If you want to take a trip to Iceland, you better add Skógafoss to your bucket list. We are talking about one of the most breathtaking waterfalls you will ever see. It’s 200 feet tall and has a width of 82 feet.
Don’t worry, visiting this waterfall in south Iceland won’t be a problem. The area is highly accessible, and there are always many tourists nearby.
Here, you will learn everything you need to know before visiting Skógafoss on the south coast of Iceland. Visit our website to learn more traveling tips and guides!
What’s the Best Time to Visit Skógafoss?
There’s no such thing as a “bad time to visit Skógafoss.” Regardless of what time of the year you go, you will see something that will catch your attention. Yet, the appeal of the place will change depending on the season.
In summer, visitors get the chance to see the beautiful greenery around the Skógá river. All the waterfalls nearby tend to cause some drizzle, so there will be eye-catching rainbows.
However, going to Skógafoss in winter is still a good idea. The frozen landscapes give you an icy view you won’t see at home. You might catch the Northern Lights Dance above the falls, depending on the day you visit.
How to Get to the Skógafoss Waterfall
Skógafoss – which translates to forest waterfall – is highly accessible to tourists. If you go by car, it’s a two-hour drive from Reykjavik. You would have to go through the Ring Road. There is a free parking lot near the base of the waterfall.
Although they are limited during summer, bus tours are a great option for moving around the south coast of Iceland. Naturally, the waterfall has free access. However, you can make donations to preserve the area if you want.
Where Is Skógafoss?
You will find Skógafoss near the small village of Skóga. We recommend staying there if you want to take some days off to admire the beautiful waterfalls Iceland offers.
As we mentioned, you would have to drive along Ring Road (also known as Route One) to get to the waterfall. The path leading to the Skógafoss waterfall is straightforward, but you can always ask someone from the village to help you get there.
Is Visiting Skógafoss Worth It?
Visiting Skógafoss, Iceland, is 100% worth it. From the moment we saw the waterfall, we knew it was going to become one of our favorite tourist spots ever.
Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland. It’s between two glaciers. We are talking about Fimmvörðuháls and Mýrdalsjökull.
The waterfall produces a curtain of water with mist. You may catch a single or double rainbow if you go on sunny days.
Despite being one of the best spots in the country, Skógafoss is considered the most accessible waterfall in Iceland by many.
You can learn a lot about the history of Iceland when you visit Skógafoss. There’s said to be a treasure chest filled with gold behind the waterfall. People say one of the first settlers in the area placed it there.
Although they were part of the former coastline in Iceland, the sea cliffs remained in the area. That gives you an outstanding view and adds historical significance to Skógafoss.
This will take you by surprise, but you may have already seen Skógafoss in film and pop culture. The waterfall has been in productions, such as Thor: The Dark World, Game of Thrones, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
What to Expect from Your Visit to the Skógafoss Waterfall
You can let Skógafoss surprise you with its former sea cliffs and beautiful rainbows. Now, if you want to know what to expect when you go there, we are here to help you.
Here are the main highlights we would mention about Skógafoss:
Beautiful Views
The main highlight of Skógafoss, Iceland, is the stunning views there. Visitors are allowed to walk to the base of the waterfall. However, the mist will soak you if you get too close.
Follow the steep staircase to get to a viewing platform at the top of the waterfall. The climb will be tiring, but it’s worth it.
Traditional Icelandic Food
Once you are in Iceland, you must taste the most iconic Icelandic dishes available in the area. There are several restaurants near Skógafoss.
The first one we visited was the Drangshlid Restaurant. It’s on Drangshlid 1 861 Hvolsvollur, Skógar, Iceland. This is an excellent place to eat if you are on your way to Skógafoss. We recommend the Plokkfiskur and the Icelandic beers.
Do you want to eat fish and chips? Go to Mia’s Country Van. This restaurant is located in Skógar, South Region, Hella 861, Iceland. Food is more than delicious, and the owner told us they cook with what they catch from the waterfall.
Heimamenn, located in Skardshlíd 1, Hvolsvollur, Iceland, is cozy and small. It’s perfect if you want to relax and eat street food after visiting the waterfall. The restaurant uses local ingredients.
Variety of Guesthouses and Hotels
There are many guesthouses and hotels near Skógafoss. We personally recommend the Hotel Skógafoss. It includes breakfast and has cozy bedrooms. These are a few of the other options available in the area:
- Umi Hotel
- Guesthouse Skógafoss
- Hotel Dyrholaey
Attractions Near Skógafoss
Apart from the views, there are several things to do near Skógafoss. Check out the best attractions to try once you are there:
Skógar Museum
Do you want to learn more about Iceland’s cultural heritage? Go to the Skógar Museum. It’s a short drive from the waterfall.
The museum features a collection of more than 15,000 relics displayed across six historical buildings.
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
If you follow the hiking trail and the river upstream, you will find many other waterfalls near Skógafoss. One of them is Seljalandsfoss, which is 30 minutes away from it. The best part about this fall is that you can walk behind the cascading water.
Black Sand Beaches
After a 40-minute drive from Skógafoss, you get to Reynisfjara Beach, which is part of the Black Sand Beaches. It’s a great place to have fun with your family. People love it for its basalt columns. You can visit the local church near the waterfall as well.
Tips That Will Help You When You Visit Skógafoss
We want you to have the best trip possible. Hence, we have some tips that can make your visit to Skógafoss more enjoyable. The first of them is that you should always wear waterproof clothing.
This waterfall consistently produces mist and drizzle, so even if you don’t want to, you will get wet. It’s common to see sudden weather changes here.
Sturdy hiking boots are a good option. The steep staircase leads to other beautiful places near Skógafoss. If you want to check them out, you will have to walk a lot.
Skógafoss will get crowded quickly. To avoid that, go early in the morning or late in the evening.
Conclusion
Regardless of how many pictures you see of the waterfall, there’s nothing like being in front of Skógafoss yourself. It was the best part of our trip to Iceland, and we highly recommend it to all our readers.
Make sure to follow the tips we mentioned on this page so that you have a nice time. Do you want to learn more about our trips? Visit our website now!
About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is a 20+ year Entrepreneur and Digital Marketer. A Fort Lauderdale-based "Digital Nomad," he enjoys traveling as much as possible with family and friends. AllWorld is his escape to document all of his adventures, including being a hardcore "foodie." He has property in Costa Rica and visits several times each year and is happy to offer his expert advice for planning your trip. Make sure to download the AllWorld Travel Hacks FREE ebook.
