The best theme parks in Spain: a guide to choosing
Spain has theme parks to suit every taste: large resorts with hotels, parks devoted to cinema and superheroes, journeys into history and classic amusement parks right in the city. This guide sums up the main ones to help you choose.
PortAventura World (Salou, Tarragona)
This is the big leisure resort of the Costa Daurada, bringing together three parks: PortAventura Park, the Caribe Aquatic Park water park and Ferrari Land, plus its own hotels.
PortAventura Park is explored through areas that travel around the world: Mediterrània, Polynesia, China, México and Far West, plus a Sesame Street children’s area. Ferrari Land is devoted to Formula 1 and the Ferrari brand, with the vertical accelerator Red Force as its star attraction.
Ideal for: breaks of several days combining parks and the beach.
Parque Warner Madrid (San Martín de la Vega, Madrid)
On the outskirts of Madrid, it is devoted to cinema and to the characters of Warner Bros., DC and Looney Tunes. It is divided into five areas: Hollywood Boulevard, Warner Bros. Studios, DC Super Heroes World, Cartoon Village and Old West Territory.
Among its best-known rides are Superman: La Atracción de Acero and Batman: Arkham Asylum.
Ideal for: fans of cinema and superheroes, and families living in central Spain.
Terra Mítica (Benidorm, Alicante)
A park inspired by the ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean, with areas themed on Egypt, Greece, Rome and Iberia, rides and live shows.
Ideal for: rounding off a beach holiday on the Costa Blanca.
Isla Mágica (Seville)
Built on the Isla de la Cartuja, on the site of the 1992 Universal Exposition. Its theme revolves around the age of the great voyages and discoveries, and it includes the Agua Mágica water area.
Ideal for: families in Andalusia and combining the park with a visit to Seville.
Puy du Fou España (Toledo)
On the outskirts of Toledo, it is a show park that takes you through the history of Spain with large-scale daytime productions and the night-time show El Sueño de Toledo.
Ideal for: those who prefer shows and history to roller coasters.
Parque de Atracciones de Madrid (Casa de Campo)
A classic amusement park inside the city, in the Casa de Campo, open since 1969. It combines thrill rides with areas for the little ones.
Ideal for: a day out without leaving Madrid.
Tibidabo (Barcelona)
One of the oldest amusement parks in Europe, at the top of Mount Tibidabo, with views over the whole of Barcelona. You can go up by funicular.
Ideal for: families with children and anyone looking for a day out with views in Barcelona.
Dinópolis (Teruel)
A park devoted to palaeontology and dinosaurs, combining a museum, rides and trails. It has sites spread across different towns in the province of Teruel.
Ideal for: families with children who are curious about dinosaurs.
How to choose
If you are after big thrills, PortAventura World and Parque Warner Madrid are the ones with the most thrill rides. If you prefer history and shows, Puy du Fou España. With young children, city parks such as the Parque de Atracciones de Madrid or Tibidabo are more manageable in a single day.
Before you go, always check each park’s opening calendar: many open only on certain days outside the summer.