Iceland Icelands's best Waterfalls: Must-See Spots & Hidden Gems
Öxararfoss
In the Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park, about an hour’s drive from Reykjavik, you’ll find the picturesque Öxarárfoss, known from the series Game of Thrones. The waterfall is about 13 meters high, and the cascading water ends its path in a small, rocky basin.
The nearest parking lot to Öxarárfoss is P3. From there, you can reach the waterfall via a well-maintained hiking trail in about 10–15 minutes.
Tip: Visit the waterfall early in the morning – it’s a popular spot.
Parking lot: here
Gullfoss
You can view the “golden” waterfall from various platforms. It is located about 120 km from Reykjavik and is directly along the Ring Road.
The parking lot is nearby, and several small hiking trails lead to different viewpoints.
Parking lot: here
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is located on Iceland’s south coast, about 120 km from Reykjavik, directly along the Ring Road. There is a large parking lot right at the waterfall, with a parking fee. From there, you can reach your destination within a few minutes on foot.
What makes this waterfall unique?
You can walk completely around Seljalandsfoss and take stunning photos behind the waterfall. Since this is a major tourist attraction, it’s best to visit during off-peak times or early in the morning. We arrived at 9 AM and were already too late, finding ourselves amidst a crowd.
About 500 meters from Seljalandsfoss is another beautiful waterfall, Gljúfrabúi, hidden within a rock crevice.
Kvernufoss
If you want to escape the crowds, we highly recommend Kvernufoss. It is located near Skógafoss, and here too, you can walk behind the waterfall and enjoy nature in peace. Kvernufoss stands at about 30 meters tall.
From the parking lot, a hiking trail of approximately 20 minutes leads to this waterfall.
Skogafoss
Skógafoss is located directly along the Ring Road on Iceland’s south coast. The cascading water often creates a fine mist, which, in sunlight, forms a spectacular rainbow.
The waterfall is stunning- but unfortunately also very crowded, as it is only about a 5-minute walk from a large parking lot.
Ófærufoss
During a hike through the beautiful Eldgjá canyon, you can admire the magnificent Ófærufoss waterfall, which cascades down in multiple stages from the mountain peak. The waterfall is located in Iceland’s Highlands.
From the parking lot at the Eldgjá hut, a well-marked hiking trail of about 2 km leads to Ófærufoss.
Svartifoss Waterfall
Svartifoss (Black Waterfall) is a stunning waterfall in Vatnajökull National Park, framed by striking basalt columns. It is located in the southern part of the Vatnajökull National Park.
The hike to Svartifoss takes about 1 hour and starts at the Skaftafell Visitor Center.
Litlanesfoss and Hengifoss
In eastern Iceland, you can visit the two waterfalls Litlanesfoss and Hengifoss. They are located along the same hiking trail, and Hengifoss is especially striking with its deep red lines of former volcanic ash embedded in the rock.
Dettifoss and Selfoss
Near the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, you can visit the nearby waterfalls Dettifoss and Selfoss. Dettifoss plunges with immense power and massive volumes of water, often creating beautiful rainbows in certain spots.
Selfoss is located about 1 km from Dettifoss and consists of many smaller waterfalls.
Goðafoss Waterfall
Our journey takes us from Mývatn to Goðafoss (“Waterfall of the Gods”). The waterfall is located right along the Ring Road, and several viewpoints are easily accessible by foot.
Duration: approx. 1 hour
Dynjandi Waterfall
Our journey continues to the Dynjandi waterfall in the Westfjords. During the winter months, the road there is often closed, so please check the official websites for current conditions.
The waterfall stretches over several tiers and becomes wider as it descends. You can climb up the individual steps and easily reach the waterfall from the nearby parking lot.
Before or after your visit to Dynjandi, you can also head to the Seal Lookout at Litlibær in the Westfjords. A large seal colony lives here, and you can observe the animals in peace. Please maintain a respectful distance to avoid disturbing them.
Duration: approx. 1-2 hours
