Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Located in South Iceland, the astounding Seljalandsfoss waterfall measures in at a whopping 60 meters (195 feet) high. If you’re looking to visit one of Iceland’s most iconic natural sights, visiting Seljalandsfoss is an absolute must-do.
Seljalandsfoss is a breathtaking glacial waterfall on the Þórsmerkurvegur road just off of Iceland’s south coast. The volcano that it borders is a site of great interest for its world-changing effects after it last erupted in 2010!
The Seljalandsá river, which the waterfalls sits on, is fed mainly by the glacier Eyjafjallajökull. You’ll notice that it dramatically tumbles over the edge of a sheer cliff face. This is undeniably one of the most picturesque and jaw-dropping waterfalls in Iceland.
This stunning and pristine natural waterfall is something quite spectacular to behold. Plus, the hollowed out shape of the cliff means that you can even walk behind the waterfall. Just follow the marked paths around the site.
With all of its majesty, it’s no wonder that Seljalandsfoss has featured in popular culture. The waterfall was used as a waypoint during season 6 of The Amazing Race, starred in season 3 of Star Trek, and even popped up in Justin Bieber’s music video for the song “I’ll Show You”.
Other attractions near Seljalandsfoss
Westman Islands
30 km (19 mi)
View
Þingvellir National Park
119 km (74 mi)
ViewFAQs about Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is pronounced SEL-ya-lands-foss in Icelandic. This name can be a little hard to pronounce when visiting, so be sure to listen to your tour guide or locals if you need further help with pronouncing it.
The Seljalandsfoss waterfall is located on the river Seljalandsá in South Iceland. It sits below the Eyjafjallajökull glacier, which rose to global fame after the volcano below it erupted in 2010. You can easily spot both the waterfall and the glacier from the Ring Road.
You can drive to Seljalandsfoss in about 2 hours from Reykjavík. The waterfall is located just minutes from the Ring Road on road 249. You’ll find a dedicated parking lot at the site, where you can leave you car for a small charge.
In the summer months, you can absolutely walk behind the plume of the waterfall. Be sure to wear suitable shoes, though, as paths can be slippery and rough in some places. Waterproof clothing is also recommended, as there can be quite a lot of (refreshing) spray!
In the wintertime, it might not be possible to walk behind Seljalandsfoss because of ice buildup on the paths and icicles around the waterfall itself.
You should never attempt to swim at Seljalandsfoss since the impact of the water is exceptionally strong and could put you at risk of severe injury. Another thing to keep in mind is that the Seljalandsfoss waterfall is glacier-fed, making the water extremely cold and unsuitable for swimming.
Visiting the Seljalandsfoss waterfall is free. However, you will have to pay a one-off parking fee for your day if you stay at the parking lot just moments from the waterfall. For that, you can stay for as long as you like, up to a full day.
You can stay at the Seljalandsfoss waterfall for as long as you like, but most people spend around an hour taking in the beauty of this truly iconic waterfall.
If you want to stay a bit longer, you can drive 2 minutes down the road to the Gljúfrabúi waterfall. Many people skip visiting this hidden waterfall, but there’s no reason you should!
Getting to Seljalandsfoss is very easy. Many people visit as part of planned day tours, but if you’re visiting on a private road trip, simply take road 1 until you see the junction for road 249 which leads to Þórsmörk. Then follow it briefly until you see the parking lot for the waterfall itself.
Thanks to its convenient location just off the Ring Road and the fact that it’s one of Iceland’s most popular attractions, you can visit Seljalandsfoss all year round. It looks drastically different in summer and winter, but always stunning.
It’s worth keeping in mind the path behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall may be closed during the winter due to the risk of icicles dropping from the cliff. That said, you can always catch sight of the waterfall from the nearby parking lot.