10 Best Waterfall Tours in Iceland

Iceland is home to more than 10,000 waterfalls throughout the country. Some are unnamed, others are unknown, but they will still make you stop and appreciate their beauty as you pass by. Others, however, are world famous, and there are various guided tours available to explore them.

It will be impossible to see all of Iceland's waterfalls, but there are some that you have to include in your travel itinerary, among the other things to see and do in Reykjavik. I'll tell you how to get there, where they are located and everything you need to know about the best waterfalls in Iceland.

This is one of Iceland's most popular, visited and natural monuments. This is due to its beauty and proximity to Reykjavik, as it is located approximately 120 kilometres from the capital.

The most impressive thing about this waterfall is undoubtedly its unique shape, which gives the impression that the earth is swallowing the water. The waters that flow through Gullfoss belong to the Hvítá, which means White River, and is the third longest river on the island.

There are three drops: one 11 metres high, another 21 metres high and a final one 32 metres high. It pours an average of 100 cubic metres of water per second.

How to get there

Your visit is included in the guided tours of the Golden Circle tourist route that depart from Reykjavík. These tours are the best way to get there and learn about its history in the company of an expert guide.

You can also get there by car from the capital in just 1.5 hours. The road is well signposted and you can access the car park from the C35 road.

It is considered one of the most beautiful and photographed waterfalls in Iceland, and I highly recommend a visit. What makes this waterfall unique is the turquoise colour of its waters, characteristic of its origin from nearby glaciers.

You won't be surprised by the grandeur of this waterfall, the power of its waters or the sound of the running water, but its charm goes beyond that. It is the combination of small beauties, such as its intense blue water jets in harmony with the foam created by the current.

Trust me, when you see this waterfall, everything will make sense. You will be fascinated!

How to get there

This waterfall is one of the closest to Reykjavik, so you can get there from the capital by car or by booking a guided tour of the Golden Circle that includes it in its itinerary.

You can find tours starting at around £55. If you decide to go by car, there is parking next to road 37 and you will have to walk about 3.5 kilometres to get there.

This is one of Iceland's most impressive and popular waterfalls. It is located on the Ring Road on the south side of the island and is one of the most popular attractions.

It is a beautiful natural landscape 60 metres high, from which the waters of the Seljalands River, which originates in the Eyjafjalljökull glacier, fall. Keep in mind that visiting Iceland's glaciers, such as this one, is already worth the trip.

I recommend that you plan your visit at sunset, as it is famous for offering an incredible spectacle when the sun sets behind its waters.

This waterfall is located just off the Ring Road, just under 130 kilometres from Reykjavik. If you plan to go by car, there is a car park just opposite the waterfalls.

However, I recommend a better option, which is a guided tour of the South Coast from Reykjavik that includes this stunning waterfall in its itinerary.

This is one of Iceland's largest waterfalls, measuring around 25 metres wide and 60 metres high, with water flowing from the melting Eyjafjalljökull glacier.

It is one of the most famous and visited waterfalls, not only for its natural beauty, but also for appearing in the renowned series Game of Thrones, like so many other Icelandic landscapes. That is why it is included in tours inspired by the series.

Another reason why it is the perfect waterfall is the single and double rainbows that it offers its visitors on sunny days, which are formed by the amount of foam produced by the falling water.

This site is also a good place to see the northern lights that are so characteristic of Iceland and usually appear between September and April.

How to get there

You can reach it via the Ring Road and there is ample parking available.

There are also guided tours from around £70 departing from Reykjavik, which will allow you to discover these waterfalls and other landscapes on Iceland's south coast.

This hidden, or rather secret, waterfall is a gem that you cannot miss. It is located a few metres from Skógafoss waterfall and can be reached on foot. It is not one of the most popular waterfalls, making it ideal for getting away from the tourists and enjoying it almost in solitude.

Its waters come from the Kverná River, which, like so many others, originates from the Eyjafjallajokull glacier and has an impressive drop of about 30 metres.

Like the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, here you can experience walking behind the waterfall, getting the best and most varied views and landscapes.

How to get there

As it is only a few metres from Skógafoss, you can get there by parking your car at the Skogar Museum and walking about 15 minutes along the river.

This is a small waterfall located within Thingvellir National Park. Its base is surrounded by rocks and its waters flow through the Öxara River, which runs through a lava field.

Although it is not one of the largest or most impressive waterfalls, measuring just over 20 metres high, it is a unique natural beauty and its composition makes it worthy of being among the best in Iceland.

How to get there

This waterfall is located in Thingvellir National Park, about 50 kilometres from Reykjavík, making it easily accessible by car.

You can also get there by taking an excursion to Thingvellir National Park.

This is one of Iceland's highest waterfalls, with a spectacular drop of just under 200 metres, and is easily accessible, as it is just over an hour from Reykjavik.

To visit this waterfall, you should bear in mind that you will have to walk about 3.5 kilometres to get there and another 3 .5 kilometres to get back, which can take around 4 hours.

But it won't be a boring or monotonous walk: you'll find incredible views and landscapes along the way, and it's really worth it.

How to get there

If you plan to go by car, the route is fairly easy along the Ring Road and you can leave your car in the Glymur car park to start the hike. Alternatively, you can take a tour from Reykjavik that includes this waterfall in its itinerary.

This is one of Iceland's most popular waterfalls and is located on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Although it is usually crowded with tourists and photographers, it is well worth a visit.

It is also the ideal place to enjoy the northern lights and unique sunsets with Kirkjufell mountain in the background.

It's funny, but this waterfall is neither the highest nor the largest, but there's something about it that will captivate you and you won't be able to take your eyes off it. You'll only understand it when you're there. And that's exactly what makes it so popular and touristy.

How to get there

By car, take road 54 towards Grundarfjörður and you will find the car park in the village. If you are planning an excursion, I recommend one of the many tours of the Snaefellsnes peninsula.

This waterfall is also located on the Snaefellsnes peninsula and is well worth a visit because of its unique charm. It is not one of the most popular or famous waterfalls, so you won't find many tourists around and you can enjoy it almost in solitude, which makes it well worth the trip!

The landscape with the snow-capped mountains in the background is one of the most beautiful you will ever see.

How to get there

You'll see it directly from the road on the left before you reach Grundarfjörður. Also, as it's on the Snaefellsnes peninsula, it may be included in some excursions, so I recommend checking the itinerary.

Let me introduce you to Hraunfossar, one of the least known waterfalls but, in my opinion, also one of the most beautiful in Iceland. It is also known as the Lava Waterfall, and its intense blue colour makes it unique and special.

I particularly recommend visiting in autumn, which, as well as being one of the best times of year to visit Reykjavik, is the ideal time to see the landscape around this waterfall bathed in the most diverse colours of vegetation, making it even more beautiful.

Next to this waterfall, you will find another one, known as Barnafoss or the Children's Waterfall, which is famous for a tragic legend that tells of two children who drowned there several centuries ago. I recommend that you take advantage of your visit to Hraunfossar to see it.

How to get there

Hraunfossar is approximately 120 kilometres from Reykjavik via the Ring Road.

Without a doubt, waterfalls are one of Iceland's most characteristic landscapes, but they are not the only ones, as this country offers a wide variety of natural beauty, all of which are well worth seeing.

That's why I recommend taking advantage of guided tours to these waterfalls, or your road trip, to discover other magical places in Iceland, such as its glaciers, or to visit its impressive volcanoes.