Dettifoss: Our most recommended tours and activities

Iceland: Complete Island Self-Guided Audioguide

1. Iceland: Complete Island Self-Guided Audioguide

With the Iceland complete audio guide, you get all the information that a tour guide would otherwise give you. Using GPS, the app recognizes where you are on your round trip and provides you with exciting information in the right places. So nothing stands in the way of your individual rental car tour. Your digital Iceland travel guide for the whole island of fire and ice! This audio guide offers more than 340 stations (7.5 hours of playing time) with information about the country, people, and sights in all parts of the country. It includes not only the Ring Road and the Golden Circle but also the Reykjanes and Snaefellsnes Peninsulas, the Westman Islands, the East and West Fjords, and the wild Icelandic Highlands.

From Akureyri: Diamond Circle Guided Day Trip with Lunch

2. From Akureyri: Diamond Circle Guided Day Trip with Lunch

Explore the top natural attractions along Iceland's Diamond Circle Route on a guided day trip from Akureyri. See the waterfalls at Dettifoss, visit the charming seaside village of Húsavík, and much more. Board a comfortable, air-conditioned bus at the cruise ship terminal in Akureyri and get ready for your full day of sightseeing. Your first stop, Goðafoss waterfall. Marvel at the powerful falls and watch as the water cascades down from a height of 12 meters. Make the most of the walking trails here, taking in a view of the falls from several different vantage points. Next, make your way to Ásbyrgi Canyon, a horse-shoe-shaped valley surrounded by vertical cliffs, before heading to Dettifoss waterfall, the second-largest waterfall in Iceland by volume. Take a break from Iceland's dramatic landscapes with a visit to the idyllic village of Húsavík and see the town church. Located in the heart of the village, this small wooden church is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. Hop back aboard your bus and head to the Tjörnes cliff viewpoint just north of Húsavík to take in fantastic panoramic views of the sea and Öxarfjörður fjord. From here, make your way to the Námaskarð hot-spring area to learn about the country's ancient volcanic eruptions and see the impact of ongoing geothermal activity firsthand. End your tour on a high note as you pass the iconic Lake Mývatn, famed for its beauty and strange surrounding landscape on your way back to the cruise ship terminal, where your Icelandic adventure comes to an end.

From Reykjavík: 4, 5, 6 or 7-Day Small-Group Ring Road Tour

3. From Reykjavík: 4, 5, 6 or 7-Day Small-Group Ring Road Tour

Spend 4, 5, 6 or 7 days on a road trip around the land of Ice and Fire. Explore and see the best attractions of Iceland and experience an adventure without having to worry about getting around. The maximum number of passengers on this tour is 19 which creates a more personal and enjoyable experience. Day 1 – South Coast of Iceland Departing from Reykjavík, see the Skogafoss, Seljalandsfoss and Glubrabui waterfalls and admire the black-sand shores of Reynisfjara Beach. Take in the views on an optional (extra cost) glacier hike. Day 2 – Adventure in the East Start the day in style with a visit to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, where you can take an optional (extra cost) amphibious boat tour, and the nearby Diamond Beach. Drive to the Vestrahorn and Studlagil canyons before continuing along the dramatic east coast which boasts long, narrow fjords with steep sides and jagged peaks. At the end of the day, take an optional (extra cost) soak in Vök Geothermal Floating Pools. Day 3 – Lake Mývatn and waterfalls Today, discover the unique natural volcanic environment of Lake Mývatn. Encounter geothermal hot springs, caves with steaming blue waters, imposing rock formations, unique birdlife, and fauna. Explore highlights such as the magnificent Dettifoss, which is Europe’s most powerful waterfall and Góðafoss - the waterfall of Gods. Relax at the end of the day an optional (extra cost) visit to Forest Lagoon Geothermal Spa and plunge into silky, blue waters rich in skin-healing minerals. Day 4 – Northern Iceland Start your day at Akureyri, the capital of the North. Here you will enjoy the atmosphere of this charming town and take part in an optional (extra cost) whale-watching boat tour. While driving through the North Coast towards Reykjavik you will have a moment to enjoy the Hvítserkur and Kolugjufur Canyon. Day 5 (optional) – Borgarfjörður and Lava Caving Admire the great Hraunfossar, a series of waterfalls formed by rivulets streaming over a distance of almost 300 ft. Afterwards, see the majestic Barnafoss waterfall and Reykholt Historic Site. Later, head inside the biggest lava cave in Iceland, Viðgelmir, before finishing the day at Deildartunguhver, the highest flowing hot spring in Europe. Day 6 (optional) – Snæfellsnes National Park Spend the day exploring Snæfellsnes National Park. This park has often been referred to as "Iceland in miniature", due to its many varieties of geology. Don't miss a visit here if you want to capture the true spirit and beauty of the island. Day 7 (optional) – Golden Circle Finish your time in Iceland with a journey along Iceland's most popular route. Spot Geysers, The Golden Waterfall, Thingvellir National Park, and Kerið Volcano, all of which are must-sees for visitors. You may also choose to add a visit to the Blue Lagoon to your tour today.

From Akureyri: Goðafoss, Mývatn, Dettifoss Super Jeep Tour

4. From Akureyri: Goðafoss, Mývatn, Dettifoss Super Jeep Tour

Come with us on an unforgettable journey where we start by enjoying the amazing waterfall Goðafoss with its beauty and great history, from there we continue to the wonderful lake Mývatn with its rough volcanic environment, rich bird life and flora. There we will stop at Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá and Hverir. First we will drive past Skútustaðagígar a cluster of very unique volcanic land formations (pseudo crater) which got formed during a eruption in the area. This type of land formations have only been found in four places on the planet and then a few on the planet Mars. Dimmuborgir (Dark castle) is a unusually dark and rough lava field which contains many strange formations and lava caves such as Gatklettur the “Holly cliff”. Next we go and explore the nice small lava cave Grjótagjá with a geothermal spring inside which was used as a bathing place for a long time. Hverir has countless of boiling hot mud springs and steam vents in widely different colors. After leaving Mývatn we will continue to the great and powerful waterfall Dettifoss which is located in the Vatnajökull National Park, and it’s reputed to be the most powerful waterfall in all of Europe. Dettifoss is over 100 meters wide and drops 45 meters down into the gorge Jökulsárgljúfur. We will then take a better look at Jökulsárgljúfur which is the largest gorge in all of Iceland with a span up to 500 meters and a depth of 120 meters before heading back to Akureyri. We bet that you have never felt so small against Mother Nature before. During winter time it can be expected that the road to Dettifoss is impassable for normal cars, then our Super Jeeps come in handy.

Akureyri: Northern Lights 4WD Day Trip with Hot Chocolate

5. Akureyri: Northern Lights 4WD Day Trip with Hot Chocolate

Increase your chances of seeing the northern lights with this guided tour that includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Akureyri. Travel to areas where there are peak viewing conditions in a comfortable minibus and a climate-controlled, all-terrain vehicle.  Hop aboard a mini bus and transfer to a jeep or super truck. Go out of town to the countryside, away from the bright lights of the city so that the Northern Lights can be seen in all their beauty and colors.  Listen as your local guide shares Icelandic tales during the journey on this magical tour. Sip on a tasty and warming cup of hot chocolate while you soak up the Icelandic night. Return to your accommodation in Akureyri at the end of your tour.  Skip the stress of missing the northern lights, on a tour that offers a complimentary second try tour on the following night if no lights are spotted. 

From Akureyri: Private Dettifoss Waterfall Jeep Tour

6. From Akureyri: Private Dettifoss Waterfall Jeep Tour

After being picked up in a super jeep, you will venture to Goðafoss, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland, known as the waterfall of the Gods. Your tour will then continue to Lake Mývatn. This ancient lake was formed by a large basaltic lava eruption 2300 years ago and is surrounded by rare volcanic landforms, including lava pillars and rootless vents. Driving deeper into this otherworldly landscape, you will get a chance to see the hot spring area at Hverarönd in Námaskarð. Then gaze at the incredible might of Europe's most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss. As you embark on your return journey, you will stop to investigate Skútustaðagígar, and area of pseudo craters, and the unique lava formations of Dimmuborgir. These are among the most popular tourist attractions in the Mývatn area. Finally, you will stop in Eyjafjordur and admire the scenic view over the fjord to Akureyri.

Other Sightseeing Options in Dettifoss

Want to discover all there is to do in Dettifoss? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Dettifoss

Overall rating

5.0 / 5

based on 7 reviews

Gisli Runar, NumberOne, the Viking was incredible. He was knowledge about all the history and culture about Akureyri. He was fun and informative. The eight hours were amazing. He took us to all the important sites and explained every detail. Took us to an great lunch and great ice cream. His jeep is a lot of fun. He took us off-road and we enjoyed it Highly recommend this tour.

A beautiful journey in nature, in peace, in silence, far from bla bla bla.

Very interesting content that brings you closer to the island