Golden Circle · Iceland
Gljúfrabúi
You get in by wading up the stream into the canyon — that is the whole reason for the two out of five on access, and the reason most people walk to the entrance, look at the gap and turn back. Go in. Your feet get wet and that is the entire cost. It is 200 metres from Seljalandsfoss and the same parking ticket covers it, so skipping it means paying for something you did not use.
My rating
Scale 1–5. On Cost, 1 means free and 5 means pricey. On Crowd level, 1 means near-solitude and 5 means tour-bus central.
Five out of five, level with Gullfoss and above Seljalandsfoss next door. The fall drops into a narrow slot in the rock, so you stand inside a chamber with a strip of sky above you and the water coming down in front. There is nothing else quite like it on this coast.
Located just a few minutes’ walk north of Seljalandsfoss parking area, the entrance to Gljúfrabúi requires a short hike into the canyon via rocky paths, which can be muddy or slippery. Proper footwear is recommended.
Parking at Seljalandsfoss costs around 1.000 ISK (approx. 8 EUR / USD), with no additional fees for visiting Gljúfrabúi.
Due to its concealed location and slightly challenging access, Gljúfrabúi attracts fewer tourists than nearby Seljalandsfoss, creating a more peaceful experience for visitors.
Before you go
Planning your own Ring Road trip?
Iceland Ring Road Campervan Guide
My full 14-day route — roughly 2,500 km, every campsite I used, what I actually spent, and the stops worth the detour. The plan I drove, in one PDF.
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How I booked my campervan
I compared three rentals before I chose mine. These are the ones worth checking — Lava gives 5% off with code CREATOR.