Iceland: the land of waterfalls

Iceland is the land of waterfalls and you’ll see them all around the country. There are so many and distinct waterfalls in the country that it is really hard to pick the best ones, so instead we decided to showcase all the Iceland waterfalls we visited during our multiple trips there.

Currently, we have 17 waterfalls with an individual description and a map with all their locations plus a few others. There’s no order or ranking here, just some of the best Iceland waterfalls for your enjoyment. And there are several more! We’ll keep updating this article as we visit new ones.

Start planning your trip to Iceland and add your favorite waterfalls. If you’re a keen nature lover and photographer, be ready, Iceland is definitely for you and you’ll enjoy seeing these waterfalls.

Háifoss

Háifoss

Háifoss ranks amongst the top 3 highest Iceland waterfalls with a drop of 122 m and still is one of the least visited ones due to its remote location on the edge of the highlands. Access is not very easy and usually not suitable for smaller cars yet this waterfall is well worth the effort of a short detour off road 32 on the Þjórsárdalur valley.

Urriðafoss

Urriðafoss is located in the river Þjórsá, southwest Iceland. It’s quite easy to find, just off road 1 near the bridge over the river Þjórsá, between the towns of Selfoss and Hella.

Svartifoss

Svartifoss is known as the Black Fall and is a unique waterfall due to the dark lava columns surrounding it. It’s located in Skaftafell and part of Vatnajökull National Park. In order to reach Svartifoss, a 2-hour round-trip hike is necessary.

Svartifoss inspired the famous Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík.

Þjófafoss

Þjófafoss is located in the river Þjórsá. It can be accessed from a gravel track off road 26. The mountain Búrfell dominates the background.

Hraunfossar

Hraunfossar

The beauty of Hraunfossar is due to the many small waterfalls coming from the lava field Hallmundarhraun. The waterfalls then go into the river Hvítá.

Hraunfossar is located near Reykholt on road 518.

Skógafoss

Skógafoss is one of the big and famous Icelandic waterfalls. It has a width of 25 m and a height of 60 m. Highly recognizable from many pictures, it certainly lives up to expectations. It’s located in Skógar, very close to road 1.

It’s really easy to get very close and completely drenched! Also, a staircase on the right-hand side leads to the top of the waterfall (amazing views!) and gives access to a hiking trail.

Hundafoss

Hundafoss is a smaller waterfall located in Skaftafell, on the hiking trail that leads to Svartifoss.

Hjálparfoss

Hjálparfoss is a double waterfall located in South Iceland. It can be reached from road 32.

Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss is another super famous Icelandic waterfall. Its best-known feature is that you can go behind it. What a unique perspective! The waterfall drops 60 m from river Seljalandsá.

It’s located very close to road 1, Southwest Iceland.

Foss á Siðu

Foss á Siðu is located in the South of Iceland, very close to a farm and road 1. Its beautiful and slim water flow is very picturesque.

Gluggafoss

Gluggafoss is located in the South of Iceland and is also known as Merkjárfoss and Window Falls. It’s one of the several waterfalls coming out of river Merjká. It’s located next to road 261, a very off the beaten path location.

The upper of the waterfall is very nice and almost seems like the water is behind a window. A small path allows to see it from very close.

Goðafoss

Goðafoss is known as the Waterfall of the Gods and is also quite famous. It has a width of 30 m and height of 12 m.

It’s located in the North of Iceland, on road 1 between Akureyri and Mývatn.

Gullfoss

Gullfoss is known as the Golden Falls and is probably the most visited waterfall in Iceland. It’s part of the Golden Circle, a group of natural attractions close to Reyjkjavík. It can be reached via road 35.

There are a few different viewing angles, each one equally spectacular. When the water of the river Hvítá drops into a 30 m deep crevice, it seems to disappear.

Lots of water spray if you get too close!

Dynjandi

Dynjandi is a group of waterfalls located in the Westfjords. It’s a very remote area of Iceland and thus not as visited, but with a total drop of around 100 m, Dynjandi is pretty impressive!

A trail allows walking alongside it all the way to the top waterfall.

Dettifoss

Dettifoss is the most powerful Icelandic waterfall and you can find it at Vatnajökull National Park, Northeast Iceland. It can be seen from the West (road 862) and East (road 864) sides, both beautiful and worth seeing.

The power of Dettifoss is immense and needs to be felt right there. It drops 45 m into the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon.

Kirkjufellsfoss

Kirkjufellsfoss

Kirkjufellfoss and Kirkjufell, the mountain behind the waterfall, probably one of the most photographed landscapes in Iceland. And for a good reason. This place is amazing for photography and very easy to access on the outskirts of Grundarfjörður, a small fishing town in the Snæfellsnes peninsula.

Bruarfoss

Bruarfoss is a hidden gem of a waterfall that not a lot of people know, yet it is located within easy reach when doing the popular Golden Circle tour, just before Geysir. The unique blue color and shape of Bruarfoss make it one of the best waterfalls in Iceland.

Iceland waterfalls map

If you’re going to visit Iceland and plan on chasing some of these waterfalls, this map of Iceland waterfalls will come in handy.

Iceland waterfalls highlights in video

Nothing better than seeing some amazing waterfalls in action. See our short video to get a better perspective of these nature wonders!

Ready to head outdoors and explore Iceland’s waterfalls? Don’t forget to gear up.

Have you been to Iceland? Which waterfalls have you been to or would like to visit?