What are the most beautiful waterfalls in the world? This is a list of the world’s most impressive waterfalls.
The most beautiful waterfalls in the world
Waterfalls come in all shapes and sizes and it’s always great to encounter them. You can find waterfalls all over the world. In this list, you can read all about the world’s most beautiful waterfalls, arranged by continent.
Most beautiful waterfalls in Europe
These are the most beautiful waterfalls in Europe.
Plitvice waterfalls, Croatia
One of the most famous waterfalls in Europe can be found in Croatia, in National Park Plitvice Lakes. There are many (natural) dams in this park, creating many waterfalls. Most of the lakes have a beautiful turquoise color. It is a great place to spend a day and go hiking.
Read more: Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park: Nature at its best!
Skradinski buk, Croatia
Krka National Park is also in Croatia and although it is a little less well known than the Plitvice Lakes, this is also an amazingly beautiful piece of nature! This is another green park full of waterfalls and water features, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. One of the highlights of the park is the Skradinski buk, which consists of 17 (!) waterfalls. One waterfall flows into another and it is really fantastic to see.
Read more: The most beautiful places in Croatia
Gullfoss, Iceland
Iceland is filled with beautiful waterfalls and is worth visiting for that reason alone. One of the most famous waterfalls is Gullfoss. This means “Golden Waterfall.” In fact, when the sun shines on it, you can see beautiful rainbows. The waterfall is easily accessible by car from Reykjavik.
Dettifoss, Iceland
Another amazingly beautiful waterfall in Iceland is the Dettifoss. This is the most powerful waterfall in Europe and is located in the northeastern part of the country. The waterfall is more than 100 meters wide and 44 meters high, and the water comes down with an enormous volume. A spectacular sight!
Seljalandsfloss, Iceland
Another beautiful waterfall in Iceland! The Seljalandsfloss is located in southern Iceland, right on the famous ring road. The waterfall has a height of 65 meters and is stunning. There is a (slippery) trail behind the waterfall that is fun to explore. Wear good hiking shoes and a raincoat, you’ll need them.
Staubbachfall Wasserfall, Switzerland
You will also find many beautiful waterfalls in Switzerland. One of the most beautiful places to see waterfalls is the village of Lauterbrunnen in the Jungfrau region. In this valley, you will find several waterfalls. The most famous (and the most striking) is the Staubbachfall Wasserfall. This waterfall is nearly 300 meters high and comes clattering beautifully down the steep mountain behind the village. An amazing sight!
Read more: The most beautiful places in Switzerland
Kilt rock waterfall, Scotland
As far as I am concerned, the waterfall with the coolest name is the Kilt rock waterfall in Scotland. This waterfall on the Isle of Skye thunders violently from a cliff into the sea. Wow!
Most beautiful waterfalls in North America
These are the most beautiful waterfalls in North America.
Havasu falls, Arizona (USA)
Havasu Falls can be found in the Grand Canyon on Havasupai Indian Reservation. You have to put in the effort to see it; you have to hike down 13 kilometers. And also up again on the way back. But it’s worth it because the waterfall is stunning and you can swim in the beautiful pool below the waterfall.
Because this waterfall is in a reserve, you may only come here with a reservation for the campground or lodge. It sells out quickly every year, so be sure to get your permits asap. Check out this website for more information.
McWay Falls, California (USA)
I saw the McWay falls once while driving on US Highway 101. It is a very unique waterfall that emerges on the beach. Unfortunately, I was not able to see the waterfall up close at the time because the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in which the waterfall is located was closed due to forest fires. And I still regret that, so I hope to go back someday to see this amazing waterfall up close.
Yosemite Falls, California (USA)
The highest waterfall in the United States of America can be found in Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Falls is 739 meters high. It can get really big, especially when there was a lot of snowfall during the winter months. In the months of May and June, the waterfall comes down with great force.
I myself saw the waterfall in the summer, then it is only a small trickle. But the sheer height of the waterfall makes it still really cool to see!
Multnomah Falls, Oregon (USA)
In the state of Oregon lies one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the United States: Multnomah Falls. It is located in the forests of the Columbia River Gorge, not far from the city of Portland. AANP The waterfall is 189 meters high and what makes it so special is the bridge that crosses the waterfall. This bridge was built in 1914. It makes it look like a fairy tale.
Tip! Visit this waterfall in autumn, with the autumn colors it is even more beautiful!
Read more: Exploring Oregon: 10 awesome places to visit
Yellowstone Falls, Wyoming (USA)
During my travels in America, I have seen incredibly beautiful waterfalls, and Yellowstone Falls in Yellowstone National Park definitely belong on this list! They are two waterfalls in the Yellowstone River, Upper Falls and Lower Falls. Both waterfalls are easily seen during a scenic hike in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Manawaiopuna Falls, Hawaii (USA)
I have wanted to see Manawaiopuna Falls on the Hawaiian island of Kauai since I saw the movie Jurassic Park when I was 10 years old. In fact, in one of the first scenes, you see a helicopter flying past that waterfall and I would love to do the same thing one day.
Also known as Jurassic Falls, the waterfall is 122 meters high. They are hidden deep in the jungle and you can only see them from a helicopter.
Akaka Falls, Hawaii (USA)
One of the biggest surprises of my trip to Hawaii was Akaka Falls State Park on Big Island. It’s a bit out of the direction of all the other attractions and it’s not that big, but when you see Akaka Falls, it’s absolutely worth the detour. This is a narrow but high waterfall that seems to disappear into some kind of pit. It’s a very awesome thing to see!
Watkins Glen, New York State (USA)
Watkins Glen is a small village in New York State on one of the Finger Lakes. The reason why many tourists come here every year is because of Watkins Glen State Park. Here you hike through a gorge and there are no less than 19 different waterfalls. The abundance of vegetation and the beautiful bridges and stairs make it look like a fairytale.
Read more: New York State road trip: 6 fun stops
Niagara Falls, Ontario (Canada)
Located on the border of Canada and America, Niagara Falls are among the most impressive waterfalls in the world. It is quite a touristy affair, but the falls are still fantastic to see. In fact, a huge amount of water comes down, making it truly spectacular.
Going on a boat trip along the falls is highly recommended. Do put on one of the brightly colored ponchos, because you will get wet no matter what.
Most beautiful waterfalls in South America
What are the most beautiful waterfalls in South America?
Iguazu Falls, Argentina & Brazil
On the border of Argentina and Brazil, you will find Iguazu Falls. This is not a single waterfall, there are as many as 270! This makes Iguazu Falls the largest collection of waterfalls in the world. Must be a very cool place to explore, right?
Fun thing to do: visit the waterfalls on a boat ride.
Angel Falls, Venezuela
The highest waterfall in the world can be found in Canaima National Park in Venezuela. Angel Falls (Salto Angel) is a whopping 979 meters high and is located in the middle of the jungle. An extraordinary spectacle!
Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
One of the lesser-known waterfalls on this list of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world is Kaieteur Falls. You can find this waterfall in Guyana (a country between Venezuela and Suriname) and there is an incredibly impressive amount of water coming down here! The waterfall has a height of more than 250 meters.
Gocta waterfall, Peru
Gocta Falls (or Gocta Cataracts) is one of the most hidden waterfalls on this list of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. It is located in the jungle in the Amazon and was only discovered in 2002! They do not yet know exactly how high this waterfall is, but the last measurement showed it to be 771 meters. That makes this waterfall one of the highest waterfalls in the world.
Most beautiful waterfalls in Oceania
These are the most beautiful waterfalls in Oceania.
Stirling falls, New Zealand
The beautiful Stirling falls can be found in Milford Sound in New Zealand. Milford Sound is a well-known fjord on the South Island and a whopping 16 kilometers long. From Queenstown, it is easy to take a cruise to this wonderful place.
Photo: Maaike Cammarota
Most beautiful waterfalls in Asia
These are the most beautiful waterfalls in Asia.
Kuang Si Waterfall, Laos
The Kuang Si Falls in Laos is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Asia. It is located in the jungle and consists of several small waterfalls that flow into a beautiful turquoise lake. You can swim here, so bring your swimwear!
Ban Gioc – Detian Falls, China & Vietnam
Ban Gioc – Detian Falls are the fourth largest waterfalls in the world. It is a group of waterfalls in beautiful green surroundings on the border of China and Vietnam. You’ll be blown away at these waterfalls, as it is a beautiful sight to see (and hear) them among all the trees and rocks covered with moss.
Most beautiful waterfalls in Africa
These are the most beautiful waterfalls in Africa.
Victoria Falls, Zambia & Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. The falls are on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe and they converge in the Zambezi River. The falls are about 100 meters high and they are as much as 1,700 meters wide at their widest point. A spectacular sight!
Tip: The best way to see Victoria Falls is by helicopter flight.
Calandula Falls, Angola
There are even more spectacular waterfalls in Africa and the Calandula Falls in Angola is definitely one of them. They are 105 meters high and 400 meters wide and spectacular to see among the green trees. Unlike the (much) better-known Victoria Falls, you won’t encounter as many tourists here, as Angola is not yet that discovered.
More travel inspiration!
Do you feel like traveling after reading this article about the most beautiful waterfalls in the world? These are some fun books full of travel inspiration:
Lonely Planet’s Wonders of the World
Destinations of a Lifetime: 225 of the World’s Most Amazing Places
In addition, you can also find many great articles full of travel inspiration on this website. You might like to read these articles as well:
- 13 Best Day Hikes in the World | Bucket list
- 30 Best Books about the Outdoors
- The best unknown places to visit in the USA
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