November 7, 2025, 5:38 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Europa-Park in Rust near Freiburg is considered Germany’s largest amusement park–and has been voted the best in the world multiple times. Each year, it attracts millions of visitors who experience Europe in miniature between roller coasters, themed worlds, and shows. TRAVELBOOK author Sarah Bachmann was on site and gathered her own unique experiences.
In Rust, Baden-Württemberg, not far from the French border, lies the approximately 100-hectare Europa-Park. At this year’s “Golden Ticket Awards,” it was once again named the best amusement park in the world. But what sets it apart from others, and what truly makes it appealing? I spent a day at Europa-Park and quickly understood why it’s not just children who have fun here.
Overview
A Step Back to Childhood
Since my sixth birthday, I’ve regularly celebrated my birthday at Europa-Park in Rust. Over the years, the intervals between visits grew longer. In October, I returned and felt a little bit like I was back in my childhood.
The park officially opens at 9 a.m., but we arrived a quarter of an hour earlier. It was well-attended, but once you pass through the gates, the crowd quickly disperses. My resolution: this time, not to rush to the big attractions immediately, but to pay attention to the small things. And that’s not hard here: small shops, a bakery, and pumpkins, string lights, and lanterns everywhere fitting the Halloween season.
First Stop in Italy
The first stop takes us to the Italian-themed area, one of 17 European worlds in the park. The ride on the newly designed ghost train is eerie but not too scary, making it a good start to the day. The design with a bridge and waterway in front is reminiscent of Venice. My highlight is the “Arthur” roller coaster with indoor elements. We had to wait about 40 minutes, but the waiting area, which leads through a cave, makes the wait more pleasant. What immediately stands out to me: The theming goes far beyond mere visuals. Even in the queue, it smells like honey, fitting music plays, and even the staff is dressed accordingly.
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Adrenaline and Relaxation
While as a child I could ride one roller coaster after another without a break, I now realize that a little break in between is quite nice. The park offers many quiet corners and a good mix of action and relaxation. Particularly nice are the seating areas with a view of the silver sphere of the “Eurosat–CanCan Coaster” in the French-themed area or in Scandinavia, where you can watch the loop of the “Blue Fire.”
At the same time, the park offers numerous restaurants and stands with regional snacks, some even with vegan options, matching the themed areas. A classic not to be missed: the “Euro-Mir” in the Russian-themed area. It spins you around quite a bit–with the iconic soundtrack, the ride would have been perfect, but it was replaced with a seasonal variant. At the water rides, there’s less going on at the end of October, so you often only have to wait five to ten minutes.
In the evening, there’s still time for a detour to the new Croatian-themed area, which stands out for its cleanliness and detailed design. We skipped the new roller coaster that day due to time constraints, perhaps a good reason to come back next time or see for yourself.
One Day, Many Impressions
If you don’t want to end the day with sore muscles, you should definitely wear comfortable shoes. If you want to see all the themed areas, you’ll quickly cover several kilometers. Alternatively, you can take the “EP-Express” from station to station through the European countries. On busier days, it’s still not easy to explore everything–I would plan at least two days in the park for my next visit. It’s noticeable that many visitors make the most of their stay until the end. Even shortly before the park closes, the paths are still lively.
While the entrance fee isn’t a bargain, it’s entirely reasonable given the experience. The park impresses with attention to detail, diverse themed areas, and an atmosphere that appeals to both families and adults. After all these years, a visit here still feels a bit like it used to.