Iceland is a land of unparalleled natural beauty. It’s rugged and it is vast. It’s a place where you can take a stroll on a black sand beach, hike on a glacier, visit an ice cave, hike off the beaten path through the highlands, soak in natural hot springs or even climb into a dormant volcano. And at the core of it all, are its waterfalls. Ranging from small picturesque cascades a short walk from a parking lot, to impressive sheer forces of nature demanding a longer hike, Iceland’s waterfalls are definitely one of the main attractions on this natural playground.

During my two trips to Iceland, I visited many of these, but not all. In fact, just when I think I’m crossing things off my “must see” list, with each new trip I plan for a client visiting Iceland, I keep discovering more incredible spots that warrant a return trip of my own. But let’s face it, I’m fine with that. Iceland remains at the very top of my favorite destinations for scenic adventure, and one I’ll keep going back to.

Here are just ten of my favorite (or highly recommended) waterfalls to visit when in Iceland.

Dettifoss

Dettifoss is located in Vatnajökull National Park in Northeast Iceland, and is reputed to be the second most powerful waterfall in Europe after the Rhine Falls (Switzerland). The falls are 100 meters (330 ft) wide and have a drop of 44 meters (144 ft) down to the canyon Jökulsárgljúfur. The sediment-rich runoff colors the water a greyish white.

Dettifoss is best visited in the summer when the weather is mild and the roads are open. There are two main ways to get to Dettifoss: from the north via the Diamond Circle route, or from the south via the Ring Road. The drive from Akureyri takes about 2 hours, while the drive from Reykjavík takes about 7 hours.

Once you arrive at Dettifoss, there are two viewpoints where you can see the falls: one on the east side of the river and one on the west side. The western side is the easiest to get to since road 862 is paved, and there’s an easy walking path to the falls. From here, you’ll have a head-on view of the waterfall, with gorgeous golden-hour lighting if you come at the right time. However, you will also have the most spray here.

Side note, I love this waterfall, but it was that exact spray on a rainy day that ended up shorting out my trusted Nikon D750 DSLR. Be sure to pack your rain gear!

On the east side, you’ll have a much longer route on the unpaved road 864. I didn’t get the chance to visit this viewpoint on my trip, but I do recommend it. While the walking path will also be a bit more difficult, you can get closer to the majestic beauty, and the spray won’t be nearly as bad. If you have the time, I’d recommend visiting both sides.

Bruarfoss

Tucked away in the Grimsnes area of Southwest Iceland, Bruarfoss is a hidden gem known for its unique feature: its striking blue waters. This small waterfall may not be the highest, but its spread out cascades and lush mossy surroundings make it a photographer's dream.

Bruarfoss is a popular tourist destination, but it is still relatively unknown compared to some of Iceland's other waterfalls. To get to Bruarfoss, you will need to drive to the parking lot at the junction of roads 355 and 37. From the parking lot, it is a 3.5 km (2.2 mi) hike to the falls. The hike is relatively easy, but there is some uneven terrain and a few small river crossings with two other waterfalls, Hlauptungufoss and Midfoss, along the way.

The best time to visit is in the summer when the weather is mild and the days are long. However, the waterfall is also beautiful in the winter, when the surrounding landscape is covered in snow. Be sure to wear layers!

Klifbrekkufoss

Klifbrekkufoss is a hidden gem of a waterfall located in East Iceland, about a 3-hour drive from Egilsstaðir. It is known for its unique seven-tiered cascade, which creates a zig-zag pattern down the mountainside.

To get to Klifbrekkufoss, you will need to drive about 16km on gravel road 953. The road is not super well-maintained, so it is important to drive slowly and carefully as you’ll be in for a narrow drive and some pretty steep areas. Keep in mind the mountain pass is prone to fog, and only open during the summer months (June to September). While not necessarily required, a 4x4 vehicle is highly recommended.

Skógafoss

Despite being one of the most visited and most photographed waterfalls in Iceland, Skógafoss is a must-see and probably my favorite on this list. Crowds flock to it, and it is a popular spot for many guided tours for a good reason. Skógafoss is simply breathtaking.

The water cascades down from a height of 60 meters (197 feet) into a thunderous pool below. The spray from the falls is so powerful that it often creates rainbows on sunny days. As a result, photographing it can be difficult, and you are almost guaranteed to get wet if you get close enough. But in my opinion, that’s actually the best part. There’s nothing quite standing super close to this impressive force of nature.

If you’re looking for a different viewpoint, you can also climb the steps all the way up to the top of the cliff to the observation point. From here you can not only look down on the waterfall, but look all the way out to the sea cliffs and surrounding area.

Skógafoss also has a fascinating history. According legend, a Viking named Thrasi hid a treasure chest with gold and jewels in the cave behind the falls. As you can imagine, many people have tried to find it over the years. One day, it is said that a young man finally managed to find the treasure chest. But as he tried to pull it out of the cave, the ring on the chest broke off, and the chest disappeared. The ring is now on display at the Skógar Museum, located just a short walk from the waterfall.

Kvernufoss

Kvernufoss is another gem in South Iceland, often overshadowed by its more famous neighbors. At 30m (98 ft) high, it's half-hidden in a dramatic gorge covered in lush green vegetation in the summer months. This is one of those waterfalls that have been gaining popularity in recent years, but where you can still enjoy it rather peacefully on your own.

To get there, park at the Skógar Museum, climb over the metal ladder and it’s a quick 15-20 minute walk until you reach the waterfall. The walk is easy, but be sure to wear hiking boots or waterproof shoes with grips because there are a few steep areas with loose gravel, particularly if you’d like to climb up behind it.

While this can be a pretty quick visit, we spent a decent amount of time basking (and getting soaked) behind the waterfall. If you hug the rear wall, the spray won’t get you quite as bad. But I’d argue that getting wet is part of the experience.

Goðafoss

Goðafoss, also known as the Waterfall of the Gods, is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland. It is located in the northeastern part of the country, along the Ring Road. Goðafoss is said to be named for an event that took place in the 10th century, when the Icelandic lawspeaker, Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði, threw the pagan idols into the waterfall after Iceland converted to Christianity.

The waterfall is 12 meters (39 feet) tall and 30 meters (98 feet) wide. It cascades over a horseshoe-shaped ridge of basalt columns, creating a stunning visual effect. Naturally, Goðafoss is a popular spot for photographers, and also a popular tourist destination. While it doesn’t quite see the same amount of crowds as the waterfalls along the southern coast, Goðafoss is included in most northern tours coming out of Akureyri so it won’t be surprising to see tour buses in the parking lot.

Due to its easy accessibility, Goðafoss can be visited any time of the year.

Dynjandi

Dynjandi, known as "the Jewel of the Westfjords," is a spectacular sight and a must see if you’re venturing out to this more remote area of Iceland. It stands as one of the tallest waterfalls in the country, cascading approximately 100m (328 ft) in a veil-like shape.

What’s unique here is that the waterfall most commonly referred to as Dynjandi is just the first in a series of 7 tiered falls. The first and largest, pictured above, is called Fjallfoss and you can reach it by following the hiking trail from the parking lot. The trail will take you past all the other smaller waterfalls, all the way up to the base of the crowning jewel. It should take about 15-20 minutes to reach the top, but with the amount of scenic views along the way, you’ll likely be stopping multiple times to soak it in.

Just like most other hiking paths in Iceland, please be careful as there are no guard rails along the falls. While the best time to visit is the summer months (May to September), Dynjandi is reachable all year round.

Háifoss

Háifoss, or "Tall Falls," is a colossal waterfall standing at an impressive 122 meters (400 feet). Located in South Iceland's Thjorsardalur Valley, it offers a panoramic view as it descends into a valley. Nearby, you'll also find Granni, which is not to be underestimated with its height of 100 meters (331 feet).

The waterfall is located in a somewhat remote area of Iceland, and it is not well-known to tourists. However, it is a beautiful and impressive waterfall, and it is worth the journey to see. Hiking boots recommended if you’re considering the hike to enjoy the waterfall from the top and bottom viewpoints.

Háifoss is only about 2 hours from Reykjavik, but unlike the other popular waterfalls, it is not right off the Ring Road. It’ll take you a bit off the beaten path and down a gravel road for about 7km. A 4x4 vehicle is not required, but would make it a more comfortable ride.

Kirkjufellsfoss

Nestled near the imposing Mount Kirkjufell on the Snaefellsnes peninsula, Kirkjufellsfoss offers a picturesque scene that may be familiar to fans of Game of Thrones as “Arrowhead Mountain.”

Kirkjufellsfoss is a popular destination for tourists year-round, but it is especially beautiful in the summer when the vegetation is lush and green. In the winter, the waterfall and the surrounding landscape can be covered in snow. It’s a special place to witness the northern lights, if you happen to be staying at one of the nearby guesthouses.

This one is more about setting than the actual waterfall, at least for me. The falls are small and picturesque, but the backdrop is positively stunning. Being a popular spot, there’s a large parking lot and walking trail.

Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss is probably the most famous waterfall in Iceland. Known for the recessed path behind it and the surrounding soaring vista, this is usually the image most people know when they first start their Iceland research. It was one of the ones I was most familiar with before my first trip.

My favorite time to visit Seljalandsfoss is in the late evening during golden hour. The first time I visited, it was around 10pm and the colors were absolutely out of this world. Whatever time you visit, be sure to dress warm and layer up with waterproof clothing, specially if you’re planning to walk behind it. The spray can get intense, but it adds to the magic of the experience. The path can also get quite slippery and muddy, so definitely be careful. It’s worth noting that, if visiting in winter, the trail behind the waterfall might be closed due to unsafe icy conditions.

Seljalandsfoss is super easy to get to and you can visit it by yourself or on a tour. It’s about 75 miles from Reykjavik, right off the Ring Road. As you get near, you’ll be able to see the waterfall in the distance.

Bonus: Gljufrabui

When visiting Seljalandsfoss, it’d be a huge miss to not walk down the path and visit this tiny gem. You’ll definitely need waterproof boots here because in order to reach the base of Gljufrabui, you’ll have to walk through the stream and into the cave. While it’s possible to step on the rocks, it can be treacherous and I generally prefer to get my boots a little wet but have solid footing.

Gljufrabui is probably one of the most magical places if you happen to have it to yourself and the sun is shining either through the top, or through the cave entrance. Again, the colors! If you weren’t wet after Seljalandsfoss, you’ll definitely be wet here. The spray will make it hard to get photos, but it’s worth the struggle.

While these are just a very small list of Iceland’s gorgeous waterfalls, there are so many others worth your time. Personally, I’m a fan of going off the beaten path a bit, and exploring beyond the tried and true “big” spots, but even I must admit that Iceland’s “top spots” have to be visited. Don’t be turned off by the popular places. Instead, plan around the crowds and tours if you can, and enjoy what Iceland has to offer.

Iceland is my most booked destination. If you need help coming up with a perfect itinerary just for you, I’m only an email away! Of you can get started by filling out my Travel Request Form. Can’t wait to hear from you!