10 of the Most Stunning Waterfalls on Earth

Todd Neikirk
Photo Credit: Pixabay / Pexels / Free to Use (CC0)
Photo Credit: Pixabay / Pexels / Free to Use (CC0)

Few sites in nature inspire more awe and wonder than waterfalls. As a result, these natural miracles are among the most popular tourist destinations in the world. They can be found on every continent – even Antarctica – and the following are what many consider to be the 10 most spectacular.

Skógafoss Falls – Iceland

Rainbow passing through Skógafoss Falls
Iceland’s Skógafoss Falls have been featured in Thor: The Dark World and Game of Thrones. (Photo Credit: JOUAN / RIUS / Gamma-Rapho / Getty Images)

Iceland is spectacularly beautiful, and Skógafoss Falls is no exception. The waterfall is so picturesque that it’s been featured in both film and television. This includes the Marvel film, Thor: The Dark World (2013), as well as Game of Thrones (2011-19). In the latter, it can be spotted during a scene where Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen are riding their dragons.

Multnomah Falls – Oregon

View of the bridge in front of Multnomah Falls
Visitors to Multnomah Falls regularly put their photos on social media. (Photo Credit: Wolfgang Kaehler / LightRocket / Getty Images)

The regularly-Instagrammed Multnomah Falls is a convenient 30-minute drive from Portland, Oregon. One of its highlights is the Benson Bridge, which runs across the front of the waterfall. Tourists who travel to the area can stay at the on-site lodge or eat at the nearby restaurant.

Iguazú Falls – Brazil and Argentina

View of the rocks sitting below the Iguazú Falls
Iguazú Falls is backdropped by the rainforest. (Photo Credit: Harvey Meston / Archive Photos / Getty Images)

Iguazú Falls is a one-of-a-kind tourist attraction along the border of Brazil and Argentina; it features hundreds of connected waterfalls, which span nearly two miles. They’re also located in the rainforest, combining two amazing nature scenes.

Angel Falls –  Venezuela

View of Angel Falls
Angel Falls in Venezuela stands at 3,212 feet. (Photo Credit: THOMAS COEX / AFP / Getty Images)

Angel Falls in Venezuela is among the best-known waterfalls in the world, largely due to its size. Standing at 3,212 feet, Angel Falls is much taller than Niagara Falls. While the location is one of Venezuela’s most popular tourist attractions, it’s not an easy trek, meaning visitors should plan ahead.

Kaieteur Falls – Guyana

Prince Harry standing near the top of Kaieteur Falls
Kaieteur Falls in Guyana attracts many visitors. (Photo Credit: Chris Jackson / Getty Images)

Guyana’s Kaieteur Falls has the distinction of being the world’s tallest single-drop waterfall; the water cascades down 741 feet. The waterfall isn’t all that hard to get to, either. Tourists can leave from the capital city of Georgetown and fly to a landing strip that’s just a 15-minute walk away.

Plitviče Falls – Croatia

View of the Plitviče Falls
Croatia’s Plitviče Falls feature a stunning array of colors. (Photo Credit: Martin Zwick / REDA&CO / Universal Images Group / Getty Images)

Plitviče Falls in Croatia have to be seen to be believed. The tourist destination is made up of 16 waterfalls, which combined create an incredible array of colors, such as turquoise, aquamarine and emerald. The location is also one of the most popular sites in the world, drawing over a million visitors each year.

Gullfoss Falls – Iceland

Visitors walking by the Gullfoss Falls
Iceland’s Gullfoss Falls is named for the way the sun hits the water. (Photo Credit: Patrick Gorski / NurPhoto / Getty Images)

Iceland is known for its beaut, as is Gullfoss Falls. “Gullfoss” means “Golden Falls” in Icelandic and refers to the way the sun hits the water. A few decades back, there were thoughts about using Gullfoss Falls to generate electricity, but citizens fought back against the idea.

Niagara Falls – New York and Ontario, Canada

Marilyn Monroe standing in front of Niagara Falls
The 1953 Marilyn Monroe film, Niagara, made Niagara Falls a popular honeymoon spot. (Photo Credit: Sunset Boulevard / CORBIS / Getty Images)

Niagara Falls very well might be the most well-known series of waterfalls in the world. The three have been visited by countless Canadian, American and international families, with a street on the Canadian side, Clifton Hill, making big money from the area’s tourism industry.

The tourist attraction has been featured in countless movies and TV shows. The most famous is the 1953 Marilyn Monroe feature, Niagara, which helped make Niagara Falls a popular honeymoon destination.

Fall Creek Falls – Tennessee

Aerial view of Fall Creek Falls
The waterfall at Fall Creek drops a whopping 256 feet. (Photo Credit: Education Images / Universal Images Group / Getty Images)

Fall Creek Falls is one of the most stunning sights in the United States, dropping an incredible 256 feet. The state park has a lot to offer to those who love the outdoors. In order to see Fall Creek Falls, hikers must first make a three-mile trek, which is just part of the 34 miles of available hiking trails. Visitors can also stay at on-site cabins or camp out in the wilderness.

Ban Gioc-Detian Falls – Vietnam and China

View of the Ban Gioc-Detian Falls
Ban Gioc-Detian Falls, the largest waterfall in Asia, is shared by China and Vietnam. (Photo Credit: jankgo / Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0)

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Ban Gioc-Detian Falls is almost too perfect to be believed. The 200-meter-wide waterfall straddles the border between China and Vietnam. The largest in Asia, it features a 98-foot drop. In the background is a lush forest – the green colors blend beautifully with the blue water.

toddneikirk

Todd Neikirk is a New Jersey-based politics, entertainment and history writer. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, politicususa.com and hillreporter.com. He enjoys sports, politics, comic books, and anything that has to do with history.

When he is not sitting in front of a laptop, Todd enjoys soaking up everything the Jersey Shore has to offer with his wife, two sons and American Foxhound, Wally.