The 14 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in the World—And the Wild Trails That Lead to Them

The tallest waterfall on Earth drops more than 3,200 feet in a single plunge! That’s nearly three times the height of the Eiffel Tower, and it’s just one reminder of how extreme waterfalls can be.

From massive curtain falls you can hear miles away to hidden cascades tucked deep in jungle valleys, waterfalls come in all shapes and moods. Some are famous for their sheer scale, others for their setting, color, or the way they seem to appear out of nowhere. This list brings together 15 of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world, spanning every continent and how to visit them.

1. Iguazú Falls, Argentina/Brazil

Iguazú Falls is actually made up of around 275 individual cascades plunging over a wide rainforest cliff, making it one of the most dramatic waterfall systems on Earth. The falls sit on the border between Argentina and Brazil, and you can explore both sides for very different experiences.

Argentine walkways take you right to the edge of the water while Brazilian viewpoints offer sweeping panoramas of the entire system. The most famous section, Devil’s Throat, throws up constant mist and rainbows as the water roars into a deep gorge. Trails wind through lush jungle where coatis and exotic birds add to the lively atmosphere, and boat rides will soak you with spray if you get close enough.

2. Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls goes by the local name Mosi‑oa‑Tunya, meaning “the smoke that thunders.” That describes the feeling perfectly as immense water crashing down a broad, rugged cliff sends spray skyward that can be seen miles away.

This curtain of water along the Zambezi River holds the record for one of the largest waterfalls in the world, and walking paths on both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides let you take in different angles of its scale. The surrounding terrain is filled with wildlife, so a visit here often feels like part safari, part waterfall pilgrimage.

3. Angel Falls, Venezuela

Angel Falls holds the title of the tallest uninterrupted waterfall in the world, with water tumbling nearly a kilometer from a tabletop mountain deep in the Venezuelan rainforest. It drops from Auyán‑tepui, a huge plateau that seems to rise impossibly out of the jungle, and reaching the base often requires a long boat ride followed by a jungle hike.

At the base you hear the waterfall before you see it, and the spray rides the warm tropical air like a curtain of cool mist. Hiking trails around the falls give you different perspectives, each one reminding you how small human scale can feel next to nature’s extremes.

4. Niagara Falls, USA/Canada

Niagara Falls is made up of three separate falls (Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil) straddling the U.S. and Canadian border. The Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side are the most powerful, sending massive water flow over the edge every second, while the American and Bridal Veil Falls offer closer, more intimate vantage points.

Visitors can take boat rides into the mist, walk behind viewing platforms carved into rock, and explore scenic state parks or provincial parks on either side. At night the falls are lit with colorful lights and there are plenty of nearby attractions, from observation towers to nature trails and museums.

5. Yosemite Falls, USA

Yosemite Falls drops in three segments — Upper, Middle, and Lower — making it one of the tallest in North America when the seasonal snowmelt sends torrents of water plunging down granite walls. It sits in Yosemite National Park’s central valley, where sheer cliff faces and towering pines provide a quintessential American wilderness backdrop.

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the runoff from the Sierra Nevada snowpack turns this already impressive fall into a raging spectacle. The hike to the base or to viewpoints above the falls can be strenuous, but the payoff is seeing the cascade from multiple angles and heights.

6. Kaieteur Falls, Guyana

Kaieteur Falls is a single‑drop plunge waterfall located in the heart of a remote national park in Guyana, where the Potaro River drops hundreds of feet over a sandstone cliff. What makes Kaieteur unique is the combination of height and volume — it’s one of the most powerful single‑drop waterfalls on Earth, flanked by dense tropical rainforest that feels almost primeval.

Because the falls are so remote, access often involves a small plane flight deep into the jungle followed by a short hike or a 5 day trek through the jungle.

7. Gullfoss, Iceland

Gullfoss in southwest Iceland is known for its dramatic two‑tiered drop where the Hvítá River suddenly plunges into a canyon. It’s often part of Iceland’s Golden Circle route, which means it pairs easily with geysers, hot springs, and stark volcanic landscapes in a single day of exploring.

Paths and viewing platforms let you approach the falls from different elevations, so you can appreciate how the river changes character as it falls. Rainbows frequently form in the mist on sunny days, and winter visits bring icy edges that contrast with the rushing water.

8. Sutherland Falls, New Zealand

Sutherland Falls drops steeply out of Lake Quill deep within New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park, draining into a lush valley that feels untouched and wild. At nearly 600 meters tall, it’s one of the tallest waterfalls in the country, and getting to the base involves a classic hike along part of the Milford Track.

Because it sits in one of the most remote regions of the South Island, visiting here often becomes part of a larger Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound adventure.

9. Plitvice Waterfalls, Croatia

The waterfalls in Plitvice Lakes National Park are part of a network of cascading falls and turquoise pools that feel more like a sequence of musical notes than a single spectacle. Wooden boardwalks snake across clear water that flows from one lake to the next, making it easy to see different angles of falls that range from tiny ribbons to grand drops. The whole park is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Because the falls are all connected by lakes and streams, you might find yourself at a dozen waterfalls before lunch. Spring and early summer bring the most water and the richest colours to the rock and water, turning this into one of Europe’s most under‑ appreciated natural wonders.

10. Kuang Si Falls, Laos

Kuang Si Falls is famous for its multi‑tiered cascade down limestone terraces that form a series of jade‑green swimming pools below. The falls sit in a tropical forest outside Luang Prabang, and the vibe here is as much about lounging in cool water as it is about watching water fall from heights.

Local guides will tell you that the colour of the pools comes from minerals in the rock, and when you wade in, there’s the sensation of warm stone underfoot. Upper falls can be reached by a short hike through quiet jungle paths, while the lower pools are perfect for cooling off after a day of exploring temples and markets in town.

11. Tumpak Sewu Waterfall, Indonesia

Tumpak Sewu is a dramatic curtain of water in East Java that fans out across a semicircle of cliffs, forming a kind of natural amphitheatre where water crashes into a pool below in a constant sheet. Locals sometimes call it “the Niagara of Indonesia,” and the backdrop of cloud‑capped volcanoes makes the whole site feel immense.

To reach the base you’ll descend a steep trail, but the view from the bottom — water arching overhead like a curtain — is unmatched in the region. The surrounding tropical forest and rice terraces make this a full‑day adventure.

12. Wallaman Falls, Queensland, Australia

Wallaman Falls drops nearly 900 feet in a single plunge, making it the tallest permanent waterfall in Australia, and it falls straight off a rainforest plateau without touching the rock face below. The drive into Girringun National Park already feels remote, and once you arrive, the scale of the drop is obvious even from the lookout.

You can hike down to the base if you’re prepared for a steep and sweaty trek, where the sound of water hitting the rocks fills the entire gorge. Mist hangs in the air and the surrounding forest feels dense and quiet, broken only by rushing water.

13. Tiu Kelep Waterfall, Lombok, Indonesia

Tiu Kelep sits at the end of a river hike that includes shallow crossings, smooth stones, and cool mountain air. The waterfall pours into a wide pool where locals and travelers alike take breaks to float and cool off after the walk. Water surges down a rocky cliff in a steady sheet, and spray drifts across the pool, creating a constant refreshing breeze.

Nearby Sendang Gila Waterfall adds a second stop, so most visits turn into a half-day adventure rather than a quick look. Lombok’s quieter pace compared to Bali gives the whole experience a more laid-back feel, especially once you’re waist-deep in cold water.

14. Havasu Falls, Arizona, USA

Havasu Falls sits on land stewarded by the Havasupai Tribe, whose name means “people of the blue-green water.” The falls themselves have changed shape from floods over time, but the current form, with its wide curtain of water and travertine pools, has been in place since the early 20th century.

Reaching Havasu Falls is not easy. Hidden within the Havasupai tribal lands in the Grand Canyon, this waterfall is so remote you either hike ten miles in, ride a mule, or helicopter your way there. When you finally arrive, the surreal turquoise-blue water flowing over a 100-foot drop looks almost edited in real life. The color comes from high levels of calcium carbonate that coat the rocks and make the whole thing glow.

Fair warning: permits are competitive and sell out quickly every year.