The best theme parks in Europe unveil – because expert shares how much it really costs to go and the most incredible trips you should jump

Roll up, roll up! Theme parks have opened their doors for the summer season. And even if you are not a roller coaster fan, these mini -Metropoles of pleasure have enough to entertain every generation, including spectacular shows, more relaxed journeys and beautiful gardens.

And often there are also large discounts available for toddlers and the age of 65. Tips? Pack a poncho in case it rains and wear your comfortable shoes …

Tivoli Gardens, Denmark

Good luck finding a nicer theme park all over the world than the Tivoli gardens from Copenhagen.

Slap Bang in the center of the Danish capital, a bronze statue of fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen welcomes visitors at the entrance of the park in 20 hectares of pleasure with exotic gardens, a brilliant food hall – with Asian street stalls, hamburgers and pizzas – historic buildings and, yes, many rides.

It is open late from spring to the end of September.

All ages will love: Wooden roller coaster Rutschebanen, that dates from 1914.

Book it: Day input from £ 19, £ 10 for children 3 to 7 (tivoli.dk).

Efteling, The Netherlands

Trip the Light Fantastic in this park with a fairytale theme with an emerald green lake at 20 minutes from Tilburg in the south of the Netherlands.

Every ride with Durfal (including the hair-raised diving side baron 1898) is matched by a more calming attraction, with a miniature village, monorail and steam train to enjoy.

All ages will love: A gondoletta drive along the meadows and windmills.

Book it: Day input from £ 32, under the 4S go free (Efteling.com).

Europa-Park, Germany

The largest theme park in Germany, one hour north of the black forest, takes visitors on a tour of the European countries through 20 theme areas with Shakespeare’s Globe, a mini-silver stone and a 100-year-old British carousel in ‘England’.

Elsewhere there is a brand new 3D ride called Grand Prix Edventure, or enjoy a weeks on the stuffed bow Flume Atlantica SuperSplash.

All ages will love: The discount for more than 60s.

Book it: Day input £ 44, £ 37 for more than 60s and children 4 to 11 (Europapark.de).

Phantasialand, Germany

Cheap flights to Cologne airport – just 25 minutes away by car – make this a nice weekend.

It is recorded on 70 hectares, it is smaller than most (saving those legs), but has seven theme areas, all of which are the famous precise attention of Disney for details rival. Watch out for regular half-price ticket deals online.

All ages will love: West-end-like shows, including a skating display.

Book it: Day input from £ 57, £ 49 for children 4 to 11 (Phantasialand.de).

Puy du Fou, France

The French regularly vote Puy du Fou, tucked away in a forest in the Vendee region, the number one theme park of the country. It is a compelling celebration of history, with 20 different versions and four villages with which visitors can travel time travel from ancient Rome to the age of the 20th century cinema.

All ages will love: Trench experience in the First World War Les Amoureux de Verdun.

Book it: Day input £ 39, £ 28 for children 3 to 13 (puydufou.com).

Gardaland, Italy

Gardaland is ideal for teenage shovels and is full of large roller coasters with discouraging names, including Oblivion: The Black Hole and Raptor.

In the meantime, younger children will worship Peppa Pig Land and the Sealife aquarium, which has 5000 marine animals.

All ages will love: Miniland, a small town made with millions of LEGO bricks

Book it: Day input £ 44, £ 37 for children under the age of 10 and older than 65, children younger than 90 cm go for free (Gardaland.it).

Parc Astérix, France

Comic Hero Asterix, a French favorite since 1959, has its own park 25 miles north of Paris that is full of large and small journeys.

New for this season, Cetautomatix, a fast spinning Chariotsbaanbaan is designed for the whole family.

All ages will love: Patisserie au croissant de Diane.

Book it: Day input £ 38, under the 3S go for free (Parcasterix.fr).

Tibidabo, Barcelona

How can I inject some child -friendly pleasure into a city break in Barcelona? Go to Tibidabo, an amusement park that has been entertaining Catalans since 1901. Yikes.

All ages will love: Avio, a shiny red replica 1927 plane that floats above the park.

Book it: Day input from £ 33, £ 12 for children younger than 120 cm, which are younger than 90 cm for free (tibidabo.cat).

Energylandia, Poland

An hour west of Krakow you will find Energylandia that it looks just as technicolor as it sounds.

There are more than 130 attractions to entertain every age of theme park visitor, from sizzling speeding letters (Hyperion Racks Up 88MPH) to an impressive water -based range, with short waiting times, even in high season.

All ages will love: On 190 hectares it is so large that it rarely feels busy.

Book it: Day input £ 35, £ 27 for people under 140 cm and more than 65 years; 20p for under threeEnergylandia.pl).

Paulons Park

Paulton’s park, small but perfectly shaped and is located in 65 hectares on the edge of the New Forest.

The home base of Peppa Pig World, it is the most popular ticket in the city for kindergarten question but it is to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who once took one of his children.

Another wing has enough to fire the adrenaline, including rotating roller coaster storm hunter.

All ages will love: Afternoon tea in the new forest.

Book it: Day input £ 45, children under a meter go for free (paultonspark.co.uk).

Chessington World of Adventures

This is the seventh heaven for younger children. There is the Gruffalo and Room on a broom, based on the famous books of Julia Donaldson, Plus Safari -Ancoles and the marine life in the Zoo & Sea Life sections.

Scream inducers? Cook for Dragon’s Fury, Vampire and Mandrill Mayhem.

Grandparents will love: Giraffes, zebras and ostriches on off-road ride Zufari spot.

Book it: Day input from £ 29, children younger than 90 cm go for free (Chessington.com).

Alton Towers

In 550 Rolling Staffordshire Acres, Alton Towers, open in 1980, is the largest theme park in Groot -Britain – and perhaps the most charming thanks to the picturesque layered gardens.

There are sensations for every age, from CBeebies Land to Gangsta Oma: the ride and the winding roller coaster Rita, with a 4.7G force. New before 2025 is dizzying spin ride toxicator.

All ages will love: 17th century Alton Manor in the heart of the park.

Book it: Day input from £ 29, children younger than 90 cm go for free (altontowers.com).