In the land of ice and fire, there is also room for water, and Iceland has plenty of majestic waterfalls that will accompany you throughout your trip. It is said that there are more than 10,000 spread across the island, but among so many, how do you choose the best ones? Which are the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland ? We will tell you in this post!
Dizzying horsetail-shaped falls, others with deafening flows, many surrounded by dreamlike landscapes or covered in moss, some hiding caves and others appearing in secret places… There are waterfalls for all tastes and thanks to the amount of snow, rain and ice, they are beautiful practically all year round. Do you dare to discover the 10 best waterfalls in Iceland with us?
Top 10 waterfalls in Iceland
Did you know that the suffix –foss means waterfall in Icelandic? If you see an unpronounceable name on the map (very typical of this country hehe) ending in -foss, you know: it is a waterfall that is probably quite impressive. It would be humanly impossible to visit them all, especially if you are travelling in Iceland with limited time, but you will have time to visit some of the best ones.
⭐ Still wondering what the country's must-sees are ? Here are the 15 best things to see and do in Iceland on a first trip .
Why are there so many? They are created and fed by the vast reserves of ice and snow that cover practically the entire country during the winter, as well as by the extensive network of glaciers found in various parts of Iceland. They come in different flow rates, heights and shapes , but they will always leave you in awe. If you don't believe us, keep reading because we are going to present to you what we believe to be the 10+1 best waterfalls in Iceland .
1. Gullfoss
Gullfoss will almost certainly be the first waterfall you visit on your trip to Iceland . The reason is none other than its location, on the Golden Circle , a route full of spectacular spots that all tourists take and which is located a short distance from Reykjavik .
Gullfoss means “golden waterfall” and, with a 32-metre drop in two levels and a powerful flow , it is considered one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland. Even more so if you visit it in winter, when it is covered in snow and ice (it is a good idea to equip yourself with crampons). It is also a good idea to bring a raincoat, as it is a very windy area and the water droplets can soak you.
There are two free car parks that allow you to reach different viewing points along the trails, from where you can enjoy the spectacle of the water and feel like a Smurf in front of so much majesty. The first viewing point is the most accessible and offers panoramic views; to access the second one you have to go down some stairs and you will arrive almost at the level of the waterfall (it is closed in winter). If you don't want to walk, there is a second car park that will leave you a few steps from this viewing point.
2. Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrafoss, 2×1 waterfalls!
We continue through the south of Iceland and approach the curious Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you will not only be able to admire a natural wonder but you will also have the opportunity to walk behind the curtain of water . Remember to bring a raincoat and shoes with good grip and be careful because if there is ice on the path it is likely to be closed.
The surprises don't end here, just 5 minutes walk from this waterfall you will find another one (Gljufrafoss) that remains hidden behind the walls of a small gorge , which gives it the feeling of being in front of a secret waterfall . Well... the secret is now revealed and today it is time to share it with a few more tourists.
Parking for both waterfalls is the same and costs 1,000 ISK, which as always you can pay with the Parka APP.
3. Dettifoss
Did you know that Iceland boasts the largest waterfall in Europe ? We are talking about Dettifoss, one of the jewels of the north of the country , with an impressive torrent of water that falls from a height of approximately 44 meters. The water of this waterfall comes from the melting of the Vatnajökull glacier , the largest in Iceland. Absolutely brutal.
To visit it, there are two car parks on the east and west sides (free) which are reached by different roads from the N1. When we went (mid-April), the access to the east side was closed due to snow, so we left the car in the west car park. From there, a path of approximately 1 km starts to the main observation platform, which took us three times as long to cover because it was covered with a layer of 1.5 meters of snow (we are not exaggerating). On the way back, you can take a detour to the Selfoss waterfall , which is somewhat less impressive.
The deafening roar of the water as it rushes down the cliff raises a cloud of spray, so yes… in this case it is also best to take a raincoat with you, just in case the wind picks up!
4. Skogafoss
And now it's time to tell you about one of our favourite waterfalls in Iceland: Skogafoss. It's located very close to Highway 1, the Ring Road, and after leaving your car in the parking lot (free) you'll only have to walk a few minutes to come across its 60-metre waterfall .
Skogafoss has a plus that, we are sure, will blow your mind: if the day is clear, it is very common to see the rainbow ! Hopefully you will be lucky, since we had to settle for a timid ray of sunshine hehe. If you feel like it, you should know that there are some stairs that lead to an upper platform at the top of the waterfall with sublime panoramic views of the entire area.
5. Godafoss
With that name, which means Waterfall of the Gods , it cannot be left out of the list of the best waterfalls in Iceland. It is located in the north of the country, near the beautiful area of Mývatn and next to the Ring Road, so visiting it is very easy. In addition, everything is very well set up: parking is free, there are asphalt paths and several viewpoints and observation points.
Godafoss stands out for its semicircular shape and for being split in two by a central islet right where the water breaks. It is about 12 metres high and 30 metres wide and, although we had read that it is not as spectacular as others, we loved it. What's more, here we did see a beautiful rainbow and it was a real unexpected treat.
As with Dettifoss, there is the option to visit it from different perspectives on both sides of the waterfall , each with its own parking lot: East Bank (the only one that was open when we went) and West Bank, although in this case they are separated by just a few hundred meters.
6. Kirkjufellsfossar
The waterfall itself may not mean much to you (especially after having seen so many spectacular ones across the country), but when it comes to scenic beauty , few places are as evocative as this one. Located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, at the foot of the iconic conical Mount Kirkjufell , Kirkjufellsfossar waterfall represents one of the most representative and photographed images of Iceland - are you going to miss it?
The price for parking is 1000 ISK but remember that this fee allows you to return as many times as you like during 24 hours (this is very common in Icelandic car parks). It may seem silly if you are passing through, but if your accommodation is close by, this is an exceptional spot to take photos in different lights and it is even one of the best places to see the Northern Lights , so don't rule out returning at night!
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7. Svartifoss
Located in Skaftafell National Park, the most striking and unique feature of Svartifoss waterfall is the wall of gigantic dark-coloured hexagonal basalt columns that frame it. And this is precisely the origin of its name, which means “ black waterfall ”.
The parking is paid (1,000 ISK), but at least you will have a Visitor Center with a restaurant, toilets, etc. From there, a 2 km uphill trail starts, which gets a little bit complicated if it has rained recently (calculate about 30-40 minutes). If you have time left, there is another short trail that leads to the Skaftafell Glacier viewpoint , sign up for this 2×1.
8. Stjornarfoss
Although it does not usually appear on the lists of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, we were delighted: it is different from all the others we saw, lower and elongated , with a natural pool at the base where in summer it must be a luxury to take a cool dip.
The good thing is that it is a short detour from the main road and can be a good excuse to stretch your legs a bit if you have been driving for quite a few kilometres. And if you are travelling with children, you should know that next to the (free) parking lot there is a play area and also a picnic area (and even a camping area if you are travelling with a van). I am sure that in spring and summer with good weather it must be quite pleasant (when we went it was quite bleak and not very inviting).
9. Urriðafoss
We visited this waterfall after our route through the Golden Circle , on the way to the accommodation and we experienced one of the best moments of the trip. The day started rainy, cold and unpleasant, but in the late afternoon the sky opened up and this waterfall gave us a beautiful rainbow as a welcome to the country.
It is not very popular, apart from a handful of Icelanders who come to fish for trout and salmon, but it is actually one of the most powerful waterfalls in the country and for us it is worth going to see it. If you bring something to eat and drink, you can take advantage of the picnic tables to improvise a luxury snack.
10. Kvernufoss
We left for last what is probably the waterfall that surprised us the most. Not because of its height or its flow, but because of its unmistakable surroundings and the surprise it holds for us . The fall is about 30 meters and the coolest thing is that you can walk behind the curtain of water , entering a cave formed by the erosion of water over thousands of years. A hidden gem! Don't miss it as it is also very close to Skogafoss.
To get there you have to walk about 10 minutes from the paid parking lot (1,000 ISK), but the last part goes through a nice little canyon and when you arrive, wow!
10+1. Dynjandi
We didn't get to visit this waterfall because it is located in the Westfjords region , where we didn't go. But we have it marked on the map for future trips. Because yes, we will definitely return. The Dynjandi waterfall is one of the largest in the country , powerful and with a large amount of water that falls through a stepped fall . It is known as the "bride's veil" waterfall because the water simulates that garment (with a bit of fantasy hehe).
Parking is free, olé!
Other beautiful waterfalls in Iceland
There are obviously many waterfalls that were not included in the list but are worth a visit if they are within your reach. These are some others that we saw and liked (although not as much as the others hehe), or that we have noted down for when we return:
- Bruarfoss
- Hraunfossar
- Hengifoss
- Glymur
We've reached the end of the post but we can't let you go without reminding you of something important: wear non-slip footwear and if you notice that the wind is blowing hard, have a good raincoat handy so you can get close to these waterfalls without getting soaked. You'll see, what an impressive spectacle awaits you!
What has been the most amazing waterfall in Iceland for you ? Do you have a favourite? Which ones would you put on your personal list of the best waterfalls in Iceland? Leave us a comment!
