Seven of one of the best theme parks in Europe for households

1. Parc Astérix, close to Paris

A fantastic various or addition to Disneyland Paris, the park was impressed by the René Goscinny comedian strips concerning the rivalry between the Gauls and Romans, but additionally options zones impressed by Historical Greek and Egyptian cultures, plus themed on-site resorts. Subsequent spring will see the launch of a brand new zone, Toutatis!, with a double-record-breaking curler coaster, whereas the favored wood experience Tonnerre 2 Zeus has had a whole renovation. 

2. Moominworld, Finland

On the island of Kailo subsequent to the outdated city of Naantali, in southwest Finland, this charming, summer-only theme park celebrates its thirtieth anniversary in 2022, with a raft of recent sights together with Hattifatteners’ Cave, housing a number of the electrically charged mushroom-like creatures, Too-Ticky’s Fishing in Snork’s Park of Innovations, and Café Pappa’s Hat, a restaurant serving Moomintroll’s favorite waffles.

3. Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen

Set within the coronary heart of the Danish capital, the third-oldest theme park in the world (courting to 1843) has rides and sights for all ages, together with a curler coaster that does three full loops, and the Villa Vendetta haunted home for over-12s, which launched in 2021. However there are additionally attractive hanging gardens, a bamboo forest, water fountains and The Alley, based mostly on an outdated Danish market city and mixing classic fairground finds with old style retailers promoting pretzels and different snacks. It’s notably stunning at Christmas, however is open year-round.

4. Liseberg, Gothenburg

This classic theme park within the centre of the Swedish metropolis celebrates its a hundredth birthday in 2023. This yr already noticed the opening of a retro-theme space, Luna Park, with the rotating Tempus experience and the interactive Turbo motorbike-and-sidecar carousel; subsequent yr they’ll be joined by the boomerang curler coaster, Luna. Schedule your go to for 2023 and also you’ll even be among the many first to expertise the brand new on-site Grand Curiosa Resort, reserving from this autumn, with fashionable, fantasy-inspired decor. 

5. Europa-Park Resort, Germany

Positioned within the nation’s southwest, and the second-most standard theme park in Europe after Disneyland Paris, Germany’s largest theme park has all of it: the Rulantica water park, YULLBE with its distinctive VR experiences, six themed resorts, campsites and a spa. There’ll be a brand new big-dipper curler coaster from subsequent yr, whereas perennial favourites embrace Grimm’s Enchanted Forest with its forest cinema, fairytale rides and animatronic shows, and Minimoys Kingdom, together with the inverted-spinning dark-ride curler coaster. There are additionally themed areas impressed by varied European international locations, together with Iceland, Spain, Switzerland and, from 2023, Croatia.

6. Gardaland Resort, Italy

Combining an amusement park, Legoland water park, aquarium and three themed resorts with a superb setting by Lake Garda, that is Italy’s top theme park. New in 2022 has been the world’s first Jumanji-themed experience (a multi-motion darkish experience taking guests in 4×4-styled automobiles on a mission into the jungle), together with Jumanji-themed rooms in Gardaland Resort. Smaller guests, nevertheless, will wish to head straight for Peppa Pig Land.

7. PortAventura World, Spain

That is one other of Europe’s top-level resort parks, bringing collectively three thrilling parks: PortAventura Park, with its six international-themed zones of sights for all ages; Ferrari Land, residence to rides devoted to the Italian motor racing group, and the Caribbean-inspired Caribe Aquatic Park. Lots of its rides are or have been record-breakers, together with Pink Power, the tallest and quickest curler coaster in Europe. There are additionally six nice resorts, together with three Wild West-themed stays and one styled as a fishing village. PortAventura is well reached from Barcelona, together with by prepare to its personal station.

Published in the November 2022 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)

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