25 Best Waterfalls in Europe That Will Take Your Breath Away
Discover the 25 best waterfalls in Europe—from Iceland’s roaring giants to hidden forest cascades in the Balkans. A must-read for every nature lover.
From the icy wilderness of the Arctic Circle to sun-drenched Mediterranean forests, Europe is home to some of the most dazzling waterfalls on the planet. These natural wonders tumble down cliffs, burst from volcanic craters, and hide in lush canyons just waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re an adventurer chasing wild beauty or a slow traveler soaking up forest peace, this list of the best waterfalls in Europe is your starting point.
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🏔 Where to Find the Best Waterfalls in Europe
Europe’s waterfalls are born from its diverse landscapes—shaped by glaciers, rivers, rainforests, and time. You’ll find them where mountains rise and waters tumble, where limestone builds terraces and snowmelt feeds ancient streams. Here are the regions where waterfalls flourish:
The Alps
Spanning France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and Slovenia, the Alps are home to countless waterfalls fed by glaciers and alpine rainfall. These falls plunge from dramatic cliffs into pine valleys and glacial lakes. Think Giessbach, Staubbach, and Krimml—majestic, high-altitude, and framed by snow-dusted peaks.
Norway & Iceland: The Wild North
In rugged, rain-soaked Norway, waterfalls like Vøringsfossen and Kjosfossen roar from fjord walls into green valleys. In Iceland, the land of fire and ice, you’ll find some of Europe’s most otherworldly falls—Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Dettifoss—where volcanic cliffs and endless light create a landscape straight from mythology.
The Balkans: Travertine Paradise
In countries like Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Montenegro, rivers rich in minerals have built natural dams over time, creating layered travertine waterfalls. These are some of Europe’s most swimmable and photogenic—Plitvice, Krka, and Kravica are the stars of this lush, sun-warmed region.
The Carpathians & Eastern Europe
Tucked into Slovakia, Romania, and parts of Ukraine, the Carpathians host smaller but enchanting waterfalls, often hidden deep in forested gorges. Trails through national parks like Slovenský raj (Slovak Paradise) lead to wild cascades like Závojový vodopád, climbed with ladders and chains.
The Pyrenees & Iberian Peninsula
In Spain and France, waterfalls wind through the Pyrenees, falling into mossy groves and canyons. Some, like Molí dels Murris, offer peaceful swimming holes. Others, like the Ordesa cascades, thunder down steep cliffs on high-altitude trails.
Britain & Ireland’s Green Falls
Though not towering, waterfalls in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland enchant with atmosphere—think mist, moss, and mystery. Pistyll Rhaeadr and Eas a’ Chual Aluinn are soulful, wind-blown wonders tucked in storybook valleys.
🌊 The 25 Best Waterfalls in Europe
1. Skógafoss – Iceland
A powerful curtain of water crashing 60 meters down, surrounded by rainbows and mist. Easy to reach, yet otherworldly.
2. Plitvice Waterfalls – Croatia
Not just one, but dozens of turquoise falls linked by wooden paths over vibrant lakes—Croatia’s UNESCO-listed fairytale.
3. Rhine Falls – Switzerland
Europe’s largest waterfall by volume. Thundering waters, boat rides to the base, and panoramic castle views.
4. Skradinski Buk – Croatia
A cascading masterpiece of nature where clear waters tumble over travertine steps into emerald pools. Surrounded by dense Mediterranean greenery and wooden trails, Skradinski Buk is the heart of Krka National Park—and one of the most photogenic waterfalls in all of Europe.
5. Kjosfossen – Norway
A waterfall with a twist. Accessible via the Flåm Railway, this 93-meter fall features a mythical show for lucky visitors.
6. Seljalandsfoss – Iceland
Walk behind this iconic waterfall as it plunges in front of mossy cliffs. The golden hour here is pure magic.
7. Gullfoss – Iceland
A roaring two-tiered beast on Iceland’s Golden Circle route, plunging into a dramatic canyon.
8. Giessbach Falls – Switzerland
A 500-meter cascade near Lake Brienz, with vintage hotel views and romantic forest trails.
9. Vøringsfossen – Norway
Norway’s most famous waterfall. The canyon is deep, the drop fierce, and the views absolutely epic.
10. Dettifoss – Iceland
Europe’s most powerful waterfall. Grey, primal, thunderous—this one is raw nature at its most intense.
11. Cascate delle Marmore – Italy
Created by the Romans and still flowing strong. A green-cloaked 165-meter spectacle near Umbria’s countryside.
12. Molí dels Murris – Spain
A hidden gem in Catalonia—small, delicate, and surrounded by lush vegetation and crystal-clear pools.
13. Staubbach Falls – Switzerland
Tumbling straight down a cliff in Lauterbrunnen Valley, this 297-meter ribbon is the stuff of poetry.
14. Bigar Waterfall – Romania
Once voted the most beautiful in the world, this mossy dome dripping into a tranquil pool is dreamlike.
15. Kravica Falls – Bosnia & Herzegovina
A semicircle of cascades flowing into a swimmable green basin. A summer paradise on the Trebižat River.
16. Rjukandefossen – Norway
Located near Hemsedal, this twin waterfall crashes into a gorge—ideal for hiking and quiet nature.
17. Pistyll Rhaeadr – Wales, UK
At 73 meters, one of Britain’s tallest. Nestled in forest, it’s a peaceful haven with nearby tearooms.
18. Frecha da Mizarela – Portugal
The tallest waterfall in mainland Portugal, Frecha da Mizarela plunges nearly 75 meters down a rugged cliff in the Arouca Geopark. Surrounded by schist mountains and wild vegetation, this granite-born cascade feels untamed and raw. Accessible via scenic hiking trails or a panoramic viewpoint above the fall, it’s a striking contrast to Portugal’s coastline charm—proof that even in the Iberian interior, nature roars.
19. Cauterets Waterfalls – France
Deep in the Pyrenees, these forested cascades tumble along ancient mountain trails.
20. Öxarárfoss – Iceland
A small but dramatic waterfall in Þingvellir National Park—where history, geology, and beauty meet.
21. Salles-la-Source Waterfall – France
A charming cascade right in the middle of a medieval village. Old stone houses and spring-fed beauty.
22. Kirkjufellsfoss – Iceland
Not the tallest, but perhaps the most photogenic, with Mount Kirkjufell as a dreamy backdrop.
23. Kivach Waterfall – Karelia, Russia
Located in Kivach Nature Reserve, this is one of the most famous and accessible waterfalls in European Russia. Though only 11 meters high, it’s a powerful cascade over black basalt rock, surrounded by pine and birch forest. The area also has a nature museum and scenic trails.
24. Sillans-la-Cascade – France
Tucked away in the Provençal countryside, this dreamy turquoise waterfall cascades 44 meters through a lush gorge of fig trees, ivy, and ferns. A short forest walk leads to a panoramic viewpoint where the scene opens like a fairytale—peaceful, fragrant, and picture-perfect. While swimming is no longer allowed for preservation, the atmosphere is pure magic.
25. Reichenbach Falls – Switzerland
Famous from Sherlock Holmes stories, this waterfall is all drama and Victorian mystery.
🌿 Best Time to Visit
- Spring: Snowmelt fuels spectacular flow, especially in alpine regions.
- Summer: Ideal for swimming in places like Krka, Kravica, and Molí dels Murris.
- Autumn: Golden foliage enhances the magic of forested waterfalls.
- Winter: Icelandic and Norwegian falls often freeze into surreal ice sculptures.
📸 Photography & Travel Tips
- Visit early or late in the day to avoid crowds and get soft lighting.
- Use a tripod and slow shutter for silky-smooth waterfall shots.
- Bring waterproof shoes—many trails are muddy or slippery.
- Check accessibility: some falls require long hikes, while others are roadside.
✨ Final Thoughts
Europe’s waterfalls are more than just a drop of water—they’re memories etched in mist, roaring backdrops to wild hikes, and places where nature reveals her softest and fiercest faces. Whether you’re road-tripping through Iceland or wandering the pine forests of the Balkans, chasing these falls will make your journey unforgettable.
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