The closest city to Victoria Falls is, fittingly, Victoria Falls Town. Located in Zimbabwe, travellers will likely have to travel to the second-closest city, Livingstone (located in Zambia), to view the falls from the ground or to explore the surrounding rainforest.

The closest city to Victoria Falls is Victoria Falls Town in Zimbabwe, which is located just 1 to 2 kilometers from the main entrance to the Victoria Falls National Park. It is a dedicated tourism hub that allows visitors to literally walk to the falls from most central hotels. On the Zambian side of the Zambezi River, the closest city is Livingstone, which is situated about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the falls. While Victoria Falls Town is more compact and "purpose-built" for tourism, offering easy access to the most iconic frontal viewpoints, Livingstone is a larger, historic colonial town with a more "authentic" local feel and its own international airport (LVI). In 2026, the two cities are connected by the historic Victoria Falls Bridge, and many travelers use the "KAZA Univisa" (costing $50) to easily cross between the two countries to see both perspectives of the "Smoke that Thunders." Choosing where to stay depends on your preference: Victoria Falls Town is ideal for those wanting luxury lodges and proximity to the main viewpoints, while Livingstone is favored by adventure seekers who want to visit the Devil's Pool or explore the local Zambian culture, both remaining the dual gateways to one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders.