EuropeSwitzerland

Rhine Waterfall in northern Switzerland- the biggest waterfall in Europe.

A quick guide to Rhine Waterfall in northern Switzerland

Welcome to this little guide guide to the Rhine Waterfall, Europe’s largest and most captivating natural wonder. Situated near the charming town of Schaffhausen in Switzerland, the Rhine Waterfall beckons travelers with its awe-inspiring beauty and raw power. Cascading waters thunder over rugged cliffs, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that has inspired awe and wonder for centuries.

guide to Rhine Waterfall


Favourite travel resources:

  • Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
  • Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
  • Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
  • World Nomads travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
  • Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
  • Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
  • Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
  • Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
  • Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

SIGN UP FOR FLIGHT DISCOUNTS

Rhine Falls, SwitzerlandWhere is Rhine Waterfall

Switzerland is a beautiful country, popular mostly by its watches, banks and mountains…ohh! and cheese. Apart from the spectacular scenery of the snow-capped Alps, Switzerland is also a land of beautiful lakes and waterfalls.

The largest plain waterfall in Europe, Rhine Falls, is nestled in the north part of this small European country in the idyllic town of Neuhausen, south of Schaffhausen. I had never heard of it before my trip and I think this place is definitely worth mentioning, so I hope you’ll enjoy reading this post and the photos. Maybe one weekend, when you have no ideas for an escape from the city, you will consider going there. I think this place would be just perfect to get a cool breeze on boiling hot day.

The Rhine Fall can be seen from the top of the falls. There is a rail bridge crossing the river with pedestrian paths on both sides. From there you can get a great view.

Rhine Falls, Switzerland

A writer Mary Shelley, during her trip in Europe with her son, charmed by the beauty of the falls, wrote that in one of her books:

A portion of the cataract arches over the lowest platform, and the spray fell thickly on us, as standing on it and looking up, we saw wave, and rock, and cloud, and the clear heavens through its glittering ever-moving veil. This was a new sight, exceeding anything I had ever before seen; however, not to be wet through, I was obliged quickly to tear myself away.

How to get there

It is very easy to get there by train. The station ‘Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall’ is located right next to the falls. Take your time to enjoy the landscape, have a long walk and a picnic. I went there on a sunny, warm Sunday and spent the whole day with family wandering around and soaking the beauty of the picturesque scenery. This place is wonderful for travelers to just take a little detour or for a weekend gateway if you live nearby. This little treasure of nature located between Basel and the Lake Constance is often unfairly overlooked.

If you are in the mood, or want to satisfy your adventures side, take a boat trip to the rock in the mist of the waterfall to experience the gushing sensation of the falls hitting the rock. Listening to the roaring sounds of the falling waters can be cleansing. Near the falls you can visit a hundred of years old Wörth Castle that is located on a tiny island. Inside the castle there is a nice restaurant where you can have lunch.

Alternatively, if you are a fan of castles, go to this pretty ancient Schloss Laufen, which is overlooking the falls. The castle has a nice terrace, where you can relax, have lunch and enjoy the view.

Rhine Falls, Switzerland

Rhine Falls, Switzerland  A poet Eduard Mörike wrote about the falls:

Hold your heart, oh traveller, tightly in mighty hands! Mine nearly descended, shivering with pleasure. Restless thundering masses thrown upon masses, ear and eye, whither can they save themselves in such an uproar?

Rhine Falls, Switzerland

Rhine Falls, Switzerland Follow the Belvedere panoramic trail, stroll along the river and admire the view. The bitten paths are pleasant to walk on under the trees with the view of calm waters and boats with people enjoying the landscape. Rhine Falls, Switzerland

Rhine Falls, Switzerland  Insider tips for the trip:

  • If you want to enjoy the falls at their best, go there is between April and October. Also during this time, the boat trips are organized.
  • There’s a rock in the middle of the falls, to which you can get by boat.
  • It is worth taking a raincoat even on a sunny day. You might need it especially if you decide to take a boat trip as you get close to the falls.
  • For a different experience of the falls, go there at night, when you will be able to admire them illuminated by spotlights hidden in the trees.
  • A train from Zürich leaves every hour.

Rhine Falls, Switzerland

Thank you visiting. I hope you enjoyed reading about this charming place in Switzerland. Do you have any suggestions for weekend escape destinations? We would love to hear from you.

Did you like the post? Pin it for later:

 NORTHERN SWITZERLAND, rhine waterfall


Disclosure: Please note that this post included affiliate links, when you decide to purchase anything through these links I get a small commission at NO extra cost to you, it helps me to keep running this blog! I only promote products and services I use or would use myself. All images are the property of Postcards from the World and cannot be used without permission.


  1. ¡Fantástico, maravilloso, como siempre tu comentario! Yo he estado en Suiza y nunca vi esas cataratas.
    Eres especial para encontrar lugares recónditos y bellos.
    Muchas gracias por enseñarnos a ver el mundo con otros ojos.

    1. Muchas gracias Cristina. Tu comentario me anima para sequir viajando, pero sobre todo para sequir escribiendo para vosotros.

  2. Anna, tu sembles très jeune pour avoir tan voyagé.
    Quelle merveille, je te félicite!
    Merci beaucoup de nous faire cadeau de ces photos.

  3. My friend has always wanted to go to Switzerland for the mountains however, me being a ‘waterfall’ person…I had no idea that this is where the largest waterfall was! YAY!!! Now this place is for sure going on my ‘list’! Yours are BREATHTAKINGLY beautiful photos!!!!

    1. Thank you so much, Elda for so many compliments. And thank you for visiting the blog. It makes me happy when people get inspired.

Comments are closed.

You might also like

Who have we worked with?

Newsletter

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.