21 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in the World

It's hard to explain exactly why waterfalls are so enchanting, but there's no denying their effect. They top travelers' lists and are so cherished that they're often protected by parks or UNESCO designations. Each year, people traverse the globe just to witness the magnetic power of water pouring over a cliff's edge and plummeting to the earth below. And while these wonders exist 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 extra special, and perhaps slightly more beautiful than the rest.

From those heralded as the largest, tallest, or most powerful in the world to little-known cascades with enticing swimming pools at their feet, these are some of the best and most beautiful waterfalls in the world.

Victoria Falls — Zambia and Zimbabwe

In southern Africa, on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, is the iconic 355-foot-high Victoria Falls. Surrounded by lush terrain, water flows like curtains off the cliff's edge, resulting in photographs that are almost as impressive as the in-person experience.

Havasu Falls — Arizona, U.S.

Part of what makes Havasu Falls so spectacular is its remote location in Havasu Canyon on land administered by the Havasupai Tribe. While getting there isn't easy, the beauty of the falls is hard to top. Red rock sets off the white plunging water and blue-green pool, making this Arizona waterfall worth the extra effort.

Angel Falls — Venezuela

Considered the tallest uninterrupted waterfall in the world — with a height of 3,212 feet — Venezuela's Angel Falls has captured the imaginations of many. Often surrounded by clouds because of its enormous height, the waterfall sits in Venezuela's Canaima National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dudhsagar Falls — India

Set in the Indian state of Goa, the milky-white waters of Dudhsagar Falls seem to sprawl across the area's lush green hillside. The waterfall includes four tiers and a beautiful pool at the bottom. There's even a train that travels right in front of the falls. Talk about a ride with a view!

Yosemite Falls — California, U.S.

This two-tiered waterfall in Yosemite National Park draws numerous visitors — especially in late spring when the water flow is strongest. The beauty of the falls is only compounded by the surrounding park, which is known for its rugged granite cliffs.

Seljalandsfoss — Iceland

Right off Route 1 — the Ring Road that connects most of the inhabited parts of Iceland — is the wonder of Seljalandsfoss. This glacier-fed waterfall is visible from all angles, and a footpath (open only in summer) encircling this natural wonder allows for spectacular sightseeing and stunning photo ops.

'Akaka Falls — Hawaii, U.S.

While 'Akaka Falls, which plummets 442 feet, is stunning on its own, the landscape around the falls is what sets it apart from so many others in the world. Surrounded by verdant, untouched rain forest, the stark sliver of water drops in a near-perfect stream into the cavernous gorge below.

Iguazú Falls — Argentina and Brazil

Marking the border of Argentina and Brazil is the ever-powerful Iguazú Falls (or Iguaçu Falls). The tiers are sprawling, with water flowing around rocks and green terrain, offering sightseers hundreds of photo ops. Don't miss the horseshoe-shaped Devil's Throat, the site's largest waterfall.

Plitviče Waterfalls — Croatia

The expansive Plitviče Lakes National Park in Croatia showcases 16 terraced lakes connected by various waterfalls set among limestone, tree-covered hills. The most renowned is Veliki Slap, a 256-foot wonder that weaves its way down the rock to a clear blue pool below.

Sutherland Falls — New Zealand

Perhaps what makes this waterfall so spectacular is its simplicity. At Sutherland Falls, inside Fiordland National Park, the water drops 1,904 feet in a near perfect yet powerful stream from a picturesque pool of water above. Access to the falls, a set of three cataracts, is only by air or a wilderness hike in the mountains.

Niagara Falls — U.S. and Canada

The awe-inspiring Niagara Falls straddles the U.S.-Canadian border, offering visitors on both sides expansive views and continuously roaring water. On the U.S. side, the falls sit in Niagara Falls State Park (the country's oldest) where 3,160 tons of water flow every second.

Jog Falls — India

Not far from India's western coast is Jog Falls, a segmented waterfall that is most stunning when viewed during monsoon season (August to December). During this rain-heavy time, the falls go from a spidery trickle to a powerful force of nature that plunges off the cliffs toward the earth.

Kawasan Falls — Philippines

This series of three waterfalls, which drop into natural swimming holes and lagoons, is both beautiful and interactive. At Kawasan Falls, you can take a dip in the cool water or continue hiking on the jungle trails toward the next pool. The falls are on Cebu Island, about three hours by car southwest of Cebu City.

Kuang Si Falls — Laos

About an hour's drive south of the culture-rich city of Luang Prabang is Kuang Si Falls (aka Kuang Xi Falls). The stunning milky blue waters at the base of the three-tiered waterfall draw swimmers, photographers, and Instagrammers who come to see the standout colors and wade in the site's shallow pools.

Kaieteur Falls — Guyana

In Guyana, people flock to Kaieteur Falls, where an impressive amount of water pours over a cliff's edge amid the Amazon rain forest. Thanks to the consolidated and immense volume of the falls, Kaieteur is considered the largest single-drop waterfall by water volume and plummets 741 feet. (That's four times taller than Niagara and twice as high as Victoria Falls.)

Tegenungan Waterfall — Bali

Set on the island of Bali in Indonesia, this beautiful, isolated waterfall has become a must for travelers visiting the neighboring art village of Ubud. At Tegenungan, the water drops with force into a pool below that is often full of swimmers trying to escape the heat.

Bản Giốc Waterfall — Vietnam and China

Bản Giốc Waterfall, also known as Detian Falls or Bản Giốc Falls, encompasses a series of cascades that straddle the border between China and Vietnam. In a stunning show of power and grandeur, water flows endlessly through pools, down tiers, and over cliffs in a unique horseshoe shape.

Jim Jim Falls — Australia

These Australian falls drop over a rocky escarpment to the earth 656 feet below. Set in the Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory, the Jim Jim Falls are typically only accessible during the dry season (May to October), when you can drive in. During the tropical season (November to April), when the falls are at their full strength, you can only see them from the air.

Yumbilla Falls — Peru

Yumbilla Falls in northern Peru draws people from all over the globe, and for good reason — the waterfall is considered the world's fifth-tallest and drops 2,940 feet in a near perfect stream of power and force.

Rhine Falls — Switzerland

You won't find water toppling over an enormous cliff here, but the surrounding scenery (after all, it is Switzerland) makes Rhine Falls a must. The water cascades powerfully over and around the rocky, tiered terrain, showcasing an impressive mass of white, churning water.

Multnomah Falls — Oregon, U.S.

These spring-fed falls might be right off the busy Historic Columbia River Highway, but the site's easy accessibility does nothing to detract from its fairylike feel. Set in the Columbia River Gorge between Portland and Hood River, Oregon, Multnomah Falls plunges from upper to lower tiers as the iconic Benson Bridge stands prominently in the foreground.