If you’re thinking about having fun, chilling with your friends and family, and more importantly, discovering new experiences, then don’t miss out on this ranking of the best theme parks in Europe.
In these amusement parks across Europe, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself and of course, you’ll always want to come back!
Discover here the best theme parks in Europe for every age range. These family-friendly fun places are perfect for the youngest ones, teenagers, young adults, and everyone who wants to go on a pleasant adventure.
Best Theme Parks in Europe to Visit
Visiting these theme parks in Europe should be without a doubt on your bucket list. So pack your bags and check them up for yourself.
Best Theme Park in Italy: Gardaland – Lake Garda, Italy
Gardaland is Italy’s biggest amusement park and is located on the picturesque shores of Lake Garda. The park offers an impressive 32 rides, including seven roller coasters and three water rides. It is conveniently divided into three groups: Fantasy, Adventure, and Thrill.
Fantasy is perfect for young children, with a lot of colorful and mild rides, as well as adventurous activities. Adventure offers ride choices for any age, including many that are easy for beginners. The thrill is for those looking for a more intense experience, with several adrenaline-pumping roller coasters.
If you’re looking to visit the best theme parks in Europe, Gardaland is a must-see. Located in Italy, it’s easy to get to from almost anywhere on the continent.
Here are the easiest ways to make your way there:
If you’re coming from the north, take the A4 motorway and exit at Peschiera del Garda. If you’re coming from the south, take the A1 motorway and exit at Castelnuovo del Garda. From either of these exits, it’s just a short drive to Gardaland.
If you’re flying into Venice Airport, it’s just a 20-minute drive to Gardaland. Take the Marco Polo airport exit and follow the signs for Gardaland.
No matter how you’re getting to Gardaland, be sure to check out their website for information on tickets and special offers. And have fun.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, Gardaland has three awesome onsite hotels (Gardaland Hotel, Gardaland Adventure Hotel, and Gardaland Magic Hotel – each one a 4-star experience, and each one dog-friendly).
If you’re looking to save a bit of cash, there are a few hotels just outside the park, not to mention a wide range of vacation rentals, such as this spacious apartment, on Gardaland’s doorstep.
Parc Astérix – Plailly, France
Parc Astérix is a popular amusement park located in Plailly, France. It is based on the beloved comic series Astérix and Obélix. The park has seventeen attractions themed around the comics and is a perfect playground for fans of Astérix and Obelix.
It also includes a number of rollercoaster rides and has forty-two attractions in total. Visitors can go back on the reverse rollercoaster Oziris, or experience many other shows such as performances with dolphins, stunts, or performances from Roman soldiers.
Campix Paris is a great place to visit a park or visit Paris. Campix Paris offers many accommodation options, from campsites to bungalows, mobile houses, and three different themed hotels (Les Trois Hiboux, La Cité Suspendue, and Les Quais de Lutèce – each one very reasonably priced).
However, if you’re looking for a truly once-in-a-lifetime vacation, book your clan into the exquisite Château Hôtel Mont Royal Chantilly, just a few miles down the road. Plus, with Campix Paris just a short distance away, visitors can take advantage of great camping options.
Parc Astérix is a great place to visit for anyone looking for a thrilling and fantastic park experience based on the popular comic series Astérix and Obélix – the two scrappy Gauls who defend their village and way of life from those pesky invading Romans.
With 42 attractions in total, there is plenty to keep visitors busy all day long. Rollercoaster fans will love the rides available here, and those looking for a more relaxed experience can enjoy the various shows on offer.
Alton Towers – United Kingdom
Alton Towers is a theme park in the United Kingdom that celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2019. The park has a variety of rollercoaster rides, as well as 3 themed hotels and indoor waterparks.
The rollercoaster rides Nemesis, Rita, and Smiler are some of the most popular attractions in Alton Towers. These rides thrill visitors from throughout the country.
In addition to these thrilling rides, Alton Towers also offers three themed hotels (Alton Towers Hotel, Splash Landings Hotel, and CBeebies Land Hotel), as well as other unique accommodation options including, lodges, stargazing pods, and even tree houses. At the park’s namesake hotel, guests can also enjoy the well-maintained garden, which is a throwback to the time when the theme park first opened its doors.
Alton Towers is easily accessible by car, as it is located just off the M1 motorway. Visitors can also reach the theme park by train, as Alton Towers has located just a short walk from the Alton Towers railway station.
LEGOLAND Windsor – Windsor, United Kingdom
LEGOLAND Windsor is a theme park in Windsor, United Kingdom, designed for families with children ages 3 to 12 and is one of the best amusement parks in the United Kingdom.
The park features a variety of attractions based on LEGO building blocks, including rides, shows, and interactive play areas. There is also a themed amusement park area called Miniland, which is made up of smaller-scale replicas of famous European landmarks constructed from LEGO blocks.
On top of the themed LEGOLAND Resort Hotel and the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel, LEGOLAND Windsor Resort provides several different camping locations. Camping nearby is Amersden Caravan Park and Chertsey Camping. Both camping locations are 20 minutes’ park distance with several pitches available for camping.
The easiest way to get to LEGOLAND Windsor is by car. There are several parking options available, and the park is open every day of the week except for Christmas Day. You can also take public transportation to the park, but it will require a bit more planning.
See Related: Best Christmas Markets in Europe to Visit
Phantasialand – Brühl, Germany
Phantasialand is the most visited theme park in Brühl, Germany. The park is filled with exciting entertainment experiences and attractions including Taron and FLY. Young or old, you are guaranteed to enjoy every minute of your day!
During winter the park becomes Winterraum – where millions of lights, magical winter spectacles, and Glühweiner are able to be enjoyed.
If you’re looking to visit Phantasialand, it’s easy to get there by car. The park is just a few minutes away from the Autobahn and there is plenty of parking available. You can also take public transportation – this popular theme park is just a short walk from the Brühl train station.
Phantasialand is a great amusement park in Germany that offers great rides and attractions. If you are visiting the area, then be sure to check out Phantasialand. It is well worth it during your visit to Germany.
Need somewhere to stay? You can stay onsite at either Hotel Ling Bao, Hotel Matamba, or Hotel Charles Lindbergh, or choose from one of the countless hotels and rentals within easy reach of the park. Why not push the boat out and spend the night at the historic Schlosshotel Domäne Walberberg?
See Related: Best German Christmas Markets to Visit
Tibidabo Amusement Park – Spain
Tibidabo Amusement Park is a popular tourist destination for visitors in Barcelona. The park is located on Mount Tibidabo and offers stunning views of the cityscape.
Some of the most popular attractions in the park include the Sacred Heart Church and the colorful Ferris Wheel. Additionally, the park offers a variety of rides and entertainment options for visitors to enjoy.
Entry to this place is extremely generous. Tickets to the park are €10 and can be used as many times as desired. The best attraction in the park is Avio – a replica of a plane flying between Barcelona and Madrid in 1928.
To get to Tibidabo Amusement Park, visitors can either walk or take the funicular up to the park. The walk is either climbed or taken by funicular to the bus station in Tibidabo. From there, visitors can purchase a package ticket that includes access to 2 of the rides along with picturesque areas.
It’s well worth staying the night near here as this part of Barcelona is simply stunning. Lean into this by booking a room at Gran Hotel La Florida G.L Monumento, a magnificent 5-star hotel (without the 5-star price tag) just a few minutes walk from the park.
Movie Park Germany – Bottrop, Germany
Movie Park Germany is a great place to go to if you love films. There are various silver screen-themed shows and attractions that will keep you entertained for hours on end. The park is also very family-friendly, so you can bring your kids along and enjoy yourselves together.
If you’re looking for a fun day out, then make sure to check out Movie Park Germany. To get to Movie Park Germany, you’ll need to take the A3 highway and drive until you see the park’s exit. The journey should take around an hour, so it’s not too bad. Make sure to plan your trip in advance, as the park can get quite busy on weekends.
If you need a place to stay, Movie Park Germany works in partnership with a few nearby hotels, offering deals on rooms and park entry fees. That said, it can be a little confusing, and if you want to make your own accommodation plans, you could do far worse than staying at Beisenbusch Hotel & Restaurant, just a couple of miles away. Plus, booking here will put you within easy striking distance of another amusement park at Schloss Beck!
Tivoli Gardens – Denmark
Tivoli Gardens in Denmark is one of the most popular theme parks in Europe and for good reason. This amusement park is 175 years old and continues to delight visitors with its impressive selection of rides and attractions.
The Danish amusement park has something for everyone, with entertainment, leisure, and hospitality facilities that are sure to please. Those who visit Tivoli Gardens will also enjoy the delicious food options available in the park, as well as the great concert programs.
With so much to see and do, this amusement park is a must-visit for anyone who wants to have a fun-filled European vacation. And if you want to stay close by, check into the lovely Tivoli Hotel, just a short walk from the gardens.
The easiest way to get to Tivoli Gardens is by car. You can take the E20 highway and follow the signs to the amusement park. The journey should take around 30 minutes, so it’s not too bad. Make sure to plan your trip in advance, as the park can get quite busy on weekends.
PortAventura & Ferrari Land – Spain
The PortAventura theme park is located in Salou, Spain, and is one of the most visited theme parks in Europe. The park features six different themed areas, including China, Polynesia, Mexico, Mediterranea, Far West, and Andalusia. The park is also home to the Ferrari Land amusement park, which is the only Ferrari-themed park in Europe.
Ferrari Land features a number of exciting rides and attractions, as well as a racing simulator ride that puts you behind the wheel of a real Ferrari race car.
If you’re looking for a place to stay near Ferrari Land, there are a number of great options. The park is located in Salou, Spain, and there are a number of great hotels in the area. Some of our favorites include the Port Aventura Hotel (includes park admission), the Occidental Allegro Marbella, and the Hotel-Aparthotel Dorada Palace.
If you’re looking to visit PortAventura and Ferrari Land, the best way to get there is by car. The parks are easy to reach from the coastal region. There are a number of great hotels in the area, so be sure to book a room before you go.
Prater – Vienna, Austria
Described as the playground for everyone, Prater offers you a unique experience in the 65-meter-high giant Ferris Wheel, one of Vienna’s most notorious landmarks and an iconic place to visit in Austria.
Besides, you can enjoy yourself there in more than 200 booths that the park offers, as well as the ghost train, go-karts, merry-go-round, and many terrific restaurants to take a meal at while having fun.
Prater’s unique design will make you feel like a nostalgic adventure, far away from the real world. In addition, This amusement park is not only beautiful itself, but It also gives you a unique experience with nature.
You can become one with the Stadtpark and see the amazing landscape of water meadows along the way. Also, you can walk the promenade through Hauptallee Avenue while you delight yourself with the chestnut blossom at its finest. Isn’t that stunning?
I love Prater. There is no single chance for this place to disappoint you. For the most part, Prater will be on the wishlist of many wonder junkies.
How To Get There
You can get to Prater by taxi, subway, bus, or even walking! A taxi will cost you around 12 USD for a 5-minute ride from Julius-Raab-Platz. Meanwhile, the subway and bus will charge you less than 3 USD and in 5 minutes you’ll be there. You can take the subway at Stephansplatz station and the bus at Schwedenplatz station.
If you’re an adventurer and want to walk all the way to Prater, your best choice is to begin your hike from Stephansplatz. The 2.5 kilometers walk will take you around 30 minutes to arrive at one of the most exciting theme parks.
And that’s it, you’re in Prater now! Get lost in this charming theme park and entertainment for a while.
Hotel Rooms
There are also tons of places to stay when it comes to hotel options near Prater, such as the incredibly cool BASSENA Wien Messe Prater. But honestly, you can really shop around here, as there are buckets of hotels and rentals within walking distance from Prater.
Useful Information
- Open hours: Prater is available all year long from Monday to Sunday: 11 AM-10 PM.
- Tickets price: Prater is an amusement park everybody can visit because is free of any charge. You only have to pay if you want to get into an attraction. Prices vary from € 1,50 to € 5,00 depending on the size and age.
- Recommended duration: more than 3 hours.
For more detailed information about tours, and other interesting things to do in Prater, check out GetYourGuide to have the best choices.
See Related: Best Castles in London You Need to See
Fraispertuis City – Vogues, France
Labeled as the place of fascinating family memories, Fraispertuis City is another theme park that will make you want to come back.
Fraispertuis City is one of those theme parks that will make you forget about reality and only focus on the moment. It is in Jeanménil, Vogues, northeastern France.
This amazing amusement park offers you 36 attractions for the enjoyment of the family, including 3 roller coasters and 6 water parks. Furthermore, there are four restaurants where you can take some meals or snacks while you enjoy your day.
Here you can also see the marvelous Vosges Forest and the roller coaster Timber Drop, which was the steepest in the world until June 2, 2011.
How To Get There
Getting to Fraispertuis City is really easy from Jeanménil, you can get by bus, taxi, Uber, or by walking. The 2 USD bus ride will take 5 min, while taxis or Uber will charge you anywhere from 7 USD to 11 USD. However, If you walk all the way to Fraispertuis City from Jeanménil then the hike will take you half an hour.
On the other hand, getting to Jeanménil from Paris will take around 4 hours by car, 7 hours by train, or 8 hours by bus.
Hotel Rooms
A 2-adult, 2-children hotel room nearby Fraispertuis City is around 530 USD. For instance, rooms near the theme park are normally quiet and are no further than 3km.
You can check out the best hotels for you on the official website of Fraispertuis City amusement park. Or take a look at Booking.com for the best deals.
Useful Information
- Open hours: 10 am-6:00 pm from April to September.
- Tickets price: from 15 to 23 euros depending on age.
- Recommended duration: more than 3 hours.
See Related: Best Museums in Spain to Visit
Efteling – Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands
Efteling is everything you always imagine when it comes to amusement parks. People who have lived the experience firsthand, agree that this theme park in the Netherlands will never disappoint.
Efteling simply lives up to the expectations, so you definitely have to give this theme park a chance whenever you are around Europe.
Dutch consider this amazing amusement park as one of The Netherlands’ hidden gems. From the fairytale essence surrounded by forest to the bunch of fascinating attractions, all about Efteling makes it a great place to chill out with family or friends.
Efteling describes itself as the ‘World of Wonders’, and those who live the experience can’t more agree with that. When you are finally here, don’t miss out on the Dream Flight, the most famous attraction of the park, the Fairytale Forest, and Aquanura, which is the largest water exhibition in Europe and the third in the world.
Another great advantage of Efteling is that you can check out their, calendar, tickets, and expected crowd the day you go on their mobile app. Furthermore, you can also use their app to find attractions and more valuable information about the place.
How To Get to Efteling
Efteling is located in Kaatsheuvel, 100 km away from Amsterdam and you can get by bus train, or car. Bus lines 300, 301, 136, and 800 will take you to the Efteling bus stop. The fee is around $10.
If you plan to go by train, you need to get to the ‘s-Hertogenbosch’ (Den Bosch) station or Tilburg. The charge by train is approximately $27.
Both bus and train travel will take around 2 hours. However, if you are adventuring by car, the ride from Amsterdam will only take 1 hour. Efteling parking service charge 10 euros.
Hotel Room
Another great feature of this incredible theme park is that it also offers its own accommodations for visitors. You can book a holiday home or a hotel room for overnight stays at Efteling.
For a 6-person house, including 3 days of access to the theme park, the fee is 460 euros. Meanwhile, a hotel room for 4 people charges 320 euros including breakfast and 2 days’ access to the park. Check prices on Booking.com for the availability of any of the above options.
Useful Information
- Open hours: 10:00 am-6:00 pm from Monday to Sunday. It is open all year long.
- Tickets price: Visiting Efteling requires a previous reservation as it is one of the most demanded theme parks in Europe. General tickets start at 38 euros and if you go in a group of 20 people, the fee is 33 euros.
- Recommended duration: more than 5 hours – 1 day.
For more relevant information about Efteling, you can always take a look at GetYourGuide to find out the single best offers, discounts, and tours around this spectacular amusement park.
See Related: Best Weekend Trips from Amsterdam
Europa-Park – Rust, Germany
Of course, this list is not complete without perhaps the most famous German theme park. Everything about Europa-Park is worth the trip. Indeed, this theme park in Germany is the second most popular in Europe only behind Disneyland.
Want a fact? Europa-Park is so well accommodated that it can host 60,000 guests per day. This amusement park receives 5.5 million visitors every year on average.
This place accounts for over 100 attractions, including 13 rollercoasters and 15 European areas that will surprise even the most incredulous ones. This amusement park is so huge that you will likely not have enough time to encounter everything it offers. That’s why you will want to return over and over again, this is an endless adventure!
Europa-Park also offers culinary highlights, evening cinema, shows, concerts, and events. As the very own visitors say, it is a lifetime experience.
Whenever you are there, you can’t miss the Atlantic SuperSplash, afterward you will feel reborn. Also, try the Blue Fire Mega coaster, it goes from 0 to 100 km in just 2.5 seconds!
After that, you will have more than 100 attractions, so go immerse in them and try them on your own. Certainly, you will not regret anything. Check out these other best things to do in Berlin with kids.
How To Get There
Europa-Park is in the heart of Europe, in the border triangle Germany – France – Switzerland. And as expected, you will have a lot of ways to arrive at the theme park. You can get by car, public transportation, coach (private company or long-distance), by plane, and even by shuttle service.
As Berlin is 7 hours away from Rust by car, your best chance to arrive at Europa-Park is by taking public transportation to the Ringsheim station in Germany. The bus travel from Ringsheim’s line 231 is only 13 min.
A taxi from Ringsheim will charge you 5 USD for a 6 minutes ride. If you want to know more about the different ways of getting to this amazing theme park, you can always check out the Europa-Park official website.
Hotel Rooms
There are a vast variety of hotel rooms you can book nearby Europa-Park, most of the 4-star hotels charge anywhere from 110 euros to 125 euros.
Useful Information
Open hours: During the summer season, the park opens from 9 am until 6 pm Monday-Friday, and until 7 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Over the winter season, they open from 11 am to 7 pm.
The theme park opens all year long, excluding the 24th and the 25th of December.
Tickets price: children aged 4-11 pay 47 euros, while everyone over 12 pays 55 euros. Children under 4 and children on their birthday enter free to the park.
Recommend duration: the suggested time for getting around here is 1 day, but it is fair to say you will need more than a single day to explore everything that Europa-park has to offer.
See Related: Best River Cruises in Europe
Disneyland Paris – France
This rank can’t finish without the most popular and visited theme park in Europe: Disneyland Paris. This theme park in France deserves all the acclamations that it receives and is the largest theme park in Europe.
The numbers say it all – this amusement park hosts 15 million people each year and it is by far the most famous and important theme park in the European continent, making it one of the best family-friendly things to do in Paris.
Disneyland Paris consists of two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.
Disneyland Park
This park features fairytales and Disney characters as well as the Sleeping Beauty Castle, shows, attractions, and parades. This theme park will amaze your eyes with the genuine magic that only Disney knows how to transmit.
Once here you can’t miss the Discovery Arcade, the Horse-Drawn Streetcars, and the Liberty Arcade. Only Disneyland Park receives around 9 million enthusiasts each year on average, which makes it the most-visited amusement park in Europe and the 13th in the world.
See Related: Do Hotels Take Cash?
Walt Disney Studios Park
On the other hand, this park offers you a mind-blowing and eye-catching experience with all the fantastic events, including Elsa’s sing-along in her ice palace, the encounter with your favorite characters, and the Toy Story Playland. It receives 5.2 million visitors every year, ranking it third among all the theme parks in Europe.
How To Get to Paris Disneyland
The park entrance is only 30 minutes away from downtown Paris, and around 1 hour from Paris’ airports. Naturally, you have many ways to arrive.
By bus, it will cost you 8 USD for a 35 minutes ride. The travel by train is about 40 minutes and the fee starts at 4 USD from the Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station.
If you go by taxi or Uber from Paris it will take 30 minutes to get and the charge is approximately 90 USD. It doesn’t get any easier than that.
Hotel Rooms
Disneyland Paris offers you three different accommodations: Disney Hotels, Disney Nature Resorts, and Partner hotels. There are many practical hotel options, and the prices start at 140 USD.
It will also be helpful for you to search for more useful hotel information on Disneyland’s nearby hotels and resorts by using Booking.com to find the best possible price.
Useful Information
Open hours: 7:30 am – 1:00 am all year long.
Tickets price: Disneyland Paris offers you three full-day options, and the fees to enter vary depending on the season.
1 day / 1 park
- MINI tickets: adults 70 USD, children 64 USD.
- MAGIC tickets: adults 94 USD, children 87 USD.
- SUPER MAGIC tickets: adults 106 USD, children 98 USD.
1 day / 2 parks
- MINI tickets: adults 94 USD, children 88 USD.
- MAGIC tickets: adults 118 USD, children 111 USD.
- SUPER MAGIC tickets: adults 130 USD, children 121 USD.
Recommended duration: 1 day.
You can browse around GetYourGuide to get more information about tickets, promotions, and special offers, including a multi-day entrance ticket.
See Related: Best Day Trips from Paris
To sum up, visiting these theme parks will make you feel like in heaven, all of them are a one-of-a-kind experience that you don’t want to miss.
Even if you are traveling alone, with your special one, in a group, or as a family, theme parks are always a great opportunity to experience full ecstasy in the most fun and harmless way.
Additionally, it is important to mention that these theme parks in Europe always keep in mind handicapped and disabled people, offering special offers or discounts every once in a while.
However, depending on the season these amusement parks in Europe even offer a free pass to people with disability. You only need to be updated on the promotions that the theme parks in Europe regularly offer.
FAQ
What is the biggest amusement park in Europe?
The biggest amusement park in Europe is Disneyland Paris with a visitor count of 976 000. Other notable parks include Europapark in Berlin – with 5.7 million and Efteling in Holland had an attendance of 5.54 million.
Does Europe have theme parks?
Yes, Europe has some of the world’s biggest amusement parks with breathtaking rides, immersive experiences, and stunning performances.
What is Europe’s biggest water park?
Alpamare – Bad Seedmm in Switzerland is the largest water park in Europe. It has heated swimming pools and an enormous outdoor swimming pool, a lazy river, and eleven great slides.
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