Iceland is commonly known as “The Land of Fire and Ice,” but we could easily add a second nickname: the land of waterfalls. Wherever you go, south or north, east or west, you will be able to see marvelous cataracts. It is not just the water falling powerfully at a high speed; it is also the magic, whimsical surroundings they are located at. The type of surroundings one can only find in Iceland. Do you want to know the top best waterfalls in Iceland? Here is our list!
We can all agree that waterfalls are a beautiful and spectacular show of nature. The logic behind the existence of waterfalls is not that complicated. The reason is the unevenness in the bed of a river, which due to gravity forces causes the water to fall vertically. In Iceland, the land is rocky, bumpy and rugged. It is very easy to find cliffs all around Iceland, so no wonder why the melted water from the ice caps ends up creating mesmerizing waterfalls. Here you have the best ones:
The Best Waterfalls in Iceland – Skogafoss
You probably heard about this one before. And I bet you have also seen a picture of this waterfall anywhere on the internet as well. Located in South Iceland, this is one of the tallest waterfalls on the island. It is 60 meters tall (196 ft) and a width of 25 meters (82ft) If you are looking for rainbows and waterfalls, this is the place to go. At Skogafoss, the dew and the lightning creates a permanent rainbow; your Instagram feed will love that for sure!
The Best Waterfalls in Iceland – Seljalandsfoss
This waterfall keeps the typical “Icelandic” look as well. Water is falling from a dark rocky background and green grass all around it. It is quite close to the ring road so you can easily make a stop here. It is narrow and does not have a great volume of water, but you can walk behind the waterfall! That is simply amazing, right? If you love photography, then get your camera ready, shots here are superb!
The Best Waterfalls in Iceland- Gullfoss
Approximately one hour away from Reykjavik, on route 1, you will find the most famous waterfall in Iceland: Gullfoss. It is one of the main stops of the Golden Circle, and it is not difficult to understand why. This massive, two-tires waterfall is one of the largest falls in Europe. Its name means “Golden Waterfall” because, on sunny days, the water turns into a golden-brown color.
The Best Waterfalls in Iceland – Godafoss
The waterfall is in the northeastern region of Iceland, in the Bárðardalur district. You can head there using the Ring road as well. It is 30 meters wide (98 ft.) and 12 meters (39 ft.) tall. It has a semi-horseshoe shape. Godafoss means “Waterfall of the gods” in Icelandic. When Iceland became Christians, the pagan gods were thrown into this waterfall as a symbol of leaving behind the old traditions.
The Best Waterfalls in Iceland – Dettifoss
Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Europe. It is located in the majestic Vatnajökull National Park. The falls are 100 meters (330 ft) wide and have a drop of 44 meters (144 ft). The foam and dew created can be seen from 1km (0.62 miles) away. The roaring waters fall at a rate of 193 m³/s ((6,816 cu ft/s).
Now you know the waterfalls you cannot miss out during your Icelandic trip. And in case you did not notice, “foss” means waterfall in Icelandic!
