & Fun Facts
- Make sure you’ve got waterproofs on!
- There’s a giant rock where you can pose for pictures
- You might want to take your shoes and socks off to keep them dry
- It’s a small cave, so you may have to wait your turn for access
- The waterfall is 40 metres tall
- Some of the best spots of Icelandic Highlands are just around the corner
#3 Skógafoss
Featured in “Game of Thrones”, several Hollywood films and even a Justin Bieber video, Skógafoss is one of the most photographed falls in the world!
This makes it one of the most popular things to do in Iceland.
Facing directly south, the waters crash down from a 60-meter cliff, setting off enormous sheets of spray and producing sensational rainbows on sunny days.
You can approach the falls as close as you like (you’ll get very wet) or climb up a few hundred steps to see the waterfall from the top as well.
Local legend tells of a secret treasure of gold coins hidden behind the falls by a Viking settler, Prasi Porolfsson, but they have never been found…
How to get there
Skógafoss is easily reached; it is just a 2.5-hour drive from the capital on Route 1 or half an hour further east from Seljalandsfoss.
You’ll see it towering from a distance on your left as soon as you get to the other side of Eyjafjallajökull.
Tips for visiting & Fun facts
- There’s a free car park and restrooms
- The staircase to the top has over 500 steps
- Most of the best summer tours in Iceland will take you to Skógafoss
- Skógafoss means “Forest Falls”. The early settlers chopped all the trees down!
- The Skóga River used to meet the sea here – now it’s five kilometers away
#4 Kvernufoss
Just as Seljalandsfoss has a secret little waterfall nearby, so does Skógafoss, and this one is even more spectacular!
Kvernufoss hides at one end of the Kvernugil gorge, but if you know where to look, you’ll be treated to a gorgeous 30-meter waterfall tumbling into the Kvernuhólsá River.
Easy to reach, Kvernfuoss offers another treat – you can walk behind it, just like at Seljalandsfoss, but without getting quite as wet because the path is further back.
How to get there
Park outside Skógasafn (the Heritage Museum further down the road from Skógafoss). Remember to pay for parking first!
Walk to your right (heading east) behind the buildings, looking for the entrance to the trail.
Then it’s a 20/30-minute walk in good conditions. It’s a reasonably easy flat hike, but visiting Kvernufoss in the summer is best, as the path can become slippery or icy in the winter.
Tips for visiting & Fun facts
- Unlike Skógafoss or Seljalandfoss, you can’t see Kvernufoss from the road
- Kvernufoss is not well-known, so you may be on your own here!
- The path behind the falls is not a complete circuit, so you’ll return the same way
- The name loosely translates as “grindstone” or “millstone” falls
- In winter, the path may be too icy, so think carefully before you visit
#5 Gullfoss
Jostling for the crown of Iceland’s most popular waterfall, Gullfoss waterfall is part of the famous Golden Circle trio of sensational sights, along with Geysir and Þingvellir National Park.
You’ll be astounded by the sight of a roaring double-drop waterfall fed by the second-largest glacier in Iceland, Langjökull.
Feel the ground tremble beneath your feet as the waters crash over 30 meters into a deep ravine!
Setting off clouds of mist and spray, you’re guaranteed amazing images, with rainbows arching overhead on sunny days and immense icicles decorating the falls in winter.
Several viewing platforms offer different perspectives of the “Golden Falls” (Gull = gold, Foss = waterfall), so you can enjoy this magical sight from many angles.
How to get there
Gullfoss can be visited as part of the Golden Circle route from the capital (Route 1 > 36 > 365 > 37 > 35) or from Selfoss (Route 35).
It’ll take two hours to drive there from Reykjavík or an hour from Selfoss.
Tips for visiting & Fun Facts
- There are several viewing platforms at different levels, so give yourself time to see Gullfoss from all angles!
- It’s best to park at the top car park, where you’ll find a large restaurant, souvenir shop and restrooms
- You can then decide if the conditions are suitable to explore the lower levels
- Wear waterproofs if you choose to get up close to the falls
#6 Svartifoss
A hike to see the “Black Falls” is a highlight of any visit to Skaftafell, part of the Vatnajökull National Park in southeast Iceland.
More than twenty meters high, you’ll be dazzled by the sight of perfectly shaped black basalt columns resembling a church organ hanging from a cliff.
It’s said that these basalt columns inspired the design of Reykjavík’s famous church, Hallgrímskirkja, and the National Theatre.
Some say Svartifoss resembles a giant heart when viewed from a distance!
After breaking off from the cliffs, sections of columns lie all around the falls, so the whole area is a wonderland for geology buffs.
How to get there
Skaftafell is a four-hour drive from Reykjavík on Route 1, with a short stretch on Route 998 to the parking area and the trailheads.
Svartifoss is reached by hiking 1.5 kilometers from Skaftafell’s car park, and you will need to handle a few steep uphill sections. Make sure to pay for parking beforehand.
There are other waterfalls to enjoy along the way, so allow around three hours to visit Svartifoss.
Tips for visiting & Fun Facts
- Check with the Visitor Center at Skaftafell when you arrive and ask about current conditions before beginning your hike
- Remember to pay for parking as soon as you arrive
- Svartifoss cannot be seen from the road, and you will need a certain level of fitness to complete the hike to the falls
#7 Systrafoss
Systrafoss is an unusual but stunning waterfall in the little village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a couple of hours west of the Glacier Lagoon at Jökulsárlón.
Meltwater from a high mountain lake called Systravatn gracefully slides down the mountain in two separate streams.
Combining that feature with the village’s ancient connections with a convent of nuns gave the falls their name – the “Sister’s Falls”.
How to get there
Systrafoss is located in the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, about a four-hour drive from the capital city.
A popular stop on Route 1, “Klaustur” offers several cafes, restaurants and service stations, and visiting Systrafoss is an ideal way to relax after a long drive.
After turning left off Route 1, drive through the village to the end of the road, where the parking area can be found.
Tips for visiting & Fun Facts
- Visit in the summer when the falls are at their most powerful
- The tallest trees in Iceland stand next to Systrafoss
- The village’s name means “Church Farm Convent”
- The Fossá River feeds the falls, running from its source Systravatn (the Sisters’ Lake)
3 Honorable Mentions
A few honorable mentions had to be included in this list. Most of the waterfalls mentioned above are found in south Iceland. But there are a few gems in north Iceland too!
Near Thingvellir National Park you’ll find Glymur Waterfall, the second tallest waterfall in Iceland with a drop of 198 meters (650 feet)!
If you are going on a proper road trip, head to Dynjandi waterfall. This powerful waterfall is beautiful, as it cascades down the cliffside, running quite wide. This makes for an impressive site!
Speaking of wide, don’t miss the beautiful Dettifoss. At around 100 meters wide, this waterfall will take your breath away with it’s water flow.
Top-Rated Iceland Waterfall Tours
Below are the highest-rated waterfall tours in Iceland (or tours that include stops at some (or all) of the waterfalls mentioned.
Best Waterfalls in Iceland FAQs
Below are the most frequently asked questions I could find about exploring Iceland and the island’s beautiful waterfalls!
The most famous waterfall in Iceland is without a doubt the mighty Gullfoss. It is located in the southwest part of the country and is known for its impressive double cascade.
Yes, if you’re staying in Reykjavik, you’re in luck! Just a short drive from the city, you’ll find two beautiful waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Both offer stunning views and are easily accessible.
While it’s not recommended to swim in most waterfalls due to safety reasons, there is one exception in Iceland. The Seljavallalaug geothermal pool, located near Seljalandsfoss, allows visitors to take a dip in its warm waters while enjoying the breathtaking surrounding scenery.
Yes, if you’re looking for a more secluded experience, consider visiting the hidden gem of Hjalparfoss. This mesmerizing waterfall is located in the south of Iceland and is often overlooked by tourists, making it a tranquil and peaceful spot.
Absolutely! In fact, visiting waterfalls during winter can be an even more magical experience. Some of the most captivating frozen waterfalls in Iceland include Svartifoss in Skaftafell National Park and Godafoss in the north of the country.
While some waterfalls require a short hike, many of the most famous ones are easily accessible by walking a short distance from the parking area. However, it’s always a good idea to check the specific waterfall’s accessibility before visiting.
Yes, if you’re short on time, you can still visit some stunning waterfalls on a day trip from Reykjavik. The Golden Circle tour includes stops at Gullfoss and the picturesque Faxi waterfall, providing a taste of Iceland’s natural beauty.
Absolutely! There are plenty of guided tours available that will take you to the best waterfalls in Iceland. This is a great option if you prefer to learn about the history and geology of the waterfalls from a knowledgeable guide.
There are over 10’000 waterfalls in Iceland.
If you’re looking for a unique vantage point, consider taking a helicopter tour. This allows you to see some of Iceland’s most stunning waterfalls from above, providing a truly unforgettable experience.
Yes, it’s important to always follow safety guidelines when visiting waterfalls in Iceland. Stay on designated paths, be cautious of slippery surfaces, and never go too close to the edge. Safety should always be a top priority when enjoying Iceland’s natural wonders.
Yes, Iceland has plenty of amazing waterfalls!