Germany’s largest theme park (and Europe’s second most visited after Disneyland Paris) is one of the country’s top destinations. Brimming with mini-foreign lands, children’s rides, food and drink, and about a dozen hair-raising roller coasters, the park is a fit for the whole family.

Located in the southwest part of the country, near Freiburg, the park covers 94 hectares and allows park-goers to experience 15 European countries in a day and enjoy over 23 hours of shows every day.

The venue can accommodate roughly 50,000 visitors a day—about 4.5 million visitors—and it’s a clear favorite for visitors and locals alike.

Summer Season

The summer season runs from April 6th to November 3rd from 9:00 a.m. to at least 6:00 p.m.

During this period, water rides are open, and there is a diverse program of summer-themed shows. Expect plenty of sunshine, but also stay up-to-date on the latest weather reports as conditions in Germany can change quickly.

To stay occupied away from the water, Germany-style, visit the Erdinger Beer Garden. Or catch the daily Party Parade with live music, costumes, and fantastic choreography. The musical stage show, “Rulantica,” narrates the love story of a boy named Fin and a mermaid named Kailini. Moreover, thrill-seekers can enjoy the CanCan roller coaster, the Eurosat, located in the French area.

Winter Season

The winter season runs from November 23rd to January 6th, from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. (Note that the park is closed around Christmas on December 24th & 25th).

During the chilly season, some attractions are closed, but other winter-themed activities and shows remain open.

This season features ice shows, 30 ice sculptures, twinkling lights, and 2,500 local Christmas trees. Understandably, the Icelandic area is highlighted with the ice rink, a children’s ski school, and even a condensed cross-country ski course. Like nearly everywhere else in Germany, there is a Christmas Market at the foot of Balthasar Castle Park.

To stay warm, visitors can enjoy cheese fondue and live Swiss folk music at the Urweisse Hütt’n or experience “Feliz Navidad” in Spain.

Where to Stay

In the spirit of other popular theme parks, there are several hotels on the grounds. Along with the obvious benefit of being located within walking distance of the park, hotel guests can enter the park 30 minutes to an hour early, depending on the season.

• Bell Rock: This hotel is styled after charming New England (USA) architecture.
• Colosseo: Guests can enjoy recreations of beautiful sites from Italy, plus themed spas and restaurants.
• Santa Isabel: This lodging offers the comforts of a modern hotel in the style of a Portuguese monastery.
• Castillo Alcazar: This hotel showcases the history and charm of the Middle Ages.
• El Andaluz: Visitors are whisked away to Madrid or Barcelona with the Spanish-themed faux-elegance.
• The Guesthouse “Circus Rolando”: Located in the heart of “German Alley,” this site offers budget-friendly rooms.
• Camp Resort: This offers a Wild West holiday atmosphere ideal for families, school outings, or nature-lovers, with accommodations ranging from covered wagons to teepees.

All hotels are 4-star and start at around $85.00 per night, per adult in a double room. Hotels operate year-round, regardless of the park’s seasonal openings.

Europa-Park is situated in small-town Rust. Since the park’s opening, several hotels have emerged, along with homes transforming into small B&Bs (Pensions). These simplistic accommodations are usually inexpensive, clean, and offer a personable experience.

Nearby Ringsheim presents another low-cost option, located within walking distance to the nearest train station. Visitors can also take a free shuttle bus (Südbadenbus) from Ringsheim straight to Europa-Park.

Transportation

By Plane: Various airports provide access to the park:

• Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport (64 km)
• Aéroport International Strasbourg (64 km)
• EuroAirport in Basel (90 km)
• Stuttgart Airport (175 km)
• Frankfurt Airport (240 km)

By Train: The nearest train station is Ringsheim. Visitors can purchase Deutsche-Bahn “Europa-Park Kombi-Tickets” at the station.

By Car:

• From the North: Take the A5 autobahn toward Basel. Leave at the Rust (57b) exit, and a feeder road will lead you straight to Europa-Park.
• From the South: Take the A5 autobahn toward Karlsruhe/Frankfurt. Leave at the Rust (57b) exit, and the feeder road will take you directly to Europa-Park.

Parking fees are approximately $8.00 for the day but are free for hotel guests.