13 Best Waterfalls in Iceland: A Photographer’s Guide to Iceland’s Most Incredible Falls

Introduction

Some places are beautiful.

Others change the way you see the world.

For Anne and me, Iceland is one of those places.

Over the course of twenty-one unforgettable days, we drove nearly every corner of this extraordinary island. We wandered through tiny fishing villages, explored glaciers, climbed volcanic ridges, photographed black sand beaches, and discovered landscapes unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Yet if there is one feature that defines Iceland more than any other, it’s the waterfalls.

They’re everywhere.

One moment you’re driving through a quiet valley. The next, a ribbon of white water appears in the distance, tumbling down a moss-covered cliff. A few miles later there’s another. Then another. Some are famous enough to attract visitors from around the world. Others are little more than unnamed streams cascading down ancient lava fields.

Trying to count Iceland’s waterfalls is nearly impossible.

Glaciers, snowfields, mountain lakes, and abundant rainfall feed thousands of rivers that carve their way across the island before plunging into deep volcanic canyons or flowing gently toward the sea. Around almost every bend in the road, another waterfall seems to appear.

You could spend months exploring Iceland and never see them all.

During our journey we photographed dozens of waterfalls. Choosing only thirteen for this guide wasn’t easy. Some made the list because of their immense power. Others because of their graceful beauty. A few earned their place simply because standing there became one of those unforgettable travel moments that stay with you long after you’ve returned home.

This guide isn’t intended to rank Iceland’s waterfalls from best to worst. Every traveler will have their own favorite. Instead, these are the thirteen waterfalls that left the deepest impression on us and the ones we believe deserve a place on almost every Iceland itinerary.

If you’re planning your own adventure, I also invite you to read our 21-Day Iceland Adventure, where we share the complete route we followed around the island, along with many of the memorable moments that made the journey so special.

For even more inspiration, don’t miss our Ultimate Iceland Photography Guide, featuring churches, glaciers, mountains, black sand beaches, hidden gems, and many of our favorite places across Iceland.

Whether you’re traveling with a camera, a smartphone, or simply a sense of adventure, I hope these waterfalls inspire you to slow down, pull over often, and discover the extraordinary beauty that makes Iceland unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Let’s begin with perhaps the most iconic waterfall scene in all of Iceland.

🗺️ Interactive Map: The 13 Best Waterfalls in Iceland

Before we dive into the waterfalls themselves, here’s an interactive map of every location featured in this guide. Whether you’re planning a 7-day Ring Road adventure or a slower 21-day journey like ours, this map will help you visualize where each waterfall is located and build an itinerary that fits your trip.

At a Glance: The 13 Best Waterfalls in Iceland

Whether you’re planning a quick Golden Circle excursion or a complete Ring Road adventure, this table highlights the waterfalls featured in this guide. You’ll find their region, how much time to allow, how easy they are to visit, and what makes each one memorable.

Quick Planning Tips

• Best for first-time visitors: Gullfoss, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Goðafoss.
• Best hidden gems: Kvernufoss, Brúarfoss, and Granni.
• Best for photographers: Kirkjufellsfoss, Háifoss, Brúarfoss, and Svartifoss.
• Best if you love raw power: Dettifoss.
• Best if you have only one day: Explore the Golden Circle and visit Gullfoss, Brúarfoss, and Öxarárfoss.
• Best road trip: Drive the Ring Road over 7–10 days—or, if your schedule allows, spend two to three weeks exploring at a relaxed pace, as we did.

 

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1. Kirkjufellsfoss

The Waterfall That Perfectly Frames Iceland’s Most Famous Mountain

 West Iceland • Snæfellsnes Peninsula

If there is one landscape that has become synonymous with Iceland, it’s Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss.

You’ve probably seen it before, even if you didn’t know its name.

The steep, arrow-shaped mountain rising above a graceful waterfall has appeared in travel magazines, calendars, photography books, television shows, and millions of social media posts. Yet no matter how many photographs you’ve seen, nothing quite prepares you for standing there in person.

The first thing that struck us wasn’t the waterfall.

It was the mountain.

Kirkjufell rises dramatically from the shoreline like it was placed there by an artist rather than carved by glaciers over thousands of years. Standing 1,519 feet (463 meters) above sea level, its nearly symmetrical profile has earned it the title of one of the most photographed mountains in the world. While it even appeared in HBO’s Game of Thrones as the “Arrowhead Mountain,” long before television made it famous, photographers had already fallen in love with its remarkable shape.

Then your eyes naturally drift down to Kirkjufellsfoss.

Unlike Iceland’s towering giants such as Skógafoss or Dettifoss, Kirkjufellsfoss is modest in size. It cascades gently over a series of rocky ledges, creating multiple ribbons of water that beautifully lead the eye toward the mountain beyond. The waterfall isn’t trying to overpower the landscape. Instead, it completes it.

That’s the magic of this place.

Mountain and waterfall work together so perfectly that it’s difficult to imagine one without the other.

We spent far longer here than we originally planned.

The weather refused to make up its mind. One moment soft clouds wrapped around the summit. Minutes later sunlight broke through, illuminating the grasses and sending reflections dancing across the water. Then another bank of clouds rolled in, changing the entire mood yet again.

That’s Iceland.

The landscape is never truly still.

The changing weather isn’t something to endure, it’s part of the experience. Every passing cloud creates a new photograph, and every shift in the light reveals another reason to lift your camera.

One of the things I love most about Kirkjufellsfoss is how approachable it is.

Within just a few minutes of leaving the parking area, you’re standing beside one of the most iconic landscapes on Earth. You don’t need to complete a strenuous hike or venture deep into the Highlands. Families, photographers, and first-time visitors can all enjoy the same incredible view.

That accessibility doesn’t diminish its beauty.

If anything, it reminds us that some of the world’s greatest landscapes can still be experienced by almost anyone willing to stop, slow down, and simply look.

Photography Tips

Kirkjufellsfoss is beautiful throughout the day, but sunrise and sunset often produce the most dramatic light. Because the waterfall flows toward Kirkjufell, a wide-angle lens between 16–35mm or 24–70mm works exceptionally well, allowing you to capture both subjects in a single composition.

Bring a tripod if you want silky water using a longer shutter speed. A circular polarizing filter helps reduce glare on wet rocks while enriching the greens, blues, and reflections throughout the scene.

Most importantly, don’t rush.

Weather changes constantly on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Waiting just fifteen or twenty minutes can completely transform the landscape.

Visitor Information

• Region: Snæfellsnes Peninsula, West Iceland
• Waterfall Height: Approximately 52 feet (16 meters)
• Mountain Height: 1,519 feet (463 meters)
• Walk from Parking: Less than five minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Facilities: Parking available; restrooms are available seasonally in the area.
• Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late evening for softer light and fewer visitors.

Nearby Attractions

If you’re exploring the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Kirkjufellsfoss pairs perfectly with several other unforgettable destinations:

• Kirkjufell Mountain
• Grundarfjörður
• Snæfellsjökull National Park
• Arnarstapi
• Lóndrangar Sea Cliffs
• Djúpalónssandur Black Pebble Beach
• The Black Church of Búðir

Together, they make the Snæfellsnes Peninsula one of the finest one- or two-day road trips in Iceland.

Why It Made Our Top 13

Some waterfalls impress you because they’re enormous.

Others because they’re powerful.

Kirkjufellsfoss made our list because of harmony.

The waterfall, the mountain, the surrounding landscape, and the ever-changing Icelandic light come together in a way that feels almost perfectly balanced. It’s one of those rare places where you can stand quietly for an hour, watch the clouds drift by, and never grow tired of the view.

When people ask me where they should begin exploring Iceland’s waterfalls, this is often the first place that comes to mind, not because it’s the biggest waterfall in Iceland, but because it captures something essential about the country itself. It’s beautiful without being overwhelming, iconic without feeling artificial, and a reminder that in Iceland, some of the most memorable landscapes are created by the way nature’s elements come together rather than by any single feature alone.

 

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2. Skógafoss

Standing Before One of Iceland’s Great Giants

 South Iceland

There are waterfalls you admire from a distance.

Then there are waterfalls that demand your attention the moment you step out of the car.

Skógafoss is one of those places.

As you approach, the sound reaches you long before the waterfall itself. A deep, steady roar fills the valley, growing louder with every step until the cliff suddenly appears and an immense wall of white water crashes nearly 200 feet (60 meters) onto the black rocks below.

It is impossible not to stop.

Impossible not to stare.

Fed by the Skógá River, Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s largest and most recognizable waterfalls. It marks what was once the country’s ancient coastline. Thousands of years ago, the Atlantic Ocean reached these cliffs. As glaciers retreated and the coastline gradually moved south, the towering sea cliffs remained, leaving waterfalls like Skógafoss to plunge dramatically into what is now a broad green valley.

Standing at the base, you quickly appreciate just how much water flows over the cliff every second.

The mist hangs in the air almost constantly.

On sunny days, that mist often creates brilliant rainbows stretching across the base of the falls. Some days you’ll see one rainbow. Occasionally you’ll see two. Even on overcast days, the moisture catches the changing light in ways that make every visit feel unique.

One of my favorite details in this photograph isn’t the waterfall itself.

It’s the couple standing near the edge.

Without them, it’s difficult to appreciate the scale of Skógafoss. They become a reminder that, despite all of our technology and accomplishments, nature can still make us feel wonderfully small.

That’s something Iceland does exceptionally well.

It constantly changes your sense of perspective.

Many visitors stop at the base, take a few photographs, and continue their journey.

If you have the time, don’t make that mistake.

A staircase climbs more than 500 steps alongside the waterfall to an overlook above the cliff. From there, the Skógá River begins one of Iceland’s most beautiful hiking trails, winding through a landscape filled with dozens of smaller waterfalls, moss-covered cliffs, and dramatic canyon scenery. If your schedule allows, even walking the first mile of the trail rewards you with views that relatively few visitors ever experience.

Skógafoss is often included on every South Coast itinerary, and for good reason.

It isn’t simply one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls.

It’s one of those rare places that somehow exceeds expectations, no matter how many photographs you’ve already seen.

Photography Tips

The best photographs often happen early in the morning or later in the evening, when tour bus crowds are smaller and the light is softer.

A wide-angle lens allows you to capture the entire waterfall along with the surrounding cliffs, while a medium telephoto can isolate beautiful details within the rushing water.

Bring a microfiber cloth or lens towel.

You’ll need it.

The mist reaches surprisingly far from the base, especially when the wind changes direction. A circular polarizing filter can help reduce glare on wet rocks while enhancing the rich greens of the surrounding landscape.

If conditions allow, experiment with different shutter speeds. A longer exposure creates the classic silky appearance, while a faster shutter speed freezes the incredible texture and energy of the falling water.

Visitor Information

• Region: South Iceland
• Height: 197 feet (60 meters)
• Width: Approximately 82 feet (25 meters)
• Walk from Parking: Less than five minutes
• Difficulty: Easy to reach; moderate if climbing the staircase
• Facilities: Large parking area, restrooms, café, and visitor services nearby.
• Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late evening for fewer crowds and beautiful light.

Nearby Attractions

Skógafoss sits in one of Iceland’s richest areas for exploration. Consider combining your visit with:

• Kvernufoss (just minutes away and often overlooked)
• Skógar Museum
• Sólheimajökull Glacier
• Dyrhólaey Peninsula
• Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
• Seljalandsfoss
• Gljúfrabúi

Together, these locations make for one of the most memorable days of any Iceland road trip.

Why It Made Our Top 13

Some waterfalls are beautiful.

Some are peaceful.

Skógafoss is unforgettable because of its presence.

Standing at its base, you feel the constant vibration of falling water, hear the thunder echoing through the valley, and watch clouds of mist drift into the sky. It engages nearly every sense at once.

It’s also a reminder that the best travel experiences aren’t always the hidden ones. Sometimes the places that appear on every itinerary become famous for a simple reason:

They truly are extraordinary.

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3. Kvernufoss

The Hidden Waterfall That Many Travelers Never See

 South Iceland

Sometimes the best discoveries aren’t the ones you’ve planned.

They’re the ones hiding just out of sight.

Only a few minutes from the crowds at Skógafoss lies Kvernufoss, one of our favorite waterfalls in all of Iceland. It’s remarkable not because it’s the tallest or the most powerful, but because it offers something increasingly rare at many of Iceland’s famous attractions:

A sense of discovery.

The trail begins near the Skógar Museum and follows a quiet stream through a narrow valley carved by centuries of flowing water. Almost immediately, the atmosphere changes. The sounds of tour buses disappear, replaced by birdsong, the gentle rush of the creek, and the wind moving through the grass.

The walk itself is part of the experience.

Sheep often graze on the surrounding hillsides, wildflowers bloom throughout the summer, and towering cliffs slowly close in around you. With each turn, anticipation builds.

Then suddenly…

Kvernufoss appears.

Water tumbles nearly 100 feet (30 meters) from the ancient sea cliffs into a small pool below, framed by dark volcanic rock draped in vibrant green moss. Unlike many waterfalls that reveal themselves gradually, Kvernufoss feels almost like a secret waiting at the end of the trail.

What makes it even more special is that, like Seljalandsfoss, you can walk behind it.

A narrow path curves around the back of the falls, giving you a completely different perspective. Standing there, protected beneath the overhanging cliff while a curtain of water crashes only a few feet away, you experience the waterfall rather than simply admire it.

During our visit, we lingered much longer than we had expected.

There was no rush.

No long lines of visitors waiting for their turn to take a photograph.

Just the sound of falling water and the quiet realization that some of Iceland’s greatest treasures aren’t always the ones with the largest parking lots.

If Skógafoss demonstrates Iceland’s grandeur, Kvernufoss reminds us of its intimacy.

Sometimes that’s even more memorable.

Photography Tips

Kvernufoss rewards photographers who take their time.

A wide-angle lens captures the entire waterfall along with the surrounding canyon, while a medium zoom allows you to isolate details in the moss-covered cliffs and flowing water.

Because the canyon walls block much of the direct sunlight, lighting is often soft and even throughout the day, making it an excellent location for long-exposure photography.

If you decide to walk behind the waterfall, protect your camera from spray. The path can also become muddy and slippery, so waterproof boots with good traction are highly recommended.

One of my favorite compositions is exactly the one featured here: photographing the waterfall from slightly farther back to include the stream winding toward the falls. It naturally draws the viewer’s eye into the scene and conveys the peaceful character of the valley.

Visitor Information

• Region: South Iceland
• Height: Approximately 98 feet (30 meters)
• Walk from Parking: About 15–20 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Can You Walk Behind It? Yes
• Facilities: Parking available near the Skógar Museum; limited facilities nearby.
• Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon for the quietest experience.

Nearby Attractions

Kvernufoss is perfectly paired with several of South Iceland’s best destinations:

• Skógafoss
• Skógar Museum
• Seljalandsfoss
• Gljúfrabúi
• Sólheimajökull Glacier
• Dyrhólaey
• Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Because it’s located only minutes from Skógafoss, there’s little reason not to visit both on the same day.

Why It Made Our Top 13

Kvernufoss earned its place on our list because it captures something that many travelers hope to find in Iceland but don’t always experience:

The feeling of discovering a place for yourself.

Yes, more visitors are finding it today than they did a decade ago. But compared to many of Iceland’s headline attractions, it still feels wonderfully peaceful.

As photographers, we’re naturally drawn to dramatic landscapes. Yet some of the places we remember most aren’t the biggest or the loudest. They’re the places where we slowed down, wandered a little farther, and found ourselves standing quietly in front of something unexpectedly beautiful.

Kvernufoss was one of those places.

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4. Dettifoss

Europe’s Most Powerful Waterfall

 North Iceland • Vatnajökull National Park

Some waterfalls are admired for their beauty.

Dettifoss is admired for its raw, overwhelming power.

Long before we caught our first glimpse of the falls, we heard them.

A deep rumble echoed through the canyon, growing steadily louder as we walked toward the overlook. At first it sounded like distant thunder. With every step, the roar intensified until conversation became difficult. Then the canyon opened before us, revealing an astonishing torrent of glacial water crashing into the depths below.

Photographs simply can’t prepare you for Dettifoss.

The waterfall plunges approximately 144 feet (44 meters) into Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon, but what truly sets it apart is not its height. It’s the incredible volume of water. During the summer, thousands of cubic feet of glacial meltwater surge over the edge every second, making Dettifoss the most powerful waterfall in Europe.

Standing at the edge, you don’t just see the waterfall.

You feel it.

The ground seems to vibrate beneath your feet as clouds of mist rise from the canyon below. The water, colored gray by fine volcanic sediment carried from Vatnajökull Glacier, gives the falls a wild, untamed appearance. Unlike the crystal-blue beauty of Brúarfoss or the graceful elegance of Kvernufoss, Dettifoss doesn’t try to be picturesque.

It reminds you that nature can be astonishingly powerful.

The surrounding landscape only adds to the drama.

The canyon walls are stark and rugged, carved over thousands of years by relentless floods and glacial rivers. Vegetation is sparse. The colors are muted. Everything about this place feels ancient and elemental.

It’s no surprise that director Ridley Scott chose this landscape to open the film Prometheus. Standing here, it’s easy to imagine another world.

While many visitors spend only a few minutes taking photographs before moving on, we found ourselves lingering longer than expected. There’s something mesmerizing about watching that endless torrent of water disappear into the canyon below. No two moments look exactly alike. The mist shifts with the wind. The sunlight changes the color of the water. Every second reveals another pattern in the chaos.

Dettifoss isn’t a peaceful waterfall.

It’s a reminder of the incredible forces that continue shaping Iceland today.

Photography Tips

Dettifoss is challenging to photograph, but that’s part of what makes it rewarding.

A wide-angle lens captures the immense scale of the waterfall and canyon, while a telephoto lens allows you to isolate fascinating textures within the rushing water.

Expect mist.

Lots of it.

Keep a microfiber cloth handy and wipe your lens frequently, especially if the wind is blowing toward the viewing platform.

Don’t automatically reach for a long exposure. While silky water can be beautiful, Dettifoss often benefits from a faster shutter speed that freezes the explosive textures and conveys the tremendous energy of the falls.

Visitor Information

• Region: North Iceland
• Height: 144 feet (44 meters)
• River: Jökulsá á Fjöllum
• Walk from Parking: Approximately 10–15 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Facilities: Parking available on both the east and west sides of the canyon. Services are limited.
• Best Time to Visit: Summer and early autumn, when roads are most accessible.

Nearby Attractions

Dettifoss is part of one of Iceland’s most spectacular natural areas. Don’t miss:

• Selfoss, just upstream
• Ásbyrgi Canyon
• Hljóðaklettar (Echo Rocks)
• Lake Mývatn
• Námaskarð Geothermal Area
• Krafla Volcano

Together, these destinations easily fill an unforgettable day of exploration in North Iceland.

Why It Made Our Top 13

Dettifoss made our list because it delivers something few places on Earth can.

Perspective.

Standing beside Europe’s most powerful waterfall reminds you how small we really are. The roar, the vibration beneath your feet, the endless surge of glacial water, all of it creates an experience that’s impossible to duplicate in a photograph.

It’s one of those places where you instinctively stop talking.

Not because there’s nothing to say.

But because nature has already said everything.

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5. Svartifoss

Nature’s Masterpiece of Basalt and Water

 Skaftafell • Vatnajökull National Park

Some waterfalls impress because of the amount of water they carry.

Svartifoss is different.

It earns your attention through elegance.

Unlike many of Iceland’s famous waterfalls, Svartifoss doesn’t reveal itself from the parking lot. Reaching it requires a pleasant hike through Skaftafell Nature Reserve, gradually climbing past birch trees, wildflowers, and smaller cascades before the trail rounds one final bend.

Then the scene opens.

A graceful ribbon of water spills over a cliff framed by towering black basalt columns that rise like the pipes of a cathedral organ. It’s one of the most recognizable geological formations in Iceland and one of the finest examples of how volcanic activity has shaped this remarkable island.

The waterfall itself is beautiful.

The basalt is unforgettable.

Millions of years ago, molten lava cooled slowly enough to crack into remarkably uniform hexagonal columns. These geometric formations appear throughout Iceland, but few places display them as dramatically as Svartifoss. Standing beneath them, it’s hard to believe they weren’t carved by human hands.

Nature has always been the greater architect.

In fact, these basalt columns inspired one of Iceland’s most recognizable buildings, Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík. Look closely at the church’s soaring façade, and you’ll immediately recognize the resemblance.

During our visit, the weather couldn’t have been better for photography.

Soft overcast skies muted the harsh contrasts and allowed the deep blacks of the basalt to stand out against the vibrant green moss and the white ribbon of falling water. Sometimes photographers hope for brilliant sunshine.

Here, the clouds were a gift.

Svartifoss encourages you to slow down.

Instead of rushing to capture the obvious composition, spend time exploring the details. Notice the texture of the basalt columns. Watch how water splashes against the rocks below. Listen to the gentle echo as the waterfall bounces through the amphitheater of stone.

It’s a place that rewards patience.

Photography Tips

A wide-angle lens beautifully captures both the waterfall and the towering basalt columns, but don’t stop there. A medium telephoto lens allows you to isolate fascinating patterns in the rock and reveal details many visitors overlook.

Because the waterfall sits within a natural amphitheater, overcast conditions often produce the best photographs by reducing harsh shadows and preserving detail throughout the scene.

A tripod is helpful for longer exposures, but even handheld photography works well thanks to the relatively sheltered location.

Take your time.

Some of the most compelling images aren’t the obvious postcard view, they’re the smaller compositions hidden within the landscape.

Visitor Information

• Region: Southeast Iceland – Skaftafell, Vatnajökull National Park
• Height: Approximately 66 feet (20 meters)
• Walk from Visitor Center: About 1 mile (1.6 km) each way
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Time Required: Allow 60–90 minutes for the hike and photography.
• Facilities: Large visitor center, parking, restrooms, café, and hiking information.

Nearby Attractions

Svartifoss is only one highlight within Skaftafell National Park. Nearby you’ll also find:

• Skaftafellsjökull Glacier
• Svínafellsjökull Glacier
• Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
• Diamond Beach
• Morsárdalur Valley
• Numerous hiking trails through Vatnajökull National Park

It’s one of the richest areas in Iceland for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Why It Made Our Top 13

Every waterfall on this list is memorable for a different reason.

Svartifoss earned its place because it reminds us that beauty isn’t always measured by size.

Compared to Skógafoss or Dettifoss, it’s relatively modest. Yet the combination of graceful water, geometric basalt columns, lush green moss, and the quiet setting creates one of the most visually satisfying landscapes in Iceland.

It’s a place where geology and beauty meet in perfect balance.

Long after we’d left, I found myself thinking less about the waterfall itself and more about the remarkable stone that surrounded it. Few places demonstrate Iceland’s volcanic origins so beautifully.

Sometimes the most memorable waterfall isn’t the loudest one.

It’s the one that quietly invites you to stop, look closer, and appreciate the artistry that nature has been creating for millions of years.

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6. Brúarfoss

Iceland’s Most Beautiful Blue Water

 Golden Circle • South Iceland

There are larger waterfalls in Iceland.

There are more powerful waterfalls.

But I’m not convinced there is another waterfall with water quite as mesmerizing as Brúarfoss.

The first thing you’ll notice isn’t the waterfall itself.

It’s the color.

The water glows with an almost impossible shade of turquoise, flowing through a narrow volcanic channel before tumbling over a series of small cascades. At first glance, many visitors assume the color has been enhanced in photographs.

It hasn’t.

Standing there in person is almost surreal.

The brilliant blue comes from glacial meltwater that has been filtered through volcanic rock over thousands of years. Tiny suspended particles within the water scatter sunlight in a way that creates the extraordinary color, a reminder that Iceland’s beauty is often the result of geology and time working together.

Brúarfoss isn’t dramatic in the way Skógafoss is.

It doesn’t shake the ground like Dettifoss.

Instead, it quietly captures your attention.

The waterfall itself is relatively modest, only about 10 feet (3 meters) high, but its beauty comes from the relationship between the water, the surrounding lava rock, and the narrow river channel that guides your eye naturally through the scene.

When Anne and I arrived, we found ourselves doing something we’d done throughout Iceland.

We simply stood there.

No cameras.

No conversation.

Just watching the water flow.

Sometimes the best travel moments aren’t about chasing the next destination.

They’re about allowing yourself to be completely present where you already are.

Brúarfoss has become much easier to visit in recent years. What was once a longer hike across private land is now accessible via a designated parking area and well-maintained trail. While it’s no longer Iceland’s best-kept secret, it still feels wonderfully peaceful compared to many of the larger Golden Circle attractions.

The short walk is more than worth the effort.

Photography Tips

Brúarfoss is all about composition.

A wide-angle lens works beautifully if you want to include the surrounding river, but don’t overlook a standard zoom. Some of the strongest photographs come from isolating the waterfall itself and emphasizing the incredible color of the water.

A circular polarizing filter is invaluable here. It reduces reflections on the surface, allowing the turquoise water to appear even more vibrant while revealing rocks beneath the surface.

Overcast conditions are often ideal.

Soft light preserves the rich blues and greens without creating harsh reflections or bright highlights.

If you’re using a tripod, experiment with shutter speeds between one-half second and two seconds. This creates just enough motion to soften the water while retaining the texture of the cascading current.

Visitor Information

• Region: Golden Circle
• Height: Approximately 10 feet (3 meters)
• Walk from Parking: About 20–30 minutes each way
• Difficulty: Easy
• Facilities: Parking available; limited facilities nearby.
• Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon for fewer visitors.

Nearby Attractions

Brúarfoss fits perfectly into a day exploring Iceland’s famous Golden Circle:

• Gullfoss
• Geysir Geothermal Area
• Strokkur Geyser
• Þingvellir National Park
• Kerið Crater

It’s one of those places that many visitors almost skip, and later wish they hadn’t.

Why It Made Our Top 13

Brúarfoss earned its place because it reminded us that beauty doesn’t have to be overwhelming to be unforgettable.

Unlike Iceland’s towering waterfalls, Brúarfoss invites you to slow down and appreciate subtle things: the clarity of the water, the gentle sound of the current, and the incredible color that seems almost too vivid to be real.

It’s proof that some of Iceland’s most memorable landscapes aren’t defined by their size.

They’re defined by their character.

Whenever someone asks me which waterfall surprised me the most, Brúarfoss is always part of the conversation.

It’s not because it’s the biggest.

It’s because it simply doesn’t look like anywhere else on Earth.

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7. Goðafoss

The Waterfall Where Iceland Changed Forever

North Iceland

Some waterfalls are remembered for their beauty.

Goðafoss is remembered for its story.

Known as the “Waterfall of the Gods,” Goðafoss is one of Iceland’s most beloved natural landmarks, not only because of its graceful horseshoe-shaped cascade but because of the legend that has become part of the nation’s identity.

Around the year 1000, Iceland stood at a crossroads.

For generations, Norse settlers had worshiped the old gods, Odin, Thor, Freyja, and others. But as Christianity spread across Europe, pressure mounted for Iceland to choose a single faith. Fearing that religious conflict could divide the young nation, the Alþingi, Iceland’s parliament, asked the respected lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði to make the final decision.

According to tradition, after declaring that Iceland would become a Christian nation, Þorgeir returned home and cast his pagan idols into this very waterfall.

Whether every detail of the story is historically accurate has been debated for centuries.

What isn’t debated is the symbolism.

Goðafoss has become a place where Icelanders remember a defining moment in their nation’s history, a moment when compromise helped preserve peace.

Standing beside the waterfall, it’s easy to understand why this location became part of Icelandic legend.

The Skjálfandafljót River spreads wide before folding gracefully into a sweeping crescent of white water. Unlike the violent energy of Dettifoss, Goðafoss feels balanced and welcoming. The water flows with confidence rather than fury, creating one of the most elegant waterfall compositions anywhere in the country.

During our visit, we found ourselves walking slowly along the rim, stopping every few yards as each new viewpoint revealed a different composition. From one angle, the broad curve of the falls dominates the landscape. From another, individual cascades weave around volcanic rock, each telling a slightly different story.

It’s the kind of place that rewards curiosity.

The farther you explore, the more beautiful it becomes.

Photography Tips

Goðafoss is surprisingly diverse for photographers.

A wide-angle lens beautifully captures the entire horseshoe shape of the falls, while a medium telephoto lets you isolate individual cascades, textures, and patterns in the water.

Cloudy days are often ideal. Soft light preserves detail in both the white water and the surrounding basalt cliffs, making exposures much easier to balance.

Take time to walk both sides of the river if conditions allow. Each offers a distinctly different perspective, and neither should be considered the view.

Visitor Information

• Region: North Iceland
• Height: Approximately 39 feet (12 meters)
• Width: About 98 feet (30 meters)
• Walk from Parking: Less than five minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Facilities: Parking, restrooms, café, and visitor services nearby
• Best Time to Visit: Early morning or evening for softer light and fewer visitors

Nearby Attractions

Goðafoss is conveniently located along the Ring Road and pairs well with:

• Lake Mývatn
• Húsavík
• Dettifoss
• Selfoss
• Krafla Volcano
• Námaskarð Geothermal Area

Many travelers visit Goðafoss on their way between Akureyri and the Mývatn region, making it one of the easiest major waterfalls to include on a North Iceland itinerary.

Why It Made Our Top 13

Some places become memorable because they’re dramatic.

Goðafoss became memorable because it feels timeless.

Its beauty is undeniable, but it’s the combination of graceful water, volcanic landscape, and centuries of history that makes it unforgettable. Standing there, it’s impossible not to think about the people who gathered here more than a thousand years ago and the decision that helped shape the future of Iceland.

It’s rare to find a place where natural beauty and cultural history are woven together so seamlessly.

Goðafoss is one of those places.

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7A. The Second Look

Why Great Landscapes Deserve More Than One Photograph

One of the biggest mistakes photographers, and travelers, make is assuming they’ve “seen it” after taking one picture.

I’ve done it.

You’ve probably done it too.

You arrive at an incredible location, step out of the car, walk to the obvious viewpoint, snap a few photos, and move on to the next destination.

Sometimes that’s enough.

Most of the time, it isn’t.

Goðafoss is one of those places that rewards curiosity.

After photographing the waterfall from the classic overlook, I kept walking. Not because I thought I would necessarily find a better composition, but because experience has taught me that landscapes often reveal themselves slowly.

And Goðafoss certainly did.

A few minutes later, the broad horseshoe shape gave way to something entirely different. Instead of photographing the waterfall as one sweeping scene, I began focusing on a single section where ribbons of white water poured over dark volcanic rock. The composition became more intimate. More abstract. More about shape, texture, and movement than scale.

It was the same waterfall.

But it felt like a completely different place.

That’s one of the greatest joys of landscape photography.

You’re not simply documenting a location.

You’re discovering it.

Every step changes the relationship between foreground and background. A slight shift in elevation can simplify a cluttered scene. Waiting a few minutes for a cloud to soften the light can completely transform the mood.

The landscape hasn’t changed.

Your perspective has.

It’s a lesson that extends far beyond photography.

How often do we rush through beautiful places because we assume we’ve already seen everything they have to offer?

Goðafoss reminds us that beauty often reveals itself gradually.

Not because it’s hiding.

Because we’re finally paying attention.

Photography Tips

If you visit Goðafoss, challenge yourself to create more than the classic postcard photograph.

After capturing the wide scene:

• Walk farther along the riverbank.
• Look for smaller cascades and flowing textures.
• Experiment with both horizontal and vertical compositions.
• Try a telephoto lens to isolate patterns in the water.
• Return after changing light or weather if you have the opportunity.

You may come home with several favorite photographs from the same location, and each one can tell a completely different story.

Why This Matters

When people ask how to improve their landscape photography, they often expect me to recommend a better camera or sharper lens.

Those things can certainly help.

But the biggest improvement usually comes from spending more time in one place.

Slow down.

Explore.

Be curious.

One of my favorite images from Goðafoss wasn’t the first photograph I made.

It was one of the last.

And that simple habit, staying just a little longer, has led to many of my favorite photographs around the world.

Goðafoss taught me a lesson that has shaped the way I photograph every landscape I visit.

The first view is often the obvious one.

The best view is often the one you discover after everyone else has gone back to the parking lot.

If this guide encourages you to do one thing differently on your Iceland adventure, let it be this:

Stay five minutes longer.

Walk a little farther.

Look one more time.

You might discover that the photograph, and the memory, you treasure most was waiting just around the bend.

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8. Háifoss

Iceland’s Towering Giant

Þjórsárdalur Valley • Iceland Highlands

Some waterfalls invite you closer.

Háifoss invites you to step back.

Only then can you begin to appreciate its immense scale.

Dropping an astonishing 400 feet (122 meters) into a rugged volcanic canyon, Háifoss is Iceland’s second-highest waterfall and one of its most breathtaking. Yet despite its size, it remains surprisingly uncrowded, largely because reaching it requires leaving the Ring Road behind and venturing into Iceland’s magnificent interior.

For us, that drive became part of the adventure.

The paved highways gradually gave way to rougher roads. The landscape became increasingly wild. Civilization seemed to disappear behind us, replaced by vast lava fields, windswept plateaus, and distant mountains that stretched toward the horizon.

By the time we reached the overlook, it felt as though we had arrived at the edge of another world.

Then we looked down.

Háifoss doesn’t simply fall.

It plunges.

The Fossá River leaps from the canyon rim and disappears into the depths below in one uninterrupted ribbon of white water. Beside it, another waterfall, Granni, descends its own cliff, creating one of the most spectacular twin waterfall scenes anywhere in Iceland.

Together they transform the canyon into something almost impossible to comprehend.

Standing there, I found myself looking less at the waterfalls themselves and more at the enormous landscape surrounding them.

The waterfalls are magnificent.

The canyon is equally extraordinary.

Ancient volcanic cliffs rise from the valley floor in layered shades of black, brown, and green. Moss clings to rocky ledges. Snow often lingers on distant peaks well into summer. The entire scene feels vast, untouched, and wonderfully remote.

Unlike many of Iceland’s famous waterfalls, Háifoss asks very little of you once you arrive.

There are no crowds pressing against railings.

No lines of photographers waiting for a viewpoint.

Just wind.

Silence.

And one of the grandest landscapes in the country.

Places like this remind me why I love traveling beyond the obvious destinations.

The famous places deserve their reputation.

But sometimes the places that leave the deepest impression are the ones that require just a little more effort to reach.

Photography Tips

Háifoss is all about scale.

Bring your widest lens.

It’s one of the few places in Iceland where even an ultra-wide lens struggles to capture the entire canyon.

Including a person near the cliff edge, while maintaining a safe distance, can help communicate just how immense the landscape really is.

Telephoto lenses are equally rewarding here. They allow you to isolate the waterfalls, reveal intricate textures in the canyon walls, and compress the dramatic layers of volcanic rock.

Weather changes quickly in Iceland’s Highlands, so be prepared for shifting light and strong winds.

Cloud shadows moving across the canyon can create spectacular opportunities for dramatic photographs.

Visitor Information

• Region: Þjórsárdalur Valley, Iceland Highlands
• Height: Approximately 400 feet (122 meters)
• River: Fossá
• Walk from Parking: Five to ten minutes
• Difficulty: Easy to reach, but use caution near the cliff edges.
• Facilities: Very limited. No visitor center or services.
• Best Time to Visit: Summer, when Highland roads are open.

Nearby Attractions

Háifoss is often combined with several lesser-known Highland destinations:

• Granni Waterfall
• Gjáin Valley
• Hjalparfoss
• Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng (the reconstructed Viking-era farm)
• Sigöldugljúfur Canyon
• Landmannalaugar (for travelers continuing deeper into the Highlands)

If you enjoy exploring beyond Iceland’s busiest tourist routes, this entire region is worth an extra day.

Why It Made Our Top 13

Some waterfalls impress because they’re beautiful.

Háifoss impresses because it makes you feel wonderfully small.

Standing at the rim of the canyon, surrounded by hundreds of feet of volcanic cliffs and endless Highland wilderness, it’s impossible not to feel a sense of awe.

This isn’t just one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls.

It’s one of Iceland’s greatest landscapes.

The waterfall, the canyon, the neighboring Granni Falls, and the immense sense of space combine to create an experience that’s far greater than the sum of its parts.

When people ask me which waterfall felt the most remote, the answer is easy.

Háifoss.

It’s a place that reminds you there are still corners of Iceland where nature feels completely untamed.

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9. Seljalandsfoss

The Waterfall You Can Walk Behind

South Iceland

Some waterfalls are meant to be admired from a distance.

Seljalandsfoss invites you to step inside the experience.

Long before we reached the trail, we could see the graceful ribbon of water tumbling from the ancient sea cliffs that once marked Iceland’s southern coastline. Standing nearly 200 feet (60 meters) tall, Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland’s most photographed waterfalls, but no photograph truly captures what makes it unforgettable.

The path doesn’t stop at the front.

It continues behind the waterfall.

As you follow the narrow trail beneath the overhanging cliff, the world changes. The roar of the water becomes louder. Cool mist fills the air. Looking outward through the curtain of falling water, the Icelandic countryside stretches into the distance like a living landscape painting.

For a few moments, you’re standing inside the waterfall rather than simply looking at it.

It’s one of those rare travel experiences that stays with you long after you’ve gone home.

Anne and I found ourselves smiling the entire way around.

Every few steps revealed a completely different view. Looking toward the waterfall, the textures of the basalt cliff dominated the scene. Looking outward, the water framed rolling green fields, distant mountains, and an ever-changing Icelandic sky.

It felt less like visiting a waterfall and more like stepping into one.

Of course, there is one thing every visitor quickly discovers.

You’re going to get wet.

Depending on the wind, the spray can range from refreshing to soaking. Waterproof clothing isn’t simply recommended, it’s part of the experience.

Fortunately, it’s worth every drop.

Even after thousands of visitors pass through each day during summer, Seljalandsfoss somehow manages to retain its sense of wonder. Children laugh as they run through the mist. Photographers wait patiently for shifting light. Travelers from around the world stand quietly behind the water, taking in a perspective that exists in very few places on Earth.

Sometimes an attraction becomes famous for good reason.

Seljalandsfoss is one of them.

Photography Tips

Seljalandsfoss offers almost endless photographic possibilities.

A wide-angle lens is essential if you want to capture both the waterfall and the landscape beyond while standing behind the falls.

Expect constant mist.

Bring a microfiber cloth and wipe your lens frequently. A lens hood helps reduce water droplets, but nothing completely protects your equipment here.

If conditions are calm, try photographing through the waterfall toward sunset. The warm light filtering through the falling water can produce beautiful, almost dreamlike images.

Don’t forget to turn around.

Some of the best photographs aren’t of the waterfall itself but of the view looking out through the curtain of water toward Iceland’s remarkable countryside.

Visitor Information

• Region: South Iceland
• Height: Approximately 200 feet (60 meters)
• Walk from Parking: Less than five minutes
• Difficulty: Easy, though the path behind the falls can be slippery.
• Facilities: Large parking area, restrooms, food services, and gift shop.
• Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late evening for softer light and fewer crowds.

Nearby Attractions

Seljalandsfoss is perfectly positioned among many of South Iceland’s iconic destinations:

• Gljúfrabúi (just a few minutes’ walk away)
• Skógafoss
• Kvernufoss
• Sólheimajökull Glacier
• Dyrhólaey
• Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

It’s one of the easiest places to build into a full day of exploring the South Coast.

Why It Made Our Top 13

Every waterfall on this list offers something unique.

Seljalandsfoss offers a perspective.

It transforms you from an observer into a participant.

Walking behind the waterfall changes the entire experience. The sound, the mist, the changing light, and the framed view of Iceland’s countryside combine to create something far more memorable than simply standing at another scenic overlook.

That’s why Seljalandsfoss remains one of Iceland’s signature waterfalls.

Not because it’s the biggest.

Not because it’s the most powerful.

Because for a few unforgettable moments, you become part of the landscape itself.

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10. Öxarárfoss

Where Two Continents Meet

Þingvellir National Park • Golden Circle

Some waterfalls are famous because of their size.

Öxarárfoss is unforgettable because of where it is.

Nestled within Þingvellir National Park, this beautiful cascade tumbles over dark volcanic rock into a crystal-clear pool below. On its own, it’s a lovely waterfall. But the landscape surrounding it tells an even greater story.

Here, the Earth is slowly pulling itself apart.

Þingvellir lies directly within the Mid-Atlantic Rift, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are drifting away from one another by roughly an inch (2.5 centimeters) each year. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can walk through the visible boundary between two continents.

Standing there, it’s difficult to grasp the timescale.

The cliffs surrounding the waterfall weren’t carved overnight. They are the result of millions of years of volcanic activity, earthquakes, and the relentless movement of the Earth’s crust. The waterfall itself exists because of those ancient forces.

Nature is still writing the landscape.

As we walked toward Öxarárfoss, the atmosphere felt different from many of Iceland’s other waterfalls.

There was a quiet dignity to the place.

Perhaps that’s because Þingvellir is more than a geological wonder. It is also the birthplace of Iceland’s democracy.

More than a thousand years ago, Icelanders gathered here for the Alþingi, one of the world’s oldest continuously operating parliaments. Leaders settled disputes, passed laws, forged alliances, and shaped the future of a young nation beneath these same cliffs.

Imagine standing here a thousand years ago.

No buildings.

No roads.

Only lava fields, flowing water, and people determined to build a society together.

That history adds another layer to the experience.

The waterfall is beautiful.

The land beneath your feet is extraordinary.

When we reached the overlook, the contrast immediately caught my eye. Bright white water cascaded over jet-black basalt while vibrant green moss softened the surrounding rocks. It wasn’t Iceland’s tallest waterfall or its most powerful.

It didn’t need to be.

Its beauty comes from balance.

Everything feels perfectly at home.

The waterfall.

The basalt.

The moss.

The history.

The geology.

Few places in Iceland weave so many stories together in one landscape.

Photography Tips

Öxarárfoss rewards careful composition.

A wide-angle lens captures both the waterfall and the towering basalt cliffs, helping tell the geological story of the landscape. If conditions allow, move lower along the viewing area to include more foreground rocks and create depth within the composition.

Overcast skies often produce the best light here. Soft illumination preserves detail in both the dark lava rock and the bright white water while allowing the rich green moss to stand out naturally.

Don’t rush away after photographing the waterfall.

Some of the most compelling images are found by turning around and photographing the dramatic rift valley itself.

Visitor Information

• Region: Þingvellir National Park, Golden Circle
• Height: Approximately 43 feet (13 meters)
• Walk from Visitor Center: About 10–15 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, parking, walking trails, and interpretive exhibits.
• Best Time to Visit: Early morning or evening for quieter trails and softer light.

Nearby Attractions

Þingvellir is one of Iceland’s most important destinations and combines easily with:

• Silfra Fissure
• Gullfoss
• Geysir Geothermal Area
• Strokkur Geyser
• Brúarfoss
• Kerið Crater

Many visitors spend only an hour here.

I’d recommend giving yourself much longer.

This is one of those places where every trail reveals another remarkable view.

Why It Made Our Top 13

Öxarárfoss earned its place on this list because it reminds us that landscapes can tell multiple stories at once.

It’s a beautiful waterfall.

It’s a geological classroom where continents continue their slow separation.

It’s the setting for one of the world’s oldest parliamentary traditions.

And it’s one of the few places where you can stand in a landscape that has shaped both the Earth itself and the history of a nation.

Some destinations impress because they’re spectacular.

Öxarárfoss stays with you because it makes you think.

Long after we left Þingvellir, I realized I wasn’t just remembering the waterfall.

I was remembering the feeling of standing in a place where geology, history, and beauty all meet in perfect harmony.

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11. Gullfoss

The Golden Falls That One Woman Helped Save

Golden Circle • Southwest Iceland

Some natural wonders are preserved because governments protect them.

Gullfoss exists as we know it today because one determined woman refused to let it disappear.

That story makes this magnificent waterfall even more inspiring.

Long before Gullfoss became one of Iceland’s most visited attractions, developers saw something different when they looked at the Hvítá River.

They saw electricity.

In the early 1900s, plans were proposed to harness the river for hydroelectric power. For many, it seemed like progress.

But for Sigríður Tómasdóttir, the daughter of the farmer who owned the nearby land, it meant losing something irreplaceable.

She fought tirelessly to protect the waterfall.

When negotiations failed, she traveled repeatedly to Reykjavík, often on foot over long distances, to argue against the project. Legend says she even threatened to throw herself into the waterfall if construction moved forward. While parts of that story have become folklore, her determination is well documented, and her efforts became a powerful symbol of Iceland’s growing conservation movement.

Today, a memorial to Sigríður stands near Gullfoss.

As visitors admire the falls, many pause to thank the woman whose courage helped ensure they still can.

Standing at Gullfoss, it’s easy to understand why she fought so passionately.

The Hvítá River doesn’t simply tumble over one cliff.

It plunges in two dramatic stages before disappearing into a deep, ancient canyon carved by glacial floods over thousands of years. Depending on where you stand, the second drop almost vanishes from view, creating the illusion that the river simply disappears into the Earth.

It’s one of the most extraordinary sights in Iceland.

During our visit, the weather changed almost by the minute.

Sunshine broke through heavy clouds.

Rain drifted across the canyon.

Moments later, a rainbow appeared in the mist rising from the falls.

Then it vanished just as quickly.

Iceland has a way of reminding you that landscapes are never static.

Every passing cloud creates a new photograph.

Every shift in light reveals a different mood.

Gullfoss rewards those who linger.

Photography Tips

Gullfoss offers an incredible variety of compositions.

A wide-angle lens captures both tiers of the waterfall and the dramatic canyon, while a telephoto lens lets you isolate powerful sections of rushing water and changing light.

Mist is constant, particularly near the lower viewing platforms, so keep a microfiber cloth within easy reach.

If you’re fortunate enough to visit during changing weather, stay patient.

Some of the best photographs happen just after rain showers when sunlight breaks through the clouds, creating rainbows in the spray.

Those fleeting moments often become the images you’ll remember most.

Visitor Information

• Region: Golden Circle
• Height: Approximately 105 feet (32 meters) over two cascades
• Walk from Parking: Less than five minutes
• Difficulty: Easy, with paved and gravel pathways
• Facilities: Large visitor center, café, gift shop, restrooms, and ample parking
• Best Time to Visit: Early morning or later in the evening for fewer crowds and beautiful light

Nearby Attractions

Gullfoss is one of the highlights of Iceland’s famous Golden Circle and pairs perfectly with:

• Geysir Geothermal Area
• Strokkur Geyser
• Þingvellir National Park
• Brúarfoss
• Kerið Crater

Together, they create one of the world’s great scenic driving routes.

Why It Made Our Top 13

Gullfoss earned its place on this list for more than its beauty.

It represents something worth celebrating.

A landscape that could have been lost.

Every time I visit a place like Gullfoss, I’m reminded that remarkable landscapes don’t always remain remarkable by accident. They endure because people choose to protect them.

Standing beside the roaring water, watching rainbows drift through the mist, it’s impossible not to feel grateful that Sigríður Tómasdóttir saw something worth fighting for.

Her story reminds us that every generation has the opportunity, and the responsibility, to preserve beauty for those who come after us.

That’s a legacy as powerful as the waterfall itself.

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12. Granni

The Waterfall Standing in a Giant’s Shadow

Þjórsárdalur Valley • Iceland Highlands

Some of the most beautiful places in the world are overlooked.

Not because they aren’t extraordinary.

But because they’re standing beside something even more famous.

That’s Granni.

Just a few hundred feet from the towering plunge of Háifoss, Granni descends gracefully into the same magnificent canyon. Most visitors arrive with their eyes fixed on Iceland’s second-highest waterfall, often snapping a few photographs before moving on.

I understand why.

Háifoss is spectacular.

But if you never take time to appreciate Granni, you’ve only experienced half of the landscape.

The two waterfalls belong together.

One is bold.

The other is graceful.

One commands your attention.

The other quietly earns it.

As I stood overlooking the canyon, my eyes kept moving back and forth between the two. At first, Háifoss dominated the scene. But the longer I looked, the more Granni revealed its own character.

Its narrower ribbon of water traced the contours of the cliff with remarkable elegance. The contrast between the waterfalls created a sense of balance that neither one could achieve alone.

Together, they tell the story.

Separately, they are beautiful.

Together, they are unforgettable.

It’s a reminder that landscapes are rarely about a single subject.

The greatest photographs, and often the greatest experiences, come from understanding how every element works together.

In many ways, Granni reminds me of something I’ve learned throughout my years as a photographer.

Our attention naturally goes to the obvious.

The tallest mountain.

The biggest waterfall.

The most famous landmark.

But if we’re willing to slow down, we’ll often discover that the quieter parts of the landscape are just as meaningful.

Sometimes they become our favorites.

Photography Tips

Granni is best photographed as part of the broader canyon landscape.

A wide-angle lens beautifully captures the relationship between Granni and Háifoss, emphasizing how the twin waterfalls shape the canyon together.

If you have a telephoto lens, spend a few minutes isolating Granni on its own. The delicate ribbon of water against the massive volcanic cliffs creates striking minimalist compositions that many visitors overlook.

Changing light dramatically alters the scene.

Passing clouds can illuminate one waterfall while leaving the other in shadow, creating photographs that feel different from one moment to the next.

Visitor Information

• Region: Þjórsárdalur Valley, Iceland Highlands
• Height: Approximately 330 feet (100 meters)
• Walk from Parking: Five to ten minutes
• Difficulty: Easy, though caution is essential near the canyon rim.
• Facilities: None at the waterfall.
• Best Time to Visit: Summer, when Highland roads are open.

Nearby Attractions

Granni is inseparable from the surrounding Highland landscape, including:

• Háifoss
• Gjáin Valley
• Hjálparfoss
• Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng
• Sigöldugljúfur Canyon
• Landmannalaugar

This corner of Iceland rewards travelers willing to venture beyond the busiest tourist routes.

Why It Made Our Top 13

Granni earned its place on this list for a simple reason.

It teaches us to look twice.

Most people arrive for Háifoss.

Those who stay discover Granni.

The two waterfalls complement one another so perfectly that separating them almost feels unnatural. One provides the drama. The other provides the balance.

Together, they create one of the finest waterfall landscapes in all of Iceland.

Whenever I look back at my photographs from this canyon, I don’t think of Háifoss alone.

I remember the conversation between the two waterfalls.

And I’m reminded that some of life’s greatest beauty isn’t found in the star of the show.

It’s found in the companion that quietly completes the masterpiece.

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13. Selfoss

The Waterfall That Teaches You to Slow Down

Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon • North Iceland

At first glance, Selfoss doesn’t seem as dramatic as its famous neighbor.

That’s exactly why you shouldn’t rush past it.

Located just upstream from Dettifoss, Selfoss is often overshadowed by Europe’s most powerful waterfall. Many visitors stop briefly, take a quick photograph, and continue down the trail toward the thunderous roar waiting farther ahead.

We almost made the same mistake.

Fortunately, we didn’t.

Standing beside Selfoss, I quickly realized that comparing it to Dettifoss misses the point entirely.

They’re two completely different experiences.

Where Dettifoss is explosive, Selfoss is graceful.

Instead of one massive torrent plunging into a canyon, Selfoss spreads across the river in a wide, elegant curtain of countless smaller cascades. Water weaves around volcanic rock, creating an ever-changing tapestry of movement before continuing downstream toward its more famous companion.

It feels less like a single waterfall…

…and more like an entire river dancing over the edge of the Earth.

The broad sweep of the falls gives the landscape an entirely different mood. There is still power here, after all, this is the same glacial river that feeds Dettifoss, but the energy feels calmer, almost rhythmic.

The longer we stood there, the more details we noticed.

Individual ribbons of water.

Dark volcanic pillars dividing the current.

Mist drifting gently through the canyon.

Clouds casting moving shadows across the cliffs.

It reminded me that some landscapes reveal themselves slowly.

Not because they’re hiding.

Because they reward patience.

Many of my favorite memories from Iceland came from moments like this.

Not the places where we hurried from viewpoint to viewpoint.

The places where we stayed.

Where we stopped trying to collect destinations and simply enjoyed being present.

Selfoss became one of those places.

Photography Tips

Selfoss rewards thoughtful composition more than dramatic focal lengths.

A wide-angle lens beautifully captures the sweeping width of the falls, while a medium telephoto allows you to isolate fascinating patterns created by the countless streams flowing over the basalt ledges.

Because the waterfall stretches across such a broad area, don’t settle for the first composition you find.

Walk the trail.

Change your angle.

Look for leading lines created by the river and foreground rocks.

Overcast conditions often produce wonderfully even light, preserving detail throughout the water while emphasizing the textures of the canyon.

Visitor Information

• Region: North Iceland
• Height: Approximately 36 feet (11 meters)
• Walk from Parking: About 10–15 minutes from the west-side parking area
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Facilities: Parking available; limited visitor services.
• Best Time to Visit: Summer and early autumn, when roads are fully accessible.

Nearby Attractions

Selfoss is best experienced alongside several remarkable North Iceland destinations:

• Dettifoss
• Ásbyrgi Canyon
• Hljóðaklettar (Echo Rocks)
• Lake Mývatn
• Krafla Volcano
• Námaskarð Geothermal Area

Together, they showcase some of the most dramatic volcanic landscapes anywhere in Iceland.

Why It Made Our Top 13

Selfoss earned its place on this list because it reminds us that beauty doesn’t always announce itself with a roar.

Sometimes it whispers.

It invites you to slow your pace, look a little longer, and appreciate details that might otherwise go unnoticed.

After spending time at Selfoss, I found myself thinking less about comparisons and more about gratitude.

Gratitude that Iceland offers such incredible variety.

In just a few minutes’ walk, you can experience one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls and then stand before another that expresses the very same river in an entirely different way.

That’s what makes Iceland so remarkable.

Every waterfall has its own personality.

Every landscape tells its own story.

And every stop along the journey has something unique to teach those willing to pause, look closer, and simply be present.

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The Waterfalls I Still Dream About

When people ask me which waterfall was my favorite, I usually smile.

They’re asking the wrong question.

It’s a little like asking which chapter of a great novel mattered most.

Each waterfall gave us something different.

Kirkjufellsfoss taught us that beauty can exist in perfect balance.

Skógafoss reminded us of nature’s overwhelming grandeur.

Kvernufoss proved that some of life’s greatest treasures are found just beyond the crowds.

Dettifoss humbled us with its incredible power.

Svartifoss revealed that nature can be every bit as artistic as the greatest architects.

Brúarfoss stopped us in our tracks with water so brilliantly blue it hardly seemed real.

Goðafoss reminded us that landscapes sometimes carry the stories of entire nations.

Háifoss made us feel wonderfully small.

Seljalandsfoss invited us to step inside the landscape instead of simply looking at it.

Öxarárfoss showed us where geology and history meet.

Gullfoss reminded us that beauty is sometimes preserved because someone had the courage to fight for it.

Granni taught us that greatness isn’t always found in the most famous places.

And Selfoss reminded us that not every masterpiece needs to shout.

Each one became part of our journey.

Together, they changed the way we experienced Iceland.

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When Anne and I began planning our 21-day journey around Iceland, we expected to come home with beautiful photographs.

We did.

What surprised us was everything else we brought home.

We learned to slow down.

To stay a little longer.

To walk the extra trail instead of turning back at the first overlook.

To wait for the light.

To look behind the waterfall.

To notice the quiet places between the famous ones.

Some of our favorite memories weren’t the destinations themselves.

They were the moments in between.

Sharing a thermos of coffee while watching clouds drift across a canyon.

Laughing as the mist from Seljalandsfoss soaked us far more than we expected.

Standing silently together at Háifoss, realizing just how wonderfully small we were in such an immense landscape.

Those moments rarely appear on postcards.

But they’re the ones we remember most.

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People often ask me why I travel.

The answer has become clearer with every journey.

I don’t travel simply to collect photographs.

I travel because extraordinary places teach us to see differently.

They remind us that beauty isn’t rare.

It’s abundant.

It simply asks for our attention.

After returning home to Minnesota, I noticed something unexpected.

The lesson Iceland taught me didn’t stay in Iceland.

I began paying more attention to the morning light filtering through backyard trees.

The fog rising over familiar lakes.

Fresh snow transforming ordinary streets.

The quiet colors of autumn.

The reflections after a summer rain.

Travel, at its best, doesn’t just show us beautiful places.

It changes the way we see home.

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If you’re planning your own adventure through Iceland, I hope these waterfalls inspire your itinerary.

But I hope they inspire something even more important.

Don’t measure your journey by how many places you visit.

Measure it by how deeply you experience them.

Stay five minutes longer.

Walk a little farther.

Put the camera down every once in a while.

Listen.

Look.

Breathe.

Because the most unforgettable moments often arrive after the checklist is complete.

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Of all the waterfalls we visited across Iceland, I still can’t choose a favorite.

And honestly…

I hope I never can.

Each one revealed a different side of this remarkable island.

Each one taught us something about beauty.

Each one invited us to slow down and pay attention.

Perhaps that’s the real gift of Iceland.

Not simply that it has some of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls.

But that it reminds us the world is still filled with wonder.

If we’re willing to look.

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Continue Your Iceland Adventure

If you’re planning your own journey, these additional resources may help you make the most of your time in Iceland:

• Read: Chasing Light Across Iceland: Our 21-Day Adventure, a detailed guide to the complete route Anne and I traveled around the island, with photography tips, itinerary suggestions, and favorite hidden gems.
• Photography Guide: The Ultimate Iceland Photography Guide, practical advice on camera gear, locations, timing, and techniques for capturing Iceland’s extraordinary landscapes.
• Browse the Gallery: Explore my complete collection of Iceland fine art photographs, available as museum-quality prints for your home or office.
• Learn With Me: If you’d like to improve your own landscape photography, I’d love to help through my private photography lessons and mentoring.

Sacred architecture became another unexpected highlight of our journey. Explore our photographic guide to 15 beautiful churches in Iceland.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland?

Beauty is subjective, but many travelers consider Gullfoss, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Kirkjufellsfoss among Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls. If you’re looking for hidden gems, don’t miss Kvernufoss and Brúarfoss.

What is the best waterfall in Iceland?

If you’re visiting Iceland for the first time, I’d recommend:

• Gullfoss
• Skógafoss
• Seljalandsfoss
• Dettifoss
• Goðafoss

Each offers a completely different experience.

How many waterfalls are there in Iceland?

No one knows the exact number, but there are thousands of waterfalls throughout Iceland. Some guides estimate more than 10,000, though many are unnamed seasonal falls.

Which Iceland waterfall can you walk behind?

Two of the most famous are:

• Seljalandsfoss
• Kvernufoss

Which waterfall has the bluest water?

Brúarfoss.

Its remarkable turquoise color comes from glacial water filtered through volcanic rock.

Which waterfall is best for photographers?

That’s difficult!

I’d recommend:

• Kirkjufellsfoss
• Brúarfoss
• Svartifoss
• Háifoss
• Seljalandsfoss

How many days do you need?

If waterfalls are your focus:

• Golden Circle: 1 day
• South Coast: 2 days
• Ring Road: 7–10 days
• Our trip: 21 days

 

 

 

 

 

13 Best Waterfalls in Iceland: A Photographer’s Guide to Iceland’s Most Incredible Falls

Written by Wayne Moran - Visit Website
moran.wayne@gmail.com