Best Waterfalls to Visit in Iceland During Winter

Frozen mist, ice-rimmed cliffs, and thundering water against snow — Iceland's waterfalls take on a completely different character in winter. Some become quieter and half-frozen, others keep roaring at full force through the cold. Either way, they're some of the most dramatic sights on the island.

This guide covers the five best waterfalls to visit in winter, how to reach each one, and what to expect from the trails in icy conditions.

Heads up: this page may include affiliate links. By clicking and/or purchasing, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I have personally vetted.

Practical Information

Getting There

✈️ By Plane: Fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF), about 50 km (31 miles) from Reykjavík.

👉 You can book your flight here🔗

🚗 By Car: Most of these waterfalls sit along the South Coast or the Golden Circle, both easy self-drive routes from Reykjavík. In winter, make sure to rent a vehicle suited for icy roads.

👉 I usually book my car rental through Rentalcars🔗 or Booking.com🔗 — lately, Booking has been coming out cheaper.

⚠️ Weather changes fast in winter — roads can turn icy and storms can cause closures. Always check vedur.is🔗 for forecasts and road.is🔗 before driving.

🚌 No car? Join a guided tour: most of these waterfalls are covered by South Coast or Golden Circle day tours from Reykjavík — a solid option if you'd rather not drive on icy roads yourself.

Weather

• ❄️ Temperatures: -1°C to 4°C (30°F to 39°F) along the coast, colder inland.
• 🌑 Daylight: Only 4–6 hours per day at the peak of winter — plan waterfall stops earlier in the day to catch the best light.
• 🌨️ Expect icy trails and viewing platforms at every stop — this is the single biggest thing to plan around.

Accommodation

I based myself outside the city center as much as possible, to maximize my chances of catching the Northern Lights.

• Luxury: Umi Hotel 🅱️Booking🔗 🆃Trip🔗 🅴Expedia🔗
• Mid-range: Drangshlid Hotel by Tröll 🅱️Booking🔗
• Budget/My pick: Stóra-Mörk III Guesthouse 🅱️Booking🔗 🆃Trip🔗 🅴Expedia🔗 & Old Cottage - Reynivellir II 🅱️Booking🔗 🆃Trip🔗 🅴Expedia🔗
  

👉 I highly recommend Stóra-Mörk III Guesthouse — incredibly cozy, and where I was staying when the aurora finally showed up. Can't recommend it enough.

1 — Gullfoss Waterfall

Known as the "Golden Waterfall," Gullfoss cascades dramatically in two stages into a rugged canyon. It's part of the Golden Circle route, just a short 10-minute walk from the parking lot, making it accessible for visitors of all ages — though expect icy paths and partially frozen spray along the viewing platforms in winter.

👉 Read the full Golden Circle winter guide 🔗 for Gullfoss plus the other two stops on the route, or book a guided Golden Circle tour🔗

2 — Seljalandsfoss

One of Iceland's most iconic waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss plunges 60 metres (197 feet) from rugged, ancient cliffs. What makes it unique is the trail that runs behind the curtain of water — unfortunately closed in winter for safety, but the view from the front is still spectacular.

👉 This South Coast tour from Reykjavik🔗 includes this waterfall

3 — Skógafoss

Just a short drive from Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss is another 60-metre giant, with a 25-metre width that makes it feel even more powerful up close. Climb the staircase beside the falls to reach the viewing platform above for a panoramic view of the surrounding coastline.

👉 This South Coast tour from Reykjavik🔗 includes this waterfall too

4 — Svartifoss

Nestled inside Vatnajökull National Park, Svartifoss ("the Black Waterfall") is framed by striking basalt column formations that have even inspired Icelandic architecture. A longer 1.5-hour loop trail leads past several viewpoints, but the direct path takes about 20 minutes if you're short on time.

⚠️ In winter the trail can be icy — crampons are worth renting at the tourist information centre before heading up.

5 — Kirkjufellsfoss

Located near the iconic Mount Kirkjufell on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Kirkjufellsfoss is one of the most photographed spots in Iceland — the near-symmetrical mountain paired with the cascading falls makes for a striking scene, especially with a dusting of snow or the Northern Lights overhead. It's a longer trip from Reykjavík — around 4 hours by car.

👉 No car? Book a day trip🔗 from Reykjavik

Five waterfalls, five completely different characters — from the raw power of Gullfoss to the postcard symmetry of Kirkjufellsfoss. Between the icy trails and short daylight hours, it's worth planning your route in advance, but the payoff is some of the most dramatic scenery Iceland has to offer.

Related Articles