If you’re a fan of a sun-drenched escape, how about pairing it with a wet and wild waterpark where you send it down loads of different slides? Europe is the king continent for all things fast and furious. Just look to the likes of Tenerife and Turkey. Check out these picks for the best waterparks in Europe that also score big when it comes to beach scenes.
Parque Cristobal Bungalows & Siam Park, Tenerife, Canary Islands
The Parque Cristobal Bungalows & Siam Park pins down the heart of the action here in Tenerife. Parked up in Playa de las Americas, its surrounding nightlife scene and portfolio of beaches leave you spoilt for choice after you’ve towelled off. You’re also just a few minutes’ walk away from the coolest cafés, shops, and most importantly, Siam Park.
The best thing about this place is that you’ll be able to catch a free shuttle bus over to Siam Park, which goes just a couple of minutes from the hotel. Kids and adults can throw their hands in the air and will both love big-hitters, like the Tower of Power and The Dragon, famous for their white-knuckling vertical drops. The Mhai Tai River and the huge wave pool are some more mega hits for the whole family. But little ones reign supreme in the Lost City, a fortress packed with bridges, waterfalls, tipping buckets and nine different slides.
Aqua Fantasy Aquapark Hotel & Spa, Kusadasi, Turkey
The Aqua Fantasy Aquapark Hotel & Spa is cloaked by pine-clad hills and its back garden leads you through to a sandy beach. Oh, and it houses a huge waterpark.
The towering, twisting chutes, flutes and speedy slides signify a new kind of skyline – AKA the Aqua Fantasy Waterpark. It’s jam-packed with a ready-made itinerary of family-friendly fun. Little kids should head for Treasure Island, which has plenty of teeny slides to whizz down and sprays for them to soak under. Looking for something teen-friendly? Take it up a notch and back yourself to take on the bigger slides here, including multi-lane flumes for racing and fast-paced snake and tube slides. If you need a break from all the madness, the lazy river is ready to drift you away or make a break to bob about in the wave pool.
Never thought you’d be a fan of noisy neighbours? This might be the exception. If one waterpark isn’t enough, then give next door a knock – you’ve got loud and proud splashing rights here, too. Check your calendar and the forecast, as opening days are weather-dependent and not all slides are open during May and October. Having said that, they do have a solid 30 to start with. Chuck in some outdoor pools and another lazy river and you’ve got yourselves a proper slip-worthy set up.
Lanzasur Splash Resort, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Lanzasur Splash Resort is just a five-minute walk away from the white sands of Playa Flamingo Beach. There’s no picking between the pool and sea – you can make the most of both. And because the hotel sits in Playa Blanca, you’ll have unobstructed views of the island’s volcanic landscape for miles – it’s also not far to get in and amongst them, too.
It’s tough to take the hotel’s waterpark off centre stage, though. It boasts a number of slides for thrill seekers, like the Black Hole and Hydrotube, which are both renowned for being super speedy and adrenaline-inducing. Take a breath and reset. You’ve also got mellow options like the wave pool and lazy river if you’re after something more chilled out. Plus, little kids have their own section that comes with sprayers, tipping buckets and twisting slides.
Atlantica Porto Bello Beach, Kos, Greece
Water babies will love staying at the Atlantica Porto Bello Beach. As the name suggests, it’s nestled right next to a sun-soaked beach. More importantly though, it comes with its own fun-filled waterpark. The hotel resides in the out-of-the-way resort of Helona Beach, which is well-known for its bath-warm sea and stunning countryside views. There’s no need to brace yourself to get your bits wet. Elsewhere, Kos Town is just a 40-minute drive away, where you’ll find Greco-Roman ruins, plus cafés and shops to satisfy your souvenir cravings.
Back inside the hotel’s grounds, the waterpark is the life and soul of the party. It’s home to rides like Turbo Lance, Space Boat and Mini Tsunami – they’re all equally epic, so it’s up to you to decide which ones you try out. On the smaller scale, there’s the Aqua Tower which comes packed with mini slides and a lazy river for little ones. And for when you want to escape the crowds and take a break from the pulse-raising rides, make tracks for the beach, where you can pace yourself on a pedalo and soak up the sunshine.
Globales Bouganvilla, Majorca, Spain
Fans of Majorca with fall in love with the Globales Bouganvilla, set in the family-favourite resort of Sa Coma on the east coast. All-you-can-swim blue seas and white sands are a given in these parts, no problem. But its whirlwind of a waterpark has more than just a few things to bring to the table.
Whether you’re after multi-lane numbers for competitive family races, or tube slides that drop into large swirly bowls, this place has it. Thrill-seekers are taken to the edge on the Black Hole tube slide, with its sharp turns and surprises. Then, the Free-Fall and Kamikaze speed slides line up slip and sliders of all ages. Looking for something to please the little ones? Look no further than the Kids’ Waterworld, which is perfect for paddling and splashing around in shallow waters.
Now you know where to find the best waterparks in Europe, it’s time to make a splash.
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Author: Olivia Hunt and Lily Owen
Last updated: 29/01/2024
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