The Best Amusements Parks In All Of Europe

The European continent is alive with history, culture, and more than a few of the world's ancient treasures. Whether you're exploring the rolling hills of Italian wine country or taking in the harsh, craggy shores of Scandinavia, there's plenty to see and do anywhere in Europe. Food, drink, and heritage site visits are high on any traveler's priority list, but what about entertainment options more akin to a local's tastes? Back home, many travelers would be chomping at the bit to get on the best rollercoasters in their own backyard (rides like Montu in Busch Gardens Tampa or Skyrush at Hersheypark). Yet, it's easy to overlook a day at an amusement park when traveling beyond your home turf.

It's a true shame that amusement parks don't factor highly into the thinking of travelers. Indeed, some of the tallest rollercoasters in the world and plenty of truly fabulous amusement parks can be found outside the United States. These parks in particular consistently rank among the best of the best, and can make for a great addition to your travel plans for the coming spring and summer over in Europe. 

Whether you're on the hunt for a family day out for the little ones or you're a hardcore rollercoaster seeker, these European amusement parks can and should feature prominently in your future travel plans. Many of them operate on limited schedules or close entirely for the winter, so now is the perfect time to get planning for your next adventure. Visitor attendance numbers and reviews and recommendations from people who frequent the continent's theme parks acted as a guide to separate the wheat from the chaff, so you know you're in store for some fantastic adventures by adding them to next year's travel itinerary.

This is perhaps the most natural place to begin, as Disneyland Paris is a familiar face among a large crowd of giants. Amid the bustling collective of amazing theme parks across Europe, the continent's only Disney park offers itself as a wonderful entry point. It's a solid day out for families looking to experience something unique and new while still reveling in the Disney spirit they know and love so well. It should come as no surprise that this Disney icon was the most visited theme park in Europe in 2023, with more than 10 million coming through its gates (nearly doubling the second-highest attendance figure).

Disneyland Paris gets a bit of stick from some people because it's smaller than other Disney parks around the world. However, visitors also rave about its theming and the park's iconic castle. More to the point, most of the comparison negativity directed at the French park is in connection with rave reviews of DisneySea and Tokyo Disneyland in Japan. These parks are totally unique in that the Japanese entities are the only Disney projects not owned by the Walt Disney Company. 

Even with comparisons in mind, the park has yielded 50,000-plus reviews on Tripadvisor, averaging out to a 4-star rating: Not too shabby! For any superfan of Disney parks or families traveling with children, there's something special about the crossover between Parisian charm and the magical world created by Disney. They blend together perfectly to deliver all the classic shows, rides, and experiences with a one-of-a-kind twist.

The second most visited amusement park in Europe, Germany's Europa-Park garners a figure of roughly 6 million annual entries, and it's easy to explain the park's popularity. As a highlight of the park's rides, its Voltron Nevera rollercoaster is among some of the most exciting new tracks in 2024. The rollercoaster features the world's steepest launch at 105 degrees and the highest inversion count for a launch coaster (seven total inversions). It's rounded out with a fully-developed backstory (complete with a video production) and 2.2 seconds of weightlessness to really solidify the multi-launch ride's chops. Visitors seemingly love the park, with nearly 15,000 reviewers on Tripadvisor giving it an average of 4.5 stars.

Beyond this new addition that takes the realm of thrill rides to new heights, the park features 20 themed areas (17 European-themed spaces and three fantasy landscapes), 14 rollercoasters, and over 100 attractions and shows. This park is open through the winter, as well, and features a winter wonderland area that's the largest in Germany (remaining open until January 12, 2025, for those considering a more immediate visit). There are great attractions for visitors of all ages, from rollercoasters like Blue Fire Megacoaster (zipping riders from zero to 100 kph; 62 mph in 2.5 seconds) to a smattering of play areas and rides for little ones like Casa da Aventura or Limerick Castle.

Staying in Germany, Phantasialand is another of the most visited theme parks in Europe. With over 2 million annual entries, the park entices visitors of all ages and interests with its landscape of plentiful rollercoasters and much more. During the winter months, the park features Wintertraum, a winter wonderland event that sees a portion of the park's open area introduce an ice skating rink and after-dark rollercoaster rides. The festive season runs from November 16, 2024, to January 26, 2025, so visitors planning a trip over to Germany in the near future might consider adding a stop to their itinerary. However, a trip in the spring or summer will be equally exciting. Warmer weather and longer days make for a gripping adventure through a theme park complete with plenty of exciting rollercoasters like F.L.Y., Black Mamba, and Taron.

The park also features themed areas that visitors have noted are immaculately thought out. Visitors speak highly of the park online and talk ad nauseum about the fun they had exploring its rides and shows. Many Reddit users go as far as to name it their favorite park amongst the entire landscape of European amusement parks.

Located just outside Kraków in the country's south, Energylandia is Poland's largest amusement park. The park touts itself as both the number one rollercoaster park and waterpark in Europe, and its 20 rollercoasters (along with 36 water slides) do a lot of the talking in an attempt to back up those hefty claims. Featuring seven themed areas and over 100 attractions and shows, the park is plenty varied for all manner of visitors. In the extreme zone, Energylandia offers riders all kinds of intense thrills like Pepsi Hyperion and Formuła, two coasters that pack huge punches. Formuła is a launch coaster that hits a 62 mph speed in just two seconds and pulls 4.5 Gs along the way. Pepsi Hyperion stands as the tallest and fastest mega coaster in Europe and hits riders with an 85-degree descent slope off its 77-meter (253-foot) first drop height (eventually reaching 88 mph).

Of its more than 3,000 reviews on Tripadvisor, the park pulls a seriously respectable 4.5 stars, and one Redditor calls it "the RollerCoaster Tycoon-Park to end all RollerCoaster Tycoon-Parks." Most reviewers note how large the park is, and many also note that crowd sizes aren't the typical affair you might expect from such a magnetic place. Moving through lines to get onto rides isn't the same slog that it can be at even some of the smaller parks around Europe and the United States. Here, there's lots to see and do without getting bogged down by too many other people hoping to experience the same stuff.

The sixth most visited theme park in Europe and a 4-star Tripadvisor ranking to boot (over more than 26,000 reviews), PortAventura World is sprawled out along Spain's Mediterranean coastline just south of Tarragona. It's also right next to Reus, one of the Catalonian towns that host a Barcelona-area international airport: Food for thought for anyone planning a flight to or from Barcelona and looking to add an exciting extra stop! Sunny coastal Spain is warm through most of the year — with averages around 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the depths of winter — making it an ideal place for a theme park visit.

The theme park features numerous rollercoasters worth writing home about. Shambhala, styled after a mythical Himalayan city called home by the king of the world, is the park's tallest rollercoaster and features five camelback humps. The park also hosts a splash ride — Tutuki Splash — that is sure to get your blood pumping and your back dripping (possibly just the right remedy for a hot Spanish summer day). The splash ride features Polynesian theming, and its movements and water features aim to mimic the eruption of a volcano and its flowing lava. Uncharted is yet another exciting thrill ride that offers inverted free falls, a rotating platform, and the largest lateral drop on the continent.

Alton Towers is the U.K.'s largest theme park and features a wide range of rollercoasters and attractions. Coasters like Nemesis (now Nemesis Reborn, as of 2024) and Oblivion offer intense thrills to the most adventurous visitors, and the Sharkbait Reef aquarium and CBeebies Land offer a different spin on things (with the children's area featuring 14 rides and attractions all on its own). There's also The Smiler tucked within Alton Tower's lineup of exciting thrills, the world's first rollercoaster to feature 14 loops, generating serious G-Force (4.5-plus Gs) and plenty of screams from its riders. 

The park's expansive grounds also play host to a waterpark, and Alton Towers includes plenty of accommodation options for those looking to turn a visit to the area into a longer stay. The resort offers three themed hotels, stargazing pods, and a themed, enchanted village to make the magical experience truly come to life. The resort occupies an expansive 500-plus acre landscape in England's West Midlands (between Birmingham and Manchester) near Stoke-on-Trent and Nottingham.

Alton Towers lives up to its reputation and then some. The park has received over 24,000 reviews on Tripadvisor, averaging out to a 4-star rating. Visitors talk at length about their trip to the park, noting its cleanliness, the excitement factor they get from the rides, and the family fun that children are able to have in the park, too. Fabulous theme park fun for all the family.

Liseberg is a multipurpose theme park that supports live performance art with a deep lineup list. It's a unique community-centric theme park that's been in existence for over 100 years. Purchased by the city of Gothenburg in 1908 and founded as a theme park in 1923, Liseberg has grown into a wildly entertaining landscape of fun, excitement, and leisure in the years that have followed.

Named the second-best park in Europe in 2022 as part of the European Star Awards, the park also received special mentions for Mechanica, named Europe's best thrill ride. It's a swinging spin ride that rotates around three axes while flinging riders up to nearly 100 feet in the air. The park's rollercoasters are also major draws for visitors, including rides like Valkyrie and Balder — the latter recently named one of Europe's best wooden coasters. Lots of children's rides and other attractions feature in the park's landscape, including drop rides and other swinging thrill rides like Loki. With over 4,500-plus reviews on Tripadvisor, the park takes home a hugely respectable 4.5 stars, with visitors talking up the Christmas theming that dominates the venue in the winter in particular — a spectacle that runs from November 16, 2024, to January 5, 2025.

Situated on the shores of Lake Garda, this theme park derives its name from the beautiful scenery of northern Italy. Gardaland is just west of Verona and sits below Caneva Aquapark just a bit farther up the lake's shoreline. The park features a variety of great rollercoasters like Blue Tornado, Raptor, and Oblivion that are geared toward intense thrill seekers. Others, like Jumanji, are interactive rides that are great for adventurers of all ages. The park is also home to a number of themes and rides that are perfect for younger visitors, making this a great amusement park for families to visit.

The Albero di Prezzemolo treehouse in Gardaland's Fantasy Kingdom area is one of the park's most iconic sights. It's the home of Gardaland's mascot, a green dragon named Prezzemolo. The dragon and his compatriots were even the subject of a 26-episode cartoon series aired in 2002. From the top of the treehouse, visitors get a spectacular view of the park and can explore the magical landscape of the park's stylistic themes. Italy's oldest theme park has earned a 3.5-star rating over nearly 24,000 reviews on Tripadvisor. Visitors note that wait times in lines can get particularly long at the height of summer, but talk up the blend of rides that appeal to every type of guest.

Gröna Lund is another Swedish amusement park that doubles as a live events venue and relaxation park, making it a multi-functional entertainment site for visitors of all ages and interests. The historic park is relatively small and located on Djurgården Island, a landmass that forms a part of central Stockholm. Gröna Lund can be found on the lower west edge of the island, facing inward toward the city and just south of the island's iconic Vasa Museum (Vasamuseet). Even for its diminutive size, the park packs quite the sense of adventure for travelers coming to Stockholm (as well as residents of the Swedish capital).

Tripadvisor calls the amusement park "one of Stockholm's must-visit destinations." Since 1883, the park has been a meeting point for those looking to relax and enjoy time in the presence of Sweden's natural Sun and sea landscape. Visitors agree, with nearly 1,600 reviews combining to give the amusement park a 4-star average rating. 

Visitors note that even though the park is a favorite pastime for many, lines aren't typically very long, and rides, attractions, and events held on the park's grounds are exciting and plenty of fun for the whole family. Children have a great time on rides like Vilda Musen and Kvasten. Thill seekers equally enjoy themselves on rollercoasters like Insane, a vertical spinning rollercoaster, and Monster. There's also a wooden coaster and a giant drop ride that are sure to get the heart racing. It's worth noting that rides cost coupons rather than existing within a free reign, pay-to-enter enclosure, as is likely the familiar layout for most amusement park goers.

Denmark's Tivoli Gardens is a true treat. It's the second oldest amusement park in the world, having opened its gates to visitors in August 1843, and it's hugely popular among visitors, welcoming 4 million people through its gates annually. The park receives high praise from those who have experienced it, too. More than 27,000 reviewers give it a 4.5-star rating on Tripadvisor, with reviews highlighting the theme designs and ride experiences, and many walked away calling it a magical time. The seasonal decorations elevate the park tremendously, whether you visit in the fall around Halloween or later in the year to see the Christmas markets, a trip to Tivoli Gardens in the colder months can be just as rewarding as a warm weather entry to capture the energy and excitement of the rollercoasters within the park.

Rollercoasters like The Demon and Aquila will get your heart pumping, and the Fatamorgana swing carries riders to heights of nearly 150 feet in the air (as well as offering a more leisurely experience for younger riders). There are also plenty of rides and attractions for younger visitors, as well as The Flying Trunk, a themed ride that brings you through recreations of Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale worlds.

A world unto its own, Dino Parc Râsnov is a different kind of experience. Just outside the city of Brașov (about three hours drive from Bucharest), the dinosaur-themed amusement park takes visitors back in time to see a snapshot of the world as it might have looked hundreds of millions of years ago. Visitors exploring the recreated world of the distant past can also stop in to see Bran Castle while traversing this part of the country. The castle is a 14th-century construction that has come to be known as Dracula's Castle because it served as inspiration for the fictional site of Bram Stoker's "Dracula."

The dinosaur-themed amusement park brings to life a different, far lighter historical narrative. It highlights scientifically accurate recreations of 120 life-size dinosaurs based on the latest research in the field. There's a genuine meteorite within the park, as well, and scientific exhibits that showcase volcanic and tectonic activity. The park is an open-air museum that's perfect for those with a fascination for the natural world and the things that once inhabited it. It's a great day out for families and older explorers alike. Perhaps as a result of its relatively smaller audience in comparison to major tourist draws the likes of Germany and France, Dino Parc Râsnov sports just 326 reviews, but those who have taken the time to write about it on Tripadvisor give it a 4.5-star rating and rave about its thematic atmosphere and the 9D cinema experience.

Each one of these parks has been highly touted by reviewers on community sites like Reddit, and they're consistently well-rated on Tripadvisor and other review sites. Most of them also sport large annual admission figures, suggesting that they are each quite popular among people living nearby and travelers alike. Lots of them feature annual attendance that rivals or eclipses some of the United States' best theme parks (like Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey with 2.5 million visitors or Busch Gardens Tampa with 4 million). All this suggests that these parks are highly regarded both by those who take to the internet to leave feedback for others and visitors who keep to themselves.