Europe

Seljalandsfoss, Iceland

Harry Brooks Jul 31, 2026

Cascading 60 meters down a moss-covered cliff on Iceland's South Coast, Seljalandsfoss is one of the most iconic waterfalls in the country and one of the few in the world where visitors can walk completely behind the falling water. Fed by meltwater from the Eyjafjallajökull glacier, the falls drop from an ancient sea cliff that once marked Iceland's coastline before the shore retreated over thousands of years.

What sets Seljalandsfoss apart is the narrow path circling behind the curtain of water, offering a rare 360-degree perspective rarely found at other waterfalls. Standing behind the cascade, visitors look out through a shimmering veil of falling water toward the flat coastal plains stretching toward the sea, framed by the dramatic silhouette of the surrounding cliffs.

Just a short walk north lies the hidden Gljúfrabúi, a smaller waterfall tucked almost entirely within a narrow canyon, partially concealed behind a moss-draped rock face and accessible only by wading through a shallow stream. Together, the two falls make this stretch of the South Coast one of the most rewarding short detours along Iceland's Ring Road.

At night, the falls are illuminated by floodlights, creating a striking glow against the dark landscape, while in winter, freezing spray coats the surrounding cliffs in ice, transforming the scene into a completely different, crystalline world. Whether visited at golden hour for soft evening light or admired from behind its thundering curtain of water, Seljalandsfoss remains one of the most unforgettable natural sights in Iceland.