The most popular waterfalls in Europe
Anyone who has ever stood in front of a waterfall knows its magic: the hypnotic roar of the water, the caress of the spray on the face, the feeling of being in touch with the pure energy of nature. Waterfalls, age-old symbols of renewal and purification, have always been favorite destinations for those who practice mindfulness and meditation.
But which waterfalls inspire people the most? To find out, travel provider SpaDreams analyzed 219 European waterfalls in terms of popularity on various platforms, rating their popularity on Google, Bing, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and TikTok. The search volumes were aggregated to compile a unique ranking.
The 6 best waterfalls in Europe
1st place: Rhine Falls, Switzerland
Far from a flop: With an impressive total search volume of 674,250, the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, claim the top spot on the list. Spanning a width of around 150 meters, up to 600,000 liters of water per second plunge over a 23-meter drop, making the Rhine Falls one of Europe’s largest waterfalls. For centuries, this thunderous natural wonder has inspired artists and writers including Goethe and Mörike. Even today, travelers can experience a sense of awe and grounding in the face of its raw power, whether walking along riverside paths, taking a boat tour or enjoying the view from one of the platforms.
Place 2: Skógafoss, Iceland.
Skógafoss in southern Iceland cascades from a height of more than 60 meters (200 feet) in a single unbroken stream. It forms an imposing curtain of water that vividly reveals nature’s power. Thanks to the flat terrain surrounding the waterfall, visitors can get very close and feel the refreshing spray on their skin. When the sun shines, the massive mist almost always creates at least one rainbow across the landscape, making Skógafoss the perfect photo motif for Instagram. This popularity is reflected in a total search volume of 551,950 which propels Skógafoss to second place.
3rd place: Marmore Falls, Italy
The Marmore Falls, located in Umbria, takes third place in the ranking with a total search volume of 551,250. Created by the Romans in ancient times, it is one of the oldest man-made waterfalls in the world and also the largest of its kind, standing 165 meters tall with three cascades. Visitors are not only captivated by the spectacular sight but can also find balance and tranquility: hiking trails, scenic viewpoints, and peaceful yoga spots make Marmore Falls an ideal destination for those seeking both nature and mindfulness.
4th place: Seljalandsfoss, Iceland
The iconic Seljalandsfoss, like Skógafoss, lies beneath the vast Eyjafjallajökull glacier in southern Iceland and seems perfectly made for social media. It is one of the few waterfalls in the world that can be admired not only from the front but also from behind: a narrow path leads visitors behind the 60-meter-high curtain of water into a small cave. Especially at sunset, this creates a striking and colorful photo opportunity, inviting visitors to pause and take in the view. This spectacular attraction has earned Seljalandsfoss a total search volume of 452,730, securing the fourth highest rank.
Place 5: Gullfoss, Iceland
In two mighty waterfalls, Gullfoss plunges 32 meters into the depths before the water thunderously disappears into a narrow crevice. Its name, which translates as "golden waterfall," is no accident: on sunny days, the water often gives the impression of having a golden color. The rushing masses of water, cool clouds of spray, and overwhelming views make the waterfall an experience for the senses. Gullfoss is also the centerpiece of the Golden Circle, a circular route that connects Iceland's most famous natural attractions. It is no wonder, then, that it reached fifth place in the rankings with a total search volume of 370,670.
Place 6: Selfoss, Iceland
If you want to experience the raw forces of nature up close and literally hear the roar of water, Selfoss in northern Iceland is the place for you. It is striking not so much for its height-it measures "only" eleven meters-as for its striking V-shape and its enormous width of about 100 meters. Here the water rushes in powerful torrents over jagged lava rocks and makes its way through a seemingly otherworldly landscape. With a total search volume of 302,420, Selfoss reached sixth place in the ranking.
Complete list of the most famous waterfalls in Europe
These waterfalls got the best ranking results according to the search volume
Classification methodology
For the ranking of the most popular waterfalls in Europe, SpaDreams conducted a comprehensive assessment of search behavior on various social media and search platforms. The analysis was based on a list of 219 European waterfalls (source: Wikipedia - in English), which were analyzed in terms of average search volumes on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok, Google and Bing. The data were collected using the online search tool keywordtool.io and summed to obtain a total value for each waterfall. The cut-off date for data collection was June 3, 2025.