The position of Urriðafoss midway between Selfoss and Hella on Iceland’s south coast means that it isn’t hard to slot it in with your other plans. Whether your interests lie in food, history, nature or outdoor activities, there’s plenty to see and do within an hour or so of this voluminous waterfall. In this blog, we’ll give you some ideas for sights and activities that you can easily combine with your visit to Urriðafoss waterfall.
Compare Urriðafoss with other beautiful waterfalls nearby
Urriðafoss is one of many remarkable waterfalls that are easily accessible from the ring road as you travel along Iceland’s south coast. Each has its own characteristics and no matter how many you visit, you’ll never tire of the country’s extraordinary natural beauty. Teaming voluminous Urriðafoss with Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss is simple; this popular duo lies to the east but each one is also right beside Route 1. Allow a little over an hour to reach Skógafoss, the furthest away, and 45 minutes to get to Seljalandsfoss. Each has an appealing neighbor – Kvernufoss and Gljúfrabúi respectively – so it’s easy to spend the best part of a day giving all five your full attention.
Treat your taste buds at the Old Dairy Food Hall (Mjólkurbúið) in Selfoss
Food is an important part of any Icelandic vacation. While the country’s food halls mostly cluster in the capital, there’s a notable outlier: the Old Dairy in Selfoss. This historic building has been repurposed to house a number of eateries representing many of the most popular global cuisines as well as home-grown dishes. Thai, Mexican, Chinese and Italian food sits alongside Icelandic classics, meaning everyone can order their favorite food while socializing together. If you’re looking for a standout local experience, then it’s hard to beat the langoustines at Fjöruborðið. This often-busy oceanfront restaurant in Stokkseyri is only fifteen minutes away from Urriðafoss by car.
Learn to tölt on an Icelandic horse
Close to Urriðafoss there are myriad places within a 20 minute drive where you can experience the Icelandic countryside on horseback. Local stables will show you the ropes: you’ll be issued with a helmet and given some basic tuition before setting out, so even a novice can saddle up and head out for a guided ride. Icelandic horses are a sturdy breed, known for their placid temperament. While most horse breeds walk, trot, canter and gallop, this type of horse is famous for having a fifth gait, called the tölt. It’s fast but smooth and steady – and there’s also an even speedier gait called flying pace if you’re already an accomplished rider.
View the Northern Lights
Urriðafoss waterfall and its surroundings are a tempting proposition for anyone hoping to view the Northern Lights. The darkness of the Icelandic countryside is far more conducive to seeing the colors more intensely, so traveling beyond the reaches of Reykjavik’s light pollution makes a great deal of sense. At Urriðafoss itself, the rocks that litter the River Þjórsá are helpful to photographers, enabling them to get their shots in focus more easily. Because it has its own parking lot, you’ll have no trouble finding a spot to leave your rental car. Nearby, you might book a stay at the luxurious Hotel Rangá whose on-site observatory enables guests to get a clear view of the heavens.
Visit a centuries-old row of turf houses at Keldur
Located a half-hour drive from Urriðafoss, Keldur á Rangárvöllum is part of the National Museum of Iceland’s historic House Collection. This unusual place is Iceland’s oldest surviving farm, and is definitely worth a visit if you’re hoping to learn more about the use of stone, timber and turf in building construction in Iceland or simply have a keen interest in the past. Such structures are intertwined with the country’s heritage and where they have been preserved, such as here at Keldur, they offer a fascinating insight into what life would have been like in Iceland in the past.
Take a tour of the historic Caves of Hella
Just fifteen minutes’ drive from Urriðafoss you’ll find some mysterious manmade caves. Uncover their secrets with an hour-long guided tour. In total you’ll experience five separate caves, venturing inside three of them and taking a peek at another pair. They date back to at least the early Norse settlers, but some archaeologists believe that they may have been used even before that. Inside, you’ll see ancient crosses, wall carvings and seats. Historians aren’t sure of their function; perhaps, they were used as a place of worship or simply as dwellings.
Soak in a geothermal lagoon or hot spring
Icelanders and visitors alike are drawn to the warm waters of the country’s geothermal lagoons and hot springs. This year-round activity is exceptionally popular, and near to Urriðafoss are a number of different baths to choose from. For instance, you might choose to make the 30 minute journey to Secret Lagoon, one of the country’s oldest; it was established back in 1891. Add five minutes and you can experience one of its newest: Reykjaböð is set to open in summer 2026 in Hveragerði, providing an equally immersive yet upscale alternative to the perennially popular Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River. Luxurious Laugarás Lagoon on the Golden Circle route is even closer, reachable by car from Urriðafoss in about 25 minutes.
Tap into Vik’s black sand beaches and glaciers
Adrenaline junkies and outdoorsy types will definitely want to spend time in and around Vik. This cute little oceanfront village is the starting point for many adventurous activities. Year-round, super jeeps ferry visitors up onto the nearby glacier for thrilling guided ice cave tours or hikes up onto Sólheimajökull glacier. Nearby Reynisfjara is known for its black sand beach, offshore sea stacks, a cave flanked with basalt columns and of course its infamous sneaker waves. Also close by is Dyrhólaey, a large promontory that’s home to nature reserve where nesting birds are the main draw. It’ll take you about an hour and a half to reach Vik from Urriðafoss, while Reynisfjara and Dyrhólaey are a little closer.
Learn about lava in Hvolsvöllur
Iceland is often referred to as the Land of Fire and Ice. While you might see the latter at Urriðafoss if you visit in winter, the nearest place to get the lowdown on the country’s volcanoes is at Lava Centre in Hvolsvöllur, a 25 minute drive away. Here, you can learn about the tectonic processes that have created and shaped Iceland, discovering its volcanoes and historic eruptions through interactive, high-tech exhibits. Continue east to Vik: there you can experience molten lava at close quarters at Lava Show, a mesmerizing experience that recreates what happens during a volcanic eruption by heating rock to 2000°F right in front of your eyes.
However you choose to spend your vacation time, there’s no shortage of things to do within a short distance of Urriðafoss – the hardest part of planning your itinerary will be trying to fit them all in.
