The Best Waterfalls in Iceland
Iceland boasts many waterfalls and it can be overwhelming to choose which ones to prioritize!
Here’s my list of the best five waterfalls in Iceland.
Kirkjufellsfoss
Getting there: Snaefellsnes peninsula (north side)
Drop: 49 feet
Iconic as Kirkjulfell Mountin, or “church mountain”, is seen in the backdrop. Some may recognize Kirkjulfell Mountain as it was featured in Game of Thrones. Parking can be hard to find. It is a short walk to the overview, suitable for everyone.
Gullfoss
Getting there: Golden Circle
Drops: 105 feet
A stunning two-tiered cascading fall. There are stairs leading to two different viewpoints, an upper and lower. Both viewpoints are worth the trek, but I personally preferred the lower viewpoint.
seljalandsfoss
Getting there: Southern Iceland
Drops: 197 feet
Paid parking lot to park. Short walk to the falls. The trail leads behind the falls, allowing you to take in a 360 degree view of the falls. If you follow the main trail to the left, there is a second waterfall this is also worthwhile. Don’t drive too far down the road, it gets rocky!
Skogafoss
Getting there: Southern Iceland. Pull up to the parking lot and short walk .
Drops: 197 feet
The walk to the falls from the parking lot is flat. You can walk right up to the waterfall. Legend says there is treasure chest buried in a cave behind the falls – but no one has been able to find it! There are stairs to the right that lead to a trail with plenty of waterfalls. If you’re up for a longer hike, start here and take the Fimmvörðuháls trail into Porsmork.
Dettifoss
Getting there: Northeastern Iceland
Drops: 144 feet (with over a width of 330 feet!)
Famously known as Europe’s most popular waterfall. It boasts an average water flow of about 6,816 cubic feet per second. The drive to the falls is about 30-45 minutes off of the main road. The part of the drive is gravel, please check weather conditions. There are two sides to the falls, east and west. The west side requires a slightly longer hike to reach the falls, but many say it boasts the superior view. It’s not recommended for those with mobility, balance problems or those not wearing proper footwear. The east side provides an easier access point, with a short walk to the overlook.
Iceland is a wonderful country – filled with SO many waterfalls. Although these are my top 5 waterfalls, there are many more to explore. If you’re planning an Iceland trip, check out my 48 hour day guide here and my 5 day guide here.
