Booking.com presents Six Mesmerizing Waterfalls Worth the Detour
From snowmelt serenely cascading downhill to the epic roar of mammoth rivers plummeting hundreds of meters to crash on the rocks below, waterfalls of all shapes and sizes capture the imagination with their perpetual movement and raw display of natural power.
With 84% of US travelers saying that seeing a body of water instantly changes their mood for the better*, Booking.com has delved into its more than 28 million listings in over 153,000 destinations around the world to present six off-the-beaten-path places that bring travelers up close and personal with Mother Nature’s most unique and stunning waterfalls. Whether already planning a trip through one of these scenic areas or looking for inspiration for a next adventure, these mesmerizing natural landmarks are well worth the detour.
Krushuna Falls, Bulgaria
Set in the middle of the forest a 2.5 hour drive from the capital city, Sofia, the gently cascading waters and terraced, turquoise pools of Krushuna Falls make for an excellent day trip. A short walk from a village of the same name through the national park, this beautiful series of falls attracts visitors from both near and far with its inviting mineral pools, which at 146°F are perfect for a rejuvenating soak. If travelers are curious to explore more of the area’s outstanding scenery, the Krushuna Waterfalls and Devetashka Cave Tour is a must to experience the mysterious and otherworldly Devetashka Cave, Bulgaria’s deepest cave blanketed with vibrant moss and foliage.
Where to stay: A stone’s throw away from Krushuna Waterfalls, the picturesque Guest House - Krushun offers a restaurant, BBQ facilities, garden, shared kitchen and children’s playground. Surrounded by lush greenery and offering spectacular river views, complimentary bikes and a free shuttle bus service are available to explore the stunning area.
Multnomah Falls, Oregon
Both magnificent and mighty, the iconic Multnomah Falls is the tallest of Oregon’s many waterfalls, crashing 620 feet into a picturesque pond below. Easily accessible by car and close to the city of Portland, it’s a popular spot for travelers. After a moderate two-mile hike with around 700 feet of elevation, tourists will be able to snap the ideal shot of the photogenic Benson Bridge footbridge with the falls in the background. While there, visitors can stop for a bite to eat at the Multnomah Falls Lodge which, built in 1925, boasts a privileged vantage point at the base of the falls. In addition to the delicious local fish on the menu, fine wines originating from Oregon can be enjoyed, as well as craft beers from the area. Travelers can explore more waterfalls in the area on the Columbia Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland, stopping at Vista House, an observatory with picturesque views over the Columbia River.
Where to stay: The charming Angels Rest B&B Lavender Farm, with a huge deck overlooking the Washougal River, consists of spacious rooms with a rustic décor. Guests can unwind in the hot tub, lie in the hammocks or roam around the surrounding lavender fields in the peaceful, wooded location. A hearty American or vegetarian breakfast is included to set travelers up for the day ahead of visiting the spectacular Multnomah Falls located just a short drive away.
Rhine Falls, Switzerland
During the summer, up to 160,000 gallons of water flow over Rhine Falls every second in the Swiss northern town of Neuhausen am Rhienfall. There are more than a few viewing points to witness mainland Europe’s largest waterfall ferociously roaring, as the falls are accessible from both the northern and southern banks of the Rhine. The most popular observation platform is the ‘Känzeli’ on the south shore, which travelers can access through Laufen Castle, or via a boat trip to the Rhine Falls cliffs. The scenic falls are only a 45-minute drive from the culturally vibrant city of Zurich. Travelers can soak up the vibe on a Rhine Falls and Zürich Full-day Tour, which includes a guided tour of medieval Laufen Castle and a cogwheel railway trip to magnificent views over the city, the Swiss Alps and beyond.
Where to stay: Dating back to 1654, the traditional Hotel2B is located in the historic center of Schaffhausen. Its shabby-chic rooms have a quaint and cozy feel, and the onsite Restaurant US-MEX serves up delicious Mexican dishes from quesadillas to fajitas, alongside refreshing cocktails. Travelers who would like to continue enjoying the outstanding beauty of the area can visit the Regionaler Naturpark Schaffhausen, a natural wonderland straddling the Swiss-German border just a short drive away.
Seogwipo, Jeju Island, South Korea
Visiting the breathtaking Jeongbang Waterfall provides tourists with the opportunity to breathe fresh air straight from the ocean, as well as take some insta-worthy snaps from the rocks – perfect for the 77% of US travelers who consider seeing beautiful natural scenery important when picking a destination.** Its unique nature comes from the fact that it’s the only waterfall in Asia that falls directly into the sea. Cheonjiyeon Falls is another unforgettable sightseeing experience, coupled with mandarin ducks swimming around and the tropical nature of Jeju. Travelers can explore more of the island’s impressive sights on a Jeju Island Full-day Tour, with a visit to Manjanggul Cave, a world-renowned lava tunnel, and a trek to Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, ‘Sunrise Peak’ to see the majestic extinct volcano – a Unesco World Heritage site.
Where to stay: Located a short walk south of Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls, and nearby the idyllic Jeongbang Waterfalls, the stylish and modern Parksunshine Jeju hotel features panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, an on-site restaurant, cafe and prayer room. Guests can enjoy a drink in the leafy courtyard or bask in the surrounding nature with magnificent views from the rooftop garden. It makes for a lovely base for guests who want to spend time exploring the island’s many lakes, springs and mountains.
Ouzoud Falls, Morocco
Located a 2.5 hour drive from Marrakech through a varied and stunning landscape, Ouzoud Falls is the highest waterfall in North Africa. This beautiful location boasts a dramatically tiered cascade of water that tumbles over the umber rocks, kissed by lush greenery and is home to scores of Barbary macaques monkeys. Free-spirited travelers can take a boat ride straight underneath the mouth of the waterfall to get drenched by the thundering torrents of water, and view rainbows created by the spray. Visitors can also swim in the natural pools at the bottom of the falls or climb the path that takes them from the bottom to the top, or vice-versa. For those wanting to explore beyond the Ouzoud waterfall, the Atlas Mountains, Berber Village and Waterfalls Tour features a drive through the stunning Ourika Valley at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains to see the waterfalls, as well as a visit to a traditional Berber village.
Where to stay: For travelers looking for a truly authentic Moroccan stay, spend the night nearby at the Riad Cascades d'Ouzoud. With its copper sinks, thick clay walls and enchanting square courtyard with orange trees, this traditional guest house is a tranquil retreat and just a short walk from the waterfall. Guests can treat themselves to stunning views of the surrounding valley and Atlas Mountains from the rooftop terrace with panoramic views.
Salto Grande, Torres del Paine, Chile
The thundering waterfalls of Salto Grande in the Patagonian paradise of Torres del Paine (‘Towers of Blue’) can be visited by heading to the national park’s Pudeto sector. After an exciting yet accessible short hike from the main road, travelers will reach these imposing, glacier-fed falls. With a wealth of other natural landmarks to visit, including the Grey Glacier, Lake Pehoé and Lake Sarmiento, Nordenskjöld Lake (named after the Swede who discovered it) is another real standout. Formed by a melting glacier and known for its stunning turquoise color and surrounding mountain vistas, on a clear day travelers can enjoy the crisp array of blues in all their glory – as the weather in Torres del Paine is famously unpredictable.
Where to stay: From mountains and glaciers to forests and lakes, Torres del Paine is a bucket-list part of Chile that many travelers are aching to visit. Just a short drive from the national park entrance and overlooking the Paine massif, Pampa Lodge, Quincho & Caballos is a cozy base with incredible views where guests can get in touch with nature and rest before hiking, climbing or riding through the park’s marvels. Travelers can even take advantage of an unforgettable adventure on horseback through the surrounding area’s incredible mountainous terrain.
For those travelers inspired to visit stunning waterfalls themselves, Booking.com is sharing Getaway Deals for travelers to use when booking their next trip. Discounts start at 15 percent at participating properties indicated by the “Getaway 2022” badge, and are valid for stays with check-in from April 4 and check-out on or before September 30 2022. Bookings must be made before 11:59 pm CET on 30 September 2022. In addition, Booking.com is bringing the great value of its Genius program to even more customers by giving all account holders access to the program’s Level 1 benefits, with no minimum number of previous bookings to qualify, including access to exclusive 10% discounts at hundreds of thousands of participating properties around the world. All travelers have to do is download the Booking.com app, log in and look for the Genius logo to identify associated benefits, discounts and perks.
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*Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12-24 months. In total 24,055 respondents across 31 countries and territories were polled (including 501 from Argentina, 1003 from Australia, 500 from Belgium, 1001 from Brazil, 500 from Canada, 1000 from China, 1007 from Colombia, 1001 from Croatia, 508 from Denmark, 1002 from France, 1000 from Germany, 1005 from Hong Kong, 1000 from India, 502 from Israel, 1003 from Italy, 1002 from Japan, 500 from Mexico, 501 from The Netherlands, 501 from New Zealand, 500 from Peru, 1000 from Russia, 1005 from Singapore, 1002 from South Korea, 1002 from Spain, 501 from Sweden, 501 from Switzerland, 504 from Taiwan, 500 from Thailand, 1000 from the UK, 1002 from the US and 501 from Vietnam). Respondents completed an online survey in August 2021.
**Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 48,413 respondents across 31 markets (2,000 from USA, 1,864 from Canada, 1,999 from Mexico, 2,003 from Colombia, 2,005 from Brazil, 2,002 from Argentina, 1,020 from Chile, 1,777 from Australia, 818 from New Zealand, 1,999 from Spain, 2,002 from Italy, 1,998 from France, 1,990 from UK, 2,005 from Germany, 2,003 from Netherlands, 985 from Denmark, 999 from Sweden, 910 from Croatia, 918 from Switzerland, 1,986 from Belgium, 998 from Russia, 953 from Israel, 1,999 from India, 1,990 from China, 901 from Hong Kong, 1,775 from Thailand, 1,001 from Singapore, 975 from Taiwan, 1,800 from Vietnam, 1,757 from South Korea, 1,001 from Japan). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and planning to travel in 2022 and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in January 2022.