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Europe's Theme Parks: A Visitor's Guide to 22 Parks in 10 Countries

By Colin Bragg · · Facts checked against each park's own website

Europe has a theme park for every kind of visitor, from toddlers meeting their favorite TV characters to coaster fans chasing launches, drops and inversions. Some are pleasure gardens in the middle of a city, a short walk from the station. Others are resorts with their own hotels and water parks that can fill a long weekend or more. This guide covers 22 of them in 10 countries.

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How this guide works

At a glance

All 22 parks in the order they appear below. "Best for" shows who each park suits most: children (rides for the youngest), families, thrill-seekers, or a mix. Sizes are rounded, and some cover the whole resort rather than the park alone. Seasons are from the 2026 calendars.

ParkCountryLocationBest forSize (acres)Visitors (2025)Season
Plopsaland De Panne BelgiumDe PanneChildren, FamiliesNot published1.41 million (operator)Mid-February to early January
Legoland Billund DenmarkBillundChildren, FamiliesAbout 451.63 millionLate March to December 31
Tivoli Gardens DenmarkCopenhagenFamiliesAbout 224.3 millionLate March or April to early January, in seasons
Disneyland Park FranceMarne-la-Vallée, near ParisChildren, Families140 (park)10.8 millionAll year
Futuroscope FranceNear PoitiersChildren, FamiliesAbout 131 (park)2.03 millionEarly February to early January
Parc Astérix FrancePlailly, near ParisFamilies, Thrill-seekers842.95 millionEarly April to early November, plus Christmas
Europa-Park GermanyRustChildren, Families, Thrill-seekersAbout 235 (whole site)6.25 millionLate March to early January
Phantasialand GermanyBrühl, near CologneThrill-seekers692.1 millionLate March to late January
Gardaland ItalyCastelnuovo del GardaFamilies, Thrill-seekers49 (park)3.12 millionLate March to early January
Mirabilandia ItalySavio, near RavennaFamilies, Thrill-seekersAbout 136 (park)Not publishedEarly April to November 1
Efteling NetherlandsKaatsheuvelChildren, Families178 (park)5.78 millionAll year
Toverland NetherlandsSevenum, near VenloFamilies, Thrill-seekersAbout 591.14 million (operator)Late March to January, in seasons
Energylandia PolandZator, near KrakówFamilies, Thrill-seekers173 to 2222.1 millionMid-April to October, plus winter
PortAventura Park SpainSalou, near BarcelonaFamilies, Thrill-seekers128 (park)3.8 millionLate February to early January
Liseberg SwedenGothenburgChildren, Families, Thrill-seekers422.5 million (park)April to late December, in seasons
Alton Towers United KingdomAlton, StaffordshireChildren, Families, Thrill-seekersOver 500 (resort)2.83 millionMid-March to early November
Blackpool Pleasure Beach United KingdomBlackpool, LancashireFamilies, Thrill-seekers42Not publishedMarch to late November
Chessington World of Adventures United KingdomChessington, near LondonChildren, Families128Not publishedLate March to November 1, plus Christmas dates
Drayton Manor United KingdomNear Tamworth, StaffordshireChildren, Families180 (about 113 in use)Not publishedMid or late March to December 24
Legoland Windsor United KingdomWindsor, BerkshireChildren, Families1502.1 millionMid-March to November 1, plus Christmas dates
Paultons Park United KingdomNear Romsey, HampshireChildren, Families140Not publishedMid-March to late October, plus other dates
Thorpe Park United KingdomChertsey, SurreyThrill-seekers410 (lakes included)1.58 million (2024)Late March to November 1

Belgium

Plopsaland De Panne

Now branded Plopsaland Belgium, the park is in De Panne (Adinkerke), on the Belgian coast near the French border. De Panne station is a short walk away, and it's an easy drive from Calais.

Who it's for: families with young children, and increasingly older kids too.

What to expect: the headline ride is The Ride to Happiness by Tomorrowland, a Mack spinning launch coaster that opened in 2021. Anubis The Ride is a second launch coaster, and Heidi The Ride is a wooden coaster for families. Studio 100 characters such as Bumba and K3 are all around the park. The park also has the Plopsaqua water park and the Plopsaland Theater Hotel, and Flying Cinema, a Maya the Bee flight simulator, opens in March 2027.

It's the closest mainland European park to reach from the UK, by Eurostar or by car. There's a lovely indoor theme park section for kids, and in winter you can warm yourself by one of its many open fires. The Ride to Happiness is one of Europe's best spinning coasters.

Best for
Children, Families
Size
Not published
Visitors
1.41 million in 2025 (the operator's own figure)
Season
Mid-February to early January: daily from May to September, part days in spring and fall, and a winter event over Christmas. Closed from about January to mid-February.
Website
plopsa.com

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Denmark

Legoland Billund

In Billund, in Jutland, right next to Billund Airport and the original LEGO factory, which is handy if you're flying in.

Who it's for: families with children of roughly 3 to 12.

What to expect: Miniland is the original, built from over 20 million bricks. For rides, there's Polar X-plorer, a family coaster with a freefall drop, The Dragon coaster, LEGO Ninjago The Ride, and Minifigure Speedway, new in 2026. You can stay at Hotel LEGOLAND, the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel or the Holiday Village, and LEGO House in Billund and the Lalandia indoor water park nearby make it easy to turn a visit into a few days.

Best for
Children, Families
Size
About 45 acres
Visitors
1.63 million in 2025
Season
Late March to December 31, with Halloween in October and Christmas from late November through December. Closed January to March.
Website
legoland.dk

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Tivoli Gardens

In central Copenhagen, two minutes' walk from Copenhagen Central Station.

Who it's for: families, couples and anyone on a city break. It's a pleasure garden as much as a ride park, and superb at Christmas.

What to expect: Tivoli opened in 1843, which makes it one of the world's oldest amusement parks, and it wears its history well. Rutschebanen, a wooden coaster from 1914, is still run by a brakeman who rides on board. For something more modern there's Dæmonen, a looping coaster, and Himmelskibet, an 80 m swing tower. The Pantomime Theatre dates from 1874. With summer concerts, over 60 places to eat and the Nimb Hotel, it works as well for an evening out as for a day of rides.

Best for
Families
Size
About 22 acres
Visitors
4.3 million in 2025
Season
Summer from late March or April to late September, plus an Easter opening, Halloween in October and Christmas from mid-November to early January. Closed from about January to mid-March.
Website
tivoli.dk

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France

Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris)

In Marne-la-Vallée, about 32 km east of Paris. RER A trains from Paris and TGV high-speed trains run to Marne-la-Vallée Chessy station. Direct Eurostar trains from London have been suspended since 2023, so from the UK you change at Lille.

Who it's for: all ages, and especially families with young children, as many rides have no height limit.

What to expect: 49 attractions across five lands, with Sleeping Beauty Castle and rides such as Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, Phantom Manor and Big Thunder Mountain. The resort's second park was renamed Disney Adventure World in March 2026 and has World of Frozen and Avengers Campus, and the resort also has Disney Village and seven Disney hotels.

Best for
Children, Families
Size
140 acres for the park; the wider resort covers around 5,200 acres
Visitors
10.8 million in 2025 (Disney Adventure World, the second park: 5.92 million)
Season
Open all year, with the Halloween festival from late September to early November and Christmas from early November to early January.
Website
disneylandparis.com

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Futuroscope

About 10 km north of Poitiers.

Who it's for: school-age children, tweens and families who want something different. It leans on simulators rather than thrill rides, so it isn't ideal for anyone prone to motion sickness.

What to expect: Objectif Mars is a spinning coaster, L'Extraordinaire Voyage a flying theater, and Chasseurs de Tornades and Danse avec les Robots round out the headline attractions. There's also the Aquascope water park and a choice of themed hotels on site. The park turns 40 in 2027.

Best for
Children, Families
Size
About 131 acres for the park; 235 acres for the whole site
Visitors
2.03 million in 2025
Season
Early February to early January: daily from March to August, part days in the fall, weekends in November, and the Christmas holidays. Closed for about a month after New Year.
Website
futuroscope.com

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Parc Astérix

In Plailly, about 35 km north-east of Paris and close to Charles de Gaulle airport.

Who it's for: coaster fans, older children and teens, with some areas for younger kids.

What to expect: Toutatis, opened in 2023, is France's tallest and fastest coaster. OzIris is an inverted coaster and Tonnerre 2 Zeus a wooden one. The park has three hotels of its own, with a fourth, Odyssey, opening in March 2027.

Best for
Families, Thrill-seekers
Size
84 acres
Visitors
2.95 million in 2025
Season
Early April to early November (daily in spring and summer, selected days in the fall), with Halloween in October, then a Christmas season from late December to early January.
Website
parcasterix.fr

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Germany

Europa-Park

In Rust, between Freiburg and Offenburg in south-west Germany.

Who it's for: everyone. It's a destination for several days, for families and enthusiasts alike.

What to expect: over 100 attractions and shows, spread across areas themed on European countries. Silver Star is a 73 m hypercoaster, Blue Fire goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, Wodan is a wooden coaster, and Voltron Nevera opened in 2024. The resort has six themed hotels and a camp resort, plus Rulantica, an indoor water park with its own hotel.

The scenery and styling are incredible, and the number of rides is huge. Rather than retiring old rides, the park keeps them, so you get a real mix of ultra-modern rides and some very old, tired-looking ones. Rulantica deserves a mention of its own: one of the best indoor water parks in Europe, though not the biggest. The food is a highlight too: not the usual theme park burgers and fries, but a lovely round-the-world range.

Best for
Children, Families, Thrill-seekers
Size
About 235 acres for the whole site, hotels included
Visitors
6.25 million in 2025
Season
Late March to early January: the summer season, Halloween from late September to early November, then the winter season. Closed mid-January to late March. Rulantica, the water park, is open all year.
Website
europapark.de

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Phantasialand

In Brühl, just south of Cologne.

Who it's for: thrill-seekers, couples and anyone who values immersion over the number of rides.

What to expect: Taron is a multi-launch coaster that weaves through its own track and the rockwork of the Klugheim area. F.L.Y. was the world's first launched flying coaster. Black Mamba is an inverted coaster, Chiapas a log flume, and Maus au Chocolat an interactive dark ride. There are three themed hotels, including Ling Bao, and the Fantissima dinner show. There's no water park.

The theming is what really makes this park. It's beautiful and very well kept, and especially so in winter during Wintertraum. It has fewer rides than Europa-Park but comes very close to it on sheer quality. The rides are packed in and interlace, weaving in and out of each other, which only adds to the experience.

Best for
Thrill-seekers
Size
69 acres
Visitors
2.1 million in 2025
Season
Late March to mid-November, then the Wintertraum winter season to late January. Closed late January to late March.
Website
phantasialand.de

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Italy

Gardaland

In Castelnuovo del Garda, on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, near Verona.

Who it's for: families and thrill-seekers. It pairs well with a stay at Lake Garda.

What to expect: Oblivion: The Black Hole is a dive coaster and Raptor a wing coaster, with Blue Tornado and Shaman alongside them. The resort also has the LEGOLAND Water Park, Europe's first, a SEA LIFE aquarium and three themed hotels.

Best for
Families, Thrill-seekers
Size
49 acres for the park; 128 acres for the whole resort
Visitors
3.12 million in 2025
Season
Late March to early November, with Magic Halloween from mid-September, then a Christmas season through December to early January. Closed January to late March.
Website
gardaland.it

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Mirabilandia

In Savio, near Ravenna, on the Adriatic Riviera.

Who it's for: thrill-seekers, and young families thanks to Nickelodeon Land. It combines well with a beach trip.

What to expect: iSpeed, Italy's tallest and fastest coaster, goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.2 seconds. Katun is an inverted coaster, DiVertical a 60 m water coaster, and the Eurowheel stands 92 m tall. The resort also has the Mirabeach water park, and partner hotels rather than hotels on site.

Best for
Families, Thrill-seekers
Size
About 136 acres for the park, plus the 30-acre Mirabeach water park
Visitors
Not published by the operator
Season
Early April to November 1 (mostly weekends at first), with Halloween on October weekends. Closed November to March.
Website
mirabilandia.it

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Netherlands

Efteling

In Kaatsheuvel, North Brabant, about 75 minutes from Amsterdam.

Who it's for: the whole family, from toddlers to grandparents.

What to expect: Baron 1898 is a dive coaster, Joris en de Draak a wooden racing coaster, and Danse Macabre opened in 2024. Symbolica, a trackless dark ride, is the park's largest investment, and Droomvlucht and the Fairytale Forest show the park's gentler side. To stay, there's the Efteling Grand Hotel, inside the park since 2025, the Efteling Wonder Hotel, and the Bosrijk and Loonsche Land holiday villages.

It's a beautiful family park with something for everyone: big rides like Baron 1898, family rides like Symbolica and Max & Moritz, kids' rides like Droomvlucht, and a large collection of fairytale scenes. The food is excellent too, especially the pancake house.

Best for
Children, Families
Size
178 acres for the park
Visitors
5.78 million in 2025
Season
Open all year, with Winter Efteling from mid-November to mid-February.
Website
efteling.com

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Toverland

In Sevenum, Limburg, near Venlo and the German border.

Who it's for: families and coaster fans.

What to expect: Fēnix is a wing coaster, Troy a wooden coaster, and Booster Bike a launch coaster you ride like a motorbike. Merlin's Quest is a boat ride. Large parts of the park are indoors, which makes it a good choice when the weather is poor. Toverland celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026, and a hotel is planned.

Best for
Families, Thrill-seekers
Size
About 59 acres (from a secondary source; the park doesn't publish a figure)
Visitors
1.14 million in 2025 (the park's own figure)
Season
Late March to early November (Halloween from October to early November), then Winter Feelings from late November into January. Closed for part of January to March.
Website
toverland.com

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Poland

Energylandia

In Zator, about 50 km from Kraków.

Who it's for: coaster enthusiasts above all, but it's divided into zones for all ages.

What to expect: 19 coasters among more than 130 attractions. Hyperion is a 77 m hypercoaster that reaches 142 km/h, Zadra an RMC hybrid coaster, and Abyssus a multi-launch coaster. Alongside the zones for young children, families and thrill-seekers, there's a water park zone.

Think of it as closer to a Six Flags park than to the heavily themed parks elsewhere in this guide: less theming, but packed with quality coasters.

Best for
Families, Thrill-seekers
Size
173 to 222 acres (sources differ; there's no official figure)
Visitors
2.1 million in 2025
Season
Mid-April to the end of October (Halloween through October), then Winter Kingdom from late November to January. The 2027 season opens on April 3, 2027.
Website
energylandia.pl

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Spain

PortAventura Park

In Salou, on the Costa Daurada, about 85 km south-west of Barcelona.

Who it's for: thrill-seekers and families with teens. It's ideal with a beach trip.

What to expect: Shambhala is 76 m tall and reaches 134 km/h. Dragon Khan has eight inversions, once a world record, and Furius Baco is a launch coaster. In Ferrari Land, part of the same resort, Red Force is Europe's only giga coaster: 112 m tall, going from 0 to 180 km/h in five seconds. The resort also has the Caribe Aquatic Park in summer, its own hotels, and a Sesame Street area for small children.

The theming is light, but the collection of rides is good: Shambhala, Dragon Khan and Furius Baco in the park, and Red Force in Ferrari Land.

Best for
Families, Thrill-seekers
Size
128 acres for the park; Ferrari Land adds about 15 acres
Visitors
3.8 million in 2025
Season
Weekends from late February, daily from late March to mid-November (Halloween from mid-September), then Christmas from late November to early January.
Website
portaventuraworld.com

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Sweden

Liseberg

In central Gothenburg, so it's easy to fit into a city break.

Who it's for: young families, thrill-seekers and city-breakers alike.

What to expect: Helix is a double-launch coaster with seven inversions, Valkyria is Europe's longest dive coaster, and Balder is an award-winning wooden coaster. AtmosFear is a drop tower with a 116 m drop. The Grand Curiosa Hotel is Liseberg's own, and Oceana Waterworld is due to open in 2027.

Best for
Children, Families, Thrill-seekers
Size
42 acres
Visitors
2.5 million in 2025 for the park (Liseberg reports about 3 million for the wider destination)
Season
Summer from April to September, Halloween from October to early November, and the Christmas market from mid-November to late December. Closed January to March.
Website
liseberg.se

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United Kingdom

Alton Towers

Near Alton, in Staffordshire. The nearest stations are Uttoxeter and Stoke-on-Trent.

Who it's for: thrill-seekers, families and pre-schoolers.

What to expect: The Smiler holds the world record of 14 inversions, and Oblivion was the world's first dive coaster. Nemesis Reborn and Wicker Man, a wooden coaster with fire effects, are its other big names, while CBeebies Land is there for the youngest. The resort also has the Alton Towers Waterpark and three hotels of its own, including the CBeebies Land Hotel.

Of the UK's parks, it's the all-rounder.

Best for
Children, Families, Thrill-seekers
Size
Over 500 acres for the resort (the official figure)
Visitors
2.83 million in 2025
Season
Mid-March to early November, with Scarefest in October and fireworks in November. The hotels and the Waterpark are open all year.
Website
altontowers.com

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Blackpool Pleasure Beach

On South Shore in Blackpool, Lancashire, with its own railway station.

Who it's for: thrill-seekers and fans of coaster history, plus young families thanks to Nickelodeon Land.

What to expect: The Big One, 213 ft tall, was the UK's tallest coaster until 2024. Icon is a double-launch coaster, Aviktas a 138 ft giant pendulum new in 2026, and Valhalla is there too. The historic wooden coasters include the Grand National from 1935. To stay, there's the Big Blue Hotel and the Boulevard Hotel. 2026 is the park's 130th season.

Best for
Families, Thrill-seekers
Size
42 acres
Visitors
Not published
Season
March to the end of November, with Halloween in late October.
Website
blackpoolpleasurebeach.com

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Chessington World of Adventures

In Chessington, about 12 miles south-west of central London. Chessington South station is half a mile away.

Who it's for: families with younger children.

What to expect: two rides based on Julia Donaldson's books, The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure and Room on the Broom; World of Jumanji, with the Mandrill Mayhem coaster; and World of PAW Patrol, opened in May 2026. The zoo has over 1,000 animals, and there's a SEA LIFE aquarium too. Minecraft World opens in 2027, with the first Minecraft coaster and hotel. To stay, there's the Safari Hotel and the Azteca Hotel.

It's the kids' park of the UK set, with lots of well-known brands, from Julia Donaldson's books to Jumanji and, from 2027, Minecraft, plus the zoo, the aquarium and a few family coasters.

Best for
Children, Families
Size
128 acres
Visitors
Not published
Season
Late March to November 1, with Howl'o'ween in October and Chessington Christmas on selected dates in late November and December. The zoo stays open in winter.
Website
chessington.com

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Drayton Manor

Near Tamworth, in Staffordshire. Tamworth is 15 minutes by train from Birmingham.

Who it's for: families with young children.

What to expect: Thomas Land has 18 rides for children aged 2 to 8. For older ones there's Gold Rush, a family launch coaster from 2024, The Wave, a looping coaster, and Maelstrom, a pendulum ride. A 15-acre zoo is included with entry, and the hotel on site has Thomas & Friends rooms.

Like Paultons Park, it's built around young children, here with Thomas the Tank Engine, but Paultons has more of the bigger rides and more recent investment.

Best for
Children, Families
Size
180 acres in total, about 113 of them in use
Visitors
Not published
Season
Mid or late March to November 1, with Halloween in October, then Christmas from late November to December 24, plus the February half-term school break.
Website
draytonmanor.co.uk

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Legoland Windsor

In Windsor, Berkshire, with a shuttle bus from Windsor's two stations.

Who it's for: families with children aged 2 to 12.

What to expect: Miniland, of course, and Minifigure Speedway, the world's first LEGO dueling coaster, from 2024. Flight of the Sky Lion was the UK's first flying theater, and LEGO Ferrari Build and Race and The Dragon complete the headliners. You can stay at the LEGOLAND Hotel, the Castle Hotel or the Woodland Village lodges.

Best for
Children, Families
Size
150 acres
Visitors
2.1 million in 2025
Season
Mid-March to November 1, with Brick-or-Treat in October and Christmas on selected dates from late November to early January.
Website
legoland.co.uk

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Paultons Park (home of Peppa Pig World)

In Ower, near Romsey in Hampshire, on the edge of the New Forest, just off Junction 2 of the M27.

Who it's for: families with children of mixed ages. Peppa Pig World is for 2 to 6-year-olds, Tornado Springs and Lost Kingdom for 5 to 12s, and the bigger rides for 8 and up.

What to expect: Valgard: Realm of the Vikings, new in 2026 and the park's biggest investment, brings Drakon, its first inverting coaster. Tornado Springs has the Storm Chaser spinning coaster, Lost Kingdom is a land of dinosaurs, and Ghostly Manor is a dark ride from 2025. Serpent's Curse, a water coaster, is due in 2027.

Like Drayton Manor, it's built around young children, here with Peppa Pig, but it has more of the bigger rides and more recent investment.

Best for
Children, Families
Size
140 acres
Visitors
Not published (widely reported to be over a million a year, but there's no official figure)
Season
The February half-term school break, then mid-March to the end of October, with the Halloween Spooktacular in October and selected dates in November, December and early January.
Website
paultonspark.co.uk

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Thorpe Park

Near Chertsey, in Surrey, just off Junction 11 of the M25, with a shuttle bus from Staines station.

Who it's for: teens and adult thrill-seekers.

What to expect: Hyperia, opened in May 2024, is the UK's tallest and fastest coaster, at 236 ft and 81 mph, with Europe's tallest loop. The Swarm was the UK's first wing coaster, Stealth goes from 0 to 80 mph in under two seconds, Colossus has 10 inversions, and there's Saw: The Ride. To stay, there are the Thorpe Shark themed cabins.

It's geared towards thrill-seekers, with the UK's tallest hypercoaster, Hyperia, and rides like The Swarm.

Best for
Thrill-seekers
Size
410 acres, lakes included
Visitors
Not in the 2025 index; 1.58 million in 2024
Season
Late March to November 1, with Fright Nights through October. No winter opening.
Website
thorpepark.com

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Planning tips

Combine a park with a city break

Several of these parks sit in or close to a city worth a few days of its own. Tivoli Gardens is in central Copenhagen and Liseberg in central Gothenburg, so you can walk in for an evening. Disneyland Paris and Parc Astérix are both within easy reach of Paris, Phantasialand is just south of Cologne, Energylandia is about 50 km from Kraków, and PortAventura is about 85 km from Barcelona. In England, Chessington, Thorpe Park and Legoland Windsor are all within reach of London.

Think about Halloween and winter

Most of these parks open for Halloween, usually through October, and many have a winter or Christmas season too: Tivoli's Christmas, Phantasialand's Wintertraum, Winter Efteling, Toverland's Winter Feelings, Energylandia's Winter Kingdom and Liseberg's Christmas market among them. Disneyland Park and Efteling are open all year. Winter has its own atmosphere, from the open fires at Plopsaland to Phantasialand's Wintertraum, but check which rides run in the winter season before you go. Plenty of parks close completely for a few weeks or months between January and March.

Book hotels early

Many parks have their own hotels, from Europa-Park's six themed hotels to the Efteling Grand Hotel inside the park. They're convenient for a multi-day visit, and for school holidays, Halloween and Christmas they're worth booking well ahead.

Check dates before you book

Every season in this guide comes from the parks' 2026 calendars. Opening dates change each year, and most parks haven't published their 2027 calendars yet. Energylandia is one that has: it opens on April 3, 2027. Check the park's own website before booking flights, trains or hotels.

New for 2027

Plan the whole trip in one place

A theme park trip is rarely just the park. There are flights or trains, the hotel, park tickets, maybe a dinner show or a table booked for the evening, and often a city break on either side. Neatrip puts all of it on one timeline for each day of your trip, free. Forward your confirmation emails and it reads them into bookings for you. Keep your park tickets' codes on your device, ready to show full screen at the gate. Share the trip with everyone coming, and write a packing list for the whole family. It all works offline too, so it's there even with no signal.

About the figures

Sources

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