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WaterfallNorth Iceland

Goðafoss

Godafoss Waterfall12 m drop5 min walkFree parkingNorth Iceland, Iceland
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WaterfallNorth Iceland

Goðafoss

Godafoss Waterfall12 m drop5 min walkFree parkingNorth Iceland, Iceland

About

Goðafoss is a 12-meter waterfall on the Skjálfandafljót river in North Iceland.

The Waterfall of the Gods. Wide, horseshoe-shaped falls dropping 12 meters. According to legend, when Iceland converted to Christianity in 1000 AD, a chieftain threw his Norse god statues into these falls.

Less vertical power, more graceful beauty. The water spreads wide and falls in a perfect arc — incredibly photogenic from any angle. Easy access right off the Ring Road makes it a popular stop.

In 1000 AD, Iceland had to choose between Christianity and Norse paganism. Lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði made the call: Christianity. Then he rode here and threw his pagan idols into the falls. Democracy and drama.

Two sides to view from — east is more popular, west is quieter. Winter visits are special when ice forms around the falls. Good cafe on the east side. Combine with Akureyri and Mývatn on a north Iceland trip.

Map of Goðafoss

Goðafoss is in North Iceland at 65.6828°N, 17.5506°W. The interactive map has the exact pin, parking and everything around it.

Open Goðafoss on the interactive map →

Goðafoss weather and conditions

At Goðafoss in North Iceland, conditions as of 11 September 2026, 12:15 (Iceland time): 10°C (feels like 5°C), mostly clear, wind 5 m/s gusting to 11 m/s. Daylight today: 13 h 44 m (sunrise 06:15, sunset 19:59). Check road status before driving on live road conditions.

Data verified 11 September 2026, 12:15 · source: Open-Meteo at this location’s coordinates · refreshes hourly

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Visit now · Open year-round · 30 min stop · Visibility — · Fee: Free
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Daily conditions for your trip

Roads, weather, and aurora for your exact travel dates — one short email each morning, nothing else. Unsubscribe any time.

Photos & videos

Godafoss ('Waterfall of the Gods') is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland.Irma Zandl
GOÐAFOSS: WATERFALL OF THE GODS! ICELAND (4K)Andy's Awesome Adventures
GODAFOSS WATERFALL IN ICELAND 🇮🇸Monira's Vlog UK
Goðafoss Waterfall Iceland | Aerial Adventure | Drone Travel ExperienceODYSSEY VISUAL MEDIA
Akureyri Iceland Cruise Port Guide | Godafoss & Lake Myvatn Tour (4K)Adventour Begins
Godafoss Waterfall Travel Guide | 4KIceland with a View

Reviews

Frequently
asked
questions

Why is it called Goðafoss?
Waterfall of the Gods. A chieftain threw Norse god statues here when Iceland converted to Christianity in 1000 AD.
Is Goðafoss worth visiting?
Yes! Easy access, beautiful views, great photos. One of the most photogenic falls in Iceland.
How far is Goðafoss from Akureyri?
About 45 minutes (50 km). Easy stop on the way to/from Mývatn.
Can you walk behind Goðafoss?
No, unlike Seljalandsfoss. But you can get close on both sides.
Is Goðafoss free?
Yes, free parking and viewing on both sides.

Nearby

km column = your drive

  1. 1Geitafoss< 1 km
  2. 2Barnafoss7 km
  3. 3Ullarfoss11 km
  4. 4Landsendafoss24 km
  5. 5Æðarfossar34 km

Hot Springs

#1.Natural hot pot near Þingeyjarsveit
8.9 km·~11 min drive

Swimming_pool hot spring

#2.Geothermal hot spring near Laugar
9.8 km·~12 min drive

Laugar's municipal swimming pool per Visit North Iceland — water around 30°C. Not an…

#3.Geothermal hot spring near Þingeyjarsveit
14 km·~17 min drive

Public_bath hot spring

#4.Natural hot pot near Svalbarðsstrandarhreppur
22 km·~27 min drive

Swimming_pool hot spring

4 hot springs near North Iceland

Campsites

#1.CJA camping, Laugar
9.4 km·~11 min drive

A small quiet in private areas divided campsite on the farm Hjalli, halfway between…

#2.CJA Campsite
9.5 km·~11 min drive

North Iceland camping option. Less crowded than the south, with dramatic landscapes and…

#3.Laugar Camping
9.7 km·~12 min drive

The campsite at Laugar, Northeast of Iceland. Booking is not allowed before arriving at…

#4.Vaglaskógur
16 km·~19 min drive

The camp site Vaglaskógur is in the valley Fnjóskárdalur. The forest Vaglaskógur is the…

4 campsites near North Iceland

Supermarkets

#1.Hagkaup
25 km·~30 min drive

Hagkaup supermarket — supplies

#2.Krónan
25 km·~30 min drive

Krónan supermarket — supplies

#3.Krambúð
25 km·~30 min drive

Krambúð supermarket — supplies

#4.Nettó
25 km·~30 min drive

Nettó supermarket — supplies

4 supermarkets near North Iceland

Gas stations

#1.Fosshóll
600 m

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

#2.Laugar
9.2 km·~11 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

#3.Akureyri Leiruvegur
24 km·~29 min drive

N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol

#4.Furuvellir
25 km·~30 min drive

Orkan · 279.7 kr/L petrol

4 gas stations near North Iceland

Tours

#1.(Cruise Ships) Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss
6 hours 30 minutes

Lake Mývatn and the surrounding area are an absolute must if you're exploring the North!

from 25.300 ISKView tour →
#2.(RS) Lake Myvatn & Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour from Akureyri
6 hours

Discover the wonderland of Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall with an experienced local tour guide.

from 25.900 ISKView tour →
#3.Adventure snowmobile tour Akureyri
5 hours

The freedom of covering all kinds of terrain on a snowmobile is something everyone should experience.

from 166.750 ISKView tour →
3 tours near North Iceland

Data & sources

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