The best National Parks in Europe

National parks are natural areas protected by the state in order to preserve wildlife and natural environment. There are over 500 national parks in Europe offering public recreation and enjoyment, as well as the escape from the everyday city hustle. Every national park provides the visitors with numerous activities and attractions, but how to decide which national park is worth visiting the most? Find out in our list of best national parks in Europe!

Our goal is simple: Through building the first digital overview of all national parks on the European continent, we aim to encourage local and sustainable travel, promote nature preservation and diversify the outdoors. In doing so, we want to become your alternative, non-commercial guide for truly sustainable travel and help preserve and protect our national parks for generations to come.

Most of the national parks in Europe have some kind of entrance fee. If you visit the majority of national parks in Spain, Germany or Croatia, you will have to buy a ticket. However, in certain countries some national parks don’t have any fees to enter. National parks in Finland, Norway and Sweden are a good examples of this practice.

Travelers love to visit Europe for famous cities like Vienna, Rome, and Paris. But as wonderful as European cities are, so too are European national parks. Full of jaw-dropping scenery and cultural significance, the best national parks in Europe can show you a whole other level of this wonderful continent.

For all adventure addicts who enjoy crazy roller coasters, wild water rides, haunted houses, parades and circuses, we have prepared something special! Spain is one of the European countries with a large number of amusement parks. No matter what you choose, you will not be disappointed. Avoid weekends and Spanish holidays when planning your trip so you don't have to wait long. Also, make a plan and visit your priority rides as soon as you enter the park.

Whether you’re searching for an end of the week break or a more drawn out excursion, Belgium has a lot to offer to tourists. On the off chance that you plan a visit to Belgium, the outing is not complete without taking a visit to the Belgian national parks.

Explore the most popular parks in Belgium with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you - 109 parks were listed at the time of publication.

The following list presents all national parks in Europe that are wholly or partly protected by UNESCO. That includes national parks with a status of World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, as well as national parks with only a certain part, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With a total of 500, it’s really difficult, yes almost impossible to determine the best national parks in Europe. The question is, what does make some parks better than all the others? Is it untouched, natural beauty? The amount of offered sports activities? Or even the important history and culture of a park? Is there a special sight? A one of its kind attraction nowhere else to be found which gives a national park enough uniqueness to be among the greatest?

When city life starts to wear thin, acres of wide-open spaces offer the perfect antidote. Europe is home to some of the most gorgeous protected natural vistas in the world, filled with thick forests, pristine lakes and wild rugged landscapes. For your next fresh air fix, here is our choice for 20 of the most beautiful and best National Parks in Europe...

Mountains, volcanoes, wetlands, forests, rivers, valleys, cliffs, lakes... There are so many different environments in Spain to make you feel brand new. Unique and different natural spaces. Some of them, such as the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, the Teide National Park and the Pyrenees, are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the cultural landscape category. You have to see it to believe it.

The Molentargius natural park in Cagliari is an inhabiting site for pink flamingos. Looking over the park riding a bike is a perfect idea to have an excursion around the Sardinia island.