A Guide to Gullfoss Waterfall in Iceland
Gullfoss Waterfall is one of the best attractions in Iceland and the highlight of your trip to Golden Circle. Our travel guide includes tips on how to get, what to see and do, what to pack, and when to go.
Gullfoss, one of the best waterfalls in Iceland, is a place you should not miss.
Getting to the waterfall does not require any effort, which means almost every traveler to Iceland gets a chance to see it.
It is close to Reykjavik and an essential stop on the famous Golden Circle.
Why do you need to visit Gullfoss when we put aside its easy accessibility? It is a unique, photogenic, and absolutely stunning waterfall that will blow you away.
We planned to travel Golden Circle for our first day in Iceland. As we decided to travel the loop clockwise, Gullfoss was one of the last stops on our schedule that day.
We naively thought that there was nothing that could surprise us after seeing the outstanding Geysir Geothermal Area, Bruarfoss, or Thingvellir National Park that day, but we could not be more wrong.
Moreover, we thought we saw enough waterfalls for just one day.
As it turned out, it was a rookie mistake. The following days were full of waterfalls too, and we eventually got the chance to visit places such as Seljalandsfoss, Hengifoss, and Skogafoss.
But back to Gullfoss.
The most notable waterfalls we had the opportunity to see on the first day were Oxarafoss and Bruarfoss, but Gullfoss was undoubtedly the most impressive and powerful.
If you do not have enough time and want to see only the best of the best Iceland has to offer, we can give you only one piece of advice.
Do not skip Gullfoss by no means. It would be a big mistake not to include it in your Iceland itinerary.
Facts
Located in Southwest Iceland in the canyon of the Hvítá River, Gullfoss will amaze you with the sheer volume of water plunging over the cliff.
With 32 meters, Gullfoss is not the highest waterfall we've ever seen, but it's considerably wide.
At the widest point, the canyon stretches for 243 meters.
So here's everything you need to know before visiting Gullfoss Waterfall in Iceland.
What Does Gullfoss Mean?
In translation, Gullfoss means the Golden Waterfall. And where did the name come from? No one knows, although there are some theories.
One theory says that Gullofss got its name because of the golden color that often appears in the afternoon and turns the waterfall's glacial water yellow.
Or it's because of the rainbow visitors can see when sunlight hits the water spray.
Another theory is an old tale about a farmer Gygur. As it turned out, he was so rich that he did not know what to do with all his gold.
He didn't want anyone else to get his gold after his death, so he threw it into the waterfall. Since that day, the waterfall has carried this name.
How to Visit Gullfoss
Even though we saw a few people on the east side of the falls, the official car park and trails that will take you to the best viewpoints of Gullfoss are on the west side of the Hvita River.
Parking
Apparently, there are two places where you can park the car.
We left our car in the Lower Gullfoss Parking, but there is also an upper parking lot.
The upper parking is close to the Visitor Center and a restaurant which might come in handy.
However, you need to walk down from stairs to get the best views of the waterfall, and that's why we recommend the lower parking.
In the end, we think it does not matter where you decide to leave your car because if you are like us, you will explore all the trails available.
Trail
Even when we were in the parking lot, we could feel the spray coming from the waterfall on our faces.
Therefore, you should wear appropriately waterproof clothing and make sure that your camera is safely packed in a dry sack.
The trail to the best viewpoints of Gullfoss Waterfall is short, well-maintained, and it is clearly visible for the entire walk.
Visiting Gullfoss is very straightforward as you can see the waterfall right from the parking lot, so just follow the trail, and you will get to the end of the path in no time.
Safety
The trail is well-marked, and you can clearly see where it is allowed to go.
Do not go behind the safety ropes. Always stay on the designated trail.
The views you will get from the official trail are good enough.
If you are visiting Gullfoss in the offseason, keep in mind that the spray and below zero Celsius temperatures make the trail icy and slippery.
Crowds
Gullfoss is one of the most visited places in Iceland due to its beauty and proximity to Reykjavik.
We believe it's better to arrive here early or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.
When to Go
One of the essential things you should know about Gullfoss is that you can visit this place year-round.
While it's more convenient to arrive here in the summer, you can visit Gullfoss even in winter.
As mentioned earlier, the best time to visit Gullfoss is early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
The main reason is not to escape the crowds as you would expect, but to see the Golden Waterfall in its full glory. The golden scenery is worth it.
However, Gullfoss is beautiful any time of the day.
How to Get to Gullfoss
As we've already mentioned, Gullfoss Waterfall is the most iconic stop on every Golden Circle itinerary.
And as it is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, you cannot expect to have it just for yourself.
Maybe only early in the morning or then later in the evening.
Due to its proximity to Iceland's capital, Gullfoss is also often considered one of the best day trips from Reykjavik.
Public Transport
Unfortunately, there is no bus connecting Gullfoss with Reykjavik.
As using public transport is not an option for Gullfoss, there are only two ways to reach it, by your rental car or taking a tour.
Car
The best way to explore Iceland is to rent a car or campervan, create your own itinerary, and enjoy the freedom and flexibility.
After some thinking, we rented a campervan and could not be happier with this option.
Gullfoss is located on Road 35, and it's only a short detour from Golden Circle.
Gullfoss sort of marks the end of the road for most travelers, as it is technically as far as you get with 2WD.
At this point, the road turns into an unsealed F35, which is only for 4WD cars.
Whether you travel clockwise or anti-clockwise, it takes less than two hours to get to Gullfoss from Reykjavik (approximately 120 kilometers).
And that would be without making stops along the way.
However, it would be a mistake to drive to this area solely because of these falls and not visit other top attractions this iconic road has to offer.
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Tours
If you do not have a car or don't want to drive, do not despair. Almost every tour operator in Reykjavik organizes tours around the Golden Circle, including Gullfoss.
Here you can reserve an extremely popular and well-rated Golden Circle Tour.
If you are looking for something more distinctive, here's a tour that includes both the Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon.
Entrance Fee
Visiting Gullfoss Waterfall is completely free, similar to most Iceland's attractions.
As the falls are free of charge and you do not need to pay for parking either, Gullfoss is one of the best places to visit for those traveling around Iceland on a budget.
Public toilets cost 200 ISK, though.
You can pay by credit card in case you do not have cash.
One of the most important things to know about Iceland is that it's a cashless country, so a credit card is more than enough.
There is also Visitors Center located in the upper parking that has a restaurant and gift shop.
Inside you will find free restrooms. However, they are open during the Visitors' Center opening hours.
What to Pack for Gullfoss
Iceland is a windy and rainy country with weather that can change almost within a second. Pack for every situation.
Clever layering is the key to success in the Land of Ice and Fire.
No matter if you are visiting Iceland during the summer or winter, you will need a rain jacket and down jacket.
The rest depends on the current weather conditions on the day of your visit.
However, we would consider wearing rain pants even on a sunny day to stay nice and warm.
Proper hiking boots will also keep your feet dry on the trail.
Photo Tips
Here, we would like to talk more about the photo gear you need to take Gullfoss photos.
The waterfall is huge and powerful.
Therefore, protecting your camera from the constant spray and mist is almost impossible, especially if you bring your tripod to take long-exposure photos.
Pack a cleaning kit to dry your lens and a waterproof backpackwhere you can safely store the camera between shots.
If your camera and lens are not weather-sealed, you might want to consider purchasing this camera rain cover.
This is the least you can do for your electronics.
Also, a circular polarizer filter is a must-have for waterfalls. The ND filter also comes in very handy.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Where to Stay Near Gullfoss
When traveling the Golden Circle, there are several options where to stay overnight.
There is either a superb hotel close to the waterfall that gives you a chance to enjoy Gullfoss when the crowds leave.
Then there is a nearby Geysir with all the facilities a traveler might need, or you can even base yourself in the capital city.
Personally, we stayed in Selfoss because the next day we were embarking on the Ring Road.
We've hand-selected the best accommodation options in each location for every type of traveler.
Gullfoss | Hotel Gullfoss - Remote location only five kilometers from the waterfall, lovely views, superb service, clean and modern property make Hotel Gullfoss the best choice in the area.
Geysir | Hotel Geysir - A newly opened hotel will amaze you with the modern design, immaculate rooms, friendly staff, and tasty cuisine.
Reykjavik | Hotel Klettur - If you are looking for decent and affordable accommodation in the capital city, conveniently located Hotel Klettur is an excellent choice.
Selfoss | Selfoss Hostel - Selfoss is a small town that offers plenty of things to do but not that many hotels. Selfoss Hotel is one of the best accommodations in the area. It is a budget-friendly accommodation that provides travelers with clean facilities and an on-site kitchen.
Camping | If you are traveling in a campervan or motorhome, there are many campsites to choose from within driving distance from Gullfoss. We stayed in Camping Selfoss for 3500 ISK per night for two, including the communal kitchen and hot shower. For more information, read our guide on camping in Iceland.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
