Theme parks are where memories are made, the places we return to when we need magic, adrenaline, storytelling, or simply a moment where life feels a little bigger and brighter. We’ve explored parks across Europe, Asia, and the United States, and this is our personal list of the 25 best theme parks on the planet, ranked not just by rides, but by atmosphere, creativity, and emotional impact.

Let’s begin our journey around the world.

25. Tivoli Gardens (Copenhagen, Denmark)

One of the oldest theme parks in the world and still one of the most beautiful. Tivoli Gardens blends charming architecture, live entertainment, seasonal festivals, and elegant landscaping. It’s not about huge coasters, it’s about atmosphere, romance, and timeless magic. Also here is still a coaster with a manual brake, I'm sure a dream job for a lot f people and fun to witness in real life.

24. Gardaland (Italy)

Located by Lake Garda, this park balances classic coasters with strong theming and family-friendly attractions. The nearby aquarium and themed hotels make it a great weekend destination. It's atmospheric, colourful, and very easy to enjoy.

23. Silver Dollar City (Missouri, USA)

Set in the Ozark Mountains, Silver Dollar City is a charming, craft-filled frontier town with world-class rides. Coasters like Outlaw Run and Time Traveler are top-tier, while the live shows and food give the park an authentic, heartwarming personality.

22. Dollywood (Tennessee, USA)

Dolly Parton’s signature park offers southern hospitality, great coasters, a beautiful mountain setting, and some of the best entertainment in any U.S. park. It’s both thrilling and wholesome, a winning combination. It still very much resembles Silver Dollar City but Dolly add a whole new vibe.

21. PortAventura Park (Spain)

A mix of Mediterranean charm, themed areas, and iconic coasters like Shambhala. PortAventura offers a strong balance of thrills, theming, and atmosphere, with resort hotels and a beach nearby.

20. Alton Towers (United Kingdom)

A gothic estate transformed into a theme park. Hidden in rolling forests and castle ruins, Alton Towers is atmospheric and unique. Coasters like Nemesis, The Smiler, and Wicker Man are iconic in the coaster community.

19. Parc Astérix (France)

A park full of humour, personality, and surprising theming. With standout attractions like Toutatis, OzIris, and its lively shows, Astérix offers a more playful alternative to Disney Paris and often exceeds expectations. It definitely did for us, we will be back here.

18. LEGOLAND Billund (Denmark)

The original LEGOLAND feels handcrafted with love. Families adore its creative models, interactive attractions, gentle coasters, and imaginative worlds. It’s one of the most charming family parks in Europe.

17. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Florida, USA)

Combining animal habitats with intense coasters, Busch Gardens offers a beautiful blend of adrenaline and natural beauty. Iconic attractions like Montu, Kumba, and Iron Gwazi make it one of the best thrill parks in the U.S.

16. Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi (UAE)

A massive indoor themed world with stunning sets and some of the most polished dark rides anywhere. From Gotham City to Metropolis to Cartoon Junction, this park is immersive, controlled-climate perfection. It is really a must see.

15. Universal Studios Singapore

A compact but beautifully crafted park with lush vegetation and strongly themed lands. Attractions like Transformers: The Ride and Revenge of the Mummy highlight Universal’s blend of storytelling and thrills.

14. Universal Studios Hollywood (California, USA)

A working studio fused with a theme park. The world-famous Studio Tour, combined with Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and iconic attractions, makes this a must-visit for film lovers.

 13. Universal Studios Japan (Osaka, Japan)

Known for having the best atmosphere of all Universal parks. Super Nintendo World shines here, and rides like The Flying Dinosaur and Jaws deliver strong thrills and nostalgia. you won't understand the shows but making up the narrative is fun on it's own.

12. Universal Studios Florida (Orlando, USA)

The original Florida Universal park: movie magic, classic rides, and a sense of history. Its mix of thriller attractions and immersive worlds makes it a beloved favourite worldwide.

11. Disneyland Paris (France)

One of the most beautiful castle parks ever built. Rich details, stunning design, and unique attractions make this park a standout. The Sleeping Beauty Castle here is in a league of its own.

10. Universal’s Epic Universe (Orlando, USA)

Now open — and already the most ambitious Universal park ever built Epic Universe blends advanced technology with breathtaking theming, creating fully immersive mini-worlds, opinions differ but we absolutely adore this park.

9. Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Florida, USA)

A living tapestry of nature, culture, and fantasy. Pandora – The World of Avatar alone is breathtaking, while the park’s landscapes and animal trails add depth and soul to the experience.

8. Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Florida, USA)

A high-energy, blockbuster-driven park filled with cinematic experiences. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge sets a new standard for immersion, and Tower of Terror remains one of Disney’s strongest rides.

7. EPCOT (Florida, USA)

A park about discovery, culture, architecture, and global cuisine. EPCOT feels more like a world’s fair filled with entertainment than a traditional theme park — and that’s exactly what makes it special.

6. Disneyland Park (California, USA)

The original Disney park — personal, nostalgic, and full of heart. Walt’s park offers timeless classics, beautiful storytelling, and lands packed with charm. It’s the definition of Disney magic.

 5. Tokyo Disneyland (Japan)

The cleanest, best-operated, and most polished Disney park in the world. Impeccable entertainment, incredible hospitality, and nearly perfect versions of Disney classics make this park exceptional.

4. Europa-Park (Germany)

A gigantic, detailed, beautifully themed European destination with rides for every age. Each themed land feels like a mini vacation, and the mix of coasters, shows, hotels, and restaurants makes it one of Europe’s strongest resorts.

3. Phantasialand (Germany)

Small in size, enormous in creativity. Areas like Rookburgh and Klugheim represent some of the best immersive theming on the planet. Coasters like Taron and F.L.Y. redefine what modern ride design can be.

2. Tokyo DisneySea (Japan)

Disney’s masterpiece. A cinematic world of harbours, volcanoes, deserts, and oceans. Every inch is breathtaking. Attractions like Journey to the Center of the Earth, Sindbad, and Soaring elevate the experience into pure artistry. DisneySea is as close as a theme park gets to perfection.

1. Efteling (The Netherlands)

Our number one. Not because of size, or thrill count, but because no other park in the world feels like Efteling. It’s storytelling in its purest form. It’s imagination carved in wood and stone. It’s music, forest paths, fairytales, folklore, and emotional rides that stay with you for years.From Droomvlucht to Symbolica, Sprookjesbos to Baron 1898, Efteling is timeless, soulful, and artistic. It’s the park that makes adults feel like children, and children feel like they’re in another world. For us, Efteling remains the best theme park in the world.

Final Thoughts — The World Is Full of Theme Park Magic

The beauty of theme parks is that each one offers something different. Some thrill you. Some move you. Some make you laugh. And some, like Efteling and DisneySea, feel like worlds you could live in. Whether you’re exploring German masterpieces, American mountains, Japanese marvels, or Middle Eastern fantasy worlds, there’s always another adventure waiting.

Here’s to discovering them all.