Gullfoss

the popular one

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Gullfoss, together with Þingvellir and Geysir, form The Golden Circle. This is the single most famous day-trip from Reykjavik, an unmissable entry on every visitor’s itinerary. Gullfoss fittingly translates into the golden waterfall.

Gullfoss is an impressive waterfall. It’s very powerful and has a distinctive layout because of how it flows in two stages. Yet Gullfoss is not the largest waterfall in Iceland, as this title goes to Detifoss in the north-east.

Despite its huge popularity, I can’t really recommend that Gullfoss should be visited at a particular time of day - it’s not one to wake up early for. There is a well defined trail taking you around the waterfall, which you get to admire from viewing platforms, and the views remain unobstructed. You are never really inconvenienced by the presence of others, as would be the case with other waterfalls such as Seljalandsfoss or Skogafoss.

Parking at Gulfoss is perhaps surprisingly free of charge. The toilets in the parking lot are paid entry, however the ones inside the Gullfoss Visitor Centre are free.