Europa-Park, tucked away in the little town of Rust in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, is an epic theme park that has yet to be discovered by Brits.
The huge park is packed with thrilling rides and fantasy lands, yet it remains strangely unknown in the UK. This is baffling when you consider the park’s sheer scale and quality.
As a fantasy version of the continent with over 100 rides spread across 13 themed lands, it’s a theme park lover’s dream.
From thrilling roller coasters to immersive dark rides and family-friendly attractions, Europa-Park delivers a world-class experience that could easily captivate British visitors – if only more of them knew it existed.
This lack of recognition is particularly surprising given the park’s enormous popularity elsewhere. Europa-Park welcomed over six million visitors in 2022, solidifying its place as a heavyweight in the European theme park scene, second only to Disneyland Paris in attendance.
Yet, despite its massive status, British awareness of Europa-Park is practically non-existent outside of theme park enthusiast circles, with previous visitor numbers showing that fewer than 1% of guests are from the UK.
It’s a stark contrast to parks like Disneyland Paris, PortAventura, and even Efteling, all of which see a steady stream of British visitors.
It’s a shame because Europa-Park is truly is brilliant. The themed lands, each representing a different European country, are packed with creativity and details.
Europa-Park opened its gates in 1975, thanks to the Mack family, ride-builders by trade. Their company, Mack Rides, has been crafting rides since the 18th century, and the park was initially intended as a kind of showroom for their work.
It didn’t take long for it to evolve into a fully-fledged theme park, and now it’s a juggernaut of the industry. Over six million visitors flock here each year, making it one of the most-visited theme parks in Europe – second only to Disneyland Paris.
What makes Europa-Park special?
What makes Europa-Park truly special is its ability to bring the essence of European cultures to life in an immersive and playful way. With 18 themed areas, most representing different countries, it’s like embarking on a whirlwind tour of the continent without ever leaving the park.
Each area is designed with incredible attention to detail, showcasing its featured country’s architecture, food, and traditions. Wander through cobbled Italian streets, admire Scandinavian-style wooden houses, or lose yourself in the sights and sounds of a Swiss village.
The attractions are cleverly tied to these cultural themes, too. You can ride the CanCan Coaster in the Paris-inspired French Quarter, raft through fjords in the Nordic area, or enjoy a Greek mythology-inspired thrill on Poseidon.
Adding to the charm, live entertainment, street performances and food stalls serve authentic European treats, from Belgian waffles to Spanish paella. It’s a brilliant way to experience Europe’s diversity while having an unforgettable day of fun and adventure. The park truly feels like a vibrant celebration of the continent.
The best rides and attractions
If you’re a thrill-seeker, you’re in for a treat. Europa-Park is home to some epic roller coasters and water rides. Here are a few standouts:
- Silver Star: This one’s a beast. It’s a hypercoaster, meaning it’s all about massive drops and high speeds. At 73 metres tall, it’s one of Europe’s tallest coasters, and you’ll feel the G-force as you plummet down the first drop.
- Wodan Timburcoaster: Wodan is a must if wooden coasters are more your thing. It’s fast, it’s bumpy, and it’s got a proper old-school vibe.
- Blue Fire Megacoaster : This one launches you from 0 to 100 km/h in just a few seconds, with plenty of loops and corkscrews to keep your adrenaline pumping.
- Arthur – The Ride: Perfect if you’re not into super intense coasters. It’s a family-friendly indoor-outdoor ride based on the animated movie Arthur and the Invisibles . The theming is top-notch, and it’s a nice break from all the white-knuckle thrills.
- Pirates in Batavia: A dark ride that recently got a complete overhaul. It’s packed with animatronics, music, and swashbuckling adventure.
What about the little ones?
Europa-Park isn’t just for the big kids. There’s loads of stuff for younger visitors, too.
Kiddie-friendly rides, playgrounds, and even a fairytale forest where they can meet characters from classic European tales. And let’s not forget the daily parades and live shows – there’s always something magical happening.
Food and drink
One of the highlights of Europa-Park is the food. The dining options match up since each themed area represents a different country. You can indulge in fresh crêpes in France, dig into bratwurst in Germany, or tuck into some seriously good pizza in Italy.
And if you’re just after snacks, there are loads of kiosks selling things like waffles, ice cream, and pretzels.
For a sit-down meal, try FoodLoop, the park’s famous roller coaster restaurant, where your food arrives at your table via a mini-track system. It’s as much an attraction as it is a dining experience.
There are also plenty of spots to enjoy a beer or wine, especially in the German or Spanish areas. After all, you’re on holiday!
Chrismas at Europa-Park
Europa-Park takes Christmas to a whole new level, transforming its sprawling 140-football-pitch-sized wonderland into a festive extravaganza that has to be seen to be believed.
The entire park sparkles with over five kilometres of fairy lights and is dotted with 2,500 beautifully adorned fir trees. Giant Santas, reindeer, Christmas baubles, nativity scenes, and enormous decorative snowflakes create a magical, wintery landscape.
To top it all off, there’s a liberal sprinkling of fake snow, making it feel like you’ve stepped into a real-life Christmas card, all while the enticing aroma of Glühwein (mulled wine) fills the air.
The seasonal food is a highlight, with stalls offering German culinary delights that’ll have you returning for seconds.
Indulge in fat, juicy sausages sizzling on the grill or hausgemachte kartoffelpuffer – crispy, homemade potato pancakes served with sour cream, apple sauce and fresh chives.
Another must-try is schupfnudeln, a delicious hybrid of pasta and pancakes, served hot with sauerkraut and speck (smoked bacon).
Pro tips for visiting
- Arrive Early: The park gets busy, especially during summer or school holidays. Getting there at opening time means you can hit the big rides before the queues build up.
- Fast Passes: Europa-Park offers a VirtualLine system for some attractions, letting you book a spot in line via the app. It’s worth using for the most popular rides.
- Plan Your Route: With so much to see and do, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Grab a map or use the park app to plan your day and make sure you don’t miss anything.
- Stay Hydrated: There’s a lot of walking involved, and it can get hot in summer. Bring a reusable water bottle – there are refill stations around the park.
