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Top 20 National Parks in Europe
Valley-cut, mountain-shaped, and island-dotted, Europe is home to over 400 national parks, each with its unique size, charm, and natural beauty. What unites them all is a shared goal — to protect wildlife and landscapes for future generations.
Selecting the best parks across the continent is challenging, given their incredible diversity. Whether you seek peaceful lakes or dramatic peaks, these parks offer everything — a perfect blend of flora, fauna, and awe-inspiring scenery that captivates visitors from around the world.
Here are 20 remarkable national parks to explore in Europe, perfect for your next memorable adventure.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Located in the Dinaric Karst region, Plitvice Lakes National Park showcases one of the world’s most stunning karst landscapes. Its geology features Mesozoic limestone and dolomitic rock, where erosion has carved deep canyons and tufa barriers. These natural formations create the cascading turquoise lakes and waterfalls that make Plitvice an iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Some top hotels to stay near Plitvice Lakes National Park:
9.2
Superb
9.0
Superb
Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
Named after the mighty Vatnajökull Glacier, this park features Iceland’s most dramatic scenery — volcanoes, glaciers, and waterfalls. Visitor centers in Skriðuklaustur, Skaftafell, Höfn, and Jökulsárgljúfur provide access to its remote, ever-changing landscapes. The area’s unpredictable weather and river levels make it an adventure best suited for the well-prepared.
Some top hotels to stay near Vatnajökull National Park:
Saxon Switzerland National Park, Germany
Located in Saxony near Dresden, this 93.5 km² park in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is known for its dramatic cliffs, towers, and deep valleys. It forms part of a cross-border region with Bohemian Switzerland National Park in the Czech Republic, offering breathtaking trails and panoramic viewpoints over the Elbe Valley.
Some top hotels to stay near Saxon Switzerland National Park:
8.9
Very good
8.4
Very good
Sarek National Park, Sweden
Often compared to the Alps, Sarek National Park is a true wilderness with over 100 glaciers, six peaks above 2,000 meters, and the striking Rapa Valley. With no marked trails except the Royal Trail on its southern edge, this park is ideal for seasoned hikers seeking untouched Nordic landscapes.
Some top hotels to stay near Sarek National Park:
8.8
Very good
Belluno Dolomites National Park, Italy
Protecting a portion of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this park features jagged peaks, green valleys, and breathtaking geological formations. Part of the Southern Limestone Alps, it stretches between the Adige River and the Piave Valley, showcasing Italy’s alpine beauty at its best.
Some top hotels to stay near Belluno Dolomites National Park:
8.5
Very good
7.5
Good
Göreme National Park and Cappadocia, Turkey
Göreme’s surreal landscape of fairy chimneys, cave churches, and underground cities was shaped by volcanic tuff erosion from Mount Hasan and Mount Erciyes. Ancient civilizations carved homes and fresco-filled sanctuaries into these formations, creating a mesmerizing blend of geology and history that makes Cappadocia truly unique.
Some top hotels to stay near Göreme National Park:
8.8
Very good
8.9
Very good
Wild Taiga, Finland
This untouched wilderness is one of Europe’s best places to see wildlife in its natural habitat — brown bears, wolves, elk, and wolverines roam freely here. The region’s wetlands, forests, and rivers make it a paradise for photographers and nature lovers seeking authentic encounters in Finland’s pristine north.
Some top hotels to stay near Wild Taiga:
8.8
Very good
6.6
Pleasant
Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, Spain
Set in the Spanish Pyrenees, this UNESCO World Heritage Site features the 3,355-meter Monte Perdido, dramatic valleys, and alpine meadows. Trails lead to stunning waterfalls like Cola de Caballo and panoramic viewpoints such as Garganta cliffs. The park teems with wildlife, including ibex and bearded vultures.
Some top hotels to stay near Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park:
8.4
Very good
9.3
Superb
Durmitor National Park, Montenegro
Surrounded by the Tara and Piva rivers, Durmitor National Park boasts 23 peaks over 2,300 meters and Europe’s deepest canyon, the Tara River Canyon. Spanning 39,000 acres, its alpine meadows, glacial lakes, and limestone cliffs are home to over 1,500 plant species and 130 bird species.
Some top hotels to stay near Durmitor National Park:
9.3
Superb
10.0
Superb
Soomaa National Park, Estonia
Known as the “land of bogs,” Soomaa’s wetlands and forests are shaped by seasonal floods that turn the region into a watery wonderland. Beavers, otters, and golden eagles thrive here, while migratory birds fill the skies each spring, making it an essential stop for nature enthusiasts.
Some top hotels to stay near Soomaa National Park:
8.6
Very good
9.8
Superb
Triglav National Park, Slovenia
Slovenia’s only national park is named after Mount Triglav (2,864 m) — a national symbol featured on the country’s flag. This protected area combines cultural heritage with alpine beauty, from glacial lakes to deep valleys, offering some of the most scenic hiking trails in Central Europe.
Some top hotels to stay near Triglav National Park:
9.3
Superb
8.9
Very good
Jotunheimen National Park, Norway
Translating to “Home of the Giants,” this Norwegian park spans 1,151 km² and includes Galdhøpiggen (2,469 m) and Glittertind (2,452 m), Norway’s two highest peaks. Visitors can hike, raft, or ride horseback across landscapes of glaciers, lakes, and waterfalls — pure adventure amid majestic wilderness.
Some top hotels to stay near Jotunheimen National Park:
7.4
Good
8.5
Very good
Oulanka National Park, Finland
Stretching from Koillismaa to Lapland, Oulanka is an oasis of pine forests, river gorges, and quiet beauty. It’s ideal for hiking, rafting, or wildlife spotting — moose, reindeer, lynx, and brown bears are commonly seen. Its isolation offers peace and raw natural charm.'
Some top hotels to stay near Oulanka National Park:
8.8
Very good
6.8
Pleasant
Swiss National Park, Switzerland
Founded in 1914, Switzerland’s only national park is a sanctuary of 172 km² in the Lower Engadin Valley. No logging, hunting, or grazing is allowed, ensuring nature remains untouched. Hike among alpine meadows and mountain peaks while spotting chamois, ibex, and golden eagles.
Some top hotels to stay near Swiss National Park:
8.7
Very good
8.7
Very good
Black Forest National Park, Germany
Located in southwestern Germany, this 100 km² park is famed for its dense fir forests, glacial valleys, and serene lakes. Known as the birthplace of the cuckoo clock, it’s perfect for cycling and hiking. The Ruhestein Visitor Center offers valuable insights into local wildlife and flora.
Some top hotels to stay near Black Forest National Park
10.0
Superb
5.3
Fabulous
Parc National des Écrins, France
Covering 918 km² in the French Alps, this park features alpine meadows, glaciers, and peaks exceeding 4,000 meters, including Barre des Écrins (4,102 m). Summer (June–September) is the best time for hiking its 740 km of marked trails and witnessing the bloom of wildflowers.
Some top hotels to stay near Parc National des Écrins:
8.7
Very good
6.2
Pleasant
Jostedalsbreen National Park, Norway
Home to Jostedalsbreen Glacier, mainland Europe’s largest ice cap (60 km long), this park separates two great fjords — Sognefjord and Nordfjord. Visitors can enjoy glacier hiking, explore deep valleys, and admire Norway’s dramatic fjord scenery in its purest form.
Some top hotels to stay near Jostedalsbreen National Park:
8.6
Very good
8.9
Very good
Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal
Portugal’s only national park spans 703 km² of wild mountains and ancient villages. Stone-built espigueiros (granaries) and traditional lifestyles endure here. Wildlife such as ibex, wild horses, and the elusive Iberian wolf roam freely among waterfalls and wildflower-covered hills.
Some top hotels to stay near Peneda-Gerês National Park:
7.6
Good
8.3
Very good
Teide National Park, Spain
Dominated by Mount Teide (3,718 m) — Spain’s highest peak — this volcanic landscape on Tenerife is a UNESCO site. Its craters, lava flows, and unique rock formations like Roques de García resemble a lunar world. With its clear skies, it’s also one of Europe’s top stargazing destinations.
Some top hotels to stay near Teide National Park:
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Very good
9.1
Superb
Hortobágy National Park, Hungary
This UNESCO World Heritage Site preserves the Great Hungarian Plain, also known as the puszta. Its vast grasslands and wetlands host migratory birds and grazing herds of horses. The park celebrates centuries of pastoral traditions, blending cultural heritage with natural grandeur.
Some top hotels to stay near Hortobágy National Park:
9.4
Superb
9.4
Superb
Wrapping up, these top 20 national parks in Europe each offer something truly special — from volcanic plains to glacier peaks, and from wild forests to tranquil lakes. Wherever you go, Europe’s protected landscapes invite you to explore, reconnect with nature, and experience unforgettable adventures.
So, pack your bags, follow this guide, and let Europe’s national parks amaze you at every turn.
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