Wonder of the World

Dettifoss

Iceland

Best timeJun–Aug

Set inIceland

In season~54°F high

Climate21–55°F

CurrencyISK

LanguageIcelandic

TimezoneUTC+00:00

On the map

Map showing the location of Dettifoss

Directions (Google Maps) →

Historical monthly weather

Sweet spotPeak Apr, Aug. Go in May, Jul, Sep for similar weather.

Sunny share of daylightApr · 34%

WarmestJul · 55°F

WettestJan

Best windowJun–Aug

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Bar height is the typical daytime high; color shows sunny share of daylight. The shaded months are the ideal window to go.

Weather data & source

2018–2023 averages, not a forecast. Wet days estimate days with at least 1 mm of rain or snow using a calibrated ERA5 threshold. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (AWS Open Data, CC BY 4.0). Sunny share of daylight is calibrated from daytime cloud cover. ERA5 via Open-Meteo AWS Open Data

Dettifoss is a waterfall in Vatnajökull National Park in Northeast Iceland, and is reputed to be the second most powerful waterfall in Europe after the Rhine Falls. Dettifoss is situated on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, which flows from the Vatnajökull glacier and collects water from a large area in Northeast Iceland. The sediment-rich runoff colours the water a greyish white.

Best time to visit

Aim for Jun–Aug, the 3 months that line up best.

Pairs well with

Myvatn Nature Baths

Laugavegur Trail

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Dettifoss?

The best time to visit Dettifoss is June–August, in Iceland.

Where is Dettifoss?

Dettifoss is in Iceland.

What is Dettifoss known for?

Dettifoss is a waterfall in Vatnajökull National Park in Northeast Iceland, and is reputed to be the second most powerful waterfall in Europe after the Rhine Falls. Dettifoss is situated on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, which flows from the Vatnajökull glacier and collects water from a large area in Northeast Iceland. The sediment-rich runoff colours the water a greyish white.

Featured in

World's Great Waterfalls