The Best Theme Parks in Europe (For Adults): Park List
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You don’t need a family to enjoy these popular European theme parks. These are the best theme parks in Europe for adults.
The Best Theme Parks in Europe (For Adults): (Jump To)
Europe is a wonderland of amazing theme parks. Whenever we travel for a week or more we try very hard to visit a theme park. It’s a great way to break up all the visits to stuffy European churches. We also love that it’s a day when you don’t have to think too much. You just walk into the park and have fun exploring and riding rides all day.
Biggest Parks in Europe by Attendance
Source: TEA/AECOM Theme Index (rounded).
| Rank | Park | Country | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris) | France | ~9.93m |
| 2 | Europa-Park | Germany | ~6.00m |
| 3 | Walt Disney Studios Park (Disneyland Paris) | France | ~5.70m |
| 4 | Efteling | Netherlands | ~5.56m |
| 5 | Tivoli Gardens | Denmark | ~4.30m |
| 6 | PortAventura Park | Spain | ~3.98m |
| 7 | Gardaland | Italy | ~3.07m |
| 8 | Parc Astérix | France | ~2.82m |
| 9 | Puy du Fou | France | ~2.76m |
| 10 | LEGOLAND Windsor | United Kingdom | ~2.40m |
Walibi Holland
Walibi Holland is known for launching you straight into the action with rides like Untamed and Goliath, making it one of the best roller coaster parks in Europe. If you’re looking for the best theme parks in Netherlands that actually deliver serious thrills, this is the one.
Entry Ticket: GetYourGuide
On our fourth day in Amsterdam, we hopped the train to the regional theme park Walibi Holland. The park is a former Six Flags located outside Amsterdam.
By far the best coaster in the park (and one of the best in Europe) is Untamed. We rode Untamed twice during the visit. It was loads of fun. It’s a wood and steel coaster with twists and turns.
Also in the park are loads of family rides. You’ve got your spinning cups, your tiny cars, and your train around the park. The highlight is the massive Ferris wheel La Grande Roue.
Read more about our visit to Walibi Holland.
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Heide Park
Heide Park has a decent ride lineup with enough coasters and themed zones to hold your attention for a full day—especially if you're in Hamburg. It's a solid contender for the best theme parks in Europe for adults, especially if you prioritize variety over polish.
An extremely easy-to-navigate bus ride from Hamburg gets you to Heide Park in less than an hour. It is the largest park in northern Germany and one of the largest in the country. The park is separated into four main areas with a large lake at the center.
The best coaster in the park, Flug der Dämonen (Flight of the Demon), is a winged coaster that flips you quickly through five flips. I think we rode it three times.
Read more about our day in the park here.
PortAventura World
PortAventura World is one of the best theme parks in Spain and deserves its spot on any theme parks in Europe top 10 list thanks to Shambhala and Red Force over in Ferrari Land. It’s one of the best amusement parks in Europe if your idea of fun involves hitting 110 mph before lunch.
Entry Ticket: GetYourGuide
PortAventura is located south of Barcelona on the Spanish coast of the Mediterranean. It shares a location with Ferrari Land (a car-themed park with just one great ride).
The park is huge with a great collection of rollercoasters. The two best coasters in the park Dragon Khan and Shambhala, are located in the China-themed area of the park.
Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris might not scream “adult theme park,” but it lands on best theme parks in Paris lists for good reason—solid rides, efficient layout, and the occasional wine cart. While it’s not built for thrill-seekers, it’s still one of the best theme parks in Europe if you grew up watching the movies.
Entry Ticket: GetYourGuide
Located on the Paris Metro system, Disneyland Paris is extremely accessible during a visit to the city.
While it is not the best Disney park in the world, it is the only Disney park located in Europe. Most Disney fans agree that the park is home to the best castle in all the parks.
Here you will find all your favorite classic Disney rides with a slight French twist. Disney theming cannot be beaten. Visiting Disneyland Paris is a must for Disney fans and those seeking the best theme parks in Europe (for adults).
Located right next door is the sister park, Walt Disney Studios Park.
Alton Towers
Alton Towers has the best coaster lineup in the UK and belongs near the top of any list of best theme parks in the UK for adults. If you’re hunting down the best UK theme parks with actual intensity, this is where you go.
Entry Ticket: GetYourGuide
Alton Towers is one of the UK's premier theme parks, offering a perfect blend of thrilling rides and beautiful landscapes. This blend makes it among the best theme parks in Europe (for adults).
The park is renowned for its innovative roller coasters, such as the newly opened Nemesis Reborn, the first ever drop coaster Oblivion, and the record-breaking Smiler. Each ride is designed to deliver a unique and exhilarating experience, making it a must-visit for adrenaline seekers.
Beyond the rides, Alton Towers is set within expansive and picturesque gardens, providing a serene escape and scenic backdrop making for a great day for adults who might need a break from coasters.
Read more about our trip to Alton Towers.
Europa-Park
Europa-Park might be the best theme park in Europe for adults who want big coasters without sacrificing the rest of the park experience. Between Silver Star, Blue Fire, and themed zones that don’t feel like afterthoughts, this park checks every box on a best amusement parks in Europe list.
Entry Ticket: GetYourGuide
The park is located near the Black Forest in the southwestern portion of Germany near the Rhine on the border with France.
Europa-Park is separated into eighteen themed areas. The buildings and attractions in each area are themed to a country in Europe. In England, you’ll find the Silverstone Race Track where you ride through English gardens, a theatre recreation of Shakespeare’s Globe, and lots of soccer (aka football). In Italy, you can ride Volo Da Vinci a suspended monorail themed after Leonardo da Vinci. In Russia, you can ride a spinning rollercoaster named Euro-Mir that is themed around Russian space travel.
The theming of the park combined with the mix of thrill rides and one-of-a-kind rides makes the park one of our favorites and one of the best theme parks in Europe (for adults).
We visited the park in the fall over two wonderful days. Read about our time here.
Efteling
Efteling’s storytelling is aimed at kids, but the rides like Baron 1898 and Python prove it’s one of the best theme parks in Europe for adults who appreciate weird, dark fairy tale energy. If you're looking for the best theme parks in Netherlands with originality, this one nails it.
Entry Ticket: GetYourGuide
Efteling is one of the best theme parks in Europe for adults. The park is located in the southern part of the Netherlands. The park is one of the World's oldest theme parks, opening with the Fairy Tale Forest in the early 1950s.
The park has a good collection of rollercoasters, but the real magic of the park is the classic attractions mixed into the fairy tale setting of the park.
We spent two days in the park, read more here.
Phantasialand
Phantasialand is dense, bizarre, and thrilling—easily one of the best theme parks in Europe for adults who are sick of cartoon mascots. Taron and F.L.Y. alone earn it a spot among the best roller coaster parks in Europe, but the immersive lands seal the deal.
Entry Ticket: GetYourGuide
Our favorite park in all of Europe is Phantasialand. The park is located in the northwestern portion of Germany near Cologne.
The park has six main coasters, two water thrill rides, and countless smaller attractions. The best coaster in the park is Taron. It holds the title of fastest and longest launch coaster on the planet.
Mixed in with the amazing coasters are cheesy and fun dark rides and perfectly themed water rides and smaller attractions.
The park is absolutely wonderful. Check out the full post covering our visit to the park.
The Best Theme Parks in Europe (For Adults):
Phantasialand
Efteling
Europa-Park
Disneyland Paris
Alton Towers
PortAventura
Heide Park
Walibi Holland
