I’ve Traveled to 30+ Theme Parks Around the World—Here Are 5 of the Best in Europe

For those with a fondness for European getaways, you’ve likely seen many masterpieces in museums, sipped Aperol spritzes in mystical town squares that date back centuries, and delighted in the epicurean wonder of everything tasting fresher than it does back home. A trip to Europe can be as romantic as it is a marvel of time-honored tradition and culture.

However, locals don’t usually spend their free time where the tourists sit with cappuccinos. When they get a day off, they look for ways to have fun, and theme parks are a big part of that. The theme parks throughout Europe aren’t just for kids; they are cultural landmarks that blend history, storytelling, and innovation in a way that feels distinctly linked to the local traditions and sensibilities.

I’ve been a theme park enthusiast for decades and, in parallel, an avid traveler of Europe since my college days when I studied abroad. Never had I considered that the theme parks of Europe were worthy of a detour from the many attractions of each destination. It wasn’t until I arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark, and was encouraged to experience Tivoli Gardens, that I realized all that I had been missing. Tivoli Gardens is one of the most magical parks in the world, centrally located in the heart of the city. It’s been an escape to the joys of themed worlds and thrill rides since 1843. It’s no coincidence that Walt Disney traveled to Tivoli Gardens in 1951 and was inspired by the beautifully landscaped park.

Culture can be, and often is, so much more than visiting a museum or enjoying a food tour. I still regularly partake in those activities when exploring a new destination, and always will. Still, on recent European trips, I have been rewarded with the many joys of experiencing local culture by adding a day at a theme park. It’s how the locals play and relax on a day off, and it’s often an illuminating representation of their cultural storytelling and heritage.

While sharing the details of a recent European theme park itinerary with a Belgian chocolatier during a stopover in Belgium, he smiled warmly. With a cheerful glint in his eye, he said, “I’m glad you know what the good life is like.”

I’ve traveled to Europe’s best parks on past trips and even took a theme park-focused road trip across the continent this summer; here are five of my favorites with their extraordinary detail, expansive scope, and masterful storytelling.

Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark

A prototype for many parks that have been fashioned after it (most notably Disney’s theme parks), Tivoli Gardens has been an escape for Danes and tourists since its gates first opened in 1843. This is the second-oldest still-operating amusement park in the world, after Dyrehavsbakken, a family-focused park 30 minutes north. One of the many fascinations of this park is that it is woven into the fabric of the city, right across the street from Copenhagen Central Station, unlike destination theme parks that require a car or train ride out.

During my summer visit, the park revealed itself to be much more than just a spot to tire out the kids. The park is more akin to a fanciful botanical garden, offering idyllic themed experiences and legendary thrill rides, for an escape into whimsy. Your first stop should be Rutschebanen (Danish for “roller coaster”), Tivoli’s most iconic attraction. This wooden coaster dates back to 1914, making it one of the oldest operating roller coasters in the world. Flying through a mountain with steep drops and dark surprises, this most definitely feels like a precursor to Disneyland’s Matterhorn Bobsleds. The ride’s most charming appeal is that it’s one of only five coasters in the world that still use a brake operator to control the speed manually. More than 30 other rides here will captivate you with the timeless thrills and evocative design of this storied park.

Parc Astérix in Plailly, France

It’s expected to balk at the notion of escaping one of the most beautiful cities in the world for a day at a theme park. But when it’s Parc Astérix, let me make the case that it’s worthy of the hour trip north for a day of meticulously themed fun. The park delights in French humor and satire, drawing inspiration from the beloved French comic series “Astérix” and its ancient Western European setting. The park doesn’t miss a brick in its immersive theming, having built remarkable lands inspired by Greece, the Roman Empire, the Nordic Vikings, and more, with more than 40 rides and attractions that brim with charm and evoke a sense of wonder.

Of all the park’s top thrills, it was its low-fi, storybook small boat ride, La Rivière d’Elis, that won my heart. This family boat ride is the kind that can be easily overlooked due to its simplicity. Yet, the canopied, four-seat boat tour through the Gardens of Olympia was precisely the kind of tranquil escape into vibrant blooms that would draw widespread admiration if it were located within a central Parisian garden. Add in the forceful launches of Toutatis (immediately gaining rank among my favorite coasters of the world), the unexpected splashes that managed to get me on their pirates-themed water ride La Revanche des Pirates, and my rousing cheers from watching divers take on 80-foot high dives at the park’s Les Plongeons de l’Olympe dive show, and I left the park with a renewed pep in my step, happy as can be.

Efteling in Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands

Mention Efteling—a theme park located an hour outside Amsterdam—to any Dutch person, and you’ll immediately evoke a warm recognition of childlike joy. A shining source of pride for the Netherlands, the world-class park is a cultural treasure that has been regaling families (and, more recently, tourists) with Dutch storytelling and folklore since 1952. This is one of Europe’s most visited theme parks, attracting over five million guests annually to experience the park’s intricately themed worlds and genre-defining attractions.

On a return visit this past summer, I was reminded of the park’s impressive scope, spanning 178 acres of whimsical gardens, lush forests, and hidden paths that feel as though you’re in a magical, living world rather than just a theme park. The park’s newest attraction, Danse Macabre, adds another triumph to the already extraordinary lineup of attractions. The new dark spinning ride is inspired by Camille Saint-Saëns’ 1874 symphonic tone poem, and revealing any more details would detract from the ride’s ghostly allure. Droomvlucht is a dreamlike flight that remains one of my favorite dark rides in the world. De Vliegende Hollander is a boat ride-meets-coaster with a few exhilarating surprises, best not spoiled by a YouTube ride-through. Still, it’s the park’s end-of-night fountain show, powerful yet graceful in its own creative way, that quietly brings tears of joy to my eyes.

Europa-Park in Rust, Germany

A cheeky European facsimile of a famous theme park mouse couple, Europa-Park’s Ed and Edda’s ears will never form an iconic silhouette. And yet, their playfulness is a fine match for these sprawling 230 acres of themed lands, which include 17 European countries and more than 100 attractions. This park is owned by the visionary Mack Family, a manufacturer of high-quality roller coasters and dark rides, with a history dating back to 1780, when the family began building carriages. Today, the park impresses with its modern engineering and renowned aesthetics.

Returning this summer, I was reminded of the incredible detail and thought put into every element of the park. Before the rides even begin, you’re delighted by world-building queues, especially at Matterhorn Blitz, the park’s far-traversing wild mouse, and Wodan Timbur Coaster, a staggeringly fast wooden coaster. I was shocked by the numerous engineering feats that went into Voltron, a coaster that debuted in 2024, especially during its first launch, which quickly climbs a staggering beyond-vertical 105° ascent. The park’s “Phantom of the Opera”-themed VR coaster experience (which debuted in 2024) left me the most spellbound. This is the ultimate immersive experience for a Broadway fan, as you’re immediately brought into the action of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, all timed perfectly with the thrilling drops, twists, and turns of an actual roller coaster. It must be seen (via a special VR headset) to be believed.

Erlebnispark Tripsdrill in Cleebronn, Germany

Set amidst the rolling hills and vineyards of southwestern Germany’s Württemberg region, about 45 minutes from Stuttgart, Erlebnispark Tripsdrill is Germany’s oldest amusement park, one that, much like the region’s wines, has only grown richer with age. While not as grand in scale or scope as the aforementioned parks, Erlebnispark Tripsdrill offers a premium day’s retreat for all ages with its unique homage to traditional German culture, superior thrill rides, and countryside landscapes. Local storytelling of the region’s Swabian heritage is a primary focus, with inventors and folklore-inspired characters appearing throughout attractions. Quirky touches amuse throughout the park, with oddities like an animatronic figure heaving into a barrel, visible right after you disembark from the fast and furious Karacho, or the comedy of an outhouse door that swings open for a bawdy reveal and an unsuspecting splash of water (you’ve been warned!). This is one of the oddest, quirkiest, and yet all-around charming theme parks I’ve ever seen, well worth a visit for a fun thrill and a hearty laugh.

Honorable Mentions

Toverland, Netherlands

One of the most innovative parks for families in the world, Toverland astounded me with its attention to detail. Rides like the gleeful Maximus’ Blitz Bahn electric bobsleigh run and the forceful Fēnix Fiery wing coaster might attract crowds, though it’s rides like Merlin’s Quest boat ride and the Pixarus sky fly that will be on my mind for years to come.

Walibi Belgium, Belgium

I prioritized my first trip to Walibi Belgium this past summer to experience the new triple-launch Mecalodon family coaster. The new coaster is a total win, with abundant airtime, swift speed, and travels far throughout the park’s new Dock Bay area. I love this park’s vibrant, thrill-forward energy, with an impressive lineup of coasters, including the towering Kondaa steel coaster, the playful Tiki-Waka family coaster, and the incredible forces and splashdown of Pulsar, their power splash coaster.

Plopsaland De Panne, Belgium

Worlds of fun for the younger set await in this theme park centered around the characters from Studio 100, a Belgian media company that creates children’s television programs. The main attraction here is aptly named The Ride to Happiness, and it is anything but a kids’ ride. I went to the park for what I’d heard was one of the best coasters in the world, and I am delighted to pile on my praises. This coaster is wild mayhem, with two commanding launches that send you inverting and free-spinning into total bliss.

Phantasialand, Germany

The rare park where the theming is as innovative as the rides, Phantasialand features one iconic ride after another. Taron, the world’s fastest multi-launched roller coaster, spins a mesmerizing web throughout a most immersive volcanic valley. It’s a joy to ride and even more fascinating to watch from the sidelines as the track crosses itself more than 100 times. Many more attractions demand attention, especially the intense FLY, a flying launched roller coaster; Mystery Castle, one of the best drop rides in the world; and Chiapas, an enchanting log flume with the world’s steepest flume drop.

Disneyland Paris, France

A convenient train ride from the heart of Paris, Disneyland Paris is by far the most visited theme park resort on the continent. It’s been a few years since my last visit, though I fondly recall the park’s many joys and unique French twists. The spinning Crush’s Coaster playfully plunges you into the ocean current that Crush surfs in “Finding Nemo.” Fans of Disney Parks’ Haunted Mansion will appreciate the darker, more mysterious Phantom Manor. Yet, the park’s charm lies in its simple, consistent theming. La Tanière du Dragon steals the show, featuring a towering dragon that lies in wait beneath Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.