Europe is home to some of the best theme parks in the world for families, offering amazing days out for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re into roller coasters and exciting rides, immersive experiences, or gentle rides for smaller children, Europe’s theme parks have it all.
In this blog, we’ll take you through some of the best theme parks in Europe. From those that offer adrenaline-pumping rides, to those with age-appropriate attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Whether you’re planning a week-long holiday or a smaller family trip, this guide covers everything you need to know.
1. Disneyland Park, Disneyland Paris, France
Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris offers a magical experience for any fan of Disney. It’s one of the most popular theme parks in Europe, and it’s easy to see why. The park is divided into five themed lands, each offering unique attractions, shows, and interactive experiences that transport visitors to the lands of their favourite Disney films. Young children will love Peter Pan’s Flight and the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Little ones can also meet their favourite Disney characters at various locations throughout the park.
For older family members, Adventureland and Frontierland offer more exhilarating experiences like Big Thunder Mountain, the iconic mine train roller coaster. The Star Wars-themed Hyperspace Mountain in Discoveryland is another favourite for its high speeds.
As well as rides, the park also offers parades, firework shows and seasonal events, as well as more gentle rides and immersive experiences inspired by Disney films. In 2021, Disneyland Paris introduced an accessibility program designed to improve the park experience for visitors with disabilities, making it a great choice for families who may have children with specific needs.
2. Europa-Park, Germany
Europa-Park in Germany is the country’s largest theme park. It also boasts the accolade of Europe’s busiest non-Disney theme park. Despite its size, it’s still family-owned, making it a beloved destination for families from all over the world. Thrill-seekers will feel right at home with over 100 rides and attractions spread across 18 themed areas representing different European nations.
For families with younger children, there’s Grimm’s Enchanted Forest, with gentle rides, playgrounds, and interactive attractions that bring fairy tales to life. Older children and adrenaline lovers will enjoy the park’s thrilling roller coasters, such as the high-speed Silver Star, and the Blue Fire Megacoaster, which takes riders through an Icelandic landscape on an exhilarating journey.
In 2019, Europa-Park expanded with the opening of the Rulantica water park, a massive 32,600-square-metre indoor water world with a Scandinavian theme, built for €180 million. The water park is connected to the Krønasår hotel and features slides, attractions, and an outdoor play area.
For foodies, there’s also Eatrenalin, a revolutionary dining restaurant concept blending food, culture, and theatrical experiences, created by managing partner Thomas Mack. It brings a different side to Europa-Park’s appeal, making the park a great destination for families with older children and couples.
3. Efteling, The Netherlands
Efteling, located near Tilburg in the Netherlands, is a hugely popular fairytale-themed park that’s long been ranked among the best in Europe. Efteling is unique in its captivating charm, making it a great experience for families with younger children.
Efteling is a year-round destination, and operates 365 days a year, with two holiday parks available where visitors can stay during their holidays. Must-try rides and experiences include the family-friendly Max & Moritz twin coaster, and Fabula, a 4D film experience created in collaboration with Aardman Animations. There’s also Symbolica, which takes riders on a magical journey through an enchanted palace. Thrill-seekers can enjoy Baron 1898, a dive coaster known for a 37.5 m free fall into a mineshaft at 90 km/h. Not for the faint of heart!
Guests can also enjoy Europe’s largest water show (Aquanura), and Ravelijn, a show that features horse riders and intense battles. For families with younger children, a visit to the Sprookjesbos (Fairytale Forest), remains a timeless and nostalgic must-do, where classic fairy tales are brought to life.
4. Tivoli Gardens, Denmark
Tivoli Gardens, located in the heart of Copenhagen, is one of the world’s most historic and beloved amusement parks. The park was originally opened in 1843 and was Walt Disney’s original inspiration when he was researching ideas for Disneyland. Today, Tivoli continues to captivate both locals and international visitors with its blend of classic history and modern attractions, making it arguably one of the best theme parks in Europe.
Despite its relatively small size, Tivoli Gardens offers something for families at any time of year. Its Christmas markets are magical, and summertime offers plenty of beautiful outdoor areas to explore while enjoying the attractions. One of the most popular rides is the iconic Star Flyer swing carousel that offers panoramic views of the city. Then there’s Fatamorgana, a spinning ride with multiple seating options for big and little riders. The park’s iconic wooden roller coaster is also a must-do and dates back to 1914.
Tivoli is also known for its beautiful gardens, which are meticulously landscaped. In addition to the rides, Tivoli has a vibrant restaurant scene and a renowned concert programme.
5. PortAventura, Spain
PortAventura World in Spain is a very popular theme park in Europe thanks to its interactive rides, sunny climate, and convenient on-site accommodation. Located near the coast, the resort offers families easy access to the theme park and the beauty of the nearby beach, making it an ideal choice for visitors of all ages who want fun in the sun.
This park is home to iconic rides like Shambhala, a towering rollercoaster known for its thrilling heights and long track. It also offers a variety of water rides that are very welcome in Spain’s warm weather. Younger guests will love exploring SésamoAventura, a Sesame Street-themed area of the park where they can meet Bert, Ernie and Elmo.
For those seeking more adrenaline, there’s Ferrari Land, a park dedicated to the Ferrari brand and all-things Italian. There’s also the Caribe Aquatic Park, offering 16 attractions and pools and waterfalls.
PortAventura offers six on-site hotels, with over 2,000 rooms. In 2023, it received B Corp status, recognising its efforts in environmental and social responsibility. That same year, a new solar plant was opened to advance the park’s green energy initiatives.
6. Liseberg, Sweden
Located in the heart of Gothenburg, Liseberg is Sweden’s leading amusement park, attracting visitors from across Europe. With its very central location in the city, many rides and family-friendly entertainment, Liseberg has been a cultural icon for nearly a century.
The park’s mix of thrilling coasters and gentle family rides means there’s something for everyone. For younger children, Rabbit Land is a must-visit. This whimsical area is home to the park’s beloved rabbit mascots and features gentle rides for the park’s youngest visitors. Families can also enjoy the charming Uplandet dark ride, which takes guests on a journey through the hidden underground world of the rabbits.
For older kids and adults, Balder is a must-ride. This award-winning wooden coaster is famous for its thrilling drops. Another family favourite is the Lisebergbanan roller coaster, which offers sweeping views of the park while bringing plenty of speed and excitement to thrillseekers. In 2023, Liseberg introduced the Luna coaster, which blasts riders off to the moon (sort of).
For those wanting a more serene pace, the Liseberg Wheel offers breathtaking views of Gothenburg, while the FlumeRide provides a fun splash adventure that the whole family can enjoy together.
The park’s unique location in the heart of Gothenburg makes it an important community hub. Its concert and event programs attract many visitors every year and contribute to its status as one of Europe’s best theme parks.
7. Gardaland, Italy
Dating back to 1975, Gardaland is Italy’s most popular theme park, drawing nearly three million visitors annually, and placing it among Europe’s top 10 theme parks. Located on a large site near Lake Garda, Gardaland offers a diverse mix of attractions for visitors of all ages, making it a great choice for families.
For families with young children, Peppa Pig Land is a must-visit, while the Kung Fu Panda Academy is great for those seeking more thrilling rides. Kids of all ages will enjoy exploring Prezzemolo Land, a magical-themed area built around the park’s lovable dragon mascot, Prezzemolo.
There are many roller coasters on offer, including the heart-pounding Raptor and the intense Oblivion, which drops riders vertically down a steep drop at breakneck speed. For water lovers, the park offers three exciting water rides – perfect for cooling off on a hot day.
In recent years, Gardaland has expanded its offerings beyond just rides, with something for every family member. There are more themed hotels, a Sea Life Aquarium and Europe’s first Legoland Water Park. Gardaland also hosts seasonal events, such as summer nights, Oktoberfest, Halloween and Christmas celebrations.
8. Parque Warner Madrid, Spain
Parque Warner Madrid is one of Spain’s top family destinations, offering visitors everything from rides and attractions, to shopping, dining, themed areas and beloved characters. Opened in 2002, the park is packed with movie magic and entertainment, making it a top draw for families across Europe.
Parque Warner Madrid has maintained its Warner Bros. license, allowing visitors to meet their favourite Looney Tunes characters and DC Comic superheroes. Families will love the wide variety of attractions at the park, which is divided into themed areas inspired by iconic Warner Bros. films and shows. Younger children will enjoy exploring Cartoon Village, where they can meet characters like Bugs Bunny, Tweety and Daffy Duck. There are also fun family rides like Rápidos ACME – a river rapids ride that’s perfect for making a splash.
For thrill-seekers, Parque Warner offers some of the most exciting rides in Europe. Batman: Gotham City Escape, is one of the park’s newest additions. This multi-launch coaster takes riders on a high-speed adventure through Gotham City, featuring a towering 45-meter top hat and coaster trains designed to look like the Batmobile.
The park also features three water rides that the whole family can get involved in. The expansion of Parque Warner Beach, a water park located next to the main park, gives visitors even more opportunities to cool off in themed pools and slides.
With its strong connection to Warner Bros. films, the park offers experiences in which families can feel like they’ve stepped into their favourite movies. From live-action stunt shows featuring DC superheroes to 4D cinematic adventures, you’ll never be bored here. Families will also love the meet-and-greet opportunities with characters like Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman.
9. Phantasialand, Germany
Located just outside of Cologne, Germany, Phantasialand is a family-owned theme park that overtook Legoland Deutschland as Germany’s second most-visited amusement park. Unlike many other parks that replicate rides, Phantasialand prides itself on offering one-of-a-kind attractions that you won’t find anywhere else.
Families visiting Phantasialand will be amazed at the level of detail across its themed areas and rides. One of the park’s signature attractions is Chiapas, a unique themed log flume set in a vibrant Mexican environment, with the world’s steepest water ride descent.
For adventure-seekers, there’s Taron, the fastest multi-launch coaster in the world, and Raik, a family-friendly boomerang coaster that transports visitors to a medieval village atmosphere with breathtaking rock formations and towering structures, creating a dramatic backdrop for such high-speed rides.
For families with younger children or those who need a more gentle experience, the interactive dark ride Maus Au Chocolat is a crowd-pleaser. Riders take on the role of exterminators in a 1920s Berlin bakery, battling mice with virtual chocolate cream guns.
Phantasialand’s ability to pack so much creativity into a small parkland area is a testament to the owner’s commitment to delivering a park that is different to all others. Despite the park being in a smaller space, there are still plenty of thrilling rides and one-of-a-kind experiences to choose from.
10. Futuroscope, France
Futuroscope, located near Poitiers in western France, is one of Europe’s most unique theme parks. It’s known as an “intelligent theme park,” blending the latest technology with immersive storytelling. In 2019, it ranked 16th among Europe’s best theme parks, attracting visitors with its innovative and digital-focused attractions.
There’s a variety of experiences on offer that are focused around film, virtual reality, and interactive media. One of the most recent additions is the park’s first roller coaster, Objectif Mars, which opened in 2020. This family-friendly ride takes guests on an exhilarating mission to Mars through ‘astronaut training’ on the coaster.
For families and tech enthusiasts, many of the park’s standout attractions are housed in visually striking buildings. These include L’Extraordinaire Voyage, a stunning flying theatre that takes guests on a journey around the world, and Through Thomas Pesquet’s Eyes, an IMAX-based astronaut mission that offers a fascinating look at life aboard the International Space Station.
Another popular attraction is the ‘Time Machine’ – an interactive dark ride featuring the Rabbids from Ubisoft’s hit franchise. Other attractions include a wind tunnel, space loop, hotels, restaurants, an arena, and an aerial bar where you can enjoy a drink 35 metres above the ground.
Unlike more traditional theme parks, Futuroscope operates from February to December, allowing visitors to enjoy its experiences mostly all year round. Its diverse mix of media-based rides and shows ensures that it offers something for all ages, with a learning twist. In the future, the park plans to build a state-of-the-art water park and two new hotels.
Summary
If you’re looking for a fun family day out or somewhere to enjoy high-speed thrills and adrenaline rushes, why not check out one of the top 10 best theme parks in Europe? You’ll find plenty of child-friendly theme parks as well as those with a range of options for all ages. Be sure to check out our list of the best waterparks in Europe too.
