Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Guide
Plan Seljalandsfoss waterfall on Iceland’s South Coast with walk-behind tips, nearby stops, tours, map coordinates and FAQ.
Quick guide to Seljalandsfoss
| Location | South Iceland near Route 1 below Eyjafjöll |
| Best for | Walking behind the waterfall, photography and South Coast route planning |
| Nearby places | Skógafoss, Gljúfrabúi, Eyjafjöll and Sólheimajökull |
| Typical visit time | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| Best season | Spring to autumn for the behind-the-falls path; winter can be icy |
| Good to know | Waterproof layers and sturdy shoes matter if the behind-the-falls path is open; winter closures are common when the path is icy |
| Coordinates | 63.615933, -19.992417 |
The walk behind the water is the reason people remember Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is not the most powerful waterfall on the South Coast, and that is not the point. Its signature is the path behind the falling water, where the waterfall becomes something travellers move through rather than only look at.
That behind-the-falls experience is seasonal and condition-dependent. When the path is safe, it is one of the easiest ways to make a South Coast day feel special. When it is icy or closed, the front view still works, but the guide or self-driver should adjust expectations.
Seljalandsfoss is strongest when the path, spray and light become part of the experience.
Spray, slippery rock and the honest safety note
A good Seljalandsfoss page should sell the magic and tell the truth: visitors often get wet. Smooth shoes, loose hoods and unprotected cameras make the walk less fun. The path can also be slippery, narrow and crowded at peak times.
This is why guided South Coast tours are useful even for easy-access waterfalls. The guide can judge whether the behind-the-falls path is sensible, keep the day moving and still give travellers a memorable waterfall stop when conditions are imperfect.
For most visitors, Seljalandsfoss is best sold with Skógafoss and a glacier or black-sand-beach stop, not as an isolated waterfall.
Gljúfrabúi: the hidden second stop that changes the area
Seljalandsfoss becomes much stronger when paired with Gljúfrabúi. The two waterfalls are close, but the feeling is different: Seljalandsfoss is open, bright and famous; Gljúfrabúi is enclosed, wetter and more secretive.
Travellers should not assume everyone in the group will want the Gljúfrabúi squeeze-and-spray experience. It is an excellent add-on for the right guests, especially those with waterproof layers and a little extra time.
Where Seljalandsfoss belongs in a South Coast day
Seljalandsfoss is usually the first major South Coast waterfall after leaving Reykjavík. That makes it a pacing tool. A good route uses it to start the day with a clear wow moment, then builds east toward Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull, Reynisfjara and Vík.
For winter, the route should be more conservative: front view, safe paths, enough daylight and a guide or driver who will not force the behind-the-waterfall walk when ice says no.
Photo timing, crowds and the sunset temptation
Seljalandsfoss is especially attractive in low, warm light because the path, cliff and water curtain can frame the South Coast landscape behind the falls. That is also when many travellers want the same photo, so patience matters.
If the goal is photography rather than only sightseeing, a private tour or self-drive route can be valuable. It lets the traveller wait for light, protect gear from spray, and decide whether Gljúfrabúi is worth the extra wet stop. On a standard group tour, the better promise is different: the guide keeps the day efficient and makes sure the waterfall fits safely into the wider route.
Because the cliff faces west, evening light can be beautiful in the brighter months, but that does not automatically make sunset the best plan for every traveller. Families, winter visitors and day-tour guests often get a better experience by arriving earlier, accepting safer path conditions and using the waterfall as the first emotional lift of the South Coast rather than the final tired stop.
Best Seljalandsfoss tours for the walk-behind waterfall route
Seljalandsfoss works best on tours that connect the walk-behind waterfall with Skógafoss, glacier scenery and the black-sand coast instead of treating each stop as a duplicate photo pause.
A practical South Coast day combining waterfalls, black sand and glacier scenery.
Best when Skógafoss or Seljalandsfoss should pair with a glacier activity.
A focused guided route for waterfalls and Eyjafjallajokull context.
A flexible private day for timing waterfalls, photos and weather windows.
Places near Seljalandsfoss
Nearby stops should support the way Seljalandsfoss is actually visited: choose the base, activity or next landscape that matches your direction of travel.
Towns and villages near Seljalandsfoss
These are the most practical bases and service stops for planning the route.
Seljalandsfoss route ideas that use the stop well
Use Seljalandsfoss to start the South Coast with movement, spray and a clear story, then choose the right next layer.
Seljalandsfoss plus Gljúfrabúi
Walk the main viewpoint and behind-the-falls path if safe, then add Gljúfrabúi for a tighter canyon-style waterfall.
Classic South Coast
Continue to Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull, Reynisfjara and Vík, or book a South Coast tour with glacier walk.
Winter guided version
Let a guide decide whether the path is safe, then keep the route focused on front views, daylight and road conditions.
Private photo day
Use a private South Coast tour when the behind-the-falls path, spray and sunset light matter more than a fixed coach schedule.
FAQ about Seljalandsfoss
Is Seljalandsfoss worth visiting?
Yes. Seljalandsfoss is one of the most distinctive South Coast waterfalls because you may be able to walk behind it when conditions are safe.
Can you walk behind Seljalandsfoss all year?
Not reliably. The path can be icy, wet or closed, especially in winter. Always follow local signs and conditions.
Do you get wet at Seljalandsfoss?
Yes, very often. The behind-the-falls path can be extremely wet, so waterproof clothing and protection for cameras or phones are useful.
How long do you need at Seljalandsfoss?
Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour. Add more time if you also visit Gljúfrabúi or if the path is slow because of spray, queues or ice.
What is the best Seljalandsfoss tour?
Strong choices include:
- South Coast Tour with Glacier Walk for waterfalls plus glacier scenery.
- South Coast Small Group Tour for a compact guided route.
- Private South Coast Waterfalls and Glacier Tour for flexible timing.
Is Gljúfrabúi next to Seljalandsfoss?
Yes. Gljúfrabúi is nearby and is often visited as the hidden second waterfall at the same area.
Is Seljalandsfoss good in winter?
Yes from the front viewpoint, but the behind-the-falls path may be unsafe or closed. Winter also means more ice and less daylight.
Is there parking at Seljalandsfoss?
There is marked visitor parking in the area, but rules and payment arrangements can change. Use current signs rather than old travel notes.
Can you visit Seljalandsfoss from Reykjavík?
Yes. It works very well as part of a South Coast day tour from Reykjavík or a self-drive route in suitable conditions.
What should you combine with Seljalandsfoss?
Combine it with Gljúfrabúi, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull, Reynisfjara and Vík.
Is Seljalandsfoss better than Skógafoss?
They are different. Seljalandsfoss is best for the behind-the-falls experience; Skógafoss is stronger for sheer power, rainbow spray and the top viewpoint.
Do you need hiking boots for Seljalandsfoss?
You do not need technical hiking boots for the normal area, but sturdy waterproof shoes are much better than smooth soles, especially if the path is wet or icy.
It is possible to walk behind Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall in South Iceland looks beautiful during the winter
Sunset by Seljalandsfoss Waterfall in South Iceland
Icelandic horses running close by Seljalandsfoss Waterfall in Iceland
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall in the summer time in Iceland
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall located in South Iceland