12 Incredible Waterfalls in Iceland You Need to See

Did you know that there are over 10,000 waterfalls in Iceland?! Being under 40,000 square miles, you can easily spot waterfalls everywhere you go on this magical island.

But with so any waterfalls in Iceland, how do you choose which ones are worth visiting or not? Honestly, we are big waterfall lovers, and stopped more times than we'd like to admit during our road trip around Iceland. However, after a full week exploring, we've narrowed down some of our favorites for you.

From the biggest and most powerful waterfalls in Iceland, to some of those that are truly unique in nature, we're here to share 12 of the most incredible waterfalls in Iceland to add to your bucket list.

The Best Waterfalls in Iceland #1: Skogafoss

Skogafoss is definitely one of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland, and with good reason. It's one of the biggest and most striking waterfalls in Iceland, and is conveniently located right off the Ring Road in the south of the island.

The 60 meter drop with a width of 25 meters is truly mesmerizing, and it doesn't require any long hike to reach. Skogafoss has a large parking lot making it easy to access, and you can even walk right up to it (although you'll certainly be sprayed quite a bit from the powerful flow of it).

The Best Waterfalls in Iceland #2: Seljalandsfoss

Just down the road from Skogafoss is another popular waterfall for tourists to visit called Seljalandsfoss.

Just like Skogafoss, you can easily pull off the main highway to get to Seljalandsfoss, and reach it from just a. minute walk from the parking lot.

What we love about Seljalandsfoss is that you can actually walk right behind it!

The Best Waterfalls in Iceland #3: Gljufrabui

While you're at Seljalandsfoss, there's actually another really cool waterfall you won't want to miss out on! It's unknown to many travelers, and just a short walk down the path from Seljalandsfoss.

What makes this waterfall special is that it's located right inside of a cave! It's  certainly for the adventurous ones out there, as you'll have to climb into the cave, and it's no dry journey.

If you can get past the uncomfortable spray of water though, this truly is a magical hidden gem to be added to your bucket list of waterfalls in Iceland.

The Best Waterfalls in Iceland #4: Gulfoss

Conveniently located along the Golden Circle, Gulfoss is definitely one of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland.

Not only is it popular due to its location, but it is actually one of the most beautiful set of falls in the country, which are known was the "golden falls".

There is plenty of parking on site, with a guided path to leisurely walk to both the upper and lower falls platforms for viewing the falls.

Here are some Golden Circle tours that have Gulfoss included:

The Best Waterfalls in Iceland #5: Glymur

Glymur is the second highest waterfall in Iceland, and in our opinion, one of the most breathtaking sceneries that you can witness.

Situated deep into a the fjord of Hvalfjörður, the canyon surrounding it is full of greenery and bird flying around it. It is equally terrifying and stunning, making it an exhilarating bucket list item for your Icelandic adventures.

Unlike the rest of the waterfalls in Iceland we've mentioned, Glymur requires a bit of hiking. You can reach here by renting a car and driving a half hour outside of Reykjavik, or you can check out ones of the tours listed below:

The Best Waterfalls in Iceland #6: Hengifoss

Hengifoss is definitely one of the most unique waterfalls in Iceland, as it is surrounded by walls that have large red rings going around them.

Located all the way in the east of Iceland, it's definitely one of those less visited spots that is truly worth the journey.

Want to learn about the details of visiting? We have a full blog article about the details!

Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!

The Best Waterfalls in Iceland #7: Dettifoss

Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Iceland, and the second most powerful waterfall in all of Europe. At 144 meters tall, it pumps 193 square milliliters per second!

Located in Vatnajökull National Park, you can visit Dettifoss from either side of the canyon, where you can't two unique perspectives of the impressive falls.

The Best Waterfalls in Iceland #8: Aldeyjarfoss

Another cool waterfall located in the north east of Iceland is Aldeyjarfoss. Although it's part of the highlands, it's part of the northern part, which was accessible to us in early June before the other areas of the Highlands were open,

Aldeyarfoss is situated along the Skjálfandafljót river, and is unique because it is surrounded by black basalt columns.

The Best Waterfalls in Iceland #9: Dynjandi

Dynjandi (also known as Fjallfoss) is one of those waterfalls that feels off the beaten path, but is becoming more and more popular by tourists to visit, especially small cruise ships.

It's located in the fjord of Arnarfjörður in the Westfjords region of Iceland, and is the largest waterfall in the region at 100 meters long. It is made up of several waterfalls, and is an easy hike up to the top from the parking lot.

You'll want to be well prepared for this one, as the closer you get to the top of the waterfall the windier, colder, and wetter it becomes! We brought our umbrella, but most people came prepares with waterproof ponchos and rain boots.

Here are some fun excursions that include Dynjandi waterfalls:

The Best Waterfalls in Iceland #10: Kirkjufellfoss

This is one of the waterfalls in Iceland that really isn't so much about the waterfall itself as it is the overall scenery around it.

Kirkjufellfoss is a set of waterfalls that sits right next to the base of Kirkjufell, one of the most photographed spots in all of Iceland.

It's a 463 meter hill the is located on the north coast of Iceland's Snæfellsnes peninsula. With it's perfect cone shape, seep green color, and the waterfalls next to it, it really is the perfect post-card location.

The Best Waterfalls in Iceland #11: Drifandagil

This was one of those unplanned waterfalls in Iceland that we ended up loving. 

Driving from Snaefellsness peninsula to the West Fjords you can easily spot this stunning waterfall located just off the side of the road. Just park on the side of the road and simply walk right up! It's not a big powerful one, so you can actually get right up close to it.

The Best Waterfalls in Iceland #12: Haifoss

Haifoss is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland I have seen, and definitely one for the bucket list!

Located in the Highlands, this area can only be visited in the summer months, and requires a high clearance vehicle along a long and bumpy road to reach there.

Tips for Visiting Waterfalls in Iceland

There are so many amazing waterfalls in Iceland, and the more we visit, the more we'll continue adding our favorites to this guide. Let us know below which you decide to go to, and if you have any others you'd add to the list!

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