Iceland has thousands of waterfalls, but a relatively short list accounts for most of what travelers come to see. Here are the ones worth the detour.
South Coast classics
Seljalandsfoss is famous for the path that runs behind the falling water — bring a rain jacket. A short walk further along the same cliff line is Gljúfrabúi, partially hidden inside a small canyon. Further east, Skógafoss drops 60 meters in a single curtain and is visible from the Ring Road.
The big ones
Gullfoss, on the Golden Circle, is Iceland’s most-visited waterfall for good reason — a two-tiered drop into a canyon. Déttifoss, in the northeast, is one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe by volume, fed by glacial meltwater from Vatnajökull.
Worth the hike
Glymur, once considered Iceland’s tallest waterfall, requires a river crossing and a scramble up a canyon — budget half a day. Hraunfossar, in the west, is a series of small cascades flowing out from under a lava field rather than a single dramatic drop, and is an easy roadside stop.
Practical tips
Most popular waterfalls have parking fees (a few hundred ISK, usually card-only) and can be very slippery in winter — crampons are worth packing if you’re visiting between October and April.
About Erika Sand
Erika has spent the last decade driving, hiking, and hot-spring-hopping across Iceland in every season. She writes NRF.is’s itineraries, guides, and trip reports to help travelers see the country safely, affordably, and without the tourist-trap detours.