10 of the best theme parks (that aren't Disney) to visit in Europe

Of course, not everyone relishes the noise and general mayhem which comes with the territory, but most kids, tots, and teens will be delighted if you suggest a thrill-filled trip.

Apart from the best-known European venue — i.e. Disneyland — here’s everything you need to know about Europe’s top alternatives, which offer something a little bit different to the world’s most famous entertainment brand.

1. Gardaland, Italy

As Italy’s No 1 theme park, Gardaland is hugely popular with Irish families — and for very good reason.

As the name suggests, it’s situated on the shores of Lake Garda and close to Verona. For starters, the location will appeal to parents.

There are three hotels onsite and a wide variety of attractions, including white-knuckle rollercoasters for adrenaline enthusiasts and some gentle versions for younger children. There is also a themed aquarium, an area dedicated to Lego, several water-themed attractions, beach and swimming pools and many other hair-raising rides.

• Tickets from €39 per day.
• Hotel B&B and two-day tickets to Gardaland and Sea Life Aquarium for two adults and two children cost €698. gardaland.it
• Flights from Dublin to Verona from €77 per person. ryanair.com.

2. Port Aventura, Spain

Port Aventura in Spain is another well-known destination for Irish families and, although most popular during the summer holidays, it’s still great fun when the weather isn’t quite so warm.

A mere 15 minutes from Reus and just over an hour from Barcelona, it’s ideal for a weekend break — offering a plethora of hair-raising rides and water attractions, as well as some added extras in Ferrari Land.

Those who want to stay over can choose from five themed hotels, all with their own pool, so parents with older kids can allow them free rein of the park — while they stay poolside.

• Tickets cost from €40 per day.
• Hotel stay and two-day park tickets from €65 per person, portaventuraworld.com
• Flights from Dublin to Reus from €49 per person, €56 from Shannon and €135 from Cork to Barcelona with ryanair.com and Dublin to Barcelona €69 with aerlingus.com.

3. De Efteling, Netherlands

Opened in 1952, De Efteling in the Netherlands is a little bit special: Charming and traditional, it has retained its old-world appeal, while keeping up to date with modern rides.

With a fairytale theme, the atmosphere is magical and often other-worldly. It is suitable for all ages, offering rides and attractions for everyone.

Located just under 40 minutes from Eindhoven and over an hour from Amsterdam, it can be enjoyed in a day trip or you can stay in the themed hotel or one of the wonderfully-quaint but fantastically-kitted out cottages on site.

• Tickets from €38 to €51 (children under three go free).
• Overnight stay from €365 per family of four, including park admission, efteling.com.
• Flights from Dublin to Eindhoven from €35 per person and €42 to Amsterdam with .ryanair.com, and from €99 with aerlingus.com.

4. Europa Park, Germany

Located near the Black Forest in Germany, Europa Park is the ideal choice for a short Easter break.

Accessible by car or train (the nearest station is Ringsheim), it is a must for anyone with a penchant for hair-raising rides.

There are 100 attractions, including 13 rollercoasters, virtual reality rides, water-based attractions and some which are not for the faint hearted.

Modelled on Europe, the park is divided into different geographic zones and, for those wishing to stay over, there are several hotels as well as a glamping zone and campsite.

• Tickets cost from €52 per child per day (children under three go free) and €61 per adult.
• An overnight stay varies from €28 to €648 per person depending on accommodation type, europark.de
• Flights from Dublin to Basel cost from €62 per person. ryanair.com.

5. Phantasialand, Germany

Voted Europe’s most Immersive Theme Park in 2022, Phantasialand — also in Germany — is located just 20 minutes from Cologne.

Made up of different zones depicting different countries and eras in history,

it takes visitors on a voyage across time and space.

It has plenty of hair-raising rides to test your nerves and head for heights, but there is also an array of gentler options — including carousels, water-based attractions, and traditional fairground rides.

There is plenty of onsite accommodation if planning a short break.

• Tickets from €39 per day.
• There are three themed hotels on site with prices for B&B from €238 for a family room, phantasialand.de
• Flights from Dublin to Cologne from €86 per person. ryanair.com.

6. Legoland, Denmark

Everyone loves Lego, and located next to the original Lego factory in Billund, Denmark, Legoland Billund Resort is a must for anyone who has ever enjoyed being creative with the world’s favourite toy.

However, it’s not just about building, there are also a variety of themed rides and zoned areas suitable for different age groups, along with a number of accommodation options — from camping to cabins and staying in a Lego-themed hotel.

• Tickets from €44 per day (children under three go free).
• Nightly accommodation per family of four costs from €71 for camping, to €198 for a cabin, and €302 for a hotel room, legoland.dk
• Flights from Dublin to Billund from €60 per person, ryanair.com.

7. Tivoli Gardens, Denmark

While in Denmark, another option is a city break combined with a theme park at Tivoli Gardens in the heart of Copenhagen — which is both a beautiful, leafy space and a venue for fast-paced fun and family entertainment.

Best known for its wooden roller coaster, which was built in 1914, there are also lots of new rides to choose from, all offering varying degrees of speed and exhilaration,

And for anyone whose nerves are a little more delicate, there are family rides, carousels, vintage cars and an aquarium.

• Tickets from €20 per day (children under three go free), tivoli.dk
• Accommodation in CPH Hotel from €150 for a triple room at booking.com.
• Flights from Dublin to Copenhagen from €36 per person. ryanair.com.

8. Grona Lund, Sweden

Grona Lund in Stockholm is a great option for anyone wanting to combine a trip to the Swedish capital with some theme park fun — all the rides can be covered in an afternoon, leaving time to explore the city.

Grona Lund boasts almost 30 rides, seven of which are rollercoasters. There are also “dark rides” and an 80m “tilting” free-fall, which is definitely not advisable for anyone with a propensity towards motion sickness.

There are six restaurants on site, along with plenty of different funfair style stalls.

• Tickets from €30 per day for children aged four to eight (U4s go free) and €35 for everyone else. gronalund.com
• Ersta Hottel from €194 for two adults and two children, erstadiakoni.se
• Flights from Dublin to Stockholm Arlanda from €29 per person with ryanair.com.

9. Prater, Austria

Movie buffs and fans of the more traditional style theme parks will love Prater in Vienna, where the Grand Ferris Wheel — which featured in the iconic film The Third Man — is still turning after 125 years.

But there is also an array of modern rides — from rolle coasters, free falls, toboggans and go-karts to ghost trains, haunted houses, water rides, and even a simulated sky diving experience — as well as some more sedate options.

• Entrance is free of charge, but rides cost from €2 per person, praterwien.com
• Accommodation in the nearby Social Hub Vienna costs from €195, thesocialhub.com/vienna.
• Flights from Dublin to Vienna from €88 per person with ryanair.com, and €92 with erlingus.com.

10. Alton Towers, England

If you don’t want to go travel too far, then Alton Towers in the UK could be just the ticket. With over 40 rides and attractions to suit all ages, there is even a CBeebies Land where younger children can meet some of their favourite TV characters.

30 minutes from Manchester, there is a wide selection of accommodation on offer from stargazing pods, treehouses, woodland lodges, and an onsite hotel.

• Day passes from £35 per person, while accommodation costs from £130 for a family of four, altontowers.com.
• Flights from Cork and Dublin to Manchester €18 per person, and €17 from Shannon with ryanair.com and Dublin to Manchester costs from €11 with aerlingus.com.