Walking in UmbriaGillian Price
Walking guide
Walking in Umbria
Gillian Price · 2019
40 walks in Umbria's hills and valleys, for exploring the Valnerina around the Marmore falls on foot.
Italy · Umbria
Cascata delle Marmore
Marmore Falls
Ancient Romans engineered this falls in 271 BC by diverting the Velino River off a cliff into the Nera valley below, making it the oldest artificial waterfall still in existence. A hydroelectric plant now controls the flow, opening the sluice gates on a published daily schedule that draws crowds to watch the water burst to full force.
Tallest man-made waterfall in the world Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Cascata delle Marmore drops 165 metres (541 ft) on the Velino, inside Parco Fluviale del Nera. It is a tiered-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Terni, with FCO the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Cascata delle Marmore is the second-tallest of the 11 we cover in Italy. As a tiered waterfall, a series of distinct drops, one below the other.
What you can do here
Planning one of these? Check your travel insurance covers adventure activities — SafetyWing is one option.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Water is released on a regulated schedule for hydroelectric use, so flow is strongest at published opening times.
Entry: Entry ~10-12 EUR
Getting there
- Base town Terni
- Airport FCO
- Country Italy
- Region Umbria, Southern Europe, Europe
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Cascata delle Marmore
Italy
Height165 mWidth—
Most similar
Cautley Spout
United Kingdom
Height198 mWidth—
Also a tiered waterfall, of similar height and in the United Kingdom
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
108 m
165 m
198 m
330 m
979 m
Victoria FallsCascata delle MarmoreCautley SpoutEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 5.9× taller than Cascata delle Marmore. It drops 1.5× further than Victoria Falls (108 m). We don't have a reliable crest width for Cascata delle Marmore yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Cascata delle Marmore
2:17
16:34
10:31
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
Books worth packing
Lonely Planet ItalyLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Italy
Lonely Planet · 2025
Current Lonely Planet Italy, with Umbria coverage incl. Terni and the Cascata delle Marmore, whose flow is released on a set timetable.
On the map
42.5494, 12.7203
Quick answers
Where is Cascata delle Marmore?
Cascata delle Marmore is in Italy (Umbria), inside Parco Fluviale del Nera. The nearest base is Terni and the closest airport is FCO. Its coordinates are 42.5494, 12.7203.
How tall is Cascata delle Marmore?
Cascata delle Marmore drops 165 metres (541 feet). It is a tiered-type waterfall on the Velino.
When is the best time to visit Cascata delle Marmore?
Peak flow is April to May and September to October. Water is released on a regulated schedule for hydroelectric use, so flow is strongest at published opening times.
What can you do at Cascata delle Marmore?
Beyond the viewpoints: canyoning, white-water rafting, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to Cascata delle Marmore?
The usual base is Terni, and the closest airport is FCO. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there. Entry ~10-12 EUR.
Nearby
Closest to Cascata delle Marmore
Cascate del Rio Verde
Italy · 200 m · 150 km away
Cascate del Rio Verde, located in Borrello, are the highest natural waterfalls in the Italian Apennines.…
Skradinski Buk
Croatia · 46 m · 300 km away
Croatia's most-visited named waterfall
Full guide Krka Falls
Croatia · 25 m · 300 km away
Centerpiece cascade of Krka National Park
Swimming
Topoljski Buk
Croatia · 22 m · 330 km away
The Topoljski Buk, also Krčić Waterfall and Veliki Buk, is a 22-meter-high waterfall in the north of the…