20 Most Famous Waterfalls in the World
Last Updated on 19th October 2025 by admin
God has blessed our planet with some of the most fascinating and beautiful waterfalls. These waterfalls are usually formed when rivers or mountain streams fall over hard and soft rocks from high heights. Sometimes, they are created by erosion, which allowing water to cut through towering mountains and steep cliffs, creating a stunning natural beauty. Below is the list of the 20 most famous waterfalls in the world that you should know about.
Niagara Falls is one of the magnificent waterfalls of nature’s creation. There are three waterfalls Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls which make up Niagara Falls. It is located on the Niagara River in northern America, between the two countries United States and Canada. It is one of the most famous waterfalls and also one of the most appealing Tourist attractions in the world.
Niagara Falls was formed approximately 12,000 years ago in the last Ice Age when the released massive amounts of water that cut a path through the Niagara Escarpment. The falls are eroding gradually today and affect the landscape of the area in time. Niagara Falls attracts millions of visitors every year who come to experience its thunderous roar, refreshing mist, and captivating rainbows.
Victoria Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the world, stretches around 1.7 kilometers (1 mile) wide, located on the Zambezi River between Zambia’s north and south borders. In the rainy season, millions of litres of water fall down over the basalt cliffs on each second making a heavy spray that can extend over 400 meters into the air so it can be seen in 50 kilometers distance.
Victoria Falls was named in 1855 by the Scottish explorer David Livingstone, who and was the first European to document his visit to the falls. He gave it the name of Queen Victoria of Britain. Nowadays it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and often listed among the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Nokhalikai falls is situated in India in the northern state of Meghalaya at Cherrapunji Hills, it is considered one of the amazing waterfalls in the world. It is said to be that this waterfall turns green during the summer season. Nokhalia is famous for being the tallest plunge waterfall in India, which attracts tourists not only from India but from all over the world.
The name “Nohkalikai” means “the leap of Ka Likai” in the local Khasi language. The best time to visit Nohkalikai Falls is from October to November or just after the monsoon season when the waterfall is at its fullest and the forest around the falls is green and the visibility is clear.
Skogafoss Falls is one of the Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, which is located on the Skógá River in Southern Iceland. The waterfall is famous for its incredible width of 25 meters (82 feet) and falls from a mound of 60 meters (197 feet). It’s a beautiful place to visit and spend holidays there. This is also one of the famous places for fishermen in the summer season.
There is a 527-step staircase on one side of the waterfall which takes one to the viewing platform on top where the panoramic views are wonderful. The waterfall also has flat ground at the base, so visitors can walk right up to the roaring curtain of water but be prepared to be sprayed. Skogafoss is a great sight to see by the visitors of the South Coast of Iceland as it is a strong natural attraction.
Angel Falls is the highest waterfall in the world with massive height of 979 meters (3,212 feet) in the Canaima National Park of Venezuela. It’s said that the famous waterfall’s name was discovered in 1933 when a US pilot (Jimmie Angel) famously flew and crash-landed near the waterfall. It is one of the most famous waterfalls for tourists from all over the world and is also known for climbing, hiking and trekking.
This exquisite waterfall is located deep in the rainforest of the Canaima National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage far off the urban civilization. The falls are driven by the river known as Roi Kerepakupai Meru which is a tributary of Churun River and are encircled by the beautiful untouched jungles. Due to its remote location, accessing Angel Falls involves a combination of flights, boat ride, and walking through heavy forest and a visit to the falls is a thrilling, once-in-a-life experience.
The Sutherland waterfall is situated between the lake of Quill and Arthur River in New Zealand. If we see this waterfall from an aerial view, then it looks very beautiful. The Sutherland waterfall is the tallest waterfall in New Zealand and one of the highest in the world. This beautiful waterfall lies in the Fiordland National Park which is a UNESCO world heritage site featuring rugged mountains, lush forests and clean wilderness.
It is one of the world’s most famous waterfalls, and is said to have been discovered by a European named Donald Sutherland, who first documented it in 1880. It is a quintessential part of New Zealand’s natural heritage, and a key to the list of things nature and outdoors lovers must visit when exploring the South Island.
Tugela waterfall is 2nd highest waterfalls in the world after Angel Falls, located in South Africa at the Drakensberg Mountains near the Tugela River. This huge waterfall is the part of Royal National Park in KwaZulu province. Besides it, this waterfall generates two more rivers. Tugela fall has an attractive natural scenery that attracts tourists from around the world. Tugela falls in five dramatic jumps on a total height of about 948 meters (3,110 feet) although some sources give it 983 meters (3,225 feet).
The beautiful scene of the Tugela falls especially when the sun forms brilliant rainbows in the sprayed fog attracts tourists worldwide. The waterfall has a different beauty in each level, as the highest single drop is 411 meters (1,348 feet). The falls, sometimes freeze to shimmering ice pillars in winter, and become to be a symbol of natural beauty to Africa.
Yosemite Falls is also one of the world’s tallest waterfalls situated in the United States at California’s Yosemite National Park, which falls from 2,425 feet (739m). Tourists visit this amazing waterfall in large numbers throughout the year, but mostly during the late spring when the stream is the fullest since it is fed by the melting snowy mountains in Sierra Nevada.
Yosemite Falls is divided into three falls upper Yosemite fall which plunges 1,430 feet (436 meters). Then the lower Yosemite fall drops from the height of 320 feet (98 meters). And the middle cascades fall drops from 675 feet (206 meters). The falls are visible at various points surrounding the Yosemite Valley among them being Yosemite Village, Yosemite Valley Lodge and Glacier point. Besides being an amazing natural feature, the waterfall itself is a representation of the amazing beauty and geological history of this park.
Nachi Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world located in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Nachi fall is the highest waterfall in Japan, it is 133 meters high and is also known as the best place for fishermen. It is also called the Nachi-no-Taki and has a width of 13 meters, it falls from the Kumano massif and creates stunning natural scenery which attracts people from all over the world.
The nearby Seiganto-ji Temple is a lovely sight with Nachi Falls in the background. The temple is one of the symbols of Buddhist influence which can be seen to be an example of the historical deal between Shinto and Buddhist culture in the area. Tourists who visit Nachi Falls may also use a row of stone steps up the mountain through a forest to an observation deck where we can see a fantastic view of the falls.
The Beautiful Kaieteur waterfall is the largest single drop waterfall by volume and one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. It is located on the Potaro River in Kaieteur National Park, Guyana. It is connected with the Amazon rainforest and is considered one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The waterfall drops 226 metres (741 ft) over a single drop through sandstone and conglomerate stone.
The amazing waterfall is higher than Niagara waterfalls and is surrounded by beautiful woods which attracts tourists from all over the world. It is not only known for its height but also the remarkable quantity of water that flows through. The falls at an average of approximately 663 cubic meters per second (23,400 cubic feet per second), making it one of the most powerful waterfalls on our planet.
Rhine Falls is situated on the border between the cantons of Schaffhausen and Zurich in northern Switzerland. It falls from 23 meters (75 feet) in height and its width is 492 feet (150 m). Further divided into two falls by the Pillar Like a rock which increases more in its natural beauty. It is one of Switzerland’s most visited tourist attractions, as well as one of the most famous waterfalls in the world.
The two main cascades of the waterfall are divided by a large rock formation situated in the middle of the waterfall. Tourists can even take a boat ride to a lovely rock located in the center of the waterfall, where they can enjoy different views of the falls. The falls were created 15,000 years ago by tectonic shifts in the last Ice Age and continue to provide a magnificent natural experience in Switzerland
Yellowstone waterfall is located on the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States. It is divided into two cascades, Upper Falls and Lower Falls. It flows and passes through the Hyden valley; it is rich in beauty and is the most famous waterfall in the world. When it completely crosses these two falls and then enters the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone that is up to 1000 feet (304 meters) deep.
The Upper Yosemite Fall features the tallest single uninterrupted drop and the Lower Yosemite Fall is a single drop at the base. Visitors can view both of these falls from many locations throughout Yosemite Valley, and some trails will get you right up to the falls, including steep hikes to the brink of the falls.
Dettifoss Falls is known as the second most powerful waterfall in Europe. It is situated in northern Iceland of Vatnajokull national park. It falls from 44 meters (144 ft) and its width is 100 meters (330 ft) it drops into the Jokulsargljufur Canyon. This waterfall has the potential to generate a greater amount of hydroelectric energy. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
The flowing water makes an incredible thunderous roar and thick mist that can be seen from nearly a kilometer away. Visitors can take in spectacular views from both the west side and the east side of the falls. The best time to visit Dettifoss Falls in Iceland is during the summer months, specifically from June to August. Summer offers the most pleasant and beautiful conditions to feel the strength and greatness of Dettifoss.
Jog Falls is on the Sharavati river located in India near the Sagar Tulk in the Shimoga district Karnataka. It is the second highest plunge waterfall in India with an impressive height of 253 meters (830 feet). Jog Falls is a popular tourist attraction, especially during the monsoon season between July to September when water level is at its highest, resulting in a dramatic and intense display.
The falls can be viewed from different viewpoints that are nearby, and those who are adventurous can climb about 1,400 steps to the bottom for a comprehensive experience. The surrounding hilly and lush evergreen forests add to the splendor of the falls, making it one of the most famous waterfalls in the world.
Iguazu waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world located between the border of Argentina and Brazil. This waterfall has 275 individual falls and cascades spread over a width of 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles), which attracts tourists from around the world to visit this place. The height of the waterfalls ranges from 60 to 82 meters (197 to 269 feet), the most highest is Devil’s Throat, which is 82 meters (269 ft) high and about 150 meters (492 ft) wide.
The falls can be seen from different angles on both the Brazilian and Argentine sides, and there is plenty of walking trails, boat rides and elevated platforms with great views. The site of Iguazu Falls is located in two national parks: the Argentine Iguazú National Park and the Brazilian Iguaçu National Park, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
“Dudhsagar Falls “means “Sea of Milk.” It is a four-tiered waterfall located in Mollem National Park in the Indian state of Goa. It is one of the tallest waterfalls in the country at a height of roughly 310 meters (1,017 ft),with an average width of 30 meters (100 ft). Visitors from various all over the world come to experience this place, its milk color fascinates and attracts the tourists.
The waterfall surrounded by lush deciduous forest rich in biodiversity and are especially spectacular during the monsoon season (June to September) when heavy rains feed the cascade and create a milky appearance, which inspired its name.
Palouse Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the northwestern United States. It is located along the Palouse River in southeastern Washington State, and it plunges rapidly into a steep canyon created by the ancient Ice Age floods known as the Missoula Floods, which shaped much of the rugged landscape thousands of years ago.
The waterfall stands 60 meters (198 feet) tall, and flows year-round, with the highest discharge during the spring snow melt. It has an impressive descent of a powerful waterfall into a round amphitheater of basalt; gorgeous views that attract photographers and nature-lovers alike, from around the globe. In 2014, Palouse Falls became more popular when it was named the official waterfall of the state of Washington.
Plitvice Falls is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Croatia, located in the world-famous Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Instead of a single waterfall, Plitvice Falls is a beautiful series of cascades and travertine terraces caused by 16 lakes that are connected and flow into each other through hundreds of water falls both small and large.
The tallest of these falls is called the Veliki Slap (Great Waterfall), which falls approximately 78 meters (256 feet), it is also the highest waterfall in Croatia. The falls are surrounded by towering green forests made up of beech, spruce, and fir trees, providing beautiful color contrast against turquoise lakes, green vegetation, and white limestone cliffs.
Gullfoss, which translates to “Golden Falls” in English, is a well-known and spectacular waterfall in Iceland. It is situated on the Hvítá River (White River) in southwestern Iceland, around 115 kilometers away from Reykjavík. Gullfoss is part of Iceland’s famous tourist circuit called the Golden Circle, which also features Þingvellir National Park and the Geysir geothermal area. The name “Golden Falls” is derived from the sunlight reflection off the glacier water giving it a shimmering golden color.
This waterfall was generated at the end of the ice age due to glacial floods. Gullfoss is a two-tiered waterfall, with an upper drop of roughly 11 m (36 ft) and a lower drop of about 21 m (69 ft), into a deep gorge of about 32 m (105 ft) depth. This is so beautiful to see, especially when we looking at it from above, It is also one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland.
Commonly referred to as the “Niagara of the West,” Shoshone Falls is one of the most magnificent natural waterfalls in the United States. Shoshone Falls is on the Snake River, which is located in Twin Falls, Idaho, and it is higher than Niagara Falls! it is taller than Niagara Falls, measuring about 65 meters (212 feet) tall and nearly 305 meters (1,000 feet) wide.
Shoshone Falls, formed at the end of the last Ice Age by immense floods that carved the Snake River Canyon, is still one of North America’s most powerful and beautiful waterfalls. It fascinates every visitor when the snow melts during summer days and the flow of water increases. Shoshone Falls is located within Shoshone Falls Park which features many overlook spots, picnic spots, and walking trails to view the falls.
Visiting these waterfalls is about more than just seeing their beauty. It is about sharing in the magic, tranquility, and power only nature can create. So, as you think about your future travels, add one of these famous waterfalls to your travel plans and discover for yourself why they are considered one of the most amazing natural wonders in the world.
