With so many breathtaking waterfalls in South Iceland to explore, it can feel overwhelming to decide which ones to add to your itinerary!
Trust me, I’ve been to Iceland many times, and I can understand how hard it is to narrow down the list!
From the majestic Seljalandsfoss, where you can walk behind the powerful waterfall, to the mighty Gullfoss, with its incredible viewpoints, Iceland’s south coast is packed with must-see waterfalls.
Don’t worry; in this post, I’ve narrowed it down for you!
In this guide, you’ll discover the best waterfalls in South Iceland, plus a few hidden gems you won’t want to miss.
Famous Waterfalls in South Iceland
1. Seljalandsfoss – “Selling the Land of Waterfalls”
Perhaps the most famous waterfall in Iceland, Seljalandsfoss, is an impressive sight to behold!
It boasts a height of 61 meters (200 feet) and is one of the few waterfalls in Iceland that you can walk behind.
Being one of the most popular waterfalls on the famous Ring Road in Iceland, it is often flooded with tourists.
We recommend visiting early in the morning to avoid the majority of the tourists and have more of the waterfall to yourselves.
As we mentioned already, you can hike all the way around Seljalandsfoss.
One thing to keep in mind is that you will most certainly get soaked if you do!
The rocks are quite slippery as well and require some light climbing, so be prepared if you decide to make the trek behind and around the waterfall.
Fun fact: You may recognize the Seljalandsfoss waterfall if you watch The Amazing Race…it was used as one of the waypoints in The Amazing Race Season 6!
Seljalandsfoss is a 1-hour and 45-minute drive from Reykjavík.
2. Gullfoss Falls – “Golden Falls”
In volume, Gullfoss Falls is the largest waterfall in all of Europe!
This most powerful waterfall is located just a few minutes from Stokkur Geysir, making it an easy addition to your route.
One thing that’s unique about this waterfall is that you will view it from above instead of below.
You can choose to view the falls from either the lower viewpoint or the upper viewpoint, and there is a car park area for both locations.
There is a walkway with viewing platforms built above the falls that allow you to take in the view without being in any danger of the rushing water.
Keep in mind that some viewpoints are only open seasonally due to dangerous icy conditions.
It is impossible to view Gullfoss at the base of the falls as it disappears into the Hvítá river canyon far below.
Gullfoss Falls is a 1-hour and 35-minute drive from Reykjavík.
3. Skógafoss – “Forest Waterfall”
Although its name would suggest that Skógafoss is located in a forest, that is not the case.
Skógafoss is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland and is popular due to its size.
This impressive waterfall is 25 meters wide (82 feet) and has a height of 60 meters (197 feet).
Although it is almost equally as high as its neighbor Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss is significantly wider.
You cannot walk behind this waterfall, but you can walk right up to the base of the falls.
If you are visiting Skógafoss, be prepared to get wet.
The off-spray from the falls is quite persistent, and paired with the often windy conditions of the area, it’s a perfect recipe for you to get soaked!
If you’re lucky, you may get to see a rainbow or even a double rainbow in this waterfall on a sunny day!
If you would like, you can also view Skógafoss from above.
There is a trail that leads you to the top of this waterfall, but it involves a staircase with about 475 stairs.
If you so choose, you can continue on past the top of the staircase for a beautiful walk through the Skógar Valley, where you can view over a dozen additional waterfalls!
Skógafoss is a 2-hour and 4-minute drive from Reykjavík.
4. Öxarárfoss – “Axe Falls”
Located in Þingvellir National Park, Öxarárfoss is one of the most-visited waterfalls in Iceland.
Although it’s not the biggest waterfall in Iceland, it is still beautiful and is a popular stop for any Golden Circle tour.
One thing that makes Öxarárfoss unique is that it was actually artificially created many years ago.
This human-made waterfall was moved hundreds of years ago as a way to channel water into the ravine.
Its location in Thingvellir National Park makes it an ideal stop for tourists already exploring the surrounding area. The park itself is gorgeous!
If you are lucky enough to visit Öxarárfoss in the winter, there is an ice shelf that forms across the river at the bottom of the falls.
The first time I visited, I was able to see the ice shelf, but the second time, it had already melted for the season.
You will need to hike a short way to reach the falls.
The trail is partially boardwalk and partially dirt/gravel.
If you are visiting in winter, consider wearing crampons, as the snow and ice are known to be quite thick on this trail.
This is one of the best Instagram spots in Iceland and will leave you with some incredible pictures!
Öxarárfoss is a 46-minute drive from Reykjavík.
5. Svartifoss – “The Black Waterfall”
Perhaps one of the most gorgeous Iceland waterfalls of all is Svartifoss.
This majestic waterfall is only 20 meters (65 feet) tall, but the height is not what sets it apart from the other famous Icelandic waterfalls.
Svartifoss cascades over a wall of dark-tinted basalt columns, which is where its name comes from.
This waterfall is located in Vatnajökull National Park in the Skaftafell Nature Reserve and is a must for any south coast tour.
To reach Svartifoss, you will have to hike just under 3 miles round-trip.
This is a moderate hike and is quite steep at times. Be sure to leave yourself plenty of time and bring a lot of water!
If you are planning to take pictures of the falls and enjoy them, 2 hours should be a reasonable amount of time for this hike.
The basalt columns at Svartifoss reminded me of the basalt columns on the black sand beach near Vik.
If you enjoy basalt columns as much as I do, then this waterfall hike is a must!
Svartifoss is easily one of the most beautiful waterfalls Iceland has to offer and is my favorite of the south Iceland waterfalls.
If you’re looking for other things to do in this area, we highly recommend taking a glacier ice cave tour or riding Icelandic horses on the black sand beach!
Svartifoss is a 4-hour and 15-minute drive from Reykjavík.
6. Kirkjufellsfoss – “Church Mountain Falls”
This beautiful waterfall is known for its iconic setting near Kirkjufell, or “church mountain.”
Kirkjufell is the most photographed mountain in Iceland and one of the most beautiful mountains in the world.
Kirkjufellsfoss can be found in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
Its location makes it less visited than many of the other waterfalls in South Iceland.
Fun fact: You may recognize this landscape if you’ve ever watched Game of Thrones.
I have not personally watched the show, but I know that Kirkjufell is known as Arrowhead Mountain on the show and is used as a landmark.
An easy 0.6-mile, 10-minute walk will bring you to this waterfall.
If you hope to get the iconic picture of Kirkjufellsfoss with Kirkjufell behind it, you may have to be patient and wait for the clouds to break around the mountain.
Kirkjufellsfoss is a 2-hour and 30-minute drive from Reykjavík.
7. Brúarfoss – “Bridge Falls”
Brúarfoss is one of those waterfalls that absolutely must be on your itinerary!
The first few times that we visited Iceland, we missed this one, which was a huge mistake.
Now, I’ve been to see it twice, and it never gets old!
This stunning blue waterfall used to only be reachable by a long hike (4 miles round-trip taking roughly 3-4 hours to complete), meaning not as many people got to visit it.
But recently, a gravel road was put in that leads to a parking area just a short 5-minute walk from the falls.
In April 2024, the road was in great shape, but by September 2024, it was extremely rutted and full of potholes.
It was still doable, but we had to go much slower, so plan on a little longer drive depending on the current road conditions.
If you visit soon and the road is back in good shape, please make a post in my South Iceland Travel Facebook Group so that I can update this post!
There is a bridge spanning the river that you can cross to get an even better view of this stunning waterfall.
I mean, come on! Does it get any more beautiful than that glacial water?!
Bruarfoss is a 1-hour and 37-minute drive from Reykjavík.
Lesser-Known Beautiful Waterfalls in South Iceland
8. Kvernufoss – “Dweller in the Gorge”
A lesser-known neighbor of Skógafoss and a secret gem of South Iceland is Kvernufoss!
This waterfall is set back in a beautiful gorge, and it is one of the most peaceful waterfalls we visited in Iceland.
The trail is just under a one-mile round trip. The path winds through the stunning gorge before reaching a dead end.
We enjoyed the hike just as much as the waterfall it led us to!
Kvernufoss is one of the top-5 tallest waterfalls in Iceland, reaching 30 meters (100 feet).
This is yet another waterfall you can walk behind, although the path is slippery and treacherous.
You will most definitely get wet if you get very close to Kvernufoss!
If you are looking for a peaceful hidden gem in Iceland that you will likely have all to yourself, then Kvernufoss is the perfect waterfall for you.
Kvernufoss is a 2-hour and 6-minute drive from Reykjavík.
9. Stjórnarfoss – “Government Falls”
Stjórnarfoss is one of the true hidden gem waterfalls in Southern Iceland!
This beautiful waterfall is not far off the Ring Road, but it still sees far fewer visitors than other nearby waterfalls.
It is located between Vík and Höfn near the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
This is one of the things to do near Vik, Iceland, that we enjoyed on our recent trip!
I stumbled across this waterfall by sheer luck on my first visit to Iceland and knew I had to go back during my next trip.
There is a small parking area across the street, and it is just a short walk to get to the base of Stjórnarfoss.
The area is quite rocky, but you can get as close to the waterfall as you would like. Even though it is one of the smaller waterfalls, I still loved it!
Stjórnarfoss is not as impressive as the highest waterfall or widest waterfall in Iceland, but what draws me to it is how peaceful it is.
Both times I visited Stjórnarfoss, there were hardly any other tourists.
I could sit and watch these falls for hours!
Stjórnarfoss is a 3-hour and 30-minute drive from Reykjavík.
10. Haifoss – “High Waterfall”
True to its name, Haifoss is the fourth-highest waterfall in Iceland.
It is 122 meters (400 feet tall) and is an impressive sight to behold!
To reach Haifoss, you will have to hike 2.7 miles round trip on a moderate trail.
It is not recommended for children or inexperienced hikers, but if you’re up for the slight challenge, it will be rewarding!
You can also hike down close to the base of the waterfall, but it is quite steep, and you will get very wet.
The road to reach Haifoss is closed in the winter months, so make sure to check for any road closures before starting your trip to Haifoss, and only attempt the drive with a 4×4 vehicle.
Haifoss is a 2-hour and 15-minute drive from Reykjavík.
11. Hraunfossar – “Lava Falls”
Hraunfossar is a series of multiple waterfalls spanning over half a mile long!
These stunning Iceland falls flow out of the Hallmundarhraun Lava Field, where the name comes from.
If you are traveling through the area, these falls are worth a stop.
The color of the water was mesmerizing, especially in contrast to the lava!
You can walk along the trail directly across from the falls.
Barnafoss is also located in this area, and both waterfalls can be viewed on the same path.
Barnafoss is a very rapid waterfall that is mesmerizing in its own unique way.
We stopped at Hraunfossar after our Into The Glacier tour, as it was right on our way back from Húsafell.
I highly recommend this day tour to anyone looking for something unforgettable to do in Iceland!
Hraunfossar is a 1-hour and 45-minute drive from Reykjavík.
12. Gljúfrabúi Waterfall – “Gorge Dweller”
Gljúfrabúi is another south Iceland waterfall that, although it’s easily accessible, many people miss out on it.
This unique waterfall is just a short walk from Seljalandsfoss. In fact, you’ll use the same parking lot!
Even though it’s gorgeous, you should only attempt to visit these falls if you’re ok getting wet soaked. Like, realllllly soaked.
Gljúfrabúi is set back in a canyon-like recess, making it impossible to reach without a solid drenching.
However, if you have waterproof clothes and shoes, it’s totally worth it!
Gljúfrabúi is a 1-hour and 57-minute drive from Reykjavík.
13. Faxi Waterfall – “Horse Mane Waterfall”
Faxi Waterfall is another gorgeous stop on the Golden Circle.
If you’re exploring the circle clockwise like we usually do, then this stop is between Stokkur Geysir and Kerid Crater.
Admittedly, we usually don’t stop here because the Golden Circle typically falls on our first day, and by this point, the jet lag is real.
But on my last visit, I finally decided to stop, and this waterfall blew me away!
There is a small entrance fee per vehicle (700 ISK), and then there is an upper viewing point and a lower viewing point.
I highly recommend driving down to the lower parking area and walking down the short path to the base of the falls.
Faxi (meaning mane) gets its name from the shape of the falls, which are said to resemble a horse’s mane.
If you have the time, this is a great waterfall, and we found there to be very few tourists compared to the attractions in the surrounding area.
Faxi is a 1-hour and 30-minute drive from Reykjavík.
14. Urriðafoss – “Trout Waterfall”
On my very first visit to Iceland, we stumbled across Urriðafoss completely by accident and were very glad that we did.
This waterfall is located just off of the ring road past Selfoss.
Most people just drive right past it…in fact, you can see the bridge from the waterfall viewing area.
But those who choose to stop are able to enjoy this stunning and powerful waterfall.
There is no parking fee, and depending on the time of day you visit, you may even have this waterfall all to yourself!
Urriðafoss is a 1-hour and 18-minute drive from Reykjavík.
15. Svöðufoss – “Scar Waterfall”
Last but certainly not least is Svöðufoss.
This serene waterfall is located on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, not far from Kirkjufellsfoss.
I have to admit, this is one of my very favorite waterfalls in all of Iceland!
There is a short walk to reach the falls, and along the way, you’ll be following a beautiful, babbling stream.
At the end of the path is a nice viewing platform with benches if you’d like to sit and enjoy the falls for a while.
Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, you can continue on a small dirt path to get a little closer to the falls.
Just beware, as the area is steep and slippery.
If you’re visiting the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, then Svöðufoss must be on your list!
Svöðufoss is a 2-hour and 52-minute drive from Reykjavík.
In Closing: 15 Beautiful Waterfalls in South Iceland
As you can see, South Iceland has some pretty incredible waterfalls!
Which one are you most excited to visit? Be sure to join my South Iceland Travel Facebook group and let me know!
Are there any other waterfalls that you think should have been included in my list?
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Safe travels!
