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Best theme park destinations in Europe

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Rust
Europa-Park's home on the Upper Rhine
7.2
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.
Highlights:
  • 🎢 Ride the Europa-Park roller coasters for thrilling views
  • 🏘️ Explore the historic town center and its charming streets
  • 🎢 Visit Europa-Park, Germany’s largest theme park
Billund
Playful Heart of Denmark’s West
7.2
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.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Stroll and admire art in Skulpturpark Billund
  • 🏠 Immerse yourself in creativity at the LEGO House
  • 🎢 Spend a day exploring LEGOLAND Billund’s rides
Paris
The city of love, art and history
9.3
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.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Explore the masterpieces at the Louvre Museum
  • 🌆 Stroll along the romantic Seine River at sunset
  • 🗼 Climb the Eiffel Tower and admire the city skyline
Tenerife
Volcanoes, Beaches and Endless Sun
8.4
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌿 Explore the lush landscapes of Anaga Rural Park
  • 🏖️ Relax on the golden sands of Playa de Las Teresitas
  • 🗻 Climb Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak and volcano
Lake Garda
Italy's largest lake of wonders
8.3
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.
Highlights:
  • 🚠 Ride the cable car to Monte Baldo for panoramic views
  • 🏰 Climb up to Scaliger Castle in Sirmione
  • 🛥️ Take a boat tour to explore Garda’s picturesque towns
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.
Highlights:
  • 🍬 Try classic Finnish sweets at the park’s candy shop
  • 🌆 Enjoy city views from the Panorama Tower
  • 🎢 Ride the historic wooden roller coaster Vuoristorata
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.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Stroll through the Victorian gardens at sunset
  • 👻 Explore the haunted Dungeon attraction
  • 🚀 Ride the legendary Thirteen roller coaster
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.
Highlights:
  • 🚂 Ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad for thrills
  • 🎆 Watch nightly fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle
  • 🏰 Explore Sleeping Beauty Castle interior
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.
Highlights:
  • 🍴 Indulge in Dutch treats at De Efteling Food Court
  • 🌲 Explore the immersive fairytale forest in night lights
  • 🎢 Ride the iconic Smurfenbaan roller coaster
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.
Highlights:
  • ✨ Watch spectacular nighttime fireworks over the park
  • 🏝️ Explore themed lands of Adventure Island and Mediterrània
  • 🎢 Ride the thrilling Dragon Khan roller coaster
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.
Highlights:
  • 🎆 Watch the grand finale fireworks spectacle
  • 🚶‍♂️ Stroll through the medieval village scenery
  • 🏰 Explore legendary reenactments at Puy du Fou
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.
Highlights:
  • 🎭 Watch live stunt show at Astérix Arena
  • 🏛️ Explore Roman Colosseum replica park area
  • 🎢 Ride the iconic Goliath roller coaster
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.
Highlights:
  • 🎢 Explore the vintage and modern rides throughout the amusement park
  • 🥨 Try classic Viennese snacks at Prater’s traditional food stalls
  • 🎡 Ride the iconic Wiener Riesenrad Ferris wheel for city views
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.
Highlights:
  • 🎶 Enjoy live concerts and seasonal events on site
  • 🎡 Experience the Liseberg Wheel for city views
  • 🎢 Ride the thrilling Balder wooden roller coaster
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.
Highlights:
  • 🎶 Stroll through the illuminated gardens with live music
  • 🎆 Watch Tivoli’s nightly fireworks show over the lake
  • 🎢 Ride the iconic wooden Rutschebanen roller coaster
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.
Highlights:
  • 🎆 Enjoy dazzling nighttime fireworks over Energylandia.
  • 🏝️ Explore vibrant Adventure Island's thrilling rides.
  • 🎢 Experience the fastest roller coaster, Bolo.
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