7 Unique and Fascinating Theme Parks in Europe

As the travel industry gradually reopens following COVID-19 shutdowns, TPG recommends consulting your doctor, adhering to health officials' advice, and checking local travel restrictions before planning your next adventure. We're here to assist you in preparing, whether it's for next month or next year.

Theme parks are a fantastic choice for summer fun. In the U.K., some popular destinations include Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, and Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Remember those early mornings filled with excitement as you packed a picnic and drove for hours to arrive just as the gates opened? We certainly do!

However, beyond the well-known attractions, Europe is home to a variety of lesser-known and quirky theme parks. So if towering thrill rides aren't quite your style, we've curated a list of some unique options for when you can hop on a train or plane for some classic "themed fun."

1. Diggerland

Ever dreamed of operating your own JCB digger while sporting a hard hat? At Diggerland, you can make that dream a reality! With four locations across the U.K.—Kent, Durham, Dorset, and Yorkshire—this park offers 20 unique rides and driving experiences, featuring everything from real excavators to a three-ton digger. For younger visitors, there are Go-Karts, bumper cars, and an indoor play zone complete with slides. Don’t miss the Spindizzy, a massive bulldozer that lifts riders 50 feet into the air while spinning them around. Diggerland was founded by Hugh Edeleanu, who operates a construction equipment rental company and recognized how much children adore large machinery. General admission is $30, and kids under 3 feet tall can enter for free.

2. Popeye Village, Malta

Popeye Village was initially constructed as the set for the 1980 live-action musical "Popeye," featuring Robin Williams. Nestled in Anchor Bay, just two miles from Mellieħa in northern Malta, the village was transformed into a quaint amusement park after filming wrapped. Guests can explore the charming, rustic buildings, interact with characters, and enjoy puppet shows. There’s even an opportunity to watch the film there (though it didn’t perform well at the box office, unfortunately). Comic book enthusiasts and Popeye fans can visit a dedicated comic museum as well. Admission is free.

3. Tayto Park, Ireland

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Ireland's sole theme park is inspired by potatoes. Yes, really! It's themed around Taytos, the nation’s favorite brand of crisps. Situated in County Meath, Tayto Park also boasts the only wooden roller coaster in Ireland, the Cú Chulainn Coaster (named after an Irish mythological hero). Visitors can enjoy an extreme climbing wall, a zoo, a 5D cinema, and perhaps most exciting of all, a tour of the Tayto factory to see how the beloved snacks are produced.

4. Efteling, the Netherlands

Efteling, situated in Kaatsheuvel, is a whimsical wonderland filled with mythology, fantasy, fables, and folklore, reminiscent of Narnia, "Game of Thrones," and Middle Earth combined. Established in 1952, it began as a playground and has since grown into a vast 180-acre park, larger than Disneyland in California. Here, you’ll encounter elves, trolls, and talking parrots, with rides inspired by the darker tales of the Brothers Grimm. The park suggests two days to fully explore, and you can spend the night at the newly opened Loonsche Land hotel, a holiday village featuring hotel rooms and woodland lodges just a 15-minute stroll from the entrance. Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park is also nearby. Admission is $43 for adults and children ages 4 and older.

5. BonBon-Land, Denmark

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Located in Holme Olstrup, about 60 miles from Copenhagen, BonBon-Land is a must-visit for fans of toilet humor. One standout attraction is the roller coaster Henry the Dog, which is powered by his own... wind, with his flatulence supposedly adding extra speed to the ride. The park embraces a quirky theme of flatulent animals, featuring other gross attractions like a vomiting rat, a peeing ant, and a defecating seagull. BonBon-Land was created by confectioner Michael Spangsberg, who had a penchant for cheeky candy names, admitting he has the "mind of a 14-year-old boy." This place truly has to be seen to be believed. Admission starts at $30.

6. Tropical Islands, Germany

Tropical Islands has a quirky Truman Show feel, housed in a former airship hangar that is the largest free-standing hall globally. It boasts the title of the world's biggest indoor water park, accommodating over 8,000 guests at full capacity. Its vast space even allows for hot air balloon rides inside! As its name implies, the temperature is a warm 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Guests can explore a rainforest with 50,000 plants, a butterfly house, and an array of water slides. Exotic birds like flamingos wander freely, making it feel like a different realm entirely. Located around 40 miles from Berlin, admission is $50, with free entry for children under 5.

7. Under the Pier Show, Suffolk, U.K.

The Under the Pier arcade in the seaside town of Southwold, Suffolk, offers some delightfully bizarre games. Designed by British engineer and cartoonist Tim Hunkin, the attractions in this penny arcade are truly unique. Highlights include the Autofrisk, which humorously mimics being frisked by inflatable rubber gloves, the Bathyscape, providing a whimsical submarine experience, and Whack the Banker. Our favorite is the Fly Drive, allowing you to see the world from a fly's perspective while avoiding the fly swatter. Visiting this arcade will likely leave you a bit dazed and amused, making it a must-see if you find yourself in Southwold.

Final thoughts

The theme parks we typically enjoy might not be the safest choices right now, even if they’re open, due to social distancing measures. Instead, consider exploring these lesser-known destinations. All of them are located in the U.K. and just a short flight away.