Europa-Park — Germany’s Most Popular Amusement Park

With over four million visitors each year, Europa-Park is Germany’s most popular amusement park. There are fifteen parts or “lands” you can visit, from Russia and Iceland to Spain and Portugal.

The park was founded in 1975 by the Mack family, which has been in the business of vehicle-making since the 1880s.

Europa-Park was opened as a place to show off their fun rides and attractions. Apart from all the roller coasters and exhibits, it is becoming a resort to rival that of another theme park with a popular mouse mascot. ;-)

Main Themes

Roller Coasters, Extreme Rides, Boat Rides, Train Rides, Car Rides, Simulations, Panoramic Tower, Carousel, Haunted Rides, Water Rides, Landmark Architecture, Restaurants, Hotels

Location

Europa-Park has a prime location in central Europe. Located at the Black Forest region in South Germany, it is easily reached from at least four big cities: 40 km (25 mi) from Freiburg im Breisgau, 23 km (14 mi) from Lahr im Schwarzwald, 61 km (38 mi) from Strasbourg, France and 95 km (59 mi) from Basel, Switzerland.

How To Get To The Europa-Park

By Air

There are at least four regional airports that will put you close to Europa Park: The Black Forest Airport in Lahr, Strasbourg’s International Airport, Basel’s EuroAirport,and the Baden Baden Airpark. Zürich’s airport is about 160 km (99 mi) away.

By Car

Take exit or Ausfahrt Rust (57b) off of the Motorway/Autobahn A5 (Frankfurt/Basel). Then simply follow the signs.

By Public Transport

Ringsheim train station can be found only 4 km (2.5 mi) away from Europa-Park. There are also local buses that go there from several hotels, Freiburg ZOB, and Emmendingen Bus-Bahnhof. (Check the Europa-Park Public Transport Timetable for the most up-to-date info!)

Park Highlights:

Blue Fire

The Blue Fire is a new addition to the Europa-Park pantheon — being a super-thrill roller coaster and the first upside-down ride. After forty seconds of darkness and anticipation, this coaster goes from 0 to 100km/h in just 2.5 seconds (!), while catapulting you 40 meters into the air.

Sharp twists and hard turns and four upside-down rolls keep the adrenaline pumping, never giving you any time or chance to recover until the thrill ends two and a half minutes later. ;-)

Silver Star

As Europe’s tallest coaster (at 73 m) with speeds of up to 130 km/h and 4G forces, it’s no wonder the Silver Star is a main attraction. Its steep drops and hairpin turns will have you experiencing weightlessness and pure adrenaline. The ride ends with a bang as you enter the “horse shoe.” Here, it launches you straight up, twists quickly to the side then flies like a bullet through a 120 degree bend.

Euro-Mir

This space-age attraction is based on the Russian Mir Space Station. While it may look like a regular coaster at first glance, it’s more than meets the eye. As you plummet down and rocket up, the small cars that you sit in are spinning along in a circle. It’s a dizzying and exciting trip! :-)

More Europa-Park Attractions

Balthasar Castle is the Cinderella centerpiece of this German amusement park. It even has a moat surrounding it. If you’re looking for more fantasy, the Elf Ride lets you escape reality in a relaxing boat cruise. There’s a Panoramic Train that slowly weaves around the park, allowing the visitor lovely views of the main attractions. And the Magical Garden is a must-see for flower and plant lovers.

Europa-Park also features some real-life bits of history. Connoisseurs of Cold War memorabilia will take great interest in the original piece of the Berlin Wall on display. Car lovers can enjoy the Vintage Car ride where they can cruise around in an old Model-T.

Europa-Park Restaurants

Can you go anywhere in Germany without a beer garden? Europa Park is no exception with its Bavarian Beer Gardens. For more German goodies, there’s the Black Forest Specialties Shop. If your taste is more fast-food, then be sure to stop at the Euro-Burger.

And young children and the young at heart will especially enjoy a meal at the theme park’s prime attraction, the Castle Balthasar. With its medieval interior and music, you’ll feel transported to a fantasy world.

Operating Hours:

Good news! Europa-Park operates almost all year around. Their general schedule is from mid March to early April through the beginning of November. Hours are 9 am to 6 pm but sometimes later during the peak summer season. However… :-)

There are limited holiday hours that begin at the end of November through early January (except for Christmas eve and Christmas day)!