Iceland is a country of waterfalls. They're everywhere: along the ring road, in hidden canyons, in the highlands. Below — 10 waterfalls worth seeing if you're traveling 5+ days. All accessible without F-roads (except one — noted).
1. Seljalandsfoss
Where: South, an hour from Vík, right by Ring Road 1. Coordinates: 63.6156° N, 19.9886° W.
One of the two iconic Iceland waterfalls. 60 m tall. You can walk behind it — a rare opportunity. Family-friendly. Parking €7.
Best time: summer sunset — sun shines through the water. Frozen in winter, the path closes.
2. Skógafoss
Where: South, 30 km east of Seljalandsfoss, by Ring Road. 63.5320° N, 19.5114° W.
The most «postcard» Iceland waterfall — a perfect rectangular curtain 25 m wide, 60 m tall. You can walk right up (you'll get wet), or climb 527 steps to the viewpoint above — great view and a glimpse of the Fimmvörðuháls trail.
Tip: mornings are crowded. Better after 18:00.
3. Gullfoss
Where: Southwest, on the «Golden Circle». 64.3271° N, 20.1199° W.
«Golden Waterfall» — two-tier cascade in the Hvítá river canyon. 32 m total drop. One of the must-sees on the Golden Circle alongside Geysir and Þingvellir. Free parking.
Winter partial freeze at the edges looks alien.
4. Dettifoss
Where: Northeast, an hour from Mývatn. 65.8146° N, 16.3849° W.
Europe's most powerful waterfall by volume — up to 500 m³/sec. 100 m wide, 44 m tall. Not «pretty» in the traditional sense — OVERWHELMING. Featured in the opening of «Prometheus».
Tip: approach from the east side (road 864) — best angle, fewer people. The west side (862) has asphalt but is farther from the viewpoint.
5. Svartifoss
Where: South, in Skaftafell national park. 64.0277° N, 16.9755° W.
«Black Waterfall» — framed by basalt columns like a dark organ. Not the tallest (20 m), but one of the most photogenic. Hike only — 1.5 km uphill from Skaftafell parking (~45 min one way).
6. Háifoss
Where: Central-south Iceland, Þjórsárdalur valley. 64.2104° N, 19.6896° W.
One of Iceland's tallest — 122 m. Plus Granni right next to it, nearly the same height. The canyon view from either lookout is the most epic in the South. Road is a short F-road (F332), passable in 4WD in summer. Not in a regular car.
7. Goðafoss (Waterfall of the Gods)
Where: North, between Akureyri and Mývatn, by Ring Road. 65.6831° N, 17.5500° W.
Half-circle waterfall 12 m tall, 30 m wide. Legend: Icelanders threw their pagan god statues here in 1000 AD upon converting to Christianity. Half-frozen in winter — photographers love it.
8. Aldeyjarfoss
Where: Central-north, on F26. 65.4039° N, 17.3389° W.
Contrast: white water falling between black basalt columns. 20 m tall. Less known to tourists — fewer people. Gravel road, but not strictly an F-road. 4WD preferred.
9. Hraunfossar and Barnafoss
Where: West, near Húsafell. 64.7029° N, 20.9779° W.
Unique phenomenon: Hraunfossar isn't one waterfall but water EMERGING from under a lava field along its entire 900 m length, flowing into a river. Right next to it — Barnafoss, a powerful frothy waterfall with a legend about two drowned children. Free.
10. Glymur
Where: Hvalfjörður, 1.5 hours from Reykjavik. 64.3925° N, 21.2533° W.
Was Iceland's tallest (198 m) until Morsárfoss was discovered. Hike only — 3-4 hours round trip, including a river ford (with a tensioned rope to grab). Not for everyone, but views are worth it.
5-7 day route
If you're driving the ring road:
- Day 1: Reykjavik → Selfoss → Skógafoss → Seljalandsfoss → Vík (overnight)
- Day 2: Vík → Skaftafell → Svartifoss → Jökulsárlón → Höfn (overnight)
- Day 3: Höfn → east fjords → Egilsstaðir (overnight)
- Day 4: Egilsstaðir → Dettifoss → Mývatn (overnight)
- Day 5: Mývatn → Goðafoss → Akureyri (overnight)
- Day 6: Akureyri → Hraunfossar → Reykjavik
- Day 7: Golden Circle — Gullfoss + Geysir + Þingvellir
That's 8 of the 10 plus the main sights. Add Háifoss and Aldeyjarfoss if you have 4WD and time.
What to bring for waterfall photos
- Tripod (for long exposure — silky water)
- ND filter (daytime long exposure)
- Microfiber cloth — spray hits the lens constantly
- Protective cover / waterproof bag
- Hooded jacket — even not at the falls you'll get wet from wind
More on Iceland gear in our packing list article.
Are they free?
9 of 10 waterfalls are free. Paid only:
- Seljalandsfoss — €7 parking
- Skógafoss — €7 parking
- Þingvellir / Gullfoss / Geysir — €10 parking (if at Þingvellir)
Access to the waterfalls themselves is always free — they're national treasures.
Iceland is a country of waterfalls. They're everywhere: along the ring road, in hidden canyons, in the highlands. Below — 10 waterfalls worth seeing if you're traveling 5+ days. All accessible without F-roads (except one — noted).
1. Seljalandsfoss
Where: South, an hour from Vík, right by Ring Road 1. Coordinates: 63.6156° N, 19.9886° W.
One of the two iconic Iceland waterfalls. 60 m tall. You can walk behind it — a rare opportunity. Family-friendly. Parking €7.
Best time: summer sunset — sun shines through the water. Frozen in winter, the path closes.
2. Skógafoss
Where: South, 30 km east of Seljalandsfoss, by Ring Road. 63.5320° N, 19.5114° W.
The most «postcard» Iceland waterfall — a perfect rectangular curtain 25 m wide, 60 m tall. You can walk right up (you'll get wet), or climb 527 steps to the viewpoint above — great view and a glimpse of the Fimmvörðuháls trail.
Tip: mornings are crowded. Better after 18:00.
3. Gullfoss
Where: Southwest, on the «Golden Circle». 64.3271° N, 20.1199° W.
«Golden Waterfall» — two-tier cascade in the Hvítá river canyon. 32 m total drop. One of the must-sees on the Golden Circle alongside Geysir and Þingvellir. Free parking.
Winter partial freeze at the edges looks alien.
4. Dettifoss
Where: Northeast, an hour from Mývatn. 65.8146° N, 16.3849° W.
Europe's most powerful waterfall by volume — up to 500 m³/sec. 100 m wide, 44 m tall. Not «pretty» in the traditional sense — OVERWHELMING. Featured in the opening of «Prometheus».
Tip: approach from the east side (road 864) — best angle, fewer people. The west side (862) has asphalt but is farther from the viewpoint.
5. Svartifoss
Where: South, in Skaftafell national park. 64.0277° N, 16.9755° W.
«Black Waterfall» — framed by basalt columns like a dark organ. Not the tallest (20 m), but one of the most photogenic. Hike only — 1.5 km uphill from Skaftafell parking (~45 min one way).
6. Háifoss
Where: Central-south Iceland, Þjórsárdalur valley. 64.2104° N, 19.6896° W.
One of Iceland's tallest — 122 m. Plus Granni right next to it, nearly the same height. The canyon view from either lookout is the most epic in the South. Road is a short F-road (F332), passable in 4WD in summer. Not in a regular car.
7. Goðafoss (Waterfall of the Gods)
Where: North, between Akureyri and Mývatn, by Ring Road. 65.6831° N, 17.5500° W.
Half-circle waterfall 12 m tall, 30 m wide. Legend: Icelanders threw their pagan god statues here in 1000 AD upon converting to Christianity. Half-frozen in winter — photographers love it.
8. Aldeyjarfoss
Where: Central-north, on F26. 65.4039° N, 17.3389° W.
Contrast: white water falling between black basalt columns. 20 m tall. Less known to tourists — fewer people. Gravel road, but not strictly an F-road. 4WD preferred.
9. Hraunfossar and Barnafoss
Where: West, near Húsafell. 64.7029° N, 20.9779° W.
Unique phenomenon: Hraunfossar isn't one waterfall but water EMERGING from under a lava field along its entire 900 m length, flowing into a river. Right next to it — Barnafoss, a powerful frothy waterfall with a legend about two drowned children. Free.
10. Glymur
Where: Hvalfjörður, 1.5 hours from Reykjavik. 64.3925° N, 21.2533° W.
Was Iceland's tallest (198 m) until Morsárfoss was discovered. Hike only — 3-4 hours round trip, including a river ford (with a tensioned rope to grab). Not for everyone, but views are worth it.
5-7 day route
If you're driving the ring road:
- Day 1: Reykjavik → Selfoss → Skógafoss → Seljalandsfoss → Vík (overnight)
- Day 2: Vík → Skaftafell → Svartifoss → Jökulsárlón → Höfn (overnight)
- Day 3: Höfn → east fjords → Egilsstaðir (overnight)
- Day 4: Egilsstaðir → Dettifoss → Mývatn (overnight)
- Day 5: Mývatn → Goðafoss → Akureyri (overnight)
- Day 6: Akureyri → Hraunfossar → Reykjavik
- Day 7: Golden Circle — Gullfoss + Geysir + Þingvellir
That's 8 of the 10 plus the main sights. Add Háifoss and Aldeyjarfoss if you have 4WD and time.
What to bring for waterfall photos
- Tripod (for long exposure — silky water)
- ND filter (daytime long exposure)
- Microfiber cloth — spray hits the lens constantly
- Protective cover / waterproof bag
- Hooded jacket — even not at the falls you'll get wet from wind
More on Iceland gear in our packing list article.
Are they free?
9 of 10 waterfalls are free. Paid only:
- Seljalandsfoss — €7 parking
- Skógafoss — €7 parking
- Þingvellir / Gullfoss / Geysir — €10 parking (if at Þingvellir)
Access to the waterfalls themselves is always free — they're national treasures.