Europe for Families and Thrill-seekers
Whats in the Article
Looking for the adventure of a lifetime?
Explore the top theme parks in Europe, discover exciting roller coasters and explore the continent’s most enchanting immersive experiences.
For thrillseekers, fun-lovers and families alike; a trip to a theme park is a guaranteed hit, and Europe is home to some of the best. The excitement and imagination that a theme park promises is always an adventure, and Europe has a number of record-breaking coasters, hypercoasters and amusements that are a guaranteed hit. Of course, Disneyland Paris is often the first park that springs to mind, but there are many other hidden gems to be explored all over the continent that are equally worth the visit.
Often, people use the terms ‘theme park’ and ‘amusement park’ interchangeably, but theme parks hold a significant difference; a topic or series of themes that the park encompasses. While an amusement park focuses purely on rides and attractions, theme parks take it that step further, embracing storytelling in detail, with everything from architecture to staff costumes designed to create an immersive experience that lets you get lost in a new world. Whether you’re looking for adrenaline-pumping rides, enchanting fairy-tale castles or sensational immersive experiences, there’s something for everyone, so buckle up for our guide to the best adventure parks in Europe!
Europa-Park (Germany)
A firm favourite on the continent, pulling in a whopping six million visitors a year, Europa-Park, is located in Rust, Germany. Boasting over 100 unique rides and attractions, a range of breathtaking shows and some of the most famous roller coasters in Europe, all set across 20 meticulously designed areas, a visit here promises a day to remember for any age and is particularly a hit with the kids. Each area is based around a different European country, with distinctive architecture and rides to echo each country, letting you explore the continent in a day.
That being said, if you want to give yourself the time to truly delve into the depths of Europa-Park and enjoy it in its entirety without having to rush, we recommend making your visit a two or even three-day experience.
Our Top Three Attractions at Europa-Park:
Silver Star: One of Europe’s tallest and fastest rides, Silver Star delivers high-speed thrills and a drop of 67m, making it one of the most popular hypercoasters in Germany.
Voletarium: The flying theatre ride that allows you to soar over Europe’s most iconic landmarks in a stunning cinematic experience. With top-tier technology and exciting optics, the immersive nature of the ride makes you feel like you are truly flying and is a perfect attraction for kids.
Wodan Timbur Coaster: A high-speed wooden roller coaster that combines sharp turns and steep drops, combining the classic look of an old-school roller coaster with the thrill of modern engineering.
How to Get There by Air: The closest airport to Europa-Park is Strasbourg Airport (SXB) in France, located about 45 minutes away by car. Alternatively, Stuttgart Airport (STR) in Germany is approximately a 90-minute drive away.
PortAventura World (Spain)
PortAventura World, located in Salou on the Costa Dorada, is Spain’s globally famed theme park resort. PortAventura World is comprised of three smaller parks, each with a distinct theme: PortAventura Park, Ferrari Land, and Caribe Aquatic Park. The main park is the biggest and lets you explore different cultures and eras, with areas such as the Wild West, Mexico, and China taking you on a journey around the globe.
Ferrari Land is, of course, dedicated to the iconic Italian car brand, offering record-breaking high-speed thrills and cutting-edge technology—a must-see for motor fans. And finally, Caribe Aquatic Park is a waterpark packed with slides, splashes and swimming, so don’t forget to pack your bathing suit!
Our Top Three Attractions at PortAventura World:
Red Force: Located in Ferrari Land, Red Force is Europe’s tallest and fastest ride, launching riders from 0 to 180 km/h in just 5 seconds. With its Formula 1 car design, visitors can experience what it’s like to be behind the wheel of one of the world-famous motors.
Shambhala: The tallest and fastest hypercoaster in PortAventura World, Shambhala offers incredible airtime and five ‘camel hump’ segments, causing breathtaking drops that will lift you from your seat. For an attraction to be classed as a ‘hypercoaster’, it must have a height or drop of at least 200 feet, and Shambhala climbs to an eyewatering 249 feet.
Dragon Khan: A legendary roller coaster that passes through eight loops in 69 seconds, leaving you with no idea which way is up!
How to Get There by Air: The nearest airport to PortAventura World is Reus Airport (REU), which is just a 15-minute drive from the park. Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), one of Spain’s largest airports with direct flights from the UK, is about an hour away by car.
Efteling (Netherlands)
Efteling, located in Kaatsheuvel in the Netherlands, is one of the oldest theme parks in the world, and a favourite among those who love to get lost in fairy tales and fantasy lands. Originally opened in 1952, the park is known for its bold rides, enchanting storytelling, and immersive theming. The theme park even has its own museum for those wanting to learn more about the design process of the attractions and admire the impressive collection of fairytale magic the park encapsulates. Efteling appeals to all ages and is easily one of the top family-friendly theme parks in Europe, with attractions ranging from gentle boat rides to hair-raising roller coasters, ensuring something for everyone.
Our Top Three Attractions at Efteling:
Baron 1898: A dive coaster that plunges riders into a mineshaft at a 90-degree angle, sending riders into a magical underground fantasyland. With stunning design based around a late nineteenth-century mine, the immersive ride has a whole story that comes with it.
Droomvlucht: Explore a magical world filled with fairies, trolls, and other mystical creatures in this unique walk-through immersive experience. Translating into ‘Dream Flight’, the attraction boasts 96 characters, beautifully crafted in the famous Efteling style.
Fata Morgana: A boat ride that transports you to a 1001 Nights-inspired world filled with stunning animatronics and intricately designed sets.
How to Get There by Air: The closest airport to Efteling is Eindhoven Airport (EIN), located about 45 minutes away by car. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), the largest airport in the Netherlands, is about an hour away by car.
Gardaland Resort (Italy)
Located near the stunning Lake Garda in northeastern Italy, Gardaland is Italy’s largest and most popular theme park. Particularly a hit with younger children, Gardaland ignites imagination and lets kids explore their wild side with immersive experiences and rides designed with kids in mind, but don’t be fooled, it still has its fair share of intense rollercoasters guaranteed to give adults a thrill, too. The park is also home to Italy’s first fully-themed aquarium, home to over 100 species of marine creatures and an ocean tunnel that lets you walk side-by-side with the sharks!
Our Top Three Attractions at Gardaland Resort
Raptor: A wing coaster that offers intense twists, turns, and dives, all while seated on the sides of the track with nothing above or below you, doubling the thrill factor.
Oblivion – The Black Hole: A dive coaster that plunges riders into a vertical drop, offering an exhilarating free-fall experience, widely considered the most intense ride at the park.
Fuga da Atlantide: One of the top water rides in Europe, Fuga da Atlantide takes you on a journey through the mythical lost city of Atlantis, with impressive theming and plenty of splashes, this one is a hit with those who don’t mind getting wet!
How to Get There by Air: The closest airports to Gardaland are Verona Airport (VRN) and Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY). Verona Airport is just 20 minutes away by car, while Milan Bergamo is about an hour and a half drive.
Tivoli Gardens (Denmark)
Tivoli Gardens is located in the heart of Copenhagen, Denmark, and is the third oldest operating amusement park in the world, having opened way back in 1843. Some even believe that Disneyland was heavily inspired by Walt Disney’s trip to Tivoli in 1951. Despite its age, the theme park has kept up with the times, combining historic charm with modern rides and attractions. As well as its array of rides, the park is home to stunning gardens, an aquarium and a theatre. Guests can not only visit Tivoli for its jaw-dropping rides but also for unforgettable cultural events, such as pop concerts, the theatre and even the ballet.
Our Top Three Attractions at Tivoli Gardens
The Demon: A floorless roller coaster that features loops, twists, and screams. Easily the scariest ride at Tivoli, a trip to the park is not complete without a ride on The Demon.
The Star Flyer: One of the world’s tallest swing rides, breathtaking views of Copenhagen from a dizzying height of 80 meters. Riders can spin above the city on an iconic part of Copenhagen’s skyline.
The Pantomime Theatre: One of Denmark’s most popular experiences, The Pantomime Theatre charming open-air theatre where you can enjoy traditional pantomime performances, children’s theatre and ballet accompanied by a live orchestra.
How to Get There by Air: The nearest airport to Tivoli Gardens is Copenhagen Airport (CPH), located just 15 minutes away by car or by the city’s easy-to-navigate public transport.
Phantasialand (Germany)
Phantasialand, located in Brühl near Cologne, Germany, is a breathtaking world of exploration, where rides and rollercoasters are joined by six themed areas such as the steampunk-esque ‘Rookburgh’ or the eastern charm of ‘Chinatown’. Expect characters and spectacular costumes that pull you into the storytelling of each area and always go down well with children, making it a family-friendly theme park that lets children be as much a part of the adventure as adults.
Home to some record-breaking rides, the Phantasialand is as exciting as it is exceptional, promising to give you plenty to talk about when you get home. The stunning attention to detail that has gone into designing and creating the worlds allows you to get lost in the magic and since the park isn’t too big, it makes the perfect day trip to add to your holiday itinerary.
Our Top Three Attractions at Phantasialand
Taron: As Europe’s fastest multi-launch coaster, Taron is the centrepiece of the Klugheim area, offering an intense ride experience with multiple launches and sharp twists.
Chiapas: A log flume ride with a steep drop and elaborate world-building that takes you on a journey through a striking Mexican-themed landscape. The ride has a 53° drop—the world’s steepest drop on a log flume.
F.L.Y.: The world’s first flying launch coaster with a unique theme, in the Rookburgh area, F.L.Y. even zips its passengers right through one of the theme park hotels.
How to Get There by Air: The closest airports to Phantasialand are Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) and Düsseldorf Airport (DUS). Cologne Bonn Airport is the most convenient option, located about 20 minutes away by car, while Düsseldorf Airport is approximately 50 minutes away by car.
Parc Astérix (France)
Parc Astérix, located just outside Paris, is full of its own character, as well as the many iconic characters found within. Themed around the beloved French comic book “Astérix”, the park is full of cartoon classics you are sure to recognise. Here, you can join Astérix and his best friend Obelix on their iconic adventures as you jump into the pages of the comic, with themed areas set in ancient Greece and the Roman Empire designed with meticulous detail. The park seamlessly blends humour, history and hair-raising rides, so there is something for adults and children alike. The park also offers ready-made adventures, giving you a guide to which rides and attractions will be the best fit for your family.
Our Top Three Attractions at Parc Asterix
Tonnerre 2 Zeus: A thrilling wooden roller coaster that has fourteen ‘airtimes’, lifting passengers from their seats.
OzIris: An inverted coaster themed around ancient Egypt, riders hang from the tracks 40 metres above the ground and they fly through loops, twists, and hairpin turns that will leave even the braves of roller coaster fans weak at the knees.
Pégase Express: Roaring through the legendary cities of Olympia, Lutecia and Alexandria, this mythology-themed coaster also throws itself in reverse, lurching riders backwards when they expect it the least.
How to Get There by Air: The closest airport to Parc Astérix is Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), located about 20 minutes away by car, making it just a short drive to the adventure.
Whether you are holidaying in Germany, Italy, Denmark, Spain, France or The Netherlands, one of Europe’s top theme parks is just around the corner, waiting to be explored. Each theme park boasts at least one stunningly designed hotel, giving guests the opportunity to experience the magic over as many days as they’d like, so no need to miss a single ride or rush the magical moments.
Booking a room at one of the theme park hotels offers an experience in itself, with some boasting five-star luxury and others offering themed rooms that keep the adventure going overnight. Language barriers are no problem, as the parks are prepared for international travellers and have maps and signage in English, too.
Convenient flights and nearby airports make a theme park visit an easy addition to your European holiday. Whether you’re seeking the rush of roller coasters, the charm of fairy-tale settings, or the allure of world-class entertainment, there is something for everyone that offers an experience worth adding to your postcard.
Find the best deals for flights and hotels here, and brace yourself for an unforgettable ride!
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