Iceland · Natural Wonders
Iceland's
Waterfalls
Discover 200+ spectacular waterfalls — from thundering glacial cascades to hidden highland gems. Walk behind Seljalandsfoss, witness Europe's most powerful Dettifoss, and explore remote bridal veils.
200+
Waterfalls
8
Regions
6
Road Trips
Free
Entry to All
Year-Round
Most Open
10
Experiences
Must See
Iceland's Most Famous Waterfalls
The bucket-list cascades that define Iceland
south iceland
Brúarfoss Waterfall
Blue-water waterfall on the Brúará river, reached by official walking access in the Golden Circle area.
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south iceland
Gljúfrabúi
Partly hidden 40-metre waterfall in a narrow gorge beside Seljalandsfoss.
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south iceland
Kvernufoss
30-metre waterfall in a narrow gorge near Skógar, with a path behind the cascade in suitable conditions.
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south iceland
Skógafoss
Broad 60-metre waterfall by Skógar with viewpoints at the base and above the falls.
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westfjords
Dynjandi
Dynjandi, also known as Fjallfoss, is the Westfjords' majestic 100-meter tiered waterfall, fanning out like a bridal veil.
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south iceland
Seljalandsfoss
60-metre South Coast waterfall with a path behind the cascade when conditions allow.
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south iceland
Gullfoss
Two-stage waterfall on the Hvítá river and one of the main stops on the Golden Circle.
ExploreWaterfall Explorer
112 of 112 waterfalls — search, filter or find falls near you
Browse by Experience
What kind of waterfall are you looking for?
🚶 Walk Behind
Waterfalls you can walk behind
2 waterfalls →
💎 Hidden Gems
Off the beaten path — few tourists, pure Iceland
19 waterfalls →
💥 Most Powerful
Raw glacial force — Europe's mightiest falls
14 waterfalls →
📏 Highest
Iceland's tallest drops
2 waterfalls →
👨👩👧 Family Friendly
Easy paths and safe viewpoints for all ages
5 waterfalls →
🚗 Easy Access
Steps from the parking lot
7 waterfalls →
📸 Photography
Rainbows, reflections and epic compositions
3 waterfalls →
🥾 Short Hike
Earn the view — under 2 hours round trip
5 waterfalls →
🌋 Highlands
Remote falls in the wild interior (4×4 season)
6 waterfalls →
❄️ Winter
Frozen curtains and northern lights backdrops
54 waterfalls →
Waterfall Road Trips
Curated routes — one click loads every stop into your Trip Planner
South Coast Waterfall Trail
The classics in one day — walk behind Seljalandsfoss, find hidden Kvernufoss, stand under Skógafoss and hike to Svartifoss.
Skógafoss
Svartifoss
Golden Circle Waterfalls
Gullfoss and the blue wonder Brúarfoss, then detour into Þjórsárdalur for Háifoss and Hjálparfoss.
Brúarfoss Waterfall
Hjálparfoss
North Iceland Waterfall Route
From Goðafoss to the basalt columns of Aldeyjarfoss and Europe's most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss.
Goðafoss
Aldeyjarfoss
Selfoss Waterfall
East Iceland Waterfall Trail
Hike to Hengifoss above the basalt-framed Litlanesfoss, with Fardagafoss and Gufufoss by Seyðisfjörður.
Litlanesfoss Waterfall
Fardagafoss
Gufufoss
Westfjords Hidden Falls
The bridal-veil giant Dynjandi and the falls almost nobody visits along the Strandir coast.
Dynjandi
Djúpavíkurfoss
Rjúkandi
Kerlingarfoss
Ring Road Waterfalls
The ultimate circle — every must-see waterfall on Route 1, from the south coast to the north.
Skógafoss
Svartifoss
Goðafoss
Hraunfossar
📸 Photography Guide
Where and how to shoot Iceland's waterfalls
Best at Sunrise
Seljalandsfoss faces west but glows at dawn from behind; Skógafoss catches first light on clear mornings with almost no crowds before 8 AM.
Best at Sunset
Kirkjufellsfoss with Kirkjufell mountain is Iceland's most photographed sunset frame. Goðafoss turns gold under the midnight sun in June–July.
Rainbow Spots
Skógafoss throws a double rainbow on sunny days around midday. Gullfoss and Dettifoss mist up rainbows whenever the sun is out.
Drone Friendly
Háifoss, Aldeyjarfoss and Strútsfoss allow dramatic aerials with few people. Always check current rules — drones are banned at crowded falls and in national parks.
Long Exposure Tips
Bring an ND filter (6–10 stops), a tripod and a lens cloth — spray is constant. 0.5–2 s exposures give silky water while keeping texture.
Northern Lights Falls
Goðafoss, Kirkjufellsfoss and Seljalandsfoss are the classic aurora foregrounds — dark skies, easy access and parking beside the falls.
Waterfalls Through the Seasons
Each season transforms the falls completely
Spring (Apr–May)
Snowmelt swells every river — waterfalls are at their most powerful. Fewer tourists, but highland falls like Háifoss remain closed until late May.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Everything is open, including F-road falls like Aldeyjarfoss. Midnight sun means you can shoot at 1 AM with golden light and empty car parks.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Golden birch and moss frame the falls, northern lights return, and the summer crowds vanish. Hengifoss and Glymur hikes are at their prettiest.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Frozen curtains and blue ice at Gullfoss, Goðafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Stick to south coast and Golden Circle falls — many others are inaccessible.
Guided Experiences
Tours & Day Trips in Iceland
Golden Circle, Northern Lights hunts, whale watching, glacier hikes, lava cave tours and more. Explore Iceland your way.
Accommodation
Where to Stay for Waterfall Chasing
Hotels and guesthouses on the South Coast — base yourself here for Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Gullfoss
🏨 Hotel876 mHótel Skógá
Experience Icelandic tranquility at Hótel Skógá, steps from the majestic Skógafoss waterfall.
🏨 Hotel1.6 kmHótel Drangshlíð
Experience rustic charm and stunning South Iceland scenery at Hótel Drangshlíð.
🏡 Guesthouse5.8 kmWelcome Edinborg
Charming guesthouse with a rustic wooden deck, nestled amidst the stunning South Iceland landscape.
🏨 Hotel6.1 kmUmi Hótel
Experience modern design amidst South Iceland's breathtaking landscapes at Umi Hótel.
🏡 Guesthouse6.4 kmWelcome Lambafell
Experience rustic charm and mountain serenity at Welcome Lambafell, featuring cozy log cabins and an outdoor hot tub amidst stunning South Iceland scenery.
🏡 Guesthouse10.9 kmSólheimahjáleiga
Experience tranquil Icelandic hospitality at Sólheimahjáleiga, nestled amidst green hills with glacier views.
Help
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before visiting Iceland's waterfalls
What is the most famous waterfall in Iceland?
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Gullfoss is arguably the most famous waterfall in Iceland, located on the Golden Circle route. Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss on the South Coast are also among the most visited. For sheer power, Dettifoss in North Iceland is Europe's most powerful waterfall.
Can you walk behind a waterfall in Iceland?
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Yes — Seljalandsfoss on the South Coast has a path that allows visitors to walk completely behind the waterfall. It is open most of the year except in icy winter conditions. Bring waterproof clothing as the path gets very wet.
What is the tallest waterfall in Iceland?
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Morsárfoss at 228 metres is technically the tallest, but it is very remote. Glymur at 198 metres is the tallest accessible waterfall in Iceland and is popular for hiking. Hengifoss (128m) and Háifoss (122m) are also among the tallest.
Which Iceland waterfall is best in winter?
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Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and Gullfoss are all dramatic in winter and accessible year-round. Seljalandsfoss can freeze partially in very cold winters. Kirkjufellsfoss is particularly popular in winter for Northern Lights photography.
Are Iceland waterfalls free to visit?
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Most waterfalls in Iceland are free to visit. Some, like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, have paid parking areas nearby. Entry to the waterfalls themselves is always free.
What should I bring to visit waterfalls?
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Waterproof jacket and pants (especially for Seljalandsfoss), sturdy hiking boots with grip, camera with lens cloth for spray, and warm layers. In winter, add crampons for icy paths and bring extra batteries as cold drains them quickly.
🌌 See the Northern Lights
Track real-time aurora activity and plan your Northern Lights trip with AuroraVision.
Find Hotels in Iceland
From cozy Reykjavík guesthouses to remote Highland lodges — thousands of properties with free cancellation and best price guarantee.
Tours & Experiences
Explore Activities in Iceland
Guided Experiences
Tours & Day Trips in Iceland
Golden Circle, Northern Lights hunts, whale watching, glacier hikes, lava cave tours and more. Explore Iceland your way.