12 Beautiful Waterfalls Near Reykjavik
If you visit Iceland, one of the best things to see is its waterfalls! Iceland has over 10,000 waterfalls, and all are beautiful in their own way.
Many people choose to stay in Reykjavik when they visit Iceland and take day trips to nearby areas. We have visited the waterfalls near the city during all our trips to Iceland because we cannot get enough! The waterfalls are some of our favorite attractions in Iceland.
The best part about staying in the city is there are many beautiful waterfalls within two hours of Reykjavik, so you do not have to go too far to experience their beauty. This guide has everything you need to find the most beautiful waterfalls near Reykjavik!
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The Best Waterfalls Near Reykjavik
There are many waterfalls near Reykjavik, and this guide highlights some of the most beautiful ones! If you are staying in Reykjavik, make sure to add these waterfalls to your itinerary. You will quickly fall in love with each of these and realize why they are some of my favorite waterfalls in Iceland!
Gullfoss
Distance From Reykjavik: 1.5-hour drive
Gullfoss is one of the most iconic waterfalls near Reykjavik. It sits on the Hvítá River, fed by the second-largest glacier in Iceland, Langjökull, and is easily accessible off the Ring Road near the Great Geysir.
Gullfoss is the largest volume waterfall in Europe, cascading down in two sections, one 36 feet high and the other 69 feet high, into a 1.6-mile-long canyon. And let me tell you, it is epic! We were in awe the first time we visited the first time.
Gullfoss in Icelandic means Golden Waterfall because, on a sunny day, the waterfall turns into a golden color because of its sediments. You can also see thousands of rainbows on a sunny day! You can get up close and personal with this beautiful waterfall by following a short path from the parking lot that brings you alongside it.
Þórufoss
Distance From Reykjavik: 40-minute drive
Þórufoss (also known as Thorufoss) is becoming an increasingly popular waterfall near Reykjavik because it was a Game of Thrones location. This beautiful 62-foot-tall waterfall is in a stunning canyon covered in moss.
The 0.5-mile round trip trail to Þórufoss is easy and brings you to a cliff overlooking the falls. You can also hike to its base, but the route to get down there is not maintained and is steep. Honestly, the view from the top is much better, so it is not worth the climb down, in my opinion. No matter how you choose to experience Þórufoss, you will quickly fall in love!
Bruarfoss
Distance From Reykjavik: 1.5-hour drive
Bruarfoss is quickly becoming an iconic waterfall near Reykjavik to visit because of its blue waters. Because it is glacier-fed and multiple streams converge into a deep crevice, the water is a bright blue color. And yes, the water is that blue!
The trail to Bruarfoss is a fun hike to a beautiful overlook of Bruarfoss on a bridge. The views are stunning, and I could honestly sit here for hours enjoying the waterfall.
Öxarárfoss
Distance From Reykjavik: 45-minute drive
Although Öxarárfoss is not as well-known as the other waterfalls near Reykjavik, it does not lack beauty. I like to think of it as a hidden gem, but it is becoming increasingly popular because it is a filming location in Game of Thrones.
Öxarárfoss is a 44-foot waterfall in Þingvellir National Park and drops over the Almannagjá Gorge. Although it is not as tall as other nearby waterfalls, it is incredibly picturesque! And the best part? It is a short and easy walk from the parking lot to Öxarárfoss!
Glymur
Distance From Reykjavik: 1-hour drive
Glymur is the second tallest waterfall in Iceland behind Morsi, measuring 643 feet tall. You have to work to get to this waterfall, but it is worth the 5-mile round trip hike.
The trail to Glymur travels through a cave, up steep inclines, and across two rivers, which adds to the fun. Once you get to the Glymur viewpoint, you can experience the beauty of the waterfall and the views overlooking the valley! The views of the valley were my favorite on the trail.
Because Glymur is among the tallest waterfalls near Reykjavik, it is a popular hike. I recommend arriving early in the morning to avoid most crowds. It is a lot easier to hike to Glymur with fewer people because the river crossings and steep inclines can have a line of people waiting when many people are on the trail.
Urridafoss
Distance From Reykjavik: 1-hour drive
Urridafoss is in the Þjórsá River, the longest river in Iceland, and although it is not the biggest waterfall near Reykjavik, it is the most voluminous in the country! And the best part is it is only a short and easy walk from the parking lot to the waterfall. Urridafoss will not disappoint and is a great spot to watch the sunset.
Reykjafoss
Distance From Reykjavik: 40-minute drive
Although Reykjafoss is one of the closest waterfalls to Reykjavik, it is one of the lesser-known waterfalls. The 65-foot waterfall cascades into the Huseyjarkvisl River and is stunning!
Because it is not directly off the Golden Circle, many people skip Reykjafoss, but I recommend visiting because it will quickly become one of your favorite waterfalls. And if you have time, you can enjoy the dip into the nearby Fosslaug geothermal pool!
Hraunfossar & Barnafoss
Distance From Reykjavik: 1.5-hour drive
Hraunfossar and Barnafoss are two small but beautiful waterfalls near Reykjavik that are usually visited together since a 0.5-mile trail connects them. Hraunfossar consists of multiple waterfalls cascading down a cliff into a river, and Barnafoss is a small, beautiful waterfall with a creepy story.
A mother who lived near the waterfall left her children at home while attending a Christmas service. When she came back, her children were gone… She found their footsteps leading to a rock arch over the waterfall. She had the arch destroyed, so no one could have the same fate as her children. It’s a pretty dark story, but Barnafoss is still a beautiful waterfall!
Faxi
Distance From Reykjavik: 1.5-hour drive
Faxi is a well-known waterfall near Reykjavik because it is stunning and easily accessible off the Golden Circle. Although Faxi is not among the tallest waterfalls in Iceland, standing at 23 feet tall, it stretches over 260 feet, which is quite impressive! It’s a quick and easy stop along the Golden Circle that you will not regret!
Seljalandsfoss
Distance From Reykjavik: 2-hour drive
Although Seljalandsfoss is one of the furthest waterfalls near Reykjavik, it is worth the drive! Seljalandsfoss is a beautiful 200-foot waterfall you can walk behind.
The trail to walk behind Seljalandsfoss is easy, but make sure to bring a raincoat because you will get soaked! If you cannot hike behind the waterfall, you can enjoy the stunning views from the viewing area near the parking lot.
One of the best parts about Seljalandsfoss is it is easily accessible off the Golden Circle. It is easy to get to, which makes it a popular area. I recommend visiting Seljalandsfoss in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid most crowds. We visited during sunset, and it was stunning!
Bonus waterfall: If you want to hike to another waterfall near Seljalandsfoss, you can follow a 1.2-mile trail from Seljalandsfoss to Gljufrabui!
Skógafoss
Distance From Reykjavik: 2-hour drive
Not too far past Seljalandsfoss on the Ring Road is another beautiful waterfall, Skógafoss. It is the furthest drive from Reykjavik, but it is well worth it! It is just as tall as Seljalandsfoss but is 82 feet wide and powerful.
You can enjoy the views of Skógafoss from the bottom of the falls or on the side of it. There are about 530 steep steps to get to the top, but the effort is worth it for the views! I recommend enjoying both viewpoints.
Also, if you visit Skógafoss on a sunny day, you can see beautiful rainbows surrounding the waterfall! You will fall in love with Skógafoss, no matter how you decide to experience it!
What to Pack for Visiting the Waterfalls Near Reykjavik
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
If you are visiting Reykjavik, I highly recommend adding these waterfalls to your itinerary! This guide has everything you need to know about the most beautiful waterfalls near Reykjavik.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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