Best theme park destinations in Europe

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Europe's theme parks range from century old amusement grounds to some of the most visited franchise parks on the planet, often within a short drive of each other.

Western Europe is home to several major international parks, many built around film and animation brands that draw visitors from across the continent and beyond. Central and Eastern Europe tend to offer smaller, more local parks with a stronger focus on classic rides than big budget theming. Some of the continent's oldest parks date back well over a century and still operate rides from their earliest years alongside modern additions. Weather here is milder than in many other regions, which keeps the outdoor season running for much of the year.

The theme park destinations on our list for Europe combine major international names with smaller, longstanding parks that locals have grown up visiting. Public transport often makes these parks easy to reach without a car.