Stranger Things in Iceland: Visit Eleven’s Waterfall & The Highlands
How to make travel more enjoyable? By stepping into your favourite characters’ shoes! Exploring the world through fiction—be it books or movies—may guide you towards the most incredible places so you can relive the stories you loved so much. And with Icelandic Roamers, you can feel like a movie star yourself!
Not so long ago, we all held our breath during that Stranger Things Season 5 finale. If you also found yourself staring at that screen thinking, “Is that real? Can I actually go there?” — the answer is a resounding YES. That serene, misty, and majestic backdrop isn’t CGI magic, but the raw power of the Icelandic Highlands… which happen to be our beloved destination.
Ready to walk in Eleven’s footsteps? Let’s dive into the Upside Down (or rather, the Up North)!
The “Three Waterfalls” Mystery Solved
Iceland has always been a preferred filming location for filmmakers, featured in many famous movies, TV shows, and music videos. Game of Thrones fans surely recognize its many landmarks from their favourite scenes—and no wonder! The “Land of Fire and Ice,” with its diverse, surrealistic landscapes, seems to have been created by the best fantasy writers. Speaking of fantasy… who doesn’t love Stranger Things?
SPOILER ALERT: The series finale left fans asking, “Where did Eleven go at the end?” We knew it right away! The “three waterfalls” mentioned in “Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up“ refer to the famous gems fed by the Fossá river in South Iceland.
After years of chaos in Hawkins, Eleven deserved a sanctuary that felt truly far away from it all. The sheer isolation of Háifoss captures that feeling beautifully—a safe haven where the Upside Down finally feels like a distant memory. Spot on! The cascades of water drop 122 meters (400 feet!) into a massive canyon, creating Háifoss, one of the most beautiful and the fourth-largest waterfall in Iceland. Along with the equally gorgeous Granni (translated as “Neighbour”) located right next to it, they paint the perfect scenery described in the finale. While the script mentions three, the third gem, Hjálparfoss, is located just a short drive away in the same valley—making this area a true trifecta of waterfalls.
The scene captures exactly what the showrunners intended: a place that feels metaphorical, dream-like, and completely removed from the chaos of the rest of the world. It is the ultimate escape the Duffer Brothers must have envisioned when choosing this Iceland filming location.
But here is a fun fact for the trivia lovers: This isn’t just a green screen. The texture of the moss, the roar of the water, and the mist hitting your face—it’s all real, and it’s even more impressive in person!
Why the Icelandic Highlands?
Imagine a vast, uninhabited wilderness where a sweet silence hugs you the moment you step out of the car. Welcome to The Highlands —the untamed heart of Iceland. The otherworldly landscape enchants with vivid shades of rhyolite mountains, neon green moss, and black volcanic sand, making you feel like you’ve landed on another planet.
Accessible primarily during the summer months, the Icelandic Highlands offer a serene, emotional, and beautifully lonely area that seems to have no end. It’s no wonder the Stranger Things scouts picked this spot!
However, getting there isn’t a walk in the park (or a bike ride through Hawkins). The roads are rough “F-roads” that require a sturdy 4×4 and a driver who knows how to handle river crossings. Wondering how to explore Iceland at your own pace safely without missing a thing? Travel to the Highlands with Icelandic Roamers!
Sure, you could try to rent a car and navigate the rocky terrain yourself (hoping your phone battery lasts long enough for a selfie). Or, you can join our Super Jeep tour and turn this cinematic location into your own personal movie set!
Don’t Just Visit—Capture the Moment
Discovering the hidden gems of Iceland? We treat every guest as our best friend, instilling a love for our beloved country. Our unique private Iceland tours will take you where big bus tours can’t reach. We wish to show you the real, unspoiled beauty of its lush nature aboard our fearless, iconic Land Rover Defender.
First-class comfort and a personalized experience are one thing, but here is the best part: we are professional photographers! We know exactly where to stand to get that epic shot with Háifoss thundering in the background. You don’t need to worry about asking a stranger to take a blurry photo of you. Our trademark service includes a professional photoshoot included in the price of the trip.
Just imagine standing on the edge of that canyon, channeling your inner Eleven (telekinetic powers not guaranteed, sorry! 😀), and going home with high-resolution, magazine-quality photos of yourself in one of the world’s most dramatic landscapes…
Ready for Exciting “Set-Jetting”?
The grand finale of Stranger Things leaves the viewer with an unforgettable and symbolic image. Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), alone on the edge of a cliff against the backdrop of a rugged landscape and powerful waterfalls, is not just a ‘postcard’ setting for a fairytale ending. The Duffer Brothers created a frame that triggers questions and spices up the imagination.
Whether you are a die-hard fan looking to tick a filming location off your bucket list, or just a traveler hungry for raw nature, the Highlands are calling. With its natural wonders, the whole of Iceland will leave you awestruck and filled with endless inspiring images—figuratively and literally.
This is your chance to escape the ordinary and explore the “far-off” beauty that captivated millions on screen.
Join us on our Stranger Things Adventure Tour and let’s dive into the heart of Iceland’s most breathtaking waterfalls. It’s going to be the biggest adventure you’ve ever experienced — we promise. And, after all, friends don’t lie!
Time to shoot your life’s best season.
See you in the Highlands!