The best waterfalls in Iceland: details and insider tips

Between the glaciers, frequent rainfall, and snow, it’s no wonder Iceland has an abundance of waterfalls, many of which are easily accessible by car and a short hike, or sometimes no hike at all.

However, not all waterfalls are created equal, and with limited vacation days and Iceland being an expensive destination, we have to pick and choose which ones are worth a drive. I researched and checked reviews of all the main waterfalls in the whole country, and then personally vetted them on my 2-week trip across Iceland’s Ring Road. 

Overall, the best time to visit Iceland for waterfalls is in spring after the snow melts, and early autumn (September and October), when the weather is still mild but also rainy, which makes the waterfalls more abundant. Winter means strong winds and icy paths, though the snow and frozen falls do make for very unique landscapes. Summer is usually lush but also more crowded.

PS: If you don’t want to spend too much time planning your trip, choose from these sustainable tours to Iceland, organised by G Adventures.

The full list of the best waterfalls in Iceland

Here’s the full list (with details and tips) of all the best waterfalls in Iceland, starting from what’s closest to Reykjavik, and going east, north, then west. 

1. Bruarfoss

This is considered the “bluest waterfall” in Iceland and can be done as part of a Golden Circle tour. 

• Bruarfoss is more wide than tall, and small streams of water flow into the main channel, creating a sort of bridge appearance. Hence, the name “bruarfoss,” which means bridge waterfall in Icelandic.  
• Despite being referred to as a “hidden gem,” it’s quite popular due to its bright blue colour and charming, dreamy feel.
• It’s about a 1.5-hour drive from Reykjavik, which is where most people stay when visiting Iceland.
• It’s very easy to access — it’s a few minutes’ walk from the parking lot, but there’s a parking fee of about €5, which you can pay using the parka.is app. 
• If you don’t want to pay for parking, you can hike the Bruara trail, which is 7 km (4.3 miles). The hike itself is not very challenging, but can be muddy and slippery, and you will spot the two other waterfalls along the trail (Hlauptungufoss and Midfoss).
• If you’d rather not hike and park close by, you can still see Hlauptungufoss and Midfoss by stopping at Bruarfoss first, then walking about 10 minutes to Midfoss, and another 10 minutes to Hlauptungufoss.
• The area around it is small (there is not a lot of walking space), so even if it has fewer visitors than the more popular Gullfoss and Skógafoss, it feels more crowded.
• There are rules about not getting too close to the water, as the rocks are slippery and you can easily fall into the powerful falls and get dragged, but unfortunately, I saw a lot of people taking risks.
• Drones are allowed.
• When to visit:
  • If you go early in the morning or late afternoon, the low sun position will create shadows on the falls. The best time to go is when the sun is high in the sky to avoid long shadowy contrasts and dark patches, though it will also be more crowded at that time.
  • Spring, summer, and autumn are best. Summer is peak season, meaning longer sunny days but more crowds. Spring and autumn are ideal. Visiting Bruarfoss in winter is not a good idea as the sun stays low, and the paths are muddy and icy.

2. Gullfoss

Possibly one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland, Gullfoss is powerful, especially during summer when the Langjökull glacier melts and flows into the Hvítá River.

• Gullfoss means “golden falls”. 
• It’s a famous waterfall because of its impressive beauty, and the fact that the water falls into a canyon, creating a 2-tier waterfall, making it look like the falls just disappear into the earth. It’s also part of the popular Golden Circle day trip, meaning it’s a well-known landmark among tourists.
• The top part is about 11 meters (36 ft), and the lower drop is about 21 meters (69 ft).
• Parking is free, and you have to walk down steps to reach the falls. There’s a souvenir shop and restaurant nearby, and bathrooms too, if I remember correctly.
• The space is wide, so despite having lots of visitors, it doesn’t feel that crowded. At least not in the late afternoon, which is when we went.
• The wind chill factor is very high. We went in early October, and we were freezing, especially given that the falls require a few minutes of walking from the parking lot, and the area is not shielded.
• The best time to visit:
  • Early morning or late afternoon, with the sunset glow, though there was a bit of a shadow.
  • Seasonal: late spring is beautiful with lush greenery all around it, or in October, after it has snowed a bit, and the falls start to freeze.

3. Skógafoss

Skógafoss is like a celebrity waterfall in Iceland. It’s popular in the media and has been featured in Game of Thrones, Vikings, Thor, Eurovision Song Contest, and a few music videos.

• It’s located in Southern Iceland, and is a 2-hour drive from Reykjavik.
• It’s called the “curtain waterfall” and is 60 m long (196 feet). 
• There is no parking fee, so this place is free to visit.
• There’s a bathroom and a restaurant on site.
• Skogafoss gets very busy, whether in high season (summer) or low season (winter).
• I highly recommend walking up the stairs and doing the Skógar walking trail. It’s an easy, marked path, not crowded, and you can see Skógafoss from above. It connects to various smaller waterfalls along the way:
  • Hestavaðsfoss (scenic rocky river)
  • Fosstorfufoss 
  • Steinbogafoss

4. Kvernufoss

Kvernufoss is a true hidden gem, not far from Skógafoss, though it has a different hiking trail. It’s a small space, but often overlooked by tourists, so it doesn’t get too crowded. 

• The fall is not very powerful; it’s really just one stream of water, but it’s 30 m long (98 ft).
• You can walk behind the waterfall, which is really cool. 
• Make sure to wear proper hiking (and waterproof) shoes, and a rain jacket if you want to walk behind the falls. 
• How to get there: park at the Skógar Museum (there is a parking fee), and walk 1 km (0.6 mile) along the Kverná river to the waterfall.
• When to go:
  • I recommend early morning and late afternoon for the best light and fewer people.
  • Late spring or early summer, when the paths may be muddy but not icy, and the surroundings are green and lush.

5. Folaldafoss

Far out towards the East Fjords is another hidden gem, Folaldafoss. There was no one when we went there, and we had the whole place to ourselves. 

• You can easily see Folaldafoss from the main road.
• There’s a spot where you can stop the car, for free, sort of like an unofficial parking spot. There are also a few tables if you want to have a picnic there. 
• Folaldafoss is a good place to stop if you’re on the way to the east fjords and Hallormsstaðarskógur forest, Iceland’s largest forest.
• You can walk to the falls and get quite close, but there’s no paved or marked trail.
• Wear waterproof and sturdy shoes to deal with the mud and slippery rocks.

6. Studlafoss

In Northeast Iceland, this waterfall is next to the Studlagil Canyon, and is small-ish.

• Studlafoss is not the main attraction because everyone goes there to see the Studlagil Canyon with its basalt columns and turquoise river.
• However, it’s still a worthy stopover in my opinion, because the basalt columns around the falls are a uniquely Icelandic landscape.
• You will need to pay for parking, and you will have limited cell service there to use the app. So try to pay for parking on the app right before you reach, or right after you leave.
• If you visit the Canyon from the viewpoint across rather than walk the 30-minute pathway, you will not see the falls.
  • By the way, the viewpoint requires you to walk down 200 steps, also has paid parking, and you can’t get close to the canyon. 
• There’s a paid bathroom right by the parking spot, just before the falls.
• Best time to visit
  • Early morning to late afternoon to avoid crowds.
  • April to October are the best times to visit, though not after rainfall. 
  • Avoid winter because sometimes the path is blocked and you can’t go to the canyon. 
• Tips
  • Wear sturdy, waterproof hiking shoes as this place is often muddy and slippery.
  • Don’t get too close to the border, as the rocks are very slippery too, and people have fallen before.
  • That turquoise water you likely saw online is not guaranteed. The river is more often grey than turquoise, due to rain and cloudy skies.
  • There are horses and sheep along the way that belong to the farmers who live there. Don’t approach, pet, or feed them without permission, and don’t trespass onto private property. See more etiquette and travel tips for Iceland. 

7. Dettifoss

Dettifoss is another celebrity waterfall in Iceland, and was featured in the movie Prometheus and a few other media outlets. It also just happens to be Europe’s most powerful falls (and one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland).

• Dettifoss is located about a 50-minute drive from Lake Mývatn, or about 2 hours from Iceland’s northern town, Akureyri.
• Dettifoss is 44 meters (144 ft) and 100 meters (328 ft) wide.
• Fun fact: Dettifoss was chosen as the opening scene for Prometheus because of its “alien-like” landscape. 
• Dettifoss is one of those waterfalls that you feel, due to its power and heavy water flow. 
• Wear sturdy, waterproof shoes and rain jackets when visiting. 
• There’s no parking fee.
• Despite being one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland, Dettifoss does not get as crowded as the Golden Circle waterfalls or those in Southern Iceland, because the majority of tourists don’t visit Northern Iceland.
• How to get there: There are two routes
  • From the West Side (Route 862). This is a paved road offering great viewing platforms, and the paved road means it’s the safest and easiest option. 
  • From the East Side (Route 864). This road is a gravel road and is only open in summer. The path is less developed, but you will be able to get closer to the raw energy of the falls.
• If you prefer a hidden gem in this area, visit the small Selfoss waterfall nearby.
  • It’s accessible via a short hike (about 15 minutes) from Dettifoss, and is beautiful with multiple small water streams coming out of rocks. But it can be underwhelming compared to Dettifoss, though it’s a much calmer experience, and with fewer crowds.

8. Godafoss 

Nicknamed the “Waterfall of the Gods”, Godafoss is a beautifully symmetrical waterfall and one of my favourites in Iceland.

• The nickname comes from a legend claiming that when Iceland converted to Christianity, the jurist Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði threw the pagan statues in Godafoss.
• Despite not being the tallest or widest waterfall, Godafoss is still impressive. It does get a lot of visitors, but not as many as the ones in the Golden Circle or Southern Iceland. You will still have plenty of space for photos.
• It’s incredibly easy to access
  • It’s about a 30-minute drive from Akureyri.
  • It has a paved, short walking trail from the parking lot, which is right off the main road. 
• Godafoss has two sides. You can walk right alongside it or cross a pedestrian bridge to see a different viewpoint.
• Parking is free. 
• When to visit Godafoss
  • It’s at its most beautiful with the soft sunset light.
  • Any season is good to visit, because in summer the water is more blue, while in winter, the frozen falls make for a unique, spectacular display. But bear in mind that the walking path is icy and slippery in winter.

9. Dynjandi

Dynjandi is the Westfjords’ giant and majestic waterfall.

• Due to its remote location and long drive to get there (about 5 hours driving from Reykjavik), Dynjandi is a hidden, untouched gem with few visitors.
• There’s a parking fee. But you can decide to not enter the area and just see the falls from the road.
• Dynjandi is 100 meters (328 ft) tall, and is a series of waterfalls rather than just one drop. As you walk towards the top, you will stop at 6 waterfalls, stacked one after another.
• The hike up takes about 15 minutes and is quite steep. Wear sturdy, waterproof shoes and a rain jacket and pants, as the mist will make everything slippery and wet. It’s also quite windy at the top.
• There’s a bathroom at the parking lot.

10. Hraunfossar 

Hraunfossar is a unique and mesmerising waterfall, and is nicknamed “lava falls” because the water flows gently through actual volcanic rock (the Hallmundarhraun lava field). 

• Located 1 hr and 45 minutes from Reykjavik by car, Hraunfossar is in Húsafell, West Iceland, and easy to reach.
• Its unique geology of water flowing through rocks rather than from a cliff, and its close-ish location to Reykjavik, makes Hraunfossar very attractive, meaning there might be a lot of visitors. 
• Parking is free, and there are various viewing platforms for different angles.
• Best time to visit Hraunfossar:
  • Early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds.
  • Summer makes for a beautiful landscape, with bright blue water and green moss. It’s the perfect time to capture photos.
  • Autumn is also beautiful as the trees around the falls turn orange and red.
• Very close to Hraunfossar is another small waterfall, Barnafoss, just a few minutes walk away.

The waterfalls that were just meh 

I found these waterfalls to be just okay and not “must-sees” for a variety of reasons: maybe they were just not impressive (aka small, not powerful, not a lot of water), or they were quite far out of the way and not worth the trip.

1. Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi

Seljalandsfoss is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland, having appeared in marketing materials and music videos. However, I didn’t find it worthwhile because of the huge crowds, the waterfall itself was not very powerful, and the landscape was not unique or special. 

• You can see Seljalandsfoss from the street just by driving by, and it looks like a thin sheet of water, though it is tall (60 m or 197 ft).
• There’s a parking fee, and really long lines to get to the falls. 
• It’s very popular because
  • It’s close-ish to Reykjavik (1 hour 45 minutes drive)
  • There’s no hiking required
  • Highlight: You can walk behind the waterfall on a path that offers various angles (But you can also walk behind Kvernufoss, which is less crowded)
  • You can combine a trip to Seljalandsfoss with another fall next to it, Gljúfrabúi, which is along the same trail and is partially hidden, and less crowded.
• If you still decide to go
  • Go at golden hour, just before sunset, for fewer crowds and the best lighting because the waterfall faces west.
  • The best seasons are spring, summer, and autumn. The path to walk behind the falls is closed in winter.
  • Wear waterproof gear because you will get wet from the mist from the falls.
  • Wear sturdy, waterproof shoes with a good grip because some parts can be muddy or slippery.
  • Bring a waterproof case for your camera and filming gear.

2. Svartifoss 

Svartifoss is known as “black fall”, due to its basalt columns that create a one-of-a-kind view and experience. I’ll be honest, I skipped this one, but I checked all the reviews, and many said it’s fine to visit if you have time, but the falls themselves are not as impressive as most other Icelandic waterfalls, and therefore was not worth the effort. And you can also see similar waterfalls with basalt columns elsewhere, which we did at Studlafoss.

• It takes a moderately challenging hike of 1.5 km (0.9 miles) to reach the falls (about 40 minutes to 1 hour one way), and it’s uphill. 
• There’s a parking fee at the Skaftafell Visitor Centre.
• The waterfall drop is 20 meters (65 ft), and there’s a viewing platform.
• Those basalt columns (formed from slowly cooling lava) apparently inspired the design of the famous Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavik.

3. Klifbrekkufossar

This is a 7-tier waterfall in the remote East Fjords that you reach via a gravel road through the mountains. 

• This is a totally fine waterfall to visit if you’re in the area, and it’s not crowded at all, but perhaps not worth the long drive through challenging terrains just to see it. Especially on icy roads and in snowy weather, although the landscape is breathtaking.
• The closest town is Egilsstaðir, about 25 km (15.5 miles) away. 
• There’s no formal parking spots (hence no parking fee), just a few unofficial spots to stop the car, nor any facilities like bathrooms. 
• Check road closures before you go, as the road is usually closed during the winter months. If the weather conditions are not great but the road is open, don’t risk it. 

4. Gufu waterfall

Gufufoss is a waterfall by the roadside, and you don’t need to hike to reach it. 

• Gufufoss is 27 meters tall (89 ft), and a bit similar to Skogafoss, but not crowded. 
• If you’re in the East Fjords and on the way to the cute little town of Seyðisfjörður, then it’s totally fine to stop at Gufufoss. But I would not recommend going out of your way to see it.
• There is no official parking spot (hence no parking fee), and there are limited spaces.

5. Vestdalsfossar

Also in the East Fjords, just after Seyðisfjörður town, Vestdalsfossar is a series of small waterfalls flowing into a gorge or river.

• You can see it from the road, but to get closer, there’s a relatively easy hike, reachable in about 10 mins from the car park (600 m or 0.4 miles). 
• There’s no parking fee. 
• The path to the falls is muddy and slippery, so wear sturdy and waterproof shoes and gear.
• It’s a hidden gem and does not get a lot of visitors.
• Personally, I thought it was a beautifully moody place and reminded me of landscapes I might have seen in New Zealand when I went looking for Lord of the Rings filming spots. However, it is far out of the way, and the falls themselves are just small streams of water. 

6. Kirkjufellsfoss

Ok, so this one might be controversial. Kirkjufell is the most photographed mountain in Iceland, and is instagram-famous. 

• You can drive by and see the mountain by the roadside, but it looks somewhat ordinary. For a better perspective and view, it’s best to see it with the waterfalls in the foreground.
• However, there’s a parking fee, and the two waterfalls are just tiny streams of water. 
• This place also gets crowded all day, though slightly less in the colder months. 
• We went to Kirkjufellsfoss just before sunset in late October, and there were still quite a lot of people, though I imagine not as bad as during the day and in peak summer months.

The most efficient itineraries to see the best waterfalls in Iceland

Here are the best road trip routes to see the waterfalls mentioned above.

1. Ring Road

I loved my Ring Road trip during my 2 weeks in Iceland. I managed to see various landscapes and multiple waterfalls all over Iceland, and at a leisurely pace. The Ring Road is the best option if you want to see all the major waterfalls in Iceland, including famous ones and hidden gems. 

2. Reykjavik and Golden Circle 

If you’re short on time and staying mostly in Reykjavik, the best use of your time is to do the Golden Circle, where you will see Bruarfoss and Gulfoss. These are two of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland, after all. 

3. South Coast Waterfall Trail

Heading towards Southern Iceland? Along the way, before reaching Vik town, you can see Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui, and then head on to Skógafoss and the Skógar trail. Try to fit in the hidden gem Kvernufoss too, especially if you’re skipping Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui, because it offers similar experiences (i.e., walking behind a waterfall) but with fewer crowds. 

4. West Iceland and Westfjords

Do you prefer off-the-beaten-path and quieter waterfall experiences? Going to West Iceland and the Westfjords is the answer. In West Iceland, you can see Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, while in the Westfjord, you can visit one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland: Dynjandi. 

The popular Kirkjufellsfoss is also in West Iceland, though it’s definitely not off the beaten path.

The best waterfalls in Iceland: FAQs

1. How many waterfalls are there in Iceland?

There are apparently over 10000 waterfalls in Iceland, though they all vary in size, shape, landscape, and power. 

2. Is there paid parking at all the waterfalls in Iceland?

No, some waterfalls (even popular ones) don’t have parking fees, while others do. Some you can also just see from the roadside. 

The waterfalls with parking fees are:

• Bruarfoss in the Golden Circle
• Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi in Southern Iceland
• Kvernufoss in Southern Iceland 
• Svartifoss in Southern Iceland
• Studlafoss in East Iceland
• Dynjandi in the Westfjords
• Kirkjufellsfoss in West Iceland

The waterfalls without a parking fee are:

• Gullfoss in the Golden Circle
• Skogafoss in Southern Iceland
• Folaldafoss in East Iceland
• Klifbrekkufossar in East Iceland
• Gufufoss in East Iceland
• Vestdalsfossar in East Iceland
• Dettifoss in North East Iceland
• Godafoss in North Iceland
• Hraunfossar and Barnafoss in West Iceland

3. What’s the tallest waterfall in Iceland?

The tallest waterfalls in Iceland are Morsárfoss, Glymur, Strútsfoss, Dynjandi, and Prestagilfoss. 

4. Are waterfalls in Iceland accessible in winter?

Not all waterfalls are accessible in winter, due to the paths being closed because of icy and stormy conditions. There are a few that are open throughout the year, such as Gullfoss waterfall, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Goðafoss, Kirkjufellsfoss, and Hraunfossar & Barnafoss.

5. Can you swim in any of the waterfalls in Iceland?

It’s discouraged to swim in Iceland’s waterfalls, as they are cold throughout the year, and are dangerous due to strong currents. Some waterfalls even have strict laws prohibiting swimming.