Best theme park destinations in Europe
Best theme park destinations in Europe
Historic amusement park grounds and modern roller coaster zones across Europe
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.
Lists by region
Town in Denmark
Billund
Playful Heart of Denmark’s West
The park is open from spring to autumn. School holidays are the busiest weeks, so visits in the middle of the week have shorter lines. Miniland has models of European landmarks built from millions of Lego bricks. The Lego House in town has brick playgrounds for all ages.
Town in Germany
Rust
Europa-Park's home on the Upper Rhine
Open in summer and again in winter, this park has Christmas decorations and snow themed shows in the cold months. It lies in Rust, Germany, near the French border. Themed areas are based on European countries. Silver Star and Blue Fire are the big coasters. Hotels on site have themed rooms and restaurants.
Island in Spain
Tenerife
Volcanoes, Beaches and Endless Sun
Sunny and relaxed, this Canary island has Siam Park, a water park built in Thai style. The Tower of Power slide drops through a tunnel in a shark tank. A huge wave pool and a lazy river are good for younger guests. The weather is mild all year, so outdoor days are easy.
City in France
Paris
The city of love, art and history
Napoleon III opened the Jardin d'Acclimatation in 1860. It still has rides for young children. Today the city is a good base for bigger parks. Disneyland Paris is reached by RER A train. Parc Asterix is north of the city by shuttle. Cafes and museums are good for rest days.
Lake in Italy
Lake Garda
Italy's largest lake of wonders
The southern shore of Lake Garda in northern Italy has several parks within a short drive. Gardaland has coasters such as Raptor and an aquarium. Movieland Studios and Caneva Aquapark are nearby. The lake has beaches and small towns for rest days between rides. Trains and buses link the parks with Verona.
Theme Park in France
Disneyland Paris
Enchanted kingdom where dreams take flight
It is common for families to spend two or three days here, since there are two parks. Sleeping Beauty Castle has a dragon hiding beneath it. Evening shows end with fireworks over the main street. The park opened in 1992. A fast RER train takes about 40 minutes from central Paris.
Theme Park in Netherlands
Efteling
Enchanting rides beneath Dutch skies
Compared with big thrill parks, this Dutch park is built around fairy tales. The Fairytale Forest has talking trees and storybook scenes from stories such as Little Red Riding Hood. It opened in 1952. Coasters include Baron 1898 and Python. Symbolica is a dark ride through a fantasy palace.
Amusement Park in Gothenburg
Liseberg
Scandinavia’s Beloved Theme Park
The park opened in 1923 as part of a celebration of the city's 300th birthday. Today it has big coasters such as Helix and the wooden Balder. Gardens with flowers and fountains are calm places between rides. A Christmas market with millions of lights is held in winter.
Theme Park in Helsinki
Linnanmäki
Finland's Beloved Amusement Escape
Dozens of rides fit on a small hill in the middle of Helsinki. The park opened in 1950 and is run by a children's charity, so profits help child welfare projects. Vuoristorata, a wooden coaster from 1951, is still popular. The Sky Wheel has views over the city and the sea.
Amusement Park in Poland
Energylandia
Thrilling rides and electrifying adventures
Many Polish families spend a full weekend at this park in Zator, west of Krakow. It opened in 2014 and keeps adding rides. Hyperion is one of the tallest coasters in Europe. Zadra is a wooden coaster with steep drops. A hotel and campsite are right by the entrance.
Theme Park in France
Puy du Fou
Historic adventures unfold beneath dramatic skies
This park lies in the Vendee region of western France. Instead of coasters it has live shows set in different eras. Roman gladiators race chariots in a big arena. A Viking ship rises from the water in one show. A medieval village has bakers and blacksmiths at work.
Theme Park in United Kingdom
Alton Towers
Thrilling rides and panoramic skyline views
This resort in Staffordshire, England has dozens of rides across hundreds of acres of old gardens. Nemesis, Oblivion and The Smiler are the big coasters. Wicker Man is a wooden coaster with fire effects. Two hotels on the grounds are good for stays of several days.
Theme Park in Spain
PortAventura World
Thrilling rides and family fun
Unlike inland parks, this one sits beside beaches on the Costa Dorada near Salou. Ferrari Land has Red Force, a coaster that reaches 180 kilometres per hour. Shambhala is a tall hypercoaster. A water park called Caribe Aquatic Park is nearby. Barcelona is about 90 minutes away by car or train.
Amusement Park in Copenhagen
Tivoli Gardens
Historic amusement with magical charm
Charming and old fashioned, this garden park opened in 1843 in the middle of Copenhagen. The lanterns, flower beds and lake are calm by day. The wooden coaster Rutschebanen has run since 1914. Fireworks and concerts are held on many evenings. It is next to the central station.
Theme Park in France
Parc Astérix
Adventure awaits in legendary comic world
Asterix comic books began in 1959. The park based on them opened in 1989. It lies in the Oise region north of Paris. A Gaulish village and Roman streets are used as settings. Tonnerre de Zeus is a wooden coaster. Oziris is an inverted coaster themed on ancient Egypt.
Amusement Park in Vienna
Prater
Vienna’s Classic Funfair & Green Escape
A large green park between the Danube and the Danube Canal in Vienna has a historic fairground at one end. The Wiener Riesenrad, a giant Ferris wheel, opened in 1897. Entry to the Prater is free. Visitors pay for each ride. Old wooden coasters stand beside new ones.
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