Best Waterfalls to Photograph in Iceland: a Complete Guide

We’ve photographed our fair share of waterfalls across Iceland, and we won’t pretend every shot comes easy. Light shifts fast, spray coats your lens, and footing turns treacherous without warning. Still, a handful of locations consistently reward the effort with images worth the cold fingers. We’ll walk you through where to set up, what settings to dial in, and the timing that separates a decent frame from one you’ll truly print.

Quick Answer

• Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss sit just off the Ring Road, ideal for dramatic full-width and long-exposure shots.
• Gljúfrabúi, a short walk from Seljalandsfoss, and Kvernufoss, beside Skógafoss, are hidden, less crowded falls with unique angles.
• Kirkjufellsfoss pairs a waterfall with Kirkjufell mountain, best shot with a wide-angle lens at golden hour.
• Use ND and polarizing filters, f/11–f/16, ISO 100, and a tripod for silky water and sharp detail.
• Prioritize safety with sturdy footwear, trekking poles, and caution on slippery, spray-covered rocks. The walk behind Seljalandsfoss closes when it ices over.

Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss: South Iceland’s Signature Shots

Because they sit just off the Ring Road, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss give us the easiest high-impact shots in South Iceland, and they’re only about 30 km apart.

Skógafoss is about 60 meters tall and 25 meters wide. We love climbing the staircase beside it to the observation platform, because that angle reveals the full width of the falls and the river snaking below.

Seljalandsfoss is also about 60 meters tall, and its signature shot comes from the path that runs behind the curtain of water. We bring a rain cover for our gear here, since spray hits the path hard. That path closes when ice forms on the cliff and trail, typically from late fall through early spring, so check conditions before counting on it.

For both waterfalls, we shoot early morning or late evening, when the light softens and crowds thin out. Parking at Seljalandsfoss is paid, so have the Parka app ready or use the pay machine.

Gljúfrabúi and Kvernufoss: Hidden Gems Beside the Big Falls

Once we’ve had our fill of the big-name falls, we like slipping away to two quieter ones, each tucked beside a famous neighbor.

Gljúfrabúi is a short walk north of Seljalandsfoss, hidden behind a cliff face. At about 40 meters tall, it can’t be seen until you’re inside the narrow gorge, and reaching it usually means walking, and often wading, up the stream. Inside, the fall tumbles in front of a large boulder. Expect to get wet, and keep your gear sealed until you’re ready to shoot.

Kvernufoss is about 30 meters tall and sits just east of Skógafoss, a short, easy hike from the Skógar museum. A trail leads behind the curtain of water, and with far fewer visitors than the big falls, we get quiet, unhurried time to work. The path behind it is wet and slippery, so we wear waterproof boots and test each foothold before committing to a frame.

At both falls, a wide-angle lens captures the scale, and a tripod lets us shoot long exposures in the low light of the gorge. Spring and early summer give us the strongest flow.

Kirkjufellsfoss: Iceland’s Most Iconic Mountain Waterfall

Kirkjufellsfoss is the one waterfall on this list that’s all about composition: ribbons of water leading the eye straight to the 463-meter peak of Kirkjufell behind them. It sits on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, far from the South Coast falls, so give it its own day. We shoot it with a wide-angle lens in the 14-24mm range, a tripod, and a long exposure at sunrise, at sunset, or under the Northern Lights. Our full guide to photographing Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss covers exactly where to stand, the best seasons, and the settings.

Best Camera Settings for Long-Exposure Waterfall Photography

Because Iceland’s waterfalls demand both sharpness and motion, we dial in our settings with precision rather than guesswork. We start with a small aperture, f/11 to f/16, to keep everything from foreground rocks to distant cliffs crisp, and we keep ISO at 100 for clean detail.

Next, we set a slow shutter speed, somewhere between 1/4 second and several seconds, to turn rushing water into silk. Since daylight often floods these scenes, we attach an ND filter to cut incoming light, plus a polarizing filter to reduce glare on wet rock and boost color. We always mount the camera on a tripod. Spray coats the front element fast, so we keep microfiber cloths handy and wipe the lens between shots.

When to Shoot: Golden Hour, Summer Light, and Northern Lights

Since light shapes every waterfall shot we take, we plan our outings around Iceland’s lighting cycles.

1. Golden hour: We arrive shortly after sunrise or before sunset, when soft light warms the water’s texture and adds depth to the falls.
2. Summer: Daylight lasts nearly around the clock, so our shooting window stretches into the late evening and early morning, though the light is flatter around midday.
3. Northern Lights: On clear winter nights with little moonlight, we set up long exposures to capture the aurora above the falls.

Each window demands its own approach, but all reward patience.

Staying Safe on Slippery Rocks and Icy Trails

Chasing the perfect light means nothing if we slip and crack a lens—or worse, an ankle—on the way to the shot. Slippery rocks and icy trails surround most of Iceland’s best waterfalls, so we never approach without sturdy footwear that grips wet stone and frozen ground alike.

Trekking poles give us a third and fourth point of contact when the path turns uneven or ice-glazed, and we lean on them without hesitation.

We stay alert for water spray drifting onto nearby rocks, since it coats surfaces fast and fools our footing before we notice. Moss-covered rocks get a wide berth—they look stable but betray us instantly.

We check weather conditions before heading out, because no composition is worth risking a fall on ice.

Ice also closes the path behind Seljalandsfoss for much of the winter. Respect the closure signs, since falling icicles and glazed rock make that path dangerous.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need a Permit to Photograph Waterfalls in Iceland?

No permit is needed for personal photography at public waterfalls. Commercial shoots can require permits, especially inside national parks and other protected areas, so check with the relevant authority before a paid shoot. Wherever you shoot, stay on marked paths and respect closures to protect the landscape.

How Many Days Do I Need for These Waterfalls?

Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, and Kvernufoss fit into one long day from Reykjavík, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours of driving each way, and photographers will want to start early for the light. Kirkjufellsfoss is on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, about 2.5 to 3 hours from Reykjavík, and deserves its own day. Add a buffer day for weather, since conditions change fast.

What Lens Focal Lengths Work Best for These Waterfalls?

A wide-angle lens, roughly 16-35mm, captures the full scale of Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss and fits tight spots like the gorge at Gljúfrabúi. A telephoto lens isolates details such as the texture of falling water or the rainbows that often form at the base of Skógafoss.

Is There a Fee to Visit Seljalandsfoss?

Viewing the falls is free, but parking is paid. Recent guides list roughly 900 to 1,000 ISK per vehicle, payable through the Parka app or the pay machine, and the fee also covers the walk to Gljúfrabúi. Rates change, so check the signage on arrival.

Are These Waterfalls Accessible for Travelers With Mobility Issues?

Only partly. The base viewpoints at Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss are reached by short paths from the parking areas. The Skógafoss staircase, the walk behind Seljalandsfoss, and the trails to Gljúfrabúi and Kvernufoss involve steps, uneven ground, wet or slippery surfaces, and at Gljúfrabúi often wading, so they aren’t suitable for wheelchairs. Check current conditions before you go.

Conclusion

Iceland’s waterfalls offer consistent, rewarding conditions for photographers who come prepared. A reliable tripod is essential, and understanding how light behaves differently across each location—from the roadside scale of Skógafoss to the quieter setting of Kvernufoss—will directly shape your results. Take time to dial in your exposure settings, move carefully on wet surfaces, and approach each shot with both technical awareness and an honest response to what’s in front of you.

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