The World's Best New Amusement Park Is in Europe

May 8, 2026, 9:56 am | Read time: 5 minutes

The Travellers’ Choice Awards are accolades from the travel platform Tripadvisor, based on genuine reviews and experiences from the community. They honor offerings that receive particularly positive feedback from travelers. In the current ranking of the world’s best water and amusement parks, European representatives stand out–especially France, with three spots in the top 10. How do German parks fare in the rankings? You’ll be surprised…

This is the new best amusement park according to Tripadvisor reviews

The basis of the rankings is, according to Tripadvisor, millions of user reviews and experiences that the portal evaluated over a 12-month period. The parks that perform particularly well with visitors are awarded.

Leading the 2026 list is France’s Futuroscope–a park that focuses less on adrenaline than one might expect from traditional amusement parks. Instead of extreme roller coasters, interactive shows, immersive experiences, and modern technologies take center stage here.

What makes Futuroscope amusement park special

Since its opening in May 1987, the park has attracted more than 50 million visitors, making it, according to Tripadvisor, not only one of the most popular amusement parks in France but also one of the best-known in Europe. Its orientation is almost unique. On about 60 hectares, Futuroscope combines relaxation and high-tech experiences. The approximately 25 attractions range from large-format film and immersion shows to 3D and 4D experiences, interactive games, live performances, and open-air offerings. The concept aims to appeal equally to families and fans of technology and experiences.

Also noteworthy is the park’s futuristic architecture. The buildings resemble monumental sculptures and blend surprisingly harmoniously into the surrounding landscape with their clear, modern forms.

Futuroscope, the best amusement park in the world — Spectacular shows and impressions–Futuroscope was named the best amusement park in the world for a reason

France is notably represented three times in the top 10. With a true classic, Disneyland Park in Paris, the country secures fourth place. In seventh place is the Puy du Fou theme park, just about a three-hour drive away. There, guests can embark on a journey through various eras with a total of four historical villages, from Roman times to the Middle Ages. For the full experience, visitors can stay overnight on-site, such as in one of the themed hotels styled after the respective era–including accommodations inspired by the age of Louis XIV.

Puy du Fou among the best amusement parks in the world — Chariot races, gladiator fights–at the Puy du Fou amusement park, you can experience history up close

Places 2 and 3 in the rankings

But back to the top ranks. The second place in the ranking of the world’s best amusement parks goes to Beto Carrero World in Penha, Brazil–the largest amusement park of its kind in all of Latin America. It spans more than five square kilometers. Visitors can expect a combination of classic roller coasters, shows, themed areas, and animal worlds. Yes, the “legendary” facility, according to user reviews, even has its own zoo. Capybaras are said to roam freely on the grounds, which many visitors describe as a special highlight. “The only problem is the long lines in the summer. But otherwise, it’s just great,” the reviews say.

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The bronze placement goes to Indonesia, to Waterbom Bali. The name says it all: It’s a water park located in the resort town of Kuta. It features more than 20 water slides and also impresses with its magnificent garden landscapes. The facility is praised in reviews for its cleanliness and exceptionally good organization.

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Not a single German park among the best amusement parks in the world

As already hinted, German parks are nowhere to be found on the list. Not even Europa-Park in Rust, which usually receives many industry awards–last year it topped the Golden Ticket Awards as the best amusement park in the world–is listed.

The absence of German facilities is likely less about a supposed lack of quality and more about how these rankings are created. The Travellers’ Choice Awards are not based on expert judgments but on the number and average of user reviews within a certain period. This means that parks with a large number of international visitors are primarily in focus. This is more common in the U.S., Asia, or certain tourism hotspots. Additionally, amusement parks in this category compete directly with water parks, which often receive very high ratings from visitors. Overall, the rankings reflect the global review dynamics and platform usage rather than the actual quality of individual parks in the industry.

The best amusement and water parks in the world at a glance

1. Futuroscope, Chasseneuil-du-Poitou (France)
2. Beto Carrero World, Penha (Brazil)
3. Waterbom, Bali (Kuta, Indonesia)
4. Disneyland Park, Paris (France)
5. Beach Park, Aquiraz (Brazil)
6. Garden City Water Park, Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
7. Puy du Fou, Les Epesses (France)
8. Siam Park, Tenerife (Spain)
9. Ramayana Water Park, Pattaya (Thailand)
10. Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool (United Kingdom)
11. PortAventura Park, Salou (Spain)
12. Parque Terra Mágica Florybal, Canela (Brazil)
13. Xcaret, Playa del Carmen (Mexico)
14. Paultons Park, Romsey (United Kingdom)
15. Liseberg, Gothenburg (Sweden)
16. Camel Creek Family Adventure Park, Wadebridge (United Kingdom)
17. The Milky Way Adventure Park, Devon (United Kingdom)
18. Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg (USA)
19. Thrill Park Prague’s Horror Theme Park, Prague (Czech Republic)
20. Twinlakes Family Theme Park, Melton Mowbray (United Kingdom)
21. Dollywood Theme Park, Pigeon Forge (USA)
22. Universal Studios Singapore, Sentosa Island (Singapore)
23. Djurs Sommerland, Nimtofte (Denmark)

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TRAVELBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@travelbook.de.