Let’s be real – if you’re heading to Iceland and not checking out its epic waterfalls, is it even worth going? From roaring giants to hidden cascades, Iceland is full of waterfalls of all sizes and shapes. So whether you’re a hiker in search of a waterfall adventure or an Instagrammer chasing rainbows, Iceland’s waterfalls have got you covered. So, grab your waterproof jacket (trust me, you’ll need it), and let’s dive into the top 10 waterfalls in Iceland that you absolutely can’t miss!
The Top 10 Must-See Waterfalls in Iceland
10. Bruarfoss
Location: Golden Circle, Southwest Iceland
Brúarfoss is one of Iceland’s smaller waterfalls but it makes up for it in beauty. Brúarfoss, nicknamed “Iceland’s Bluest Waterfall”, is famous for its incredibly blue water caused by the glacier water running through the Brúará River, which stands out beautifully against the dark volcanic rocks surrounding the waterfall.
It’s located on the Golden Circle so it’s the perfect waterfall adventure for anyone spending just a few days in Iceland. However, unlike the other waterfalls on this list, Brúarfoss is a bit harder to reach as you’ll need to hike a 3.5 km trail to the waterfall. That said, it’s a relatively flat and easy path and is well worth the journey!
9. Kvernufoss
Location: South Iceland, near Skógafoss
Kvernufoss is one of Iceland’s hidden gems and is often overlooked as many people focus on its much bigger neighbour, Skógafoss. Tucked away in a small gorge, Kvernufoss is just a short hike away from Skógafoss and offers a much more peaceful waterfall experience away from the crowds. And what makes it such a special waterfall is the fact that you can walk behind the water as it plunges 30 metres over the cliff and into the canyon.
8. Svartifoss
Location: Skaftafell, Vatnajökull National Park
Svartifoss, also known as the “Black Falls”, is one of Iceland’s most unique and visually striking waterfalls. It’s located within the stunning Vatnajökull National Park, which is home to Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, as well as a range of other incredible landscapes, like Svartifoss.
It’s not a particularly tall waterfall compared to other Icelandic waterfalls, with a height of just 20 metres. It’s actually the waterfall’s surroundings that make it stand out. The cliff that the water flows over is made of beautiful dark basalt columns, which were actually the inspiration for the architecture of Hallgrímskirkja, the famous church in Reykjavík.
7. Aldeyjarfoss
Location: Bárðardalur Valley, North Iceland
Located in the remote highlands of northern Iceland along the Skjálfandafljót River, Aldeyjarfoss is a popular waterfall with photographers but is a little more difficult to get to. Since Aldeyjarfoss is located along a highland road (F-road), you will need a 4×4 vehicle to get to it, especially in the summer when the roads are rough and rocky. It’s well worth the adventure though, as the waterfall is framed by tall, hexagonal basalt columns, similar to those at Svartifoss, but much more pronounced.
6. Dettifoss
Location: Vatnajökull National Park, Northeast Iceland
Dettifoss isn’t just another pretty waterfall – it’s Iceland’s most powerful waterfall and the second most powerful waterfall in Europe. When around 193 cubic metres per second of water roar over the edge and plunge 45 metres into the canyon below, you can really feel the power of the waterfall. Located deep in Vatnajökull National Park, it’s a bit of a trek to get to, but when you see the water thundering into the abyss, you’ll be glad you made the journey.
5. kirkjufellsfoss
Location: Snæfellsnes Peninsula, West Iceland
Kirkjufellsfoss is one of Iceland’s most picturesque waterfalls and without a doubt one of my favourite photo locations in Iceland. It’s located just outside the small fishing town of Grundarfjörður on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in the west of the country. While the waterfall itself is relatively modest in size, what makes it so famous is its backdrop with the iconic Kirkjufell Mountain in the background.
Regardless of the time of day or year you visit, it’s pretty much impossible to take a bad photo of Kirkjufellsfoss. In summer, the area around Kirkjufellsfoss is lush and green, and the long daylight hours of the midnight sun give you plenty of time to explore and photograph the area. But personally, I’m still chasing the perfect Iceland landscape photo: Kirkjufellsfoss with a snowy Kirkjufell Mountain in the background and the Northern Lights lighting up the sky above.
4. Gullfoss
Location: Golden Circle, Southwest Iceland
Gullfoss, often referred to as the “Golden Falls”, is one of Iceland’s most famous and awe-inspiring waterfalls. It’s a massive two-tiered waterfall fed by the Langjökull glacier, Iceland’s second largest glacier. What makes it especially stunning is that all the water appears to vanish into the earth as it plunges into a deep, narrow canyon below. And much like with the Skogafoss waterfall, the water flowing through the Gullfoss waterfall forms a layer of mist than often creates a rainbow on sunny days, making the photos even more impressive.
But best of all, Gullfoss is super easy to get to from Reykjavik. It’s located in southwest Iceland, about 90 minutes from Reykjavik, and is part of Iceland’s Golden Circle so it’s a must-see waterfall if you’re only stopping over in Iceland for a few days.
Pro tip: Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s most visited waterfalls so be sure to head there early to beat the crowds.
3. Goðafoss
Location: North Iceland near Mývatn
Goðafoss, often called the “Waterfall of the Gods” is one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls and is particularly popular with landscape photographers. Located in northern Iceland along the Skjálfandafljót River, it stands about 12 metres high and spans a width of 30 metres. While it’s not the tallest waterfall in Iceland, Goðafoss has a gorgeous horseshoe shape, which gives it a wide, dramatic appearance as the water flows smoothly into the turquoise waters below.
It’s also a waterfall that holds a special place in the hearts of Icelanders as it holds plenty of historical significance. Legend has it that back in the year 1000, Iceland’s pagan gods were thrown into the falls when the country converted to Christianity.
Location: South Coast of Iceland
Want to get up close and personal with a waterfall? Seljalandsfoss lets you do just that. This stunning waterfall is one of Iceland’s most iconic and picturesque waterfalls, located along the southern coast near the Ring Road (Route 1). It’s about 65 metres (213 feet) tall and is fed by the Seljalands River, which originates from the Eyjafjallajökull glacier, a name you might recognise from the famous volcanic eruption in 2010.
What makes Seljalandsfoss unique is that it’s one of the few waterfalls in the world where you can actually walk behind the cascading water. There’s a footpath that leads behind the waterfall, giving you a 360-degree experience and creating the perfect photo location during Golden Hour when the sun sets over the horizon. Just be prepared to get wet—water sprays are inevitable, but the epic photos make it well worth getting a little wet!
Bonus tip: be sure to check out Gljúfrabúi, a smaller hidden waterfall just a short walk from Seljalandsfoss.
1. Skógafoss
Location: South Coast near Skógar
Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls and is my personal favourite. It’s located on the southern coast along the Ring Road (Route 1), near the town of Skógar. It’s also one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland, with a drop of about 60 metres (197 feet) and a width of 25 metres (82 feet).
One of the best things about Skógafoss is that you can walk right up to the base of the falls and witness the sheer volume and power of the water as it plunges into the pool below And what’s more, Skógafoss has an impressive, straight plunge, which creates a curtain of mist as it hits the ground. On sunny days, the constant spray often forms beautiful rainbows – sometimes even double rainbows – which makes it an absolutely magical spot for photographers. Just be ready to get soaked from the mist!
Bonus tip: If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s a staircase with over 500 steps leading to a viewing platform at the top of the falls. From there, you can get a bird’s-eye view of Skógafoss and get a close-up look at the water as it rushes over the cliff.
7 Other Stunning Waterfalls In Iceland
While they may not have made the top 10, there are a few waterfalls that we’d love to include in the list. The only reason we haven’t is that they can be relatively difficult to get to and aren’t always accessible. However, if you get the chance, you should definitely check these other Icelandic waterfalls out too:
- Hengifoss: This 128 metre waterfall in East Iceland is surrounded by cliffs with striking red clay and basalt layers, reached by a scenic hike that also passes the basalt-columned Litlanesfoss.
- Háifoss: One of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls at 122 metres, located in a dramatic valley with a nearby companion waterfall, Granni, creating a beautiful dual-waterfall view.
- Dynjandi: Known as the “thunderous” waterfall in the Westfjords, Dynjandi cascades down 100 metres in a bridal-veil shape, widening as it falls, and is surrounded by smaller falls below.
- Hraunfossar: A fairytale-like waterfall that flows through lava rocks over a 900 metre stretch, with turquoise waters emerging directly from the ground in western Iceland.
- Glymur: Iceland’s former tallest waterfall, Glymur plunges 198 metres into the canyon below, but requires a challenging hike with river crossings and stunning views to get to.
- Öxarárfoss: Located in Þingvellir National Park, this small 13 metre waterfall freezes over in winter and is actually one of the closer ones to Reykjavík.
- Klifbrekkufossar: A beautiful multi-tiered waterfall in the remote Mjóifjörður fjord in East Iceland, cascading down lush green hillsides and offering a tranquil, scenic spot.
There you have it, adventurers! Those are the top 10 waterfalls in Iceland that will blow your mind (and probably soak you and your camera too). Whether you’re a photographer looking to capture the fairy-tale magic of Seljalandsfoss or simply want to witness the jaw-dropping power of Dettifoss or Iceland’s got a waterfall for everyone. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your raincoat, lace up those boots, and start chasing waterfalls!
