The World’s Top 10 Stunning Waterfalls You Should Visit

It’s difficult to explain why waterfalls are so enchanting, but there’s no denying their power. They are at the top of travelers’ lists and are so beloved that they are frequently protected by parks or UNESCO designations. People travel around the world every year to witness the magnetic power of water pouring over a cliff’s edge and plummeting to the earth below. While these natural wonders can be found all over the world, from the lush hills of Hawaii to the rugged coast of Iceland, there’s no denying that some waterfalls are a little more special, and perhaps slightly more beautiful, than others.

These are some of the best and most beautiful waterfalls in the world, ranging from falls hailed as the largest, tallest, or most powerful in the world to lesser-known waterfalls with enticing swimming pools at their feet.

IGUAZÚ FALLS – Puerto Iguazú, Argentina / Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil

This falls tops our list of the top ten best waterfalls in the world, with its brink spanning an incredible 2km and an average flow of 1000 cubic meters per second.

The falls are actually made up of 275 separate waterfalls and cascades.

Catwalks allowed Julie and I to get up close and personal with many of these waterfalls, and the rainforest surroundings made the scenery feel appropriate for a natural attraction like this.

When you add it all up, we believe this waterfall is head and shoulders above the rest (except for Victoria Falls) that we’ve seen!

Accommodation in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil

VICTORIA FALLS – Livingstone, Zambia / Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

It’s the largest single waterfall in the world, spanning 1.7km in width, 108m in height, and an average flow of 1 million liters per second! It easily deserves to be at the top of this list (though it came in a close second).

It’s no surprise that this “smoke that thunders” is one of the world’s seven natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

While Julie and I struggled to stay dry and see through the intense mist from the ground, we were able to appreciate its awesome size and scale from the air!

Indeed, it humbled and awed us, and we suspect it will do the same for you!

Accommodation in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

NIAGARA FALLS – Ontario, Canada / New York, USA

This powerful waterfall, easily the most famous in North America, is also the largest by volume, with a whopping average of about 7000 cubic meters per second!

We had no trouble visiting the falls because of its accessibility, in addition to its raw power. We had no trouble viewing it from various angles.

Julie and I made it to this waterfall twice. And with each visit, we were still astounded by its sheer size and power.

While its surroundings were a little less natural for our tastes, we couldn’t deny that it clearly belonged in the top tier of our Top 10 Waterfalls list.

Accommodation nearby

ANGEL FALLS – Canaima, Venezuela

This waterfall is widely regarded as the world’s tallest permanent waterfall.

The existence of this mystical tabletop mountain (tepuy) deep in a Venezuelan equatorial rainforest defies logic, as its source is nothing more than the soggy cloud forest wrenching moisture onto the plateau itself.

There is no doubt that this waterfall is unique, and there is something special about seeing the World’s Tallest Waterfall.

Besides, the adventure of even getting to this so-called Lost World (Mundo Perdido) to see this world wonder left Julie and I with a lasting impression.

We’re confident it will do the same for anyone else who is fortunate enough to embark on the adventure and be rewarded with a glimpse of this special place.

Accommodation in Canaima, Venezuela

KAIETEUR FALLS – Potaro River, Guyana

This rectangular-shaped monster (said to be 741ft tall and 370ft wide) sat atop the ancient Guyana Shield amidst some of the most pristine rainforest left on the planet and was said to be one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in the world!

A visit to this natural wonder may yield rare wildlife settings. It also reassured us that places like this exist where nature can thrive.

And after experiencing this waterfall for ourselves, we had to include it in our Top 10 List!

YOSEMITE FALLS – Yosemite National Park (California), USA

Although this waterfall does not flow all year, it does flow for a significant portion of the year. It also dropped 2,425 feet, making it one of the world’s tallest structures.

We were able to see this waterfall from a variety of viewpoints and trails because it is the crown jewel of attractions in the incomparable Yosemite Valley.

Julie and I have seen this fall so many times and in so many different ways that we have come to regard it as an old friend.

Given its accessibility, scenery, location, and sheer size, we had no hesitation in including this waterfall on our list of the Top 10 Best Waterfalls.

Accommodation in Yosemite Valley, California

PLITVICE WATERFALLS – Northern Dalmatia, Croatia

This world-famous attraction was difficult to beat in terms of overall waterfalling experience.

While the other waterfalls on our Top 10 List are mostly single waterfall attractions, this one was a network of numerous waterfalls.

Some of the waterfalls were impressive enough to stand out on their own!

The waterfalls separated the numerous clear and colorful lakes that provided life to this lush and protected ecosystem.

Accommodation nearby

GULLFOSS – Haukadalur, Iceland

gullfoss waterfall, haukadalur, arnessysla, iceland

This wild and wide waterfall tumbled on the Hvtá River in two tiers at 90 degree angles to each other, making it one of the most unique waterfalls we’d ever seen.

It was on almost everyone’s travel itineraries because it was part of the Golden Circle of Iceland’s main attractions in the Southwest.

When the weather cooperated, we saw rainbows arcing over the falls in addition to the falls’ unique shape.

As a result, we had no reservations about including this golden waterfall on our list of favorites.

Accommodation in Haukadalur, Iceland

DETTIFOSS – Vatnajökull (Jökulsárgljúfur) National Park, Iceland

This was one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe.

We literally felt the ground tremble beneath our feet as we stood and watched such awesome power from up close as glacial meltwaters flowed unchecked over its 44m precipice at a flow of around 500 cubic meters per second!

It epitomized Iceland’s wild and raw landscape, located at the head of the impressive Jökulsárgljfur (the Icelandic Grand Canyon) and surrounded by three other major waterfalls on the same river.

This waterfall was adored by nature lovers from near and far.

Accommodation nearby

SUTHERLAND FALLS – Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

This stunning 580m waterfall was easily New Zealand’s most spectacular waterfall in a country that holds a special place in our hearts.

And, given its remote location deep within the wild and beautiful Fiordland National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Area), we had to work for our visit. It was one of the many highlights of New Zealand’s Milford Track, which has been dubbed “one of the finest walks in the world.”

This waterfall had a lot going for it, and we just had to include it on this list.

Accommodation in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

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