Amongst the thousands of beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, Gullfoss remains undoubtably one of the most popular amongst adventure travelers, families, and all types of tourists in Iceland.
I live just 20 minutes from these falls and have been lucky enough to visit in every seasons so far. I can attest that this is absolutely one of the best waterfalls in Iceland.
This guide will cover everything you need to know to plan your trip to Gullfoss Waterfall in Iceland!
When to Go
Unlike some waterfalls in Iceland, it does not require any hiking to reach Gullfoss waterfall. Just a few minutes down some stairs and paths and you’re right in front of this colossal feat of nature.
This makes it highly accessible to all travelers of any fitness level and in any season, which is definitely why there are always a ton of people here!
The most popular time to visit Gullfoss is probably during the summer from June to early September. This is when I see the parking lot absolutely jam packed with cars and tour buses.
But popular doesn’t mean it’s the best time. My personal favorite time to see Gullfoss is in autumn and more recently, winter.
In autumn around the months of September to November, the moss around the rocks of Gullfoss waterfall turn a warm, auburn shade.
It makes a very beautiful contrast against the black rocks and cerulean waterfall, and really makes the landscape pop – especially in photos.
In winter, the landscape transforms into a land of icy cascades surrounded by intricate shapes of ice.
Winter does see the least daylight, so you’ll want to time your visits during daytime hours, which can be as little as 4 – 6 hours a day. Also, the stairs going down to the falls can get very slippery so proper footwear is crucial.
In spring, from March to May, Gullfoss begins to slowly thaw and starts looking the way it does in summer, minus the astronomical crowds.
Getting There
Gullfoss is located along the popular Golden Circle Route, a tourist loop that takes you through some of Iceland’s most famous landmarks and national parks.
If you will be traveling Iceland by car, you can easily drive to Gullfoss, with plenty of chances to say hi to friendly horse and spot some lupines (if it’s summer) along the way.
From Reykjavik, it’ll take a little over an hour to reach Gullfoss waterfall driving continuously. Most people do tend to make stops along the way to visit other nearby sites, so it will probably take longer.
For those who will be without a car, you can reach Gullfoss by joining a tour. Since Gullfoss and the Golden Circle are very popular among tourists, there are an abundance of options you can choose from.
Personally, I’d recommend joining a full day Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik. This is the most straightforward way to visit both Gullfoss waterfall and the nearby sites.
Parking at Gullfoss
If you are coming by car, you can park right in front of the visitor center once you arrive at Gulfoss.
At the time of writing, parking here remains free.
Accessibility at Gullfoss
From the Gulfoss parking lot, it’s a very short walk down some stairs to the viewing platforms for the waterfall.
It will take you about 2 minutes to reach the first viewing area and this accessibility is one of the reasons why so many people choose to visit Gulfoss.
It requires no hiking, special gear, or even a 4-wheel drive car, making it one of the most low effort waterfalls to visit in Iceland.
Entry Fee
Visiting Gulfoss waterfall is absolutely free!
Facilities at Gullfoss
The visitor center has lots of amenities, from an onsite restaurant, to a huge souvenir shop, to a free public restroom.
If you are coming to Gullfoss as part of a road trip, you may be hoping to stop by to eat. And while you totally can (I do love their lamb stew), you should know that the restaurant is always crazy packed, even in winter.
You’ll typically see long lines to buy food and hardly any places left to sit down and eat. The food prices are also very high ( think $30 for a burger), so for budget travelers I’d advise stopping by Krambudin in Laugarvatn on your way to Gullfoss instead and grabbing some food there.
Facts About Gullfoss
Gullfoss waterfall is amongst the largest in both Iceland and Europe.
Depending on the source, some say it is in fact the biggest waterfall in Europe in terms of total water volume. And with an estimated 2,000,000 liters of water falling from Gullfoss waterfall every second (in summer), this is by far one powerful force of nature.
Even as you approach the falls, you will hear the loud, deep rumbling of thousands of tons of water falling each minute. You’ll also find that Gullfoss is not one single body of falling water but rather a network of cliffs and edges in which the water is falling from several directions.
You can’t actually walk down to the waterfall’s edge because it’s very slippery and dangerous, but you can view it from close enough to get sprayed by the mist by standing on one of the many viewing areas.
Gullfoss translates to “Golden Waterfall” and some say the name is attributed to an old legend regarding a viking who allegedly dumped his precious treasure behind the waterfall and in the pools before his death, never to be retrieved by his enemies.
Things to do around Gullfoss
Gullfoss is located nearby many other Golden Circle attractions.
You can reach some of these places by car, but some will require you to join a guided tour! Here are some nearby sites you should visit after or before Gullfoss.
Langjökull Glacier
Langjökull Glacier is the second biggest glacier in Iceland, only second to Vatnajokull which happens to be the worlds largest.
This ice cap is located in the West Highlands of Iceland and most tours going there actually start from the Gullfoss parking lot. You can choose from either a monster tourbus or opt for a snowmobiling tour to explore the area.
If you are coming in winter, you may also visit some ice caves on the way.
Geysir
Geysir is another must-see landmark on the Golden Circle. It’s located just minutes driving from Gullfoss and is typically visited in the same day.
Geysir is Iceland’s biggest and most active natural geyser. Located in a very active geothermal area, visitors here can hike around the geothermal vents and landscapes and of course see the geyser itself.
Every 7 minutes or so, the geyser puts on a show for visitors by spouting geothermal water high into the air.
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir National Park is another top-rated attractions along the Golden Circle. Most visitors com here to see the Silfra Fissure which essentially in an underwater canyon created by the meeting of two tectonic plates.
For adventurous travelers, you can dive or snorkel in the Silfra Fissure, or just explore Thingvellir Park itself which is home to many natural wonders, from waterfalls to rocky canyons.
Kerid Crater
Kerið Crater is one of several crater lakes in the area, but definitely the most impressive, and as a result, the most highly visited. It’s unique in the fact that its caldera is almost entirely still intact, forming a perfect circular rim all around the emerald lake.
Unlike basically all the other sites in this article, there is an entry fee of 400 ISK (less than $3 USD) to enter the area to view the crater. It’s usually a quick stop for people as there is nothing else to do here once you’ve seen the crater.
Bruarfoss
Bruarfoss Waterfall is mostly known for its ethereal, ice blue colors. The beautiful color is a result of glacial water runoff, which is what the entire waterfall is comprised of.
This waterfall can be reached by embarking on a mostly flat, but muddy 90 minute roundtrip hike from the Efstidalur Farm parking lot or on a horseback riding tour.
Efstidalur Farm
Nearby Bruarfoss is Efstidalur Farm. As the name suggest, it’s a farm, mostly comprised of cattle and a few horses. They produce all types of dairy and beef products fresh here, from juicy burgers in their restaurant, or what I would consider the star of the show, their ice cream.
I’d recommend stopping by here to get a sense of Icelandic farm life and to try some local goodies while there.
Laugarvatn Lake
Laugarvatn is a village located about 20 minutes from Gulfoss. It’s main draw is the lake in which the village was named after.
This lake is natural beauty at it’s finest, and on clear days you have amazing views of active Hekla volcano on the opposite shores. Most visitor who come to Laugarvatn come to indulge in the geothermal spa located at the lakes edge, which boasts incredible access and views of the lake and surrounding nature.
See More: A Local’s Guide to Laugarvatn
Hrunalaug
Another fabulous geothermal hotspring in the area is Hrunalaug. Until recently, this was almost considered a hidden gem, but recently has become more and more trafficked by tourists.
Still, it’s a much more secluded geothermal bathing experience surrounded by exemplary nature. It’s a more serene and low-key experience than the likes of the Blue Lagoon, and a fraction of the price to visit.
See More: A Local’s Honest Review of the Sky Lagoon Iceland
Where to Stay
If you’d like to stay as close to Gullfoss as possible, then there is only one hotel in the vicinity and that’s Gulfoss Hotel. This unassuming hotel is just down the road from Gullfoss waterfall and is great for budget travelers.
Hotel Geysir is likely the best hotel in the area and is located just 5 minutes further away near Geysir.
This 4 star hotel is fairly new and considered somewhat higher end for Icelandic standards, but as a result come with great amenities for a comfortable stay. The upside is that it’s literally right next to Geysir and Gullfoss amidst beautiful natural scenery.
Ready to Book? Book your hotel near Gulfoss here!
The downside is that there is nothing else to do nearby. Once you’ve seen Gullfoss and Geysir, you’ve seen all that area has to offer tourists, honestly.
Instead, I would recommend staying in a nearby village where there is more for you to do to unwind after a full day of roadtripping. Laugarvatn is a village about 20 minutes away from Gullfoss waterfall, and has more amenities for a more enjoyable stay such as Fontana Spa, plus a handful of restaurants and hotels.
In Laugarvatn, I would recommend Hotel Laugarvatn for families and most travelers as they have great rooms and a fantastic breakfast.
If you like history, then Heradsskolinn Guesthouse (as pictures above) is a great choice too as it’s a historic schoolhouse turned hostel. They offer dorm beds and shared bathrooms ideal for budget travelers in Iceland.
Ready to Book? Book Hotel Laugarvatn Here!
If you are interested in getting a real feel for living in an Icelandic village you can have a look on Airbnb as well as there are some very unique stays in and around Laugarvatn!
No matter which accommodation you choose, be sure to book your stays far ahead of time, especially if you plan to visit in the summer. It is currently only March and the manager at Hotel Laugarvatn has informed me the hotel is already 70% booked for July.
And that wraps up this guide to visiting Gullfoss Waterfall in Iceland! Happy travels!
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