These Are The Best Waterfalls In Iceland You Must Visit [2024]

By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 5th January 2024 | Updated: 18th November 2024

Iceland is well known for its waterfalls, there are literally hundreds of them. Both times whilst we have been exploring Iceland, we obviously had to stop by some of the most famous, and less well-known waterfalls there are to find. From the towering waterfalls so high you can’t see the top, to small waterfalls that drench you in a spray, we well and truly searched and found numerous ‘foss’ that we loved and many of the locals do too.

So here are our favourite waterfalls, and quite possibly the best waterfalls in Iceland that you just can’t miss:

Planning Your Trip? Use our favourite travel resources below:

Accommodation: We recommend Booking.com

Rental Car: We recommend Rentalcars.com

Flights: We recommend Kiwi.com

Tours: We recommend Get Your Guide

For more information on getting to and around Iceland, check out our 7 days along the Iceland Ring Road post as we go into much more detail there.

The Best Waterfalls in Iceland Map

The Best Waterfalls in Iceland

1. Kirkjufellfoss

📍 Where – Route 54, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, West Iceland

📍 Nearest town – Grundarfjörður

📍 Parking – At the base of the waterfall in a pull in

📍 How to get there – 2 hours 30 minute / 180km drive from Reykjavik

📍 Entrance fee – No entrance fee or parking charges

Is Kirkjufellfoss worth visiting?

One of the most stunning waterfalls in Iceland, (in our opinion) is the wonderful Kirkjufellfoss. It’s not just because you can walk up and around the top of the waterfall but because of the outstanding views across to Kirkjufell.

There is a small parking area at the bottom of the rivers run with access to the one walking path up and around the falls. It’s quite steep and slippery in places, especially in winter, so watch your step and you’ll be fine!

2. Goðafoss

📍 Where – Route 1, North Iceland

📍 Nearest town – Akureyri

📍 Parking – In a designated car park to the side

📍 How to get there – 5 hours 20 minute / 425km drive from Reykjavik

📍 Entrance fee – No entrance fee or parking charges

Is Goðafoss worth visiting?

Part of the Diamond Circle Route, (North Iceland’s version of the Golden Circle route), lies the ‘Waterfall of the Gods’ or Goðafoss. This spectacular curved waterfall at 12m high and 30m wide is located on the River Skjálfandafljót the fourth largest river in Iceland.

With walking paths around both sides of the river and waterfall, there are multiple viewpoints for visitors to gain looking down at the waterfall. Only 45 minutes from Akureyri it’s an easy day trip from the North’s capital.

3. Dettifoss

📍 Where – Route 862 or 864, North Iceland

📍 Nearest town – Reykjahlíð

📍 Parking – In a designated car park to either the east or west of the waterfall, a short trek to the waterfall.

📍 How to get there – 6 hours / 470km drive from Reykjavik

📍 Entrance fee – No entrance fee or parking charges

Is Dettifoss worth visiting?

Situated in Vatnajökull National Park, Dettifoss is the second most powerful waterfall in Europe. At 44m high and 100m wide it’s clear to see why! Part of the Diamond Circle Route, (a must less touristy route compared to the Golden Circle Route), this waterfall is often overlooked unless you are in the North of Iceland.

Be warned the roads to and from Dettifoss are often closed in the winter due to snow and they don’t normally open again until the end of May… and mainly for four-wheel-drive vehicles only… but that being said if you are in the area and its open go for it.

4. Rjúkandafoss

📍 Where – Route 1, East Iceland

📍 Nearest town – Egilsstaðir

📍 Parking – In a roadside pull in at the bottom

📍 How to get there – 7 hours 15 minute / 590km drive from Reykjavik

📍 Entrance fee – No entrance fee or parking charges

Is Rjúkandafoss worth visiting?

After visiting a rather famous waterfall we stumbled upon a not-so-famous waterfall directly alongside Route 1, but it definitely makes the list of waterfalls in Iceland that you can’t miss out on. Driving from north to south you can spot Rjúkandafoss and with just a short walk from the road, you can reach the viewpoint for Rjúkandafoss and get up close to the spray.

Considering it isn’t a well-known waterfall it is stunning! It’s also rather tall and often covered in snow, so may not be so easy to spot during the winter.

5. Gufufoss

📍 Where – Route 93, East Iceland

📍 Nearest town – Seyðisfjörður

📍 Parking – In a roadside pull in at the bottom

📍 How to get there – 8 hours 15 minute / 660km drive from Reykjavik

📍 Entrance fee – No entrance fee or parking charges

Is Gufufoss worth visiting?

Driving into Seyðisfjörður you will see numerous waterfalls, but one you really must stop by that is hidden on the way down, (but visible on the way up), is Gufufoss. After parking up on the roadside pull-in, that’s not that obvious unless there is someone else parked up, you can walk along the river edge to the bottom of the waterfall. With giant boulders littering the floor in and around the water there are lots of spots to stop for a quiet sit down.

6. Svartifoss

📍 Where – Route 1, South Iceland

📍 Nearest town – Hof

📍 Parking – In designated parking at the bottom, a short trek to the waterfall.

📍 How to get there – 4 hours 15 minute / 325km drive from Reykjavik

📍 Entrance fee – No entrance fee, but fee for parking, (around 750 ISK)

Is Svartifoss worth visiting?

Located in Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park, Svartifoss is a somewhat unknown waterfall. Surrounded by dark lava basalt columns, giving it the name ‘Black Falls’, this waterfall is not only unique itself but the views along the walk are incredible too.

From the designated parking there is a lovely 5.5km walk to the waterfall, easily done in 90mins taking into account for photo stops. Compared to some of the more well-known waterfalls Svartifoss is wonderfully peaceful and very quiet. On the walk up to Svartifoss, you may catch a glimpse of the other waterfalls in the area, Magnúsarfoss, Hundafoss, and Þjófafoss.

7. Skógafoss

📍 Where – Route 1, South Iceland

📍 Nearest town – Vík

📍 Parking – In designated parking at the bottom

📍 How to get there – 2 hours / 155km drive from Reykjavik

📍 Entrance fee – No entrance fee or parking charges

Is Skógafoss worth visiting?

Another of our favourite waterfalls in Iceland, (I know I know we have a few!), with no entrance fee and free parking is the 60m high and 25m wide Skógafoss. The main reason for it being one of our favourites, is that you can walk right up to the base of the waterfall, as long as you are willing to get a little bit wet!

You can also walk up the side of the waterfall, (nearly 500 steps), for views from above which we can highly recommend, as the views are incredible. It is located only 2 hours from Reykjavik along Route 1 and most South Iceland tour routes stop here if you want to visit.

8. Seljalandfoss

📍 Where – Route 1, South Iceland

📍 Nearest town – Hvolsvöllur

📍 Parking – In designated parking at the bottom

📍 How to get there – 1 hour 50 minute / 128km drive from Reykjavik

📍 Entrance fee – No entrance fee or parking charges

Is Seljalandfoss worth visiting?

Another of our favourite waterfalls in Iceland has to be Seljalandfoss. At 65m high, it’s quite a sight to see too. This waterfall can be fully encircled, so walk up to it and around the back of it, just be aware there is absolutely no hiding from the spray, you will get wet so be prepared!

The waterfall is fed by melting water from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano glacier cap, so it is flowing pretty much all year round. Parking at the designated area isn’t free but it’s worth it for the unique waterfall experience. At roughly 2 hours from Reykjavik, it can easily be reached on a day trip.

9. Gljúfrafoss or Gljúfrabúi

📍 Where – Route 1, South Iceland

📍 Nearest town – Hvolsvöllur

📍 Parking – In designated parking at Seljalandfoss

📍 How to get there – 1 hour 50 minute / 128km drive from Reykjavik

📍 Entrance fee – No entrance fee or parking charges

Is Gljúrafoss worth visiting?

Just north of Seljalandfoss lies the waterfall of Gljúrafoss, often overlooked by visitors to the other waterfall as it’s pretty well hidden. Meaning ‘Dweller in the Gorge’ Gljúrafoss is a 40m high waterfall hidden from view by the large cliff face rocks.

The only way to see the waterfall is to wade through the freezing water into the gorge, something we attempted but gave up very soon after due to how cold the water was and how much water was coming down! As with Seljalandfoss, it is roughly 2 hours from Reykjavik and along Route 1 it can easily be reached on a day trip along the South of Iceland.

10. Gullfoss

📍 Where – Route 35, West Iceland

📍 Nearest town – Bláskógabyggð

📍 Parking – In designated parking at the top, a short trek to the waterfall

📍 How to get there – 1 hour 50 minute / 120km drive from Reykjavik

📍 Entrance fee – No entrance fee or parking charges

Is Gullfoss worth visiting?

Gullfoss or ‘Golden Falls’ is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland. Part of the Golden Circle and approximately 70 miles from Reykjavik, this multi-stepping waterfall at a 90-degree bend in the River Hvitá is amazing. With a 32m drop, this waterfall is so much larger and more astounding than you can believe.

It’s a steep walk down to the viewing points, which can get very slippery in the winter, so be sure to wear shoes with a good grip. Also, make sure to stop at the cafe at the top for a warming traditional meat soup too.

11. Öxarárfoss

📍 Where – Route 36, Þingvellir National Park, southwest Iceland

📍 Nearest town – Mosfellsbær

📍 Parking – There are multiple parking options nearby including Öxarárfoss Parking and the Öxarárfoss Parking Trailhead.

📍 How to get there – 50 minute / 53km drive from Reykjavik

📍 Entrance fee – No entrance fee, but a small fee for a day pass in the Þingvellir National Park, (750 ISK upwards)

Is Öxarárfoss worth visiting?

Öxarárfoss is located in the Þingvellir National Park in southwest Iceland but is often overlooked by visitors exploring the area as part of the Golden Circle route. Before walking along between the cliffs caused by the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, head in the opposite direction following the boardwalks through the beautiful Icelandic landscapes.

At the end of here, you will hear the tell-tale rush of water and find yourself at the bottom of Öxarárfoss. With a height of 13m, it’s not the largest of waterfalls to see in Iceland but it is rather beautiful.

Where to stay in Iceland

We would highly recommend staying in HI Iceland Hostels during a trip to Iceland. They have a great range of accommodation options and they are also located in some of the most picturesque locations across Iceland. Check out Hostelworld for the locations closest to where you want to base yourself.

The Best Waterfalls in Iceland FAQs

Which is the largest waterfall in Iceland?

At 45 meters tall and 100 meters wide, Dettifoss is the largest and most powerful waterfall in Iceland. Even though we’ve visited Iceland twice we’ve still not managed to get to this beast, (the roads were closed from snow and ice…).

What is the tallest waterfall in Iceland?

The tallest waterfall in Iceland is often disagreed upon due to the nature of the official tallest which was discovered in 2011, but these are the top two;

📍 Morsárfoss – roughly 240m / 787ft tall, (although it is often hidden by ice due to the glacier that it is formed from)

📍 Glymur – roughly 198m / 650ft

Why does Iceland have so many waterfalls?

Iceland has so many waterfalls due to its climate, which results in lots of snowfall, (which during the warmer months melts creating impressive waterfalls), and due to frequent rainfall. Glaciers that are located across the country also create waterfalls during the warmer months due to ice melt.

Is it free to visit waterfalls in Iceland?

Most waterfalls across Iceland are free to visit, some will however charge you a fee for using the dedicated car parks for visiting the waterfall. It isn’t ever particularly pricey, however, and it all gives a little back into the local area and makes the waterfalls accessible for all.

How many waterfalls are there in Iceland?

There hasn’t been an official count of all the waterfalls in Iceland one by one, (but if they need anyone to do it, we would be more than welcome to the idea!), but there are an estimated 10,000 waterfalls across this tiny island nation. We have visited quite a few during our trips to Iceland and boy are they each so unique you could never get bored of stumbling upon one.

What is the most popular waterfall in Iceland?

The most popular waterfall in Iceland is Gullfoss. As one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland and one of the most impressive and easy to view, it makes sense as to why it is the most popular. It is also located on the Golden Circle, which means that there are quite a few tourists throughout the area.

Are the waterfalls in Iceland free to visit?

Yes, all the waterfalls in Iceland are free to visit, the only thing that will cost you money is potentially having to pay for parking. Not all waterfalls have paid parking, but a few of the more well-known ones do require some kind of payment to park near them now.

What is the best month to see waterfalls in Iceland?

The best months to see the waterfalls in Iceland at full force at in the spring due to the snow melt. This is any time from April through to June. That being said, we have visited Iceland in both April and December, and the waterfalls, along the south of Iceland at least, were in just as full force in both months.

Iceland Tours

Tours are a great way to explore Iceland. These from Get Your Guide are great:

Conclusion: The Best Waterfalls in Iceland

And there you have our top waterfalls in Iceland you can’t miss. From the famous to the unknown, all the waterfalls in Iceland are worth visiting. Be sure to check out our other blog posts below for even more inspiration for a trip to Iceland.

Planning your own trip to Iceland? Make sure you check out our Travelling Tedaldi Amazon Store Travel Guides for all your guidebooks and maps. (We’ve done the hard work for you and linked all the things we used to plan our trip!)

This post has been produced in collaboration with HI Iceland. Although we were gifted the accommodation (and a few breakfasts!) during our time in Iceland, our opinion of HI Iceland and the individual hostels we stayed at is our own and has not been influenced.

Gemma Tedaldi

Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.