Iceland is extremely well known for its waterfalls – it has over 10,000 of them – and they are truly majestic. During our visit, we had the opportunity to check out more than a few waterfalls and each one was better than the next. Here are our thoughts on seven of the best waterfalls to see in Iceland!
This is by far our favorite waterfall to visit in Iceland and, while it’s not easy to hike and get the amazing view shown above, it’s definitely worth the trip. Situated near the Hvalfjarðarvegur fjord in West Iceland, Glymur is Iceland’s second highest waterfall and a highly sought after attraction for experienced hikers. Make sure to plan out at least 4 hours to make the most out of this stop and you can read more about the best tips for visiting Glymur Waterfall here.
There are plenty of reasons why Kirkjufellsfoss is a photographers dream location to visit and capture moments from. Located near the town of Grundarfjörður on the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland, this waterfall has an amazing backdrop whichever way you look at it and is very easy to get to. During the winter, this attraction draws many travelers chasing the northern lights to get a glowing shot of the legendary Kirkjufell. Definitely add this as a stop on your trip and check out our coverage on visiting Kirkjufellsfoss here.
Skógafoss is one of the most popular destinations to stop when driving along the South Coast of Iceland. An intensely powerful waterfall, Skógafoss brings in crowds from all over and can be seen from the road, which makes itself a great pit stop for anyone. If you have a bit of time while you’re here, we recommend climbing the steps to the top of the waterfall and taking a nice, leisurely walk along the Skóga river. The further you walk, the more peaceful it gets. Read up on why Skógafoss is one of our favorite stops here.
Seljalandsfoss is a very unique waterfall in Iceland, in that you can walk behind the waterfall, which is quite an experience. Located along the South Coast of Iceland, this attraction is about as picturesque as it gets and is a memorable spot that you’ll be gushing about to your friends when recalling your trip. Seljalandsfoss is also only a quick five minute walk from Gljúfrabúi, another unique waterfall that you need to squeeze through a canyon opening to get to. This is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Iceland and you can read more about Seljalandsfoss Waterfall here.
Svartifoss is another waterfall found on the South Coast of Iceland, located within Skaftafell (Vatnajokull National Park). This waterfall, surrounded by natural hexagonal basalt columns, is an incredible sight to see. Similar to Hálsanefshellir Cave at Reynisfjara Beach, this waterfall provided inspiration for the architecture of the Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík. This is one of many attractions within Skaftafell, so it’s definitely worth adding as a stop as part of your Iceland itinerary. Read more about the best tips for visiting Svartifoss Waterfall here.
Gullfoss is likely the most well-known waterfall in Iceland, since it sits along the Golden Circle in Southwest Iceland, which is the country’s most popular trail of tourist attractions. Among the best day trips from Reykjavik, the Golden Circle also highlights Þingvellir National Park and the Great Geysirs, but Gullfoss is a really magnificent attraction. Find out why we recommend stopping at Gullfoss Falls here.
Gljúfrabúi is a bit of a hidden gem – and we like it for that exact reason. This waterfall can be found at the same stop as Seljalandsfoss along Iceland’s South Coast, and, while most people just stop to see the main Seljalandsfoss waterfall attraction, they often forget (or don’t know about) this secret waterfall. Gljúfrabúi is a quick five minute walk from the parking lot and you need to squeeze through a canyon opening to get to it – we’d recommend wearing waterproof shoes here. There is usually only a small group of people, which makes the experience very intimate, and you can climb up onto the rock to catch a great picture. Get a glimpse of how to get to Gljúfrabúi Waterfall here.
While these are seven of the best waterfalls to visit in Iceland, there are plenty of others we’d recommend looking up and checking out! The next time we get to Iceland, we’ll be sure to update this list and continue to provide details for the best ways to experience Iceland’s greatest waterfalls. Feel free to also browse our full list of Iceland attractions here.
