The Best Waterfalls in Iceland, Ranked
My ranked list of Iceland's best waterfalls — Klifbrekkufossar, Kvernufoss, Gullfoss, Skógafoss, and Godafoss top the list, plus every other waterfall worth the detour.
Iceland has more waterfalls than you could ever see in one trip, and after driving the entire Ring Road and chasing down more than a dozen of them, a handful genuinely stood above the rest. Here's my ranked list — the five you should prioritize if your time is limited, plus the others that are still very much worth a stop.
1. Klifbrekkufossar
My favorite waterfall in the entire country. Klifbrekkufossar is a multi-layered cascade tumbling down toward the mouth of a fjord in the Eastfjords, and the drive to reach it is just as spectacular as the waterfall itself. Keep around an hour here — the layered drops and the fjord backdrop make it one of the most photogenic spots in Iceland, and it's an easy stop on the drive between Höfn and Mývatn. It's also one of my favorite drone spots in Iceland.
2. Kvernufoss
Kvernufoss is the waterfall most people skip, and that's exactly why it earns a top spot on this list. It's a five-minute drive from Skógafoss, yet it sees a fraction of the crowds. Give yourself about an hour — you can walk behind the curtain of water, and unlike its famous neighbor, you'll likely have it almost entirely to yourself.
3. Gullfoss
The centerpiece of the Golden Circle, and it earns the hype. Keep around an hour to explore, and hike out toward the edge of the lower falls — just be prepared to get wet from the spray. Gullfoss is a stop on Day 3 of the Ring Road itinerary, alongside Geysir and Þingvellir.
4. Skógafoss
Skógafoss is the most famous waterfall in Iceland, and for good reason — it's massive, it's right off the road, and it rewards a bit of extra effort. My top tip: don't stop at the base. Climb the staircase to the top and keep hiking along the river — this is the start of the 27 km trail to Þórsmörk, and you don't need to do all of it. Just a short way in, you'll find a string of smaller, quieter waterfalls that almost nobody else bothers to see. Set aside at least two hours here to do it properly. It's a highlight of Day 5 on the Ring Road.
5. Godafoss
The most beautiful waterfall I saw in Iceland, and I mean that as a genuine ranking, not a throwaway line. Godafoss is wide, symmetrical, and framed perfectly by the surrounding landscape. Keep about an hour to explore both sides of the river. It's a stop on Day 9 of the Ring Road, on the way through Mývatn.
More waterfalls worth your time
These didn't crack the top five, but they're still very much worth the stop if you're in the area.
Seljalandsfoss & Gljúfrabúi
Seljalandsfoss is famous for the path that lets you walk all the way around behind the falls. Right next door — a two-minute walk away — is Gljúfrabúi, a waterfall tucked inside a narrow cave, which is arguably the more magical of the two. Give yourself about 30 minutes for both. Both sit on Day 4 of the Ring Road.
Dettifoss
Europe's most powerful waterfall by volume, and it feels like it — the sheer force and spray are worth the hour you'll want to spend here. It's a stop on Day 9 of the Ring Road, on the way to Godafoss.
Hraunfossar, Barnafoss, Bruarfoss & Þórufoss
Four very different waterfalls within easy reach of Reykjavik, making them a great first or last day of any trip. Hraunfossar and Barnafoss sit right next to each other; Bruarfoss is a short, worthwhile detour; and Þórufoss rewards a quick 15-minute hike down from the parking area to the base. All four are covered on Day 2 of the Ring Road.
Glymur
One of Iceland's tallest waterfalls, and the only one on this list that's a proper hike rather than a quick stop — budget the better part of a day. The views from the top are unforgettable, and the trail is one of the best hikes in Iceland. It's also a great drone photography spot.
Final thoughts
If you only have time for five, go with Klifbrekkufossar, Kvernufoss, Gullfoss, Skógafoss, and Godafoss — but honestly, in a country with this many waterfalls, it's hard to have a bad day.