There’s something arrestingly beautiful about waterfalls. Whether it’s for their immense power, their majestic size, or the stunning landscapes they’re found in, they have long inspired us. And when it comes to Europe, there’s no shortage of fabulous falls. From mighty Nordic torrents to glistening Mediterranean flumes, here are the most impressive of them all.

Cascading for 1,247 feet (381m) down the knife-sharp rocks of the Krimml Ache Valley in Salzburg, these ferocious falls are among Europe’s tallest. Since they’re created by the melting of glaciers, they vary with the season: in June and July, propelled by meltwater, around 30 to 40 times the volume of water flows through compared to February. Surrounded by pine-clad slopes thronged with birds, including the endangered grey wagtails and European swallows, they’re a haven for untamed nature.

Norway has plenty of jaw-dropping torrents and Mardalsfossen, also known as Mardals Falls, is one of the most thrilling. Free-falling for 974 feet (297m) down a near-vertical valley into Eikesdalsvatnet lake (it measures 2,149 feet (655m) in total), you can almost feel its sheer power just by looking at it. In 1970, Mardalsfossen was chosen for the development of hydroelectric power which means it’s closed to the public for most of the year, except for a two-month period between 20 June and 20 August.

Love this? Check out our Facebook page for more travel inspiration

There’s a raw, elemental beauty to Háifoss, which plummets for 400 feet (120m) down the volcanic Fossárdalur valley, creating a practically ruler-straight line. Situated in southern Iceland, the country’s third-tallest waterfall is immersed in ancient folklore. Legend has it that the area around Háifoss was once home to an ogress (female ogre), who would turn violent against whoever tried to come too close to the river which she considered her property.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a mesmerising patchwork of adjoining turquoise pools, linked by gushing waterfalls. There are dozens to admire here, but the largest and most impressive is the 230-foot (70m) tall Veliki Slap, pictured top right. Thundering over a craggy cliff in the park’s Lower Lakes, along with the 66- to 82-foot (20-25m) tall Sastavci Slap below, it forms the source of the Korana river.

Gullfoss’ name means 'Golden Falls' in Icelandic, thanks to the sediment-filled glacier water which lends it a golden-brown hue when the sun shines. Located in the upper Hvita river in southwest Iceland, it thrashes its way down a deep crevice across two stages: an upper 36-foot (11m) section and a lower 69-foot (21m) section. Its sheer power is hard to comprehend, with an average of 459 cubic feet (140 cubic metres) of water flowing through it each second in summer, conjuring up tiny rainbows among the spray.

At just 20 feet (6m) high, Keila Waterfall may be small but what it lacks in height it more than makes up for in sheer beauty. Forming a neat curtain of water along the Keila River, this elegant waterfall is located in the village of Keila-Joa, around 19 miles (30km) from Tallinn. It’s on the move, however, as the rushing water chips away at the limestone below, causing it to retreat inland.

One of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe, an incredible 21,189 cubic feet (600 cubic metres) of water flows through the Rhine Falls in summer, enveloping the surroundings in huge clouds of spray. Situated in the River Rhine, around 16 miles (25km) south of the Swiss-German border, the rapids – as if they’re not majestic enough on their own – are presided over by the medieval Schloss Laufen castle, which dates back more than 1,100 years.

While the 541-foot (165m) tall Cascate delle Marmore looks as natural as any other, you might be surprised to learn it’s actually man-made. Located in the central Italian region of Umbria, the striking cascades were created by the Romans in 271 BC, who diverted the Velino river because its waters were thought to be bringing diseases to the nearby town of Rieti. Yet the plan backfired and the diversion ended up flooding the river below. Later adjustments to the falls between the 15th and 18th centuries helped to control their flow, creating the tiered appearance we can see today.

Check out these beautiful lakes you won't believe are man-made

The otherworldly frozen forms of Korouoma are nothing short of spectacular. These sculpture-like icefalls, reaching up to 197 feet (60m) tall in places, can be found in Korouoma Canyon in Finnish Lapland, a deep gorge which was formed by the fracturing of the valley’s bedrock millions of years ago. With their breathtaking snowy surroundings, roamed by reindeer, lynx and moose, the falls are the epitome of winter wonderland. 

Feast your eyes on the world's most beautiful winter scenes

The Isle of Skye’s Fairy Pools are every bit as enchanting as the name suggests. Found near the village of Carbost in Glenbrittle, this series of immaculately clear rock pools are laced with delicate, spindly waterfalls. While they might not win any prizes for size or power, they’re up there with the prettiest. On sunny days, their waters turn a bright blue that looks more suited to the Mediterranean than Scotland, while after heavy rain they become moody and atmospheric, their torrents suddenly quick and powerful.

Looking like fine threads of cotton wool as they spill over the cliff, up to 83 feet (25m) high in places, Kravice Waterfalls are easily some of the most beautiful in the Balkans. Surrounded by a thick forest of fig and poplar trees, around 25 miles (40km) southwest of Mostar, the falls have carved out a natural amphitheatre which only adds to their allure.

The western coast of Vágar in the Faroe Islands makes a breathtaking spot for this ultra-remote waterfall. Creating a 100-foot (30m) high jet of water which contrasts strikingly against the volcanic cliffs, it’s topped by the tiny village of Gásadalur, which has just 25 houses. Rising up behind it is the highest mountain on the island, Árnafjall. 

Discover these fantastic fairy-tale towns around the world

Svartifoss translates to 'Black Waterfall', which is a fitting moniker for this landscape of contrasts. The waterfall itself, tumbling for 80 feet (20m) in a singular white wisp, is certainly impressive but it’s the dark cliffs that make it so spectacular. Made up of hexagonal columns of basalt rock formed by the gradual cooling of lava – similar to how the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland was formed – the bluffs have inspired architects including Guðjón Samúelsson, who created Reykjavík’s towering church.

The Isle of Skye has no shortage of striking sea cliffs, but throw in a waterfall and you’ve got yourself some of the island’s biggest stunners. Located on the Trotternish Peninsula, Mealt Falls tumble for around 197 feet (60m) off Kilt Rock, which owes its name to the fact that its basalt pillars look like a pleated kilt. It’s fed by the nearby Mealt Loch and it’s a prime spot for wildlife watching: dolphins and minke whales, as well as a plethora of seabirds, can be seen from here.

Reclining against the Circo de Soaso, a three-sided glacial valley head in the Spanish Pyrenees, the Cola de Caballo has laid-back charm by the bucketload. Its name means 'horsetail', which seems fitting given the way it swishes and sways its way down the rock. Emptying into the Río Arazas river, which forms several other waterfalls including the Gradas del Soaso and Cascada de la Cueva, the Pyrenean gem offers panoramic views of the dramatic Valle de Ordesa.

At the highest point in the Pyrenees is a playground of waterfalls set against an atmospheric natural amphitheatre. This bowl-shaped cirque was carved out by a glacier and is decorated by numerous wisps of water, the tallest of which is the Grande Cascade de Gavarnie – which, at 1,385 feet (422m) in total, is also the tallest in France. The torrents vary drastically by the season: in summer, snowmelt sends glacier water tumbling down powerfully, while in winter they freeze over and become a popular spot for ice climbing.

It’s hard to capture Langfoss in its entirety. Tumbling down a convex-curved rock face for a total distance of 2,008 feet (612m), it falls at a near-vertical angle for the first 330 feet (110m) before slowing to a more gradual pace. The epic waterfall is situated just southwest of the village of Fjæra in southern Norway, emptying into the calm waters of Åkra Fjord, which laces its way through steep mountains up to 3,281-feet (1,000m) high.

There’s something mysterious about Bigar Waterfall's appearance. Spilling off a moss-carpeted cliff that seems to levitate above the Minis River, the enchanting cascade, situated in a nature reserve in the Anina Mountains, has inspired countless legends. The most famous tells of a lovelorn girl who was forced to stay in a cave by her parents who wanted to keep her away from Bigar, the young boy she longed to be with. It’s said that the girl’s hair was turned into a waterfall by a witch, while Bigar drowned in the water searching for her.

A corridor of towering pines makes an atmospheric backdrop for the Czech Republic’s Mumlava Waterfall. Although it’s only small at roughly 33 feet (10m) tall and 33 feet (10m) wide, the waterfall, which gushes over a terrace-like granite bluff, more than makes up for it in beauty. By spring, its flow is powerful and loud, while in the summer, the scene becomes more tranquil as it slows down to a gentle trickle.

Thanks to its remote location, Ars Waterfall retains every inch of its rustic charm. Tucked away in the French Pyrenees, it can only be accessed after a three-mile (5km) walk from the village of Aulus-les-Bains, which takes around one and a half to two hours. It’s a joyful sight for all who make the trek though, tumbling for 807 feet (246m) across three stages and surrounded by the lush greenery and rugged slopes.

Situated in the heart of the Black Forest, Triberg Waterfalls are among the largest in Germany. The 535-foot (163m) falls originate in the Gutach river near the town of Triberg, roaring their way down seven stages through dense forest, thronged with cuckoos and red squirrels. It’s not just pretty to look at though: in 1884, the energy from the rushing water was used to illuminate the country’s first street lamps.

You get two natural wonders in one at Terme di Saturnia. The hot springs, set amid majestic Tuscan countryside in the town of Saturnia, originate in a volcanic crater before travelling through a 1,640-foot (500m) creek. Along it there’s a natural waterfall, the Cascate del Mulino, where the water has carved out a series of tiered natural pools. With a balmy year-round temperature of 37°C (99°F) it’s perfect for bathing too – plus, it’s full of natural minerals including sulphur which is said to be good for the skin.

The immense power of this northern Icelandic torrent shouldn't be underestimated. Pummelling an average of 6,186 cubic feet (193 cubic metres) of water down into the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon per second, it’s said to be the most powerful waterfall in Europe. At 330 feet (100m) wide and 150 feet (45m) tall, it doesn’t scrimp on size either. The monstrous falls are fed by the Vatnajökull glacier, whose sediment lends them a milky-white hue. 

Ten glacial falls inside a mountain make up Switzerland’s mysterious Trummelbach Falls. Located among the soaring cliffs of the Lauterbrunnen valley, they are fed by the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau glaciers and propel up to 706 cubic feet (20 cubic metres) of water per second down the rock face, chipping off giant boulders as they go. You can almost hear the sound of the rushing water and tumbling rocks just from looking at them.

It’s the chiselled landscape of the steep-sided Måbødalen valley, which looks almost as if it’s been carved with a knife, that makes Vøringsfossen so spectacular. Originating in the Bjoreia river, the falls erupt off the sides of the Hardangervidda plateau and tumble for a total of 597 feet (182m) – free-falling for 476 feet (145m) – before entering the valley below. The cascade was the most visited natural attraction in Norway in 2018 and with good looks like this, we’re not surprised.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is known for its beautiful waterfalls and Štrbački Buk, located in Una National Park on the border with Croatia, is easily one of the prettiest. This 131-foot (40m) wide, 77-foot (23.5m) tall waterfall starts in the Una river and pours its way down three tiers. Its surroundings are rather special too, with rugged, moss-covered cliffs rising up either side and boulders dotting the sapphire waters.

The largest waterfall in England at 70 feet (21m) tall, High Force certainly lives up to the power its name suggests. Rising in the fells of the North Pennines, the thunderous falls are surrounded by a steep-sided, dramatic valley which is more than 300 million years old. It looks especially atmospheric in overcast weather, when mists shroud the valley and gloomy skies seem to intensify the dolerite and limestone rock face.

See more of the UK's most stunning natural wonders

While many glacial waterfalls are at their most powerful in summer, the opposite is true for this rainwater-fed beauty, which stops flowing during the warmer months. Said to be the tallest in Spain, the Salto de Nervión shimmies its way down the karstic Delika Canyon with a single drop of 728 feet (222m), forming the source of the Nervión river. It’s a stunning sight on blustery days, when high winds whip up the water, making it leap explosively off the cliff.

Surrounded by the autumnal-hued peaks of Nevis Gorge in this image, Scotland’s second-highest waterfall is as unspoiled as they come. This elegant torrent, located near Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK, emerges from the hanging valley of Coire a' Mhail before cascading for 394 feet (120m) into the gorge below. Fantasy movie fans take note: it made a brief cameo in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Cascading for 200 feet (60m) off a rocky overhang into a gentle pool below, Seljalandsfoss is a waterfall with a difference: its cliff has a large cavern beneath it, meaning it’s possible for visitors to walk right next to the water. This vantage point makes for some incredible photographs too. It originates in the glacier that lies above the notorious Eyjafjallajökull Volcano, which erupted in 2010, sending a huge ash cloud into the atmosphere and causing flights to be cancelled all over Europe.

Now discover more of the world's most dangerous volcanoes