14 waterfalls in Iceland you shouldn't miss (the most beautiful ones)

How many waterfalls are there in Iceland? That's the question I tried to find the answer to before I started writing this article. Some point to 10,000 throughout the country. Is this an exaggerated estimate?

Perhaps we first need to define what a waterfall is. According to the National Geographic Society it is: "The sharp fall of a river or other body of water over a rocky ledge." Following this definition, perhaps we can deduce that the number of waterfalls in Iceland is not far from reality.

The climate, with frequent rain and snow, and Iceland's location, combined with the many glaciers that melt in summer, are particularly suitable for the formation of waterfalls. Some, even with an immense flow, freeze over in winter.

Travelling around Iceland, you'll find countless of these bodies of water, although some are more powerful, expressive or beautiful than others. For example, Dettifoss - the most powerful in Europe - or Seljandsfoss - one of the most beautiful.

Of course, in this article I'm not going to talk about 10,000 or even 1,000 waterfalls in Iceland, but you will find many that deserve to be seen and admired on a tour of the Scandinavian island.

Which is the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland? Take a look at the ones I present in this article and decide for yourself.

Waterfalls in Iceland - the most beautiful

Glymur

Located in the Hvalfjordur Fjord, the 198 metre high Glymur Waterfall is considered the second highest in Iceland - only behind the Morsárfoss Waterfall. 

This is not one of the most popular places for first-time travellers to Iceland, as it takes about three hours to get there (round trip).

Those who have done it (I haven't yet) say that the route is very beautiful, but it's not a flat walk. Along the way you'll come across caves, the Botnsá River and the Hvalfjordur Fjord. Take your camera. 

Location of Glymur: 70 km from Reykjavik (1 hour by car)

Morsárfoss

In 2007, Morsárfoss was awarded the title of Iceland's largest waterfall (228 metres), surpassing Glymur's 198 metres. Like Glymur, it requires a long walk to get there. The waterfall is impressive, with a single stream of water falling vertiginously from the cliffs, surrounded by other small waterfalls encased in glacial ice.

Morsárfoss is the result of the melting of the Morsárjokull Glacier and was only discovered recently because the ice sheet is now melting at a much faster rate due to climate change. The walk is 18 kilometres long and takes at least six hours to complete. As you have to climb a glacier, Morsárfoss should only be climbed with an experienced guide.

Location of Morsárfoss: 325 km from Reykjavik (4 hours by car)

Selfoss

Selfoss is one of the waterfalls in Iceland that may go unnoticed, as it is very close to the giant Dettifoss. However, as part of the Golden Circle route, it deserves to be seen. 

Selfoss is fed by a glacier and then turns into Iceland's second largest river, the Jokulsá á Fjollum, flowing into the Greenland Sea. Selfoss is very small in height (around 11 metres) but very long (around 100 metres).

When you go to see Dettifoss, as you're in the area, take the opportunity to see another beautiful Icelandic waterfall - Selfoss. Don't confuse Dettifoss Waterfall with a town of the same name located much further south.

Selfoss location: 535 km from Reykjavik (7 hours by car)

Háifoss

In a country full of waterfalls, Háifoss is one of the most impressive. At 122 metres high, it is one of the highest in Iceland. It is located on the Fossá River - a tributary of the Thjórsá River, Iceland's largest river. Right next to it you can also see the Granni.

From the viewpoint, the view is fabulous and it's very easy to get there. It's only a few metres from the car park.

Location of Háifoss: 141 kilometres from Reykjavik (2 hours by car)

Hengifoss

The water from the Hengifoss waterfall flows from a height of 128 metres into the Hengifossárgljúfur gorge in the Fljótsdalur valley. It's a picturesque waterfall and the water gushes between several layers of lava strata that produce a reddish colour on the cliffs surrounding the waterfall. 

On the way to Hengifoss, you'll see another waterfall called Litlanesfoss, which has impressive basalt columns on both sides of the outlet. The walk takes around 50 minutes, but requires extra physical effort as the trail is steep and gradually ascends.

Location of Hengifoss: 665 km from Reykjavik (8 hours by car)

Brúarfoss

Brúarfoss means "bridge waterfall", due to a stone arch that once existed for passers-by to cross the river. Enjoy the beautiful blue waters as you travel along the Golden Circle route, as it is located 15 kilometres from the Strokkur geyser.

Brúarfoss is a small waterfall fed by the Brúará River. However, it's not because of its size that many people visit it. It's the colour. Hidden in a remote area of western Iceland, it has an intense blue colour - they even call it the bluest waterfall in Iceland.

Location of Brúarfoss: 95 km from Reykjavik (1h30 by car)

Hraunfossar

"Foss" in Icelandic means "waterfall", but "fossar" means waterfalls and that gives us a clue as to what we're about to see, as there are a series of waterfalls running down the volcanic lava cliff. 

The Hraunfossar waterfall crosses the lava fields of Hallmundarhraun, and the water falls down a hillside, causing a visual spectacle of great beauty. The water originates from the Langjokull glacier - the second largest in the country - and from there it enters the Hvítá River. 

There is a viewing platform a short distance from the car park, which offers a wide view of the waterfall, the river and the local flora. Not far from there is another Icelandic waterfall to enjoy: Barnafoss.

Location of Hraunfossar: 126 km from Reykjavik (1h40 by car)

Dynjandi

Dynjandi is a cataract in the remote area of the WestfjordsIt's located near Dynjandivogur. Some say it's a kind of layer cake, but whatever it looks like, there's one thing for sure: it's magnificent. To get to the base of Dynjandi, you need to take a short walk of between 15 and 20 minutes.

The view is really excellent and is the result of the combination of several other small waterfalls, which rise to a height of several metres. Each of these even has a name, but the one you should stick to is Gongumannafoss, because you can even walk behind it. It's the third one from the top.

Location of Dynjandi: 366 kilometres from Reykjavik (5 hours by car)

Gullfoss

Of Iceland's waterfalls, Gullfoss is perhaps the most iconic. It's a huge waterfall that showcases Iceland's wild and unspoilt beauty. If you're lucky, on a sunny day a vibrant rainbow might even appear.

The Hvítá River flows through a gorge, creating a very strong current. Gullfoss comprises two waterfalls at different levels. The upper falls about 10 metres, while the lower falls about 20 metres. 

Gullfoss, also called the Golden Waterfall, is on the route of the Golden CircleThis is why it is one of the most popular Icelandic waterfalls.

Location of Gullfoss: 116 km from Reykjavik (1h40 by car)

Svartifoss

Svartifoss, or "Black Waterfall", is a waterfall near Skaftafell, inside Vatnajokull National Park. It's the black basalt walls that gave it its name.  

To get to Svartifoss, you have to walk about 90 minutes (total round trip), as the climb is steep. The trail, which is well signposted, starts at Skaftafell Visitor Centre and passes by other smaller waterfalls: Magnúsarfoss, Hundafoss and Thjofafoss.

Location of Svartifoss: 327 km from Reykjavik (4 hours by car)

Skogafoss

Skogafoss is one of my favourite waterfalls in Iceland. Sometimes double rainbows appear and make the scenery even more amazing. There are many waterfalls in Iceland and I haven't (yet) seen them all - nor will I because some come and go depending on the time of year.

Skogafoss is different because the water gushes down from a height of 60 metres and when you reach the base you feel small, almost insignificant. It was one of the waterfalls I most enjoyed photographing. If you want a different perspective, climb 500 steps to access the observation platform.

Location of Skogafoss: 156 km from Reykjavik (2 hours by car)

Seljalandsfoss

Not far from Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, on the Seljalandsá River, is one of the waterfalls in Iceland that I liked the most. I spent a long time there cleaning the filter and then the lens, then the filter and then the lens. Finally I managed to take several photos of the waterfall.

It's worth mentioning that I was doing this from behind the waterfall's curtain. It wasn't an easy task, but I'll do it again when I travel to Iceland.

That said, be prepared to get wet. Take a raincoat or stay outside Seljalandsfoss. In winter, access is closed because it's dangerous and even in summer it's best to wear grippy footwear. Right next door is a lesser-known waterfall: Gljúfrabúi.

Location of Seljalandsfoss: 128 km from Reykjavik (1h40 by car)

Dettifoss 

Dettifoss, found in Vatnajökull National Park, is one of the most powerful waterfalls on the European continent. Dettifoss is truly breathtaking in its immense power. 

The water flows through the Jokulsárgljúfur gorge, via the Jokulsá á Fjollum river, creating one of the most dramatic natural sites to put on your Iceland itinerary.

On one of the days (or nights) I was in the country, I photographed "The Beast" (that's what it's called) at midnight... in the sunshine.

Dettifoss - which propels 200 cubic metres of water per second - has even featured in films like Prometheus. Its noise can still be heard long before we see it.

Location of Dettifoss: 540 km from Reykjavik (7 hours by car)

Kirkjufellsfoss

Kirkjufellsfoss, in Snaefellsnes, is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland for two reasons: it's very beautiful and it's easily accessible from Reykjavik. 

The waterfall enters the photos in the foreground, leaving Mount Kirkjufell in the background, but the two together form a scene of rare beauty - even by Icelandic standards of natural beauty. In winter, this is the place where many people flock to see and photographing the Aurora Borealis.

This area is so special that even the writer Jules Verne mentioned it in his Journey to the Centre of the Earth.

Kirkjufellsfoss location: 180 km from Reykjavik (2 hours by car)

How to visit Iceland's waterfalls

To discover Iceland's waterfalls, it's essential to have a car. This gives you the freedom to plan, change your itinerary and stop along the way.

I use Discovercars to find the best prices.

Final note: Some paths to Iceland's waterfalls were closed by the owners because too many tourists repeatedly left rubbish along the way. I can't even describe how infuriated I get when I visit these places and see plastic, cans, glass, paper, etc. in natural environments. When visiting these places, never leave rubbish behind. We must all contribute to a better planet and more sustainable tourism.

Do you know how to photograph waterfalls?

There are techniques for photographing every situation. One of these is knowing how to capture the best photographs of waterfalls. If you're going to explore several of the waterfalls I mentioned above, then it would also be good to know how to record them with the best angle, light and perspective.

If you want to learn or improve your photography, register for one of my photography workshops.

Map of Iceland's waterfalls

Internet and Wi-Fi

The most affordable way to access the internet is to buy this eSIM (with a 15% discount). Discover the world without worrying about roaming and access high-speed internet in over 190 countries.

Money

I use the Wise card and the Revolut card to avoid bank fees and commissions. I always travel with both.

Hotel in Iceland

When it comes to deciding where to stay in Iceland, the answer can vary between camping and local accommodation. If you want to be more comfortable and not risk getting your tent flooded (as happened to me one night), then I suggest these hotels.

1. Tungata (Reykjavik)
2. Freyja Guesthouse & Suites (Reykjavik)
3. The Old Post Office Guesthouse (Snæfellsnes)
4. Við Hafið Guesthouse (Snæfellsnes)
5. Myrkholt Farm (Strokkur)
6. Litli Geysir Hotel (Strokkur)
7. ION Adventure Hotel (Thingvellir)
8. Hotel Grimsborgir (Thingvellir)
9. Skyrhúsid Guest House (Jokulsarlon)
10. Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon (Jokulsarlon)
11. Hotel Skaftafell (Eastfjords)
12. Road 62 Hagi 2 (Westfjords)
13. Harbour Inn - Guesthouse (Westfjords)
14. Skútustadir Guesthouse (Myvatn)
15. Vogafjós Farm (Myvatn)
16. Árból Guesthouse (Húsavík)
17. Langavatn Guesthouse (Húsavík)