I’ve always had a deep fascination with waterfalls. There’s something about the rush, the sound, the hypnotic sparkle of moving water that can keep me rooted for hours – watching, listening, and feeling completely present.
My husband already knows: if there is a waterfall on our itinerary, he will have to find a parking place and we will spend some time at that waterfall 🙂
I could close my eyes and I think I can stay for hours – especially when there is no one else at that waterfall!
Across the planet, waterfalls capture Earth’s power and grace, from thunderous giants that shake the ground to delicate ribbons that shimmer like silk.
Here’s a handpicked journey through 21 of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, spanning every continent – each unique, unforgettable, and worth traveling for.
If you love waterfalls like I do – and even if you do not! – read about each of these amazing waterfalls and check them on your next trips in the area. You may find a new favourite activity!
The 21 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in the World
1. Angel Falls, Venezuela
ID 45722348 | Angel Falls Venezuela ©Alicenerr | Dreamstime.com
The tallest waterfall in the world – thus number one on this list of the most beautiful waterfalls, Angel Falls drops an astonishing 979 meters from Auyán-tepui in Canaima National Park.
The water freefalls for 807 meters before drifting into mist, creating an ethereal view that feels straight out of a dream – or at least that is what everyone who has been here says!
2. Tugela Falls, South Africa
Cascading down the Drakensberg’s Amphitheatre cliffs in five leaps, Tugela Falls reaches around 948 meters – one of the world’s highest. (Recent debates say it might be higher than Angel Falls, but 948-950 meters remains the official height data cited.)
In the rainy season, it transforms into a shimmering silver ribbon visible from kilometers away.
I know, perhaps it is not as famous as others are, but I think it deserves a spot on this article.
3. Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe
Known as Mosi-oa-Tunya – “The Smoke That Thunders” – this UNESCO World Heritage site is the largest sheet of falling water on Earth and one of the most famous waterfalls in the world.
Stretching more than 1.7 kilometers wide and plunging up to 108 meters, it sends spray so high it creates its own rainbows and microclimate.
4. Iguazú Falls, Argentina/Brazil
Another famous waterfall 🙂 Covering nearly 2.7 kilometers with 275 cascades, Iguazú is the planet’s largest waterfall system.
Its centerpiece, the Devil’s Throat, plunges 80 meters into mist so thick you feel the earth tremble beneath your feet. Too bad the imagine cannot send the sound too!
5. Niagara Falls, USA/Canada
No list of the world’s greatest waterfalls is complete without Niagara. The 57-meter-high Horseshoe Falls, straddling the U.S.–Canada border, is one of Earth’s most powerful.
Illuminated at night and framed by constant mist, it’s the most accessible of the mega-falls – and utterly mesmerizing in person. Everyone who saw it recommends it to their friends!
6. Dettifoss, Iceland
Fed by the glacial Jökulsá á Fjöllum River, Dettifoss is Europe’s most powerful waterfall, crashing 44 meters into a black basalt canyon.
The raw force of this waterfall is legendary – you can feel it vibrate through the ground before you even see it.
7. Skógafoss, Iceland
There are many stunning waterfalls in Iceland, so don’t be surprised if you see several included here.
South Iceland’s Skógafoss is a vision of symmetry and strength, a perfect 60-meter curtain of water framed by green cliffs.
On sunny days, rainbows arc through the mist, making it one of the country’s most photogenic natural wonders. BTW: I LOVE a waterfall rainbow!
8. Yosemite Falls, USA
Soaring 739 meters above Yosemite Valley, this three-tiered cascade is North America’s tallest waterfall.
It peaks in late spring as snowmelt surges, filling the valley with thunderous sound and ethereal mist that glows in the afternoon sun. The surrounding landscape is mesmerizing!
9. Havasu Falls, USA
Hidden deep within the Grand Canyon, Havasu Falls is a turquoise jewel known for its vibrant mineral pools and 37-meter plunge – definitely one of the bucket list waterfalls to visit before you die.
It’s sacred to the Havasupai people and reachable only by permit and a challenging trek – an unforgettable adventure for those who make the journey.
10. Takakkaw Falls, Canada
Niagara Falls is not the only impressive waterfall that can be mentioned from Canada in this article 🙂
Meaning “magnificent” in Cree, Takakkaw Falls lives up to its name with a 373-meter cascade fueled by glacier melt (its longest single drop is .).
Found in Yoho National Park, it’s one of Canada’s most awe-inspiring sights, best viewed in summer when meltwater surges at full strength.
11. Bản Giốc–Detian Falls, Vietnam/China
There are many fantastic waterfalls in Asia too – and this one is truly amazing! Just look at the photo and tell me you do not want to be there instantly!
Flowing gracefully across the border between Vietnam and China, this multi-tiered wonder is one of the world’s largest transboundary waterfalls. If you want me to be very precise, I will say this: it is the fourth largest transboundary waterfall, after Iguazú, Victoria, and Niagara Falls.
Its emerald pools, framed by karst hills, make it look like a scene from a traditional painting.
12. Huangguoshu Waterfall, China
Just look at it for a second! (or more!)
At 77.8 meters high and over 100 meters wide, Huangguoshu is East Asia’s biggest waterfall – and one of the few you can walk behind. Its “Water Curtain Cave” offers a thrilling, misty view from inside the cascade itself.
13. Jog Falls, India
ID 99344677 | Falls ©Arnab Mahakul | Dreamstime.com
India’s second-highest waterfall, Jog Falls, drops 253 meters in four dramatic streams called Raja, Rani, Roarer, and Rocket.
During the monsoon season, they merge into a single roaring wall of water – a sight that embodies the force of nature.
14. Jeongbang Waterfall, South Korea
On Jeju Island – a place a friend of mine from South Korea praises every time she can -, Jeongbang is one of the few waterfalls in the world that plunge directly into the ocean.
At 23 meters tall, it’s framed by basalt cliffs and carries legends of ancient spirits said to dwell beneath its cascade.
15. Nachi Falls, Japan
Some waterfalls are simply unmissable.
Japan’s tallest single-drop waterfall, Nachi Falls, plunges 133 meters in one uninterrupted stream beside the red pagoda of Seiganto-ji Temple.
It’s both a spiritual pilgrimage site and a breathtaking photo stop, blending natural and cultural beauty.
16. Ouzoud Falls, Morocco
Whether you spend 1 week in Morocco or less, if you can, include this waterfall on your itinerary. It willl not disappoint you!
Set among the red canyons and olive trees of the Atlas Mountains, Ouzoud Falls tumble 110 meters into emerald pools.
Wild Barbary macaques swing through the trees nearby, completing the postcard-perfect North African scene.
17. Blue Nile Falls, Ethiopia
ID 51202916 | Falls ©Alfotokunst | Dreamstime.com
Known as Tis Issat – “The Water That Smokes” – Ethiopia’s Blue Nile Falls plunge 42 meters with thunderous force during the rainy season.
Historically, it marked the start of the Blue Nile’s long journey toward the Mediterranean. All the more reason to see it, right?
18. Rhine Falls, Switzerland
Though only 23 meters tall, the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen is Europe’s mightiest by flow.
In summer, up to of water rushes over the 150-meter-wide crest – a thrilling spectacle seen best from the boat platforms. How can you miss this on your Switzerland trip?
19. Sutherland Falls, New Zealand
ID 13899574 | Falls ©Hugoht | Dreamstime.com
Changing continents again for best waterfalls in the world.
Tumbling 580 meters in three leaps from Lake Quill, Sutherland Falls is one of the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere.
It’s best admired along the Milford Track or by scenic flight, surrounded by Fiordland’s lush rainforest and misty peaks.
20. Wallaman Falls, Australia
ID 275086615 | Falls ©Wirestock | Dreamstime.com
I promised an article with the best waterfalls in the world, so here is one from Australia 🙂
In Queensland’s Girringun National Park, Wallaman Falls plunges 268 meters – Australia’s tallest single-drop waterfall. It’s surrounded by UNESCO-listed Wet Tropics rainforest, with lookouts offering unforgettable views into the deep gorge below.
21. Jim Jim Falls, Australia
ID 98442277 | Falls ©Christina Fink | Dreamstime.com
Deep in Kakadu National Park, Jim Jim Falls drop nearly 200 meters into a pristine natural pool. During the wet season, the falls can only be seen by air, but in the dry, adventurous visitors can hike to swim beneath their sheer cliffs.
How to Experience the World’s Waterfalls at Their Best
Season and timing matter. Visit Yosemite and Takakkaw in late spring snowmelt, Iguazú and Victoria after seasonal rains, and Ethiopia’s Blue Nile in the wet season for their full power. Iceland’s Dettifoss and Skógafoss are spectacular all year, even under winter snow.
Respect and protect. Many waterfalls here are sacred to local communities or part of UNESCO sites like Canaima, Iguazú, and Plitvice Lakes. Stay on marked trails, carry out trash, and avoid swimming unless it’s explicitly allowed.
Travel like a storyteller. Combine these natural wonders into regional routes: Iceland’s Waterfall Way (Skógafoss to Dettifoss), the North American cascade trail (Yosemite, Havasu, Niagara), or a Southeast Asia loop (Jeongbang, Bản Giốc–Detian, Jog Falls). Each journey reveals a new side of water’s artistry.
Honorable Mentions
Seljalandsfoss, Iceland – A 60-meter waterfall that you can walk behind, offering the ultimate photo opportunity, as it is one of Iceland’s most famous and photogenic waterfalls.
Iceland has many AMAZING waterfalls!
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia – A UNESCO World Heritage site of travertine cascades linking turquoise lakes.
Vøringsfossen, Norway – Norway’s most dramatic fall at 182 meters, complete with a heart-stopping sky bridge.
So, which one is your favourite?
From the ethereal drop of Angel Falls to the rainbow mist of Skógafoss and the ocean-bound beauty of Jeongbang, these 21 waterfalls remind us that water is Earth’s most eloquent storyteller.
As someone who could sit for hours just listening to a waterfall’s rhythm, I find that each one offers more than a view – it’s a feeling of connection, awe, and peace. Wherever your travels take you, may you always find a waterfall worth stopping for.
Photo sources (apart from Dreamstime): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
