Waterfall

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall is one of the most well-known waterfalls in Iceland and is extremely popular because it is one of the waterfalls where you can get BEHIND the cascade.

If you enjoy the sight and sound of flowing water, you will definitely want to put Seljalandsfoss on your itinerary for Iceland. And if you love photography, you will find Seljalandsfoss irresistible!

Whether you drive to Seljalandsfoss on your own or you visit as part of a South Coast guided tour, you will fall in love with this waterfall, guaranteed!

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An impressive waterfall on the Seljalandsa River (formed by the meltwaters of the Eyjafjallajökull Glacier), Seljalandsfoss drops in one single plunge of 60 meters (about 197 feet) to a lovely pool below the cliff.

Surrounding the waterfall are bucolic lowlands, draped in bright green in the warmer months and often clothed in snow in the winter. This area used to be the ocean once upon a time, but the waters receded and left behind this tranquil bit of land.

While Seljalandsfoss isn’t a wide wall of water, the elegant slender cascade, framed by the lava cliff and the plunge pool at the base, makes for a striking picture. It looks almost like a scene from a fantasy movie!

So pretty is this South Coast waterfall that you will find it on many brochures and calendars.

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And Seljalandsfoss has in fact featured as a filming location in many movies and shows, from an episode of Star Trek: Discovery to Justin Bieber’s “I’ll Show You.”

While standing in front of Seljalandsfoss to admire its breathtaking beauty is a worthwhile experience in itself, you’ll want to come prepared in a raincoat and shoes with good grip so you can walk the path that goes all around the waterfall.

There is a cave in the cliff right behind the cascade, so in the summer you can walk the path and get behind the curtain of water for a unique and memorable experience!

Standing behind the curtain of water, the spray drenching you as you look out onto the green lowlands and the river flowing away, is surreal.

If you visit at sunset, you will get splendid sunset photos from behind Seljalandsfoss. On sunny days, you may see rainbows!

Planning a trip to see the falls? Visit the Seljalandsfoss website for the complete rundown on every single detail!

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall: Travel Guide Summary

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Category	Details
Is Seljalandsfoss waterfall worth it?	Iceland’s most photographed waterfall — famous for walk behind the falls, creating stunning silhouettes and misty backdrops
Location	South Iceland, just off Ring Road (Route 1) along Road 249
Height	~60 meters (~197 feet)
Water Source	Fed by the glacial meltwater from Eyjafjallajökull glacier
Walk Behind the Falls	✅ Yes, May to early October (closed in winter due to ice); bring waterproof gear
Time Needed	30 mins for Seljalandsfoss only; 1–1.5 hours if walking to Gljúfrabúi and taking photos
Best Time to Visit	Early morning or late evening to avoid crowds; sunset for glowing mist and golden hour photography
Winter Conditions	Icy paths, slippery rocks; wear crampons; magical with snow and potential for Northern Lights viewing

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Can you really walk behind Seljalandsfoss Waterfall?

Yes, if you visit in the summer and the path that goes behind the curtain of water isn’t closed for some reason.

In fact, the ability to stand behind the waterfall is one of the big reasons why travelers don’t want to miss Seljalandsfoss when they visit Iceland.

Note, however, that the path is wet and slippery: wear shoes with good traction and take your time.

Note that the pathway is closed in the winter because it often gets so slippery that it’s downright dangerous to traverse. Icicles can also break off and fall from the cliff above. Respect closure signs and stay safe!

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Walking to Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

From the Seljalandsfoss parking lot, it is about a 5- to 6-minute easy walk to the base of the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall.

You can admire it from the viewing area at the edge of the plunge pool, or from the bridge that spans the Seljalandsa River.

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Best Things to Do in Iceland at a Glance

Location	Best Tours (Reserve now, these sell out fast!)
Area highlights	Golden Circle, South Coast, South Iceland, Ring Road
Reykjavik & from Reykjavik	Food walk, Northern Lights, Reykjavik city walk, whale watching, lava show, Icelandic horseback riding, Silfra snorkeling, puffins, volcano from helicopter, ATV
Vik & nearby	Easy glacier walk, black sand beach horse riding, zipline, glacier lagoon kayak
North Iceland	Whales & puffins, white water rafting, Godafoss

And if you’re just starting to plan your visit to Iceland, check out the some of the top things to do in Iceland, many of which you absolutely don’t want to miss!

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