Top 50 Bucket List Destinations for Kids & Families in Europe

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It’s August and pretty much all of Europe is on vacation. From beach resorts to mountain peaks and cultural destinations, Europe has so much to offer.

But there are a handful of destinations that are truly special and which everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. And some of these amazing destinations are best to experience as a child, together with the family and loved ones.

Here at FatherMag.com, we decided to create the first travel bucket list destinations for children and families. We turned to online reviews to rank the best 50 family-friendly destinations in Europe based on their average rating and number of votes, as we believe that consistent high scores is a great indication of quality.

We ranked over 250 destinations that kids and families love such as amusement parks and theme parks, aqua parks, beaches, zoos and aquariums, kids museums, and national parks.

The rankings are a weighted average score based on the average Google rating and number of reviews for each destination. High ratings on Google are given more weight, so, for example, a destination with an average rating of 4.9 and 30,000 reviews will score higher than a destination with 4.5 average rank and 40,000 reviews.

Bucket List Destinations for Kids & Families in Europe

So if you still haven’t decided where to vacation this year, this list is for you. And if you already went on vacation, keep it bookmarked for future holidays.

1. Disneyland, Paris, France

Average rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 215,472

Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris; Photo by Thomas Evraert on Unsplash

”It’s time to start dreaming again” is Disneyland’s Paris motto. And this destination is quite the fairytale for the entire family.

Disneyland is full of many thrilling attractions. How about climbing aboard a flying carpet? Or explore Alice’s Curious Labyrinth? How about being a Pirate of the Caribbean? Star Wars™, Finding Nemo’s, Toy Story—all your favorite Disney movies and shows are represented here.

And how about the epic Sleeping Beauty castle, based on the breathtaking Schloss Neuschwanstein in Germany?! You can blast off into space on Star Wars™ Hyperspace Mountain, visit the ruins of Indiana Jones™, check out Big Thunder Mountain, a high-speed ride around a haunted site.

With over 200,000 votes and an average ranking of 4.5, Disneyland Paris is undoubtedly Europe’s top family destination.

2. Europa Park, Rust, Germany

Average rating: 4.8
Number of reviews: 115,993

Europa Park
Europa Park-Rust; Photo Credit: europapark.de;

Over 100 exciting attractions and breathtaking shows await your entire family here! You’ll find limitless fun for everyone at the largest theme park in Germany. Go for a leisure lake tour on Jungle Rafts, try the spinning teacups carousel, or gaze at all the park’s attractions from the slowly rotating 75m tall Euro Tower. What an experience!

For toddlers and small children, there’s the Ba-a-a-Express, a fun rollercoaster ride over the green island of Lummerland. Or maybe a ride in Germany’s most popular train engine through the Morrowland. The little ones can also check out Piccolo Mondo, a gondola journey through many cities of Italy such as Venice, Florence, and Pisa. And fear not, action fans, there’s a breathtaking rollercoaster that will catapult you into the sky, and another that races you passed Nordic gods. And now, during the summer, there are many water attractions. Maybe Fjord rafting or Atlantica SuperSplash? Are you ready to get wet?

3. Efteling, Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands

Average rating: 4.7
Number of reviews: 86,840

Efteling-Kaatsheuvel
Efteling-Kaatsheuvel; Photo by Teunard Droog on Unsplash

Efteling is one of the most fun theme parks in Europe and the largest in the Netherlands. Efteling promises a “World of Wonders” and it certainly delivers. And what’s really great, for all you nature-lovers out there, is it is in surrounded by nature!

The smallest of you can walk through the Fairytale Forest, go in carousels and merry-go-rounds and, of course, meet the inhabitants of the Fairytale Forest (Hi, Pinocchio, Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, and Red Riding Hood!) 

The whole family can enjoy the Palace of Fantasy, Symbolica, or take a ride on the Max & Moritz family roller coaster. Or maybe take a boat trip through the Forbidden City, visit haunted houses, or take train tours and enjoy panoramic views. And for the daredevils among you, there’s plenty to do! They can travel upside down at more than 45 miles per hour, drop 120 feet in free fall, or check out water roller coasters.

4. Plitvice National Park, Croatia

Average rating: 4.7
Number of reviews: 73,862

Plitvice National Park
Plitvice National Park

For all active-vacation fans and outdoorsy families, this is the place to be! World-famous for its turquoise waters and jaw-dropping scenery, Croatia’s largest national park is one of the most stunning natural parks in the world and a perfect nature getaway for the adventurous family. No wonder it’s a Unesco World Heritage site!

You and your kids will love all the lakes and waterfalls here! The clear waters are ideal for spotting fish and enjoying a boat tour. 

5. Gardaland, Italy

Average rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 81,028

Gardaland-Ronch
Gardaland-Ronch; Photo credit: https://www.gardaland.it/en/

Located at the southern tip of scenic Lake Garda, Gardaland is a huge amusement park that is considered among the world’s best in the world.

You can tour Miniland in Legoland® or be bedazzled at the sea life center and aquarium. There are many fantasy rides for all kids and all ages, as well as thrilling rollercoasters for thrill-seekers. Other major attractions include the Mammut, the park’s largest coaster for families, or the Kung Fu Panda Academy.

6. Prater, Vienna, Austria

Average rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 75,574

Prater-Vienna,
Prater-Vienna; Photo by Carina Baumgartner on Unsplash

Adventure, tradition, and Viennese charm. Ride the train of Liliputbahn, visit Madame Tussauds, enjoy the Giant Ferris Wheel, climb up the Prater Tower, 100 meters up in the sky, to fly at a speed of 60 km/h around Prater.

On hot summer days, Wildalpenbahn offers quite the ride, with a “splish-splash” and never stay dry guarantee! If you love adrenaline, check out Hotel Psycho, the Boomerang rollercoaster, or the Blumenrad, a giant Ferris wheel.

7. Oceanario De Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

Average rating: 4.7
Number of reviews: 57,061

Oceanario De Lisboa
Oceanario De Lisboa; Photo credit:Rinaldo Wurglitsch

If you’re fascinated by the underwater world, this is the place to be! This is a huge aquarium divided into 5 parts—a big tank holding 5 million liters of seawater surrounded by four smaller tanks, each representing a different marine habitat!

Sharks, mantas, otters, sea birds, penguins, hundreds of species of fish and sea plants create this amazing world at the Oceanario de Lisboa.

8. Puy du Fou-Les Epesses, France

Average rating: 4.8
Number of reviews: 52,817

Puy du Fou-Les Epesses
Puy du Fou-Les Epesses; Photo credit: Puy du Fou

Puy du Fou promises a unique voyage for couples, friends, and families with kids. Le Monde Imaginaire de La Fontaine is a great garden dedicated to the famous fabulist. This is an interactive trip, with many adventures, mixing the real and the imaginary. There are many other nature parks and shows based on stories and fantasy worlds, which the kids will adore.

The Musketeers of Richelieu, the Vikings, and the Cavaliers of the Round Table are all re-enacted with amazing precision in the costumes, architecture, and historical accuracy. There’s a lot to do for those who adore history, for those who adore nature, and for story-lovers. Prepare to be immersed in medieval cities, bourgs of around 1900, or themed villages.

9. Portaventura World, Tarragona, Spain

Average rating: 4.4
Number of reviews: 75,280

Portaventura World-Spain
Portaventura World-Spain; Photo credit: PortAventura

PortAventura in Catalonia, Spain is one of Europe’s top entertainment parks and the most popular in Spain. It’s a huge park with 6 themed areas that will keep everyone entertained for days. Pools and fun slides for the entire family, fun shows, thrilling roller coasters, water rides, so much to see and do.

Not forgetting the amazing Ferrari Land, a new themed area that will wow all car lovers, regardless of age.

10. Loro Park, Tenerife, Spain

Average rating: 4.7
Number of reviews: 53,857

Loro Park
Loro Park; Photo by Krzysztof Kowalik on Unsplash

Loro Park is an amazing animal adventure park and one of Tenerife’s most popular family destinations. One of its top attractions is an orca show that kids will simply fall in love with.

Other top attractions include a well-sized aquarium with sharks, rays, and eels, and dolphin show, white tigers, and a walk along jungle walkways and hanging bridges all surrounded by colorful birds.

11. Beauval Zoo, Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, France

Average rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 54,000

Zooparc Beauval
Zooparc Beauval; Photo by Mélody P on Unsplash

ZooParc de Beauval is one of the best zoos in the world, boosting some amazingly friendly habitats for the animals exhibited. It’s a big zoo with a huge variety of animals, from big cats to gorillas and the kids favorite, panda bears.

The zoo offers a couple of spectacular shows featuring sea lions and a variety of birds that your kids will definitely enjoy. It is well-worth spending an entire day, so pack a pair of comfy shoes and have fun!

12. Phantasialand, Brühl, Germany

Average rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 60,636

Phantasialand-Bruhl
Phantasialand-Bruhl; Photo by Marvin Funger on Unsplash

Phantasialand is an adventure park designed to immerse yourself in many themed worlds, bringing you from fantasy to reality. From exotic jungle to basalt goblins, from exciting rollercoasters to performances and shows, from restaurants to experience hotels that immerse you in adventurous worlds, Phantasiland has it all. 

13. Pairi Daiza, Brugelette, Belgium

Average rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 49,936

Pairi Daiza
Pairi Daiza; Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash

Who knew you could discover the whole world at once? The kingdom of Ganesha, life and the antipodes, the last frontier of wolves, the stories of ancestral China, remote regions of white ice and tundra, African vibes, Pairi Daiza is one of Europe’s top places for animal lovers.

If your kids love animals and discovering their natural habitat, this is the place to be. You can also enjoy peaceful gardens filled with birds, vegetation, and fragrant plants, and the sea world.

14. Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark

Average rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 58,305

 Tivoli Gardens-Copenhagen
Tivoli Gardens-Copenhagen; Photo credit: Charlie;

For the old and the young, this is a must-see! After all, it was Hans Christian Andersen and Walt Disney’s favorite! Carousels, roller-coasters, dining in the gardens surrounded by thousands of lights, theater shows for kids, amazing playgrounds, and rides: they will all make a vacation to remember.

And since the gardens are so romantic and there are playgrounds for little ones, maybe you two can enjoy a little getaway!

15. Prague Zoo, Prague, Czech Republic

Average rating: 4.8
Number of reviews: 41,156

 Prague Zoo
Prague Zoo; Photo by Alexander Shustov on Unsplash;

Happy animals, happy kids. The zoo in Prague is amazing, with its large variety of animals, and it offers plenty of activities for children. From tigers, elephants, gorillas, and giraffes to watching the underwater world, this place is a fantastic gate-away for the family. Bonus-tip: take the steam boat to the zoo, which adds some extra fun and excitement for the little ones.

16. Oceanografic Valencia, Valencia, Spain

Average rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 49,104

Oceanografic Valencia
Oceanografic Valencia; Photo credit: Oceanogràfic València

Valencia is not only a fantastic family vacation destination, but also one of the best places to live in Europe, and one of the must see places in the city is the oceanarium. It features many marine habitats and one of its main attractions is walking through the longest underwater tunnel in Europe.

Imagine going through a transparent underwater tunnel, while scary sharks, sea turtles, and hundreds of fish species swim above and around you! Kids will be just blown away by the experience!

17. Energylandia, Zator, Poland

Average rating: 4.8
Number of reviews: 48,700

Energylandia-Zator
Energylandia-Zator; Photo credit: EnergyLandia

Cute carousel rides for the little ones, adrenaline-filled roller coasters, and a great water park. Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the rides of one of the biggest amusement parks in Europe. You’ll never get bored among all the different decors and scenery, and when you want to relax, there are many pools to chose from. After that, there’s always the fun of a water roller-coaster or the thrill of watching stunt shows with cars and motorcycles.

18. Lake District National Park, England

Average rating: 4.9
Number of reviews: 35,155

Lake District National Park
Lake District National Park; Photo by Andrew Measham on Unsplash

If you adore nature, scenic trails, and lake-side fun, head over to the beautiful Lake District National Park in north-west England. This is the perfect place to go camping and experience the great outdoors. Is there anything more perfect than watching the fog rise from the lake? Maybe take a boat cruise, try archery, go fishing and swimming, or cycle around the area. And if you fancy it, you’ll find a cup of tea and lovely desserts at many of the cottages and hotels around.

19. Parc Asterix, Plailly, France

Average rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 49,192

Park Asteri
Park Asteri; Photo credit: dolanh;

Based on the comic book series Asterix, this is a must-see destination for all Asterix and Obelix fans out there! Many themed rides and attractions will thrill the entire family. From roller coasters to upside-down rides, from water rides to wandering the streets of Asterix, amazingly designed for the little ones.

20. Cinque Terre National Park, Italy

Average rating: 4.7
Number of reviews: 39,742

Cinque Terre National Park
Cinque Terre National Park; Photo credit: https://national-parks.org

Cinque Terre National Park is one of the most beautiful natural parks in Europe. It provides a unique mix of outdoor adventure, cultural destination, and beach fun. You’ll fall in love with the charming and colorful streets of the five old seaside villages that are included in the park. You can hike along the coastline from village to village and take a fun boat ride on your return. Kids will love the colors and the sea, trekking and hiking, the local food, and especially all the water adventures. Swim in the crystal-clear waters, snorkel or kayak while you explore the amazing caves. Fun per tutta la famiglia! 

21. Zoo Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

Average rating: 4.7
Number of reviews: 42,253

Tierpark Leipzig
Tierpark Leipzig; Photo credit: https://www.leipzig.travel/

Opened over a century ago, Zoo Leipzig is internationally renowned for its large building projects such as Pongoland (housing gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobo, and orangutans) and Gondwanaland (the world’s second largest indoor rainforest hall). In Gondwanaland, you can take a boat on the river Gamanile on an exciting journey through the rainforest. This is incredibly fun, and it’s just one of the many exciting things that Zoo Leipzig has to offer.

22. Krka National Park, Croatia

Average rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 41,290

Krka National Park
Krka National Park; Photo credit: Krka National Park

Croatia is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe and features not one but two of Europe’s top rated national parks. While not as famous as Plitvice National Park, Krka National Park should by no means be left off your travel bucket list.

Kids will love swimming in the clear turquoise waters (note that swimming is banned in some areas of the park), and witnessing nature in its full glory. There are also many amazing boat rides you can embark on and hiking trails you can explore on foot or on bikes.

23. Berlin Zoo, Berlin, Germany

Average rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 44,772

Berlin Zoo
Berlin Zoo; Photo by Alexandra Mirgheș on Unsplash

Talk about family fun! You and your kids can meet new families here, families of animals all over the world! And for all of you zoo-geeks, you can go on a puzzlehunt with fun games and tours within the zoo.

Opened in 1844, Berlin Zoo is the oldest and best-known zoo in Germany. It is also the most-visited in Europe, so head over on weekdays to avoid the crowds. The enclosures are very well thought out and most resemble the anımals’ natural habitats. Talking about animals, expect a huge variety from polar bears to lions and cute pandas.

Berlin Zoo also features a large aquarium that houses an incredible number of fish species and reptiles.

24. Genoa Aquarium, Genoa, Italy

Average rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 44,608

Genoa Aquarium
Genoa Aquarium; Photo by Janayara Machado on Unsplash

This is the biggest aquarium in Europe and it will not disappoint. Located in Genoa’s harbor, the aquarium offers a great way to spend the day gazing at marine life and learning about the world’s oceans. You’ll be surrounded by colorful fish, dolphins, reptiles, sharks, manatees, seals, and penguins. Bonus-tip: after the aquarium, head to Genoa’s historical center for some of the best gelato in Italy.

25. Moskvarium, Moscow, Russia

Average rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 40,388

Moskvarium
Moskvarium; Photo credit: Москвариум

For a couple of days of fun and joy, Moskvarium is a great choice for your kids. They’ll adore swimming with dolphins and they can even have a go at dolphin therapy. After that, there’s plenty to see at the aquarium that houses an incredible number of sea creatures from beluga wales to orcas, sharks, jelly fish, stingrays, and more.

If you enjoy animal shows, Moskvarium offers a great musical, featuring seals or orcas, sea lions, and walruses.

26. Schönbrunn Zoo, Vienna, Austria

Average rating: 4.7
Number of reviews: 36,088

Schonbrunn Zoo
Schonbrunn Zoo; Photo credit: https://www.zoovienna.at

How about watching polar bears swim underwater? Or maybe discovering one of the great themed tours of Safari or the Giants of the World? How about a first-hand experience of the rain forest close to Europe’s Alps? Or watching birds, snakes, and sea lions in their habitat? Yes, this zoo offers quite the morning experience, when you can have the zoo to yourself and watching its inhabitants as they wake up.

27. Parque Warner, Madrid, Spain

Average rating: 4.2
Number of reviews: 56,646

Parque warner madrid
Parque warner madrid; Photo creit: https://www.parquewarner.com/en

Prepare to meet your favorite movie characters and walk in their shoes: Looney Tunes, Batman, Scooby-Doo, they are all here! There are themed water rides, roller coasters, teacup rides, and carousels. And for extra fun, you can all enjoy a nighttime show with Aquaman, a musical with cartoon characters, and plenty of stunt shows!

28. Futuroscope, Chasseneuil-du-Poitou, France

Average rating: 4.3
Number of reviews: 50,436

Futuroscope-Chasseneuil-du-Poitou
Futuroscope-Chasseneuil-du-Poitou; Photo credit: https://www.poitevins.fr/

Heads-up, theme park lovers! This one is quite the journey! Plan a trip to Futuroscope if you enjoy themed rides and virtual reality. How about flying in the Time Machine, or taking a roller coaster to Mars? Or maybe you want to party with Ice Age characters or dance with robots. If you get here, don’t miss out on the splash adventure, the aquatic garden, and all the rocketing rides. You can always travel through space with state-of-the-art cosmic collision VR rides and when you are finished, you can dine high up in the sky.

29. Chocholowska Baths, Chochołów, Poland

Average rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 36,995

Chocholowska Baths-Chochołów
Chocholowska Baths-Chochołów; Photo credit: Chochołowskie Termy

For all of you water adventure lovers, don’t miss out on the largest thermal baths in Poland! You just wont have enough of swimming, pool fun, jacuzzi time, saunas, SPAs, and fun rides!

30. Siam Park, Tenerife, Spain

Average rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 35,536

Siam Park-Tenerife
Siam Park-Tenerife; Photo credit: stephen jones

Slide away through one of the best waterparks in Europe! The greatest thing about it? From jungle fun to peaceful floating away, the park has lots to offer for every age group. Everything while stimulating your kids imagination with great themes and fantasy stories.

If you seek a little adrenaline, rubber boat slides will make you happy. And for children over 14, don’t miss out on the Tower of Power, a water slide of 28 meters in which you can reach 80 km/h and you finish the ride passing through a giant aquarium filled with sharks and rays. Are you ready? To get a little peace, you’ll love the floating market, inspired by Thai villages, and the sea lion island.

31. Therme Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania

Average rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 34,679

Therme Bucharest
Therme Bucharest; Photo credit: Therme Bucuresti

Therme Bucharest offers exotic scenery with spectacular indoor slides that makes it a perfect destination for the entire family. There are many water rides to try and don’t forget the wave pool that kids of all ages will adore! For a relaxing time, you can try out the sandy beach and the outdoor pool. If you like a bit of pampering, there are also many saunas, SPAs, and massage treatments.

32. Peak District National Park, England

Average rating: 4.8
Number of reviews: 29,049

Peak District National Park; Photo by Kristian Schofield on Unsplash

Peak District National Park is ideal for camping and outdoor lovers. The are lots of scenic hiking trails and cycling paths to choose from. And lakeside is the best choice for pitching your tent! Nothing beats this view!

33. Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, England

Average rating: 4.7
Number of reviews: 30,981

Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo; Photo by Nicholas Chester-Adams on Unsplash

Welcome to one of UK’s largest zoos and most visited wildlife attraction. Chester Zoo is frequently featured among the best zoos in Europe and the world and it’s a must see for all animal lovers. You’ll marvel at an amazing number of animals (35,000 strong!), such as African painted dogs, Asian elephants, odd-looking babirusas, and cute lemurs.

34. Heide Park Resort, Soltau, Germany

Average rating: 4.4
Number of reviews: 39,693

Heide Park-Soltau
Heide Park-Soltau; Photo credit: Heide Park Resort

Big high in the sky looped roller coasters. Amazing shows. Kiddie rides. Over 40 attractions await the entire family here.

It is one of the largest amusement parks in Germany and it has a lot to offer for every age group.

35. Divo Ostrov, St. Petersburg, Russia

Average rating: 4.7
Number of reviews: 27,363

Divo Ostrov-St.Petersburg
Divo Ostrov-St.Petersburg; Photo credit: Парк аттракционов Диво Остров

If you get to St. Petersburg, give your kids a day to remember. Karting, playgrounds, toy cars, and kiddie rides will make your little ones happy. Bigger children will get their kicks on roller coaster, free-fall, or catapult rides. And the entire family can try out carousels and catamarans.

36. Valencia Bioparc, Valencia, Spain

Average rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 29,109

Valencia Biopark
Valencia Biopark; Photo credit: Bioparc Valencia

One of the greatest bio parks in Europe, Bioparc Valencia will captivate all of you animal lovers out there. Your kids will get to see animals living in enclosures that resemble their natural habitat and have a lot of fun discovering many animals that roam freely in the park. A must see attraction when visiting Valencia.

37. Alton Towers, Staffordshire, England

Average rating: 4.4
Number of reviews: 35,320

Alton Towers-Staffordshire
Alton Towers-Staffordshire; Photo credit: Alton Towers

Do you love water parks? Do you love themed rides? How about roller coasters? Prepare to enjoy them all here, in one place! From colorful kiddie rides to haunted house thrills or dragon dark vibes, they’ve got them all. Let’s not forget up in the sky, looping rides and water rafting rides!

For small children, don’t miss out on the colorful shows. Another great experience is at the sensory garden and the Magical Boat Ride in The Night Garden. And if you get here during summer, go for all the slides and twirls of the water park! There’s even a Bubbly Wubbly pool, which we highly recommend!

38. Snowdonia National Park, Wales

Average rating: 4.9
Number of reviews: 20,971

Snowdonia National Park
Snowdonia National Park; Photo by Josie Jean on Unsplash

Pack-up! It’s time for wild camping across the Celtic forests. If you and yours are always in the mood for marshmallows and stories by the fire, this is your place! The mountains offer fabulous trekking trails around the many lakes. If you’re here, don’t miss out on all the Welsh castles. It’s a fantastic experience for everyone.

39. Legoland, Billund, Denmark

Average rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 29,493

Legoland Billund-Billund, Denmark
Legoland Billund-Billund, Denmark; Photo credit: LEGOLAND Billund

Show us a kid who doesn’t love lego! Well, imagine how they’ll feel when they get to live the Legoland® experience! There are many things to try here! Ferris wheels adapted for kids, themed rides, water fun, and roller coasters: it’s quite the thrill!

Make sure to try The Dragon, a spooky ride in the enchanted Royal Castle, the Lego® Canoe, and the Lego® train and enjoy your trip to Miniland on a mini boat. There are so many other attractions and activities your kids will love: from laser shows to rock climbing, from Safari rides to themed carousels for the little ones, there’s no time to get bored.

40. Mirabilandia, Savio, Italy

Average rating: 4.4
Number of reviews: 31,910

Mirabilandia-Savio
Mirabilandia-Savio; Photo credit: Mirabilandia

There’s fun for every age at Mirabilandia. Extreme, high-speed rides and upside-down rollercoasters for the courageous ones, more sedate fun in carousels and themed rides for smaller children, and plenty of shows with their favorite movie and cartoon characters.

Mirabilandia is Italy’s largest amusement park and among it’s top attractions is the 90-metre tall Eurowheel, the second tallest ferris wheel in Europe. .

41. Liseberg, Gothenburg, Sweden

Average rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 27,930

Liseberg-Gothenburg
Liseberg-Gothenburg; Photo credit: Liseberg

If you want to try whirling in breathtaking carousels, this is your destination. You’ll all enjoy riding the wooden roller coaster, the retro carousels, and the coffee cup ride. There are many themed rides as well, from high-in-the-sky adrenaline wheels and carousels to water fun. Don’t miss out on the Ghost Hotel for bigger children and Kaninlandet, the world of rabbits, which kiddos will love. Many shows and rides await the little ones too.

42. Elafonisi Beach, Crete, Greece

Average rating: 4.7
Number of reviews: 22,950

Elafonisi Beach
Elafonisi Beach; Photo by Dimitris Kiriakakis on Unsplash

This has to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, if not the most beautiful. Expect to be wowed by the smooth, pink sand (yes, Elafonisi is world-famous for its pink sands) and crystal-clear waters. It’s a perfect family destination as the water is calm, shallow, and incredibly warm. Close to the beach you can enjoy some delicious Greek food at a traditional taverna.

43. Tibidabo Amusement Park, Barcelona, Spain

Average rating: 4.4
Number of reviews: 30,676

Tibidabo in Barcelona is one of the best amusement parks in Europe. Kids will have a lot of fun here in all the carousels, roller coasters, water rides, and themed rides. There’s a lot to be done for all ages here!

Tibidabo Amusement Park-Barcelona
Tibidabo Amusement Park-Barcelona; Photo by Julian Grüneberg on Unsplash

44. Sochi Park, Sochi, Russia

Average rating: 4.7
Number of reviews: 22,366

Ferris wheels, giant swings, roller coasters, catapulting rides, teacups, swirling rides, trains, and water fun: you’ll need time and energy to try them all out here in Sochi. After you get dizzy bouncing from one attraction to another, check out the dolphin shows. Children will also love discovering all the owls and birds here. Extra tip for extra fun: don’t skip on the water playgrounds and the Fairytale maze! 

Sochi Park; Credit: www.sochipark.ru;

45. Tierpark Hagenbeck, Hamburg, Germany

Average rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 24,424

Tierpark Hagenneck
Tierpark Hagenneck; Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash

Dive in with the walruses, seals, and sea lions! Walk around with the big turtles and marvel at the tropical world Hagenbeck Zoo has to offer. One of the most popular zoos in Germany will give you a tour among 210 species of animals from all over the world. Don’t skip on the four-level Tropical Aquarium and the polar section! It will be like traveling all around the world at once.

46. Leolandia, Capriate San Gervasio, Italy

Average rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 26,347

Leolandia-Capriate San Gervasio
Leolandia-Capriate San Gervasio; Photo credit: Leolandia

Kids will love meeting fairy tale and cartoon characters here. And they’ll love all the shows. But most of all, they’ll enjoy the rides. How does it feel to be fired high in the air from a cannon? They’ll find out in one ride. How does it feel to go water rafting in waterfalls? There are many water rides to experience that, and many spinning rides and high speed roller coasters. There are plenty of activities for kiddies, too. And after you get tired of all the excitement, have some peaceful fun visiting the farm or the aquarium or settle down at one of the pools for children.

47. Dino Parc, Râșnov, Romania

Average rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 23,202

Dino Parc-Râșnov
Dino Parc-Râșnov; Photo credit: Dino Parc Râșnov

One of the most fun adventure parks and outdoor museums in Europe is in Râșnov, close to Brașov, Romania. If your kids are fascinated by dinosaurs, this is the place to be. They will talk about nothing else for the whole year after visiting Dino Parc. They can see about 100 models of real-size dinosaurs while hiking and trekking through the park. Imagine their thrill! Especially when they come across the biggest flying-dino. And the adventure is not over!

There are many playgrounds, treehouses, adventure trails, laser labyrinths, and state-of-the-art cinemas. Do you think the fun is over now? Well, it’s not! Don’t miss out on all the virtual reality interactive areas and the erupting interactive volcano.

48. Brighton Palace Pier, Brighton, England

Average rating: 4.4
Number of reviews: 27,766

Brighton Palace Pier
Brighton Palace Pier; Photo by Ben Guerin on Unsplash

From traditional fairground rides to the latest themed rides, the little ones will have their day booked. They can climb, swirl, and fly, enjoy VR rides, drive around, spin, leap, and… well, everything you can think of.

49. Therme Erding, Erding, Germany

Average rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 24,576

Therme Erding
Therme Erding; Photo credit: Therme Erding

If you love water, you will definitely love Therme Erding. This is a great place for the entire family. There are many splashy water rides to try, including virtual reality enhanced rides. And there are many relaxing, tropical pools to just enjoy the day. Extra tip: if you’re going there in a larger crowd, you can leave your kids with your friends and enjoy a day at the SPA and have a massage. Not too shabby, right?

50. Linnanmäki, Helsinki, Finland

Average rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 22,711

Linnanmaki
Linnanmaki; Photo credit: Linnanmäki

We are ending our list of destinations for kids and families in Europe with this amusement park in Helsinki. No kid will leave without having fun here! Loads of rides, carousels, wheels, plunging roller coasters and wheels, VR rides, trains, and cars await the entire family.

Methodology

In order to determine the top 50 bucket list destinations for kids and families in Europe, FatherMag has analyzed Google reviews for over 250 family-friendly vacation destinations. We have included in our rankings amusement parks, water parks, family-friendly thermal baths, zoos, aquariums, beaches and natural parks with an average score of at least 4.2 on Google.

The rankings are a weighted average score based on the average Google rating and number of reviews for each destination. High ratings on Google are given more weight, so, for example, a destination with an average rating of 4.9 and 30,000 reviews will score higher than a destination with 4.5 average rank and 40,000 reviews.

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