School’s out and summer’s in!
It’s the summer holidays in Europe, and it’s the perfect time to bring your friends and families to theme parks and other outdoor attractions! The long school break also gives you plenty of time to travel, explore, and make up for a lost time because of the COVID-19 pandemic. You can even opt for an overseas holiday!
Planning where to go during the Europe summer holidays? We’ve got what you need. Check out the best summer destinations in Europe and abroad!
- Disneyland Paris - France
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter - UK
- PortAventura Park - Spain
- Europa Park - Germany
- Gardaland - Italy
- Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark - Dubai
- Universal Studios Singapore - Singapore
- Tokyo Disney Sea - Japan
- Walt Disney World Orlando - USA
- Universal Studios Hollywood - USA
Theme Parks in Europe
1. Disneyland Paris - France
Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is the centerpiece of Disneyland Paris.
Disneyland Paris is decidedly the most famous theme park in Europe. After all, it’s the Happiest Place on Earth, where Disney's magic meets Paris's romance! Unmissable rides include It’s A Small World and new favorites such as Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain. You can also feel like Disney royalty at Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.
2. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter - UK
Follow in the footsteps of Harry Potter himself and see the sets, props, and costumes of the films!
Any Potterheads spending their summer holidays in Europe, specifically England? Step into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and experience its magic coming to life on Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter. Explore the iconic sets, props, and costumes used in the films. Visit Platform 9 ¾, the Gryffindor common room, Diagon Alley, and other beloved locations!
3. PortAventura Park - Spain
This amusement park in Tarragona, Spain, is also home to Ferrari Land and Costa Caribe Aquatic Park.
PortAventura Park is the most visited amusement park in Spain, one of the most renowned on the continent, and an excellent pick for your summer holiday in Europe! The theme park abounds in fun and thrilling rides in its five main sections based on civilizations: Mediterrània, Far West, México, China, and Polynesia. It is also home to Ferrari Land and Costa Caribe Aquatic Park, the biggest resort in South Europe.
4. Europa Park - Germany
Europa Park is Germany's largest and most renowned theme park.
If one had to pick a rival to Disneyland Paris, Europa Park in Germany is a worthy competitor. It’s the largest theme park in Germany, which boasts a mind-boggling twelve roller coasters! Must-tries include the Silver Star, a steel coaster with a heart-stopping 220-foot drop, and Atlantica SuperSplash, a coaster that doubles as a water flume ride that makes a splash!
5. Gardaland - Italy
JUMANJI - The Adventure is the world’s first Jumanji-themed ride.
Another excellent pick for your summer holiday in Europe is one of Italy’s most iconic amusement parks: Gardaland (hailed by Forbes Magazine as one of the best theme parks in the world!). Here, you can hop on the world’s first Jumanji-themed ride JUMANJI - The Adventure, where you’ll explore the track on your 4x4. Gardaland is also home to LEGOLAND Waterpark and Gardaland SEA LIFE Aquarium.
Theme Parks in Other Countries
6. Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark - Dubai
Atlantis Aquaventure is a groundbreaking waterpark with the world’s largest water slide!
Atlantis Aquaventure Water Park in Dubai is a waterpark with attractions for the whole family! Thrill seekers will enjoy the Aquaconda, the world’s largest water slide, and the Tower of Poseidon, a slide with a heart-pumping plunge into a tank of rays and sharks! There are also 700 meters of beautiful private beach for those who prefer some downtime.
7. Universal Studios Singapore - Singapore
From Transformers to Jurassic Park, Universal Studios has plenty of movie magic!
Universal Studios Singapore is Southeast Asia’s first and only Universal theme park. Like its predecessors worldwide, you can enjoy rides and attractions based on movies to feel their magic come to life. Crowd favorites rides include Transformers The Ride, a thrilling dark ride based on the franchise of the same name, and the river rafting ride Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure.
8. Tokyo Disney Sea - Japan
Explore the famous harbors of the world in one park at Tokyo DisneySea. Credits: Sarah Castañeda on Unsplash
Part of the Tokyo Disney Resort, Tokyo Disney Sea is a fresh take on amusement parks as it focuses on legends and myths of the sea. Within its vicinity, you’ll find impressive reimaginations of famous harbors, such as the Mediterranean Harbour and Venetian Canals. You can also enjoy a ride on Journey to the Center of the Earth, which will take you into the depths of the park’s centerpiece: the active volcano.
9. Walt Disney World Orlando - USA
Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is the biggest theme park in the world!
If you’re vacationing in the US during the summer holidays in Europe, you can visit the biggest theme park of them all: Walt Disney World in Orlando. The resort complex is made up of four unique theme parks: four theme parks - Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom. Epic rides you simply have to try at Disney World are Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, a trackless dark ride that takes you right into battle, and Tower of Terror, a beloved drop ride that’s sure to thrill!
10. Universal Studios Hollywood - USA
When in California, Universal Studios Hollywood is a must-visit theme park. Credits: @ccyazhen on Instagram
Another gem in the US, but this time on the West Coast, is Universal Studios Hollywood. Like many of its counterparts worldwide, the theme park in California is inspired by various film franchises from which the rides and attractions are based. Its unique offering is the world-famous Studio Tour, which takes you behind the scenes to a real working studio with fun adventures along the way!
