Best Waterfalls in City Parks
Not every waterfall requires escaping the city. These ten can be visited from the centre of a major metropolitan area — within an hour by public transport. All ten on the map.
1. Todoroki Falls, Tokyo
Tokyo's only natural ravine waterfall, in Setagaya. 5-minute walk from Todoroki station (Tokyu Oimachi line). Year-round flow.
2. Elliðaá rapids, Reykjavík
Series of low rapids on the Elliðaá river inside Reykjavík city limits — Iceland's only urban waterfall. Salmon-fishing river; permits required.
3. Cascade waterfall, Edinburgh
Water of Leith walkway includes the Stockbridge weir cascade, a small but historic falls in central Edinburgh. Continues to Leith harbour.
4. Falls of Schwedt, Berlin area
30-metre fall on the Welse river in the Schwedt area, an hour's S-Bahn from central Berlin. Year-round; loop walk.
5. Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis
16-metre fall in the heart of Minneapolis, immortalised by Longfellow's poem 'The Song of Hiawatha'. Wheelchair-accessible.
6. Cascada Ézaro from A Coruña
Spain's only river-to-ocean fall is 90 minutes from A Coruña by car. Summer weekend evening releases when the Xallas runs at full flow.
7. Sapporo's Lake Toya Onsen falls
Lake Toya area falls are 90 minutes from Sapporo by JR train. Combined with hot-springs onsen and Mount Yotei volcano viewing.
8. Yellow Creek Falls, Atlanta area
65-metre fall in DeSoto State Park 90 minutes from Atlanta. Picnic facilities and waterfall pool.
9. Mason City Cascade, Iowa
Small but well-photographed cascade in central Mason City — Iowa's only urban waterfall worth a stop.
10. Whitewater Park, San Antonio
San Antonio's River Walk includes managed cascades and a salmon-ladder-style overspill — engineered urban falls visited daily by thousands.
Plan your next trip
All of these are pinned on our interactive map.