From fun-filled American attractions to a world of entertainment in the Middle East, discover the best water and amusement parks for summer.
As summer rolls in and the days grow longer and warmer that urge to get out with friends or family becomes stronger than ever. And what could be more fun than a day at an amusement park? Summer is the best time to visit as you can make the most of those extra hours of sunlight. And if the heat becomes unbearable, all you need to do is hit the pool, at any number of action-packed waterparks.
Read on to discover 10 of the best theme parks in the world that are ideal for summer.
The Mediterranean
1. PortAventura World, Salou, Spain
Want to add some action to your city trip to Barcelona or your beach holiday on the Costa Dorada? Explore the sensational PortAventura World, just outside Salou and less than a 90-minute drive from Barcelona. This world of adventure consists of three parks and guarantees days of fun for the whole family.
PortAventura Park
The original PortAventura opened in 1995 and is one of Spain’s most popular amusement parks. There are six themed areas, from the Mediterranean to the Wild West, where you’ll find numerous jaw-dropping rollercoasters such as the Shambala and the Dragon Khan. Angkor and Silver River. With over 40 rides and daily shows, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
PortAventura Park at a glance
- Attractions not to miss: Shambala, Uncharted (dark ride), Angkor (water ride)
- Opening dates: From early April to early January; extended hours in the summer season, from late June to early September
- What’s new in 2025: PortAventura celebrates its 30th anniversary with a daily parade
Ferrari Land
Ferrari Land is entirely dedicated to the famous car brand. Here you can take a ride on the fastest and highest roller coaster in Europe: the Red Force. It goes 112m high at a maximum speed of 112mph. For those who love Formula 1, there’s also an F1 simulator where you get to feel like a professional racecar driver! The Italian atmosphere completes the Ferrari experience.
Ferrari Land at a glance
- Attractions not to miss: Red Force (roller coaster), F1 simulator, Thrill Towers
- Opening hours: Open from early April to early January. Open every day in summer; outside of peak season, only open on weekends. The park opens at 4:30pm.
- Good to know: Ferrari Land is smaller than the other parks and only opens in the afternoon (2 to 4 hours are enough to explore it fully).
Caribe Aquatic Park
For some refreshing water-soaked adventures head to the Caribe Aquatic Park. This 12-acre Caribbean-themed waterpark features swimming pools, sandy beaches, green areas, palm trees and, of course, water attractions, such as Barrucadas and King Khajuna; the latter is the highest waterslide in Europe.
Caribe Aquatic Park at a glance
- Attractions not to miss: King Khajuna (free-fall slide), Barracudas, El Río Loco
- Opening hours: Open only during the summer season (from late May to mid-September)
- Good to know: Swimsuits are mandatory; locker rentals are available for a fee.
2. Aquafan, Riccione, Italy
Aquafan, near Rimini, is Italy’s very first waterpark—famous for its adrenaline-pumping slides, party atmosphere and exciting events. From the iconic Extreme River, which towers 16m high, to the thrilling StrizzaCool, with a combined slide length of 3km, it promises endless fun for kids and adults alike.
Beyond the heart-pounding rides, you’ll also find the classic wave pool, dedicated kids’ areas, and a whole lot of summer parties. Aquafan is more than just a waterpark—it’s a full-on Romagna summertime experience.
Aquafan at a glance
- Attractions not to miss: Extreme River, wave pool, Kamikaze, Elephant Pool (for kids)
- Opening hours: Open daily from early June to early September (weather permitting), usually from 10am to 6:30pm
- What’s new in 2025: Every Tuesday during the holiday period (July and August) DJ set events are included with your entrance ticket; check the website for more details
3. Acqua Plus, Crete, Greece
Acqua Plus, set on a hill just a 25-minute drive from Heraklion, is the largest waterpark in Crete and a fantastic mix of adventure and relaxation. Not only does it boast spectacular slides, but also breathtaking views and a beautifully maintained garden.
Giants of Terror delivers pure adrenaline with a 23m drop, while the children’s area offers a more tranquil water experience, with hot tubs and a pool playground. The park has something to suit every need.
Acqua Plus at a glance
- Attractions not to miss: Giants of Terror, Black Holes, Lazy River, water playground
- Opening hours: Open daily from May to early October, usually from 10am to 5pm (until 6pm in July and August)
- Useful info: Sunbeds and umbrellas included in the ticket, lockers available for rent
4. Land of Legends, Antalya, Turkey
Near Belek lies The Land of Legends, a spectacular resort that combines an amusement park, waterpark and live shows. In Adventure Land & Nickelodeon Land, you’ll find more than 20 rides, including the thrilling Hyper Coaster, a roller coaster that reaches speeds of 115 km/h and heights of 62m. There are also family-friendly attractions like the Flying Carpet and a 5D cinema.
Aqua Land is the waterpark, featuring over 50 rides, an Infinity Pool with seawater, dolphin encounters, and the Secret Lagoon—perfect for adrenaline lovers. It’s a dream destination for a summer day full of excitement and relaxation.
The Land of Legends at a glance
- Attractions not to miss: Hyper Coaster, Secret Lagoon, 5D Cinema
- Opening hours: Open daily from April to October; hours vary by area
- Good to know: Some shows and activities are not included in the entrance ticket
North America
5. Six Flags Magic Mountain, Los Angeles, USA
Less than an hour’s drive from Los Angeles lies Six Flags Magic Mountain, the mecca for big thrills with the highest number of roller coasters in the world. Boasting 20 roller coasters, this park is pure adrenaline, with a record-breaking lineup you won’t find anywhere else.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
Looking to cool off? Then Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is the perfect spot. This waterpark features spectacular slides, a wave pool, mini pools for the little ones, and relaxation areas for the whole family. Ideal for those hot Californian summer days.
Six Flags Magic Mountain at a glance
- Attractions not to miss: Full Throttle, Wonder Woman Flight of Courage, Twisted Colossus, X2
- Opening hours: Magic Mountain: open year-round (but not every day during the off-season); Hurricane Harbor: daily from late May to September.
- New in 2025: Hurricane Harbor turns 30 this year!
- Useful information: The waterpark requires a separate entrance ticket
6. Universal Studios Hollywood, USA
This famous American amusement park is located in Hollywood’s oldest and most important film studio, where memorable scenes from iconic films such as Jaws, Back to the Future and Jurassic Park were shot.
Don’t miss the area dedicated to the magical world of Harry Potter, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where you can fly on a Hippogriff and explore Hogwarts on a broomstick. Additionally the SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ land, dedicated to Super Mario Bros, is a must-see. And then there are the spectacular stunt shows, including Water World, packed with action and special effects, which will transport you into a world of water and fire.
Universal Studios Hollywood at a glance
- Attractions not to miss: Hop on the tram to experience the famous Studio Tour
- Opening hours: Universal Studios Hollywood is open every day, year-round. Opening hours vary by season.
- New in 2025: Universal Mega Movie Summer, from June 13 to August 10, featuring events, Meet & Greets, DJ sets, and plenty of water attractions to help you cool off.
- Useful information: To access SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ you have to purchase an additional ticket
7. Walt Disney World Resort®, Orlando, USA
Just outside Orlando, Florida sits the magical Walt Disney World Resort® with no fewer than six Disney parks. This is the destination for a complete family holiday with theme parks, golf, water activities, shopping, dining and so much more. The resort’s most iconic theme park is Magic Kingdom, which dates from 1971. See Cinderella’s Castle, meet your favourite Disney characters on Main Street and discover plenty of rides, from thrilling rollercoasters to carousels for the little ones.
Need to cool off from the Florida heat? Then go to one of two waterparks –Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach. Here, you can swim in the world’s largest open-air wave pool and slide down spectacular slides.
Walt Disney World Resort® at a glance
- Attractions not to miss: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom, perfect for the whole family, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT, thrilling and beautifully themed
- Opening hours: opening hours vary by park and by season. Check the official website for up-to-date information.
- New in 2025: Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, the new evening parade opening July 20
8. Xel-Há, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Twenty minutes’ drive from Tulum is the best adventure park on the Riviera Maya, Xel-Há. Not your usual theme park, it offers a wide range of activities, both in the water and on land, and is fun for all ages. You can snorkel among hundreds of species of colourful fish and discover the underwater world in the caves.
To relax, float down the Río Xel-Há in a pool before jumping off the 5m-high rock Piedra del Valor or taking a zipline across the water. Otherwise enjoy the views of the surroundings from the 30m-high lighthouse before whooshing down the slide. And when you’ve had your fill of water activities you can take walks through the forests and learn about Maya culture.
Xel-Há at a glance
- Attractions not to miss: Chuck Kay’s Flight — swing on a rope into crystal-clear waters
- Opening hours: Xel-Há is open every day from 8:30am to 6pm
- Useful info: An all-inclusive ticket includes unlimited food and alcoholic beverages at all of the park’s restaurants
The Middle East & Asia
9. Yas Waterworld, Abu Dhabi, UAE
This is one of the parks on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s famous entertainment island. Temperatures in the UAE can really go off the charts in the warmer months, so what could be better than cooling off with over 40 water slides and splash-heavy attractions? Yas Waterworld is so big you can go back to it over and over without it getting boring. Best of all, there is something for everyone. From adrenaline-pumping slides to 100% relaxation, from pool surfing experiences to an entire zone just for kids.
A must for the adventurous is Dawwama, the largest tornado slide in the world, with a whirling drop from 20m high. The Liwa Loop, with its free-fall simulation, is another slide not for the faint-hearted, whereas Cinesplash is a 5D-cinema experience the whole family can enjoy.
Yas Waterworld at a glance
- Attractions not to miss: Dawwama and Liwa Loop for the bravest! Cinesplash, on the other hand, is perfect for the whole family.
- Opening hours: The park is open daily; hours vary depending on the season.
- Useful info: Check the calendar on the official website—on certain days, entry is limited to women and children under 8.
10. Splash Jungle Water Park, Phuket, Thailand
During your trip to Phuket a day at the Splash Jungle Water Park should definitely be on your schedule. Whether you come for a day full of watery fun or to relax, it’s all possible here.
Slide through the Super Bowl alone or as a couple or experience the thrill of the Boomerango, where you race through a dark tube before being launched from 9m high. Afterwards, you can recover from all the tension on the Lazy River, that is, if you can forget there’s a jungle all around you!
Splash Jungle Water Park at a glance
- Attractions not to miss: Jungle Lazy River, the wave pool with life vests for little ones, and adrenaline-packed rides like Boomerang and Super Bowl.
- Opening hours: Open daily from 10am to 5:45pm. Be sure to check the official website for any schedule changes.
- Good to know: Outside food and drinks are not allowed.
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Thanks a lot for this information. Students really like to visit amusement parks as there is do much to do and have fun.