The Iceland waterfalls alone are a reason to visit the land of fire and ice. Iceland is just a three-hour flight from England (2h 45m from Manchester direct) and approximately 6 hours direct from Newark Airport (New York to Reykjavik with Icelandair). It’s the perfect destination for anyone who loves hiking and beautiful scenery. Here are some of the best waterfalls to see in Iceland…
Top 10 Iceland Waterfalls
1. Gullfoss (Golden Circle)
Gullfoss aka Golden Waterfall is considered to be the most beautiful and most visited waterfall in Iceland. It is situated in the Southwest part of Iceland and is only about a 2-hour drive from Reykjavik via road number 35. Even if you only have a weekend in Iceland, it’s possible to see this waterfall on a Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik. Come here in summer and you might be lucky enough to see rainbows form in the spray when it catches the light.
2. Selljalands Foss (South Coast)
Selljalands Foss Waterfall is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland. The waterfall is easily accessible from all sides and is breathtakingly beautiful as you can watch it by standing right behind it. It’s one of the few Iceland Waterfalls that you can walk right behind, which gives a totally different perspective, but be careful – it can be slippy!
You can drive to this waterfall yourself by following the road along the coast towards Vik. Or just head on one of the many tours on South Coast to this beautiful waterfall and within a couple of hours, you’ll see it! There’s also a great tour of the South Coast Waterfalls on Get Your Guide.
3. Skogafoss (South Coast)
It’s a popular destination when traveling along the South Coast of Iceland. Located close to the area of Skogar, it’s one of the most dramatic of all the waterfalls in Iceland. If you’re a photographer, you must know that on sunny days it produces single or even a double rainbow due to the interplay between the spray and the sunlight.
4. Kirkjufellsfoss
This is a small and charming waterfall situated near the impressive Mount Kirkjufell at Grundarfjörður on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Kirkjufellsfoss is located with easy striking distance of Reykjavik and is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland. It best experienced in the light of the midnight sun in midsummer, yet also fascinating in winters.
5. Hraunfossar
This waterfall is known as The Lava Waterfall, as it pours out of the Hallmundarhraun lava field and down the side of the banks of the Hvita river. Unlike other waterfalls, it actually comes out underneath the lava field, so appears to come from nowhere. The rivulets of water flow down into the glacial blue water, creating a beautiful scene.
Hraunfossar is almost a 2-hour drive from Reykjavík where first you head North on Route 1 and turn right on Route 50 just before you reach Borgarnes. Route 50 then turns into Route 518 and that takes you all the way to these waterfalls.
6. Svartifoss
Svartifoss is a fascinating waterfall located in the Skaftafell Nature Reserve in southeast Iceland, part of Vatnajökull National Park. Due to the dramatic contrast between the white water and the surrounding dark hexagonal basalt columns, it appears like a Black Waterfall. At the base of this fall, there are sharp rocks that have broken from these columns, making for quite a spectacular sight.
Getting to this waterfall is easy, just drive the South Coast along Route 1. And, from Reykjavik, it’s at least a 4-hour drive.
7. Bruarfoss
This waterfall looks like a splendid series of small waterfalls located in Brúará river, in the area of Grímsnes in Southwest Iceland. It’s an ideal photography location because of the stark blue color of the water that enters a deep gorge and makes it fascinating. Both locals and seasoned travelers regard Brúarfoss as one of the country’s hidden gems, often labeling it ‘Iceland’s Bluest Waterfall.’
8. Hrafnabjargafoss
Hrafnabjargafoss is a beautiful rugged waterfall that is located in the mighty Skjálfandafljót glacier river in north Iceland. It’s a massive waterfall and has rocks in the middle of the fall. Hrafnabjargafoss drops from the approximately 9,000 years old Báðardalshraun lava field. This lava field reaches all the way to Þingey island much further down in the Skjálfandafljót river.
Hrafnabjargafoss is accessible in summer, unless on tour in which specialist vehicles, equipment, and guides are present.
9. Aldeyjarfoss
Aldeyjarfoss is another beautiful and relatively remote waterfall in northern Iceland. It’s located at the northern part of the Sprengisandur Highland Road which means it is to be found within the Highlands of Iceland. One of the most interesting features of the waterfall is the contrast between the black basalt columns and the white waters of the fall, which looks wonderfully symmetrical.
It’s about a 50-minute drive to the South of the Ring Road, so is definitely not a minor detour. Note that in winters, the access can be difficult and the roads can also be closed.
10. Godafoss
The Godafoss aka ‘The Waterfall of Gods’ is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. The water of the river Skjálfandafljót falls from a height of 12 meters over a width of 30 meters. No one lets this alluring beauty pass them by without a visit. Though nobody knows the accurate story of the waterfall’s name but certainly, it’s one of Iceland’s true pearls.
Godafoss is located in the North-East part of Iceland, right off the Ring Road 1. And it is 438 kilometers away from Reykjavík.
If you enjoyed your waterfalls tours and up for a wildlife adventure, there are some amazing Whale Watching tours in Iceland. On your last day, why not head for a relaxing Blue Lagoon tour Iceland has on offer!
To make your life easier, we prepared the below Packing Checklist for your Europe’s travels of some essential items, you should include in your luggage.
- Suitcase/travel backpack
- 1 lightweight jacket
- 1 pair of tennis shoes
- 1 pair of sandals
- 1 pair of flip flops
- 1 theft-proof backpack
- 1 crossbody bag
- 1 scarf
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- Camera
- 1 e-Reader
- 1 plug converter
- Money bag
- Vitamins
- Hanging toiletry bag
- Stain remover liquid pen
You might also like to read about Budgeting for Iceland – Is Iceland Expensive?