The rule of the perfect European summer vacation is simple. It’s better to choose a hotel with a waterpark than the one without. Having slides, pipes, splash pads, water playgrounds, and themed pools is great fun both for children and adults. When the setting is as picturesque as Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Italy or Germany, it gets even more rewarding. And usually, the splashy fun is included in your stay so there’s no need to spend more money to access all the amusing facilities. These are the best waterpark resorts in Europe to choose from for your next holiday.
Lyttos Beach - Greece
Crete’s Lyttos Beach is easily one of the best all-inclusive family resorts in Europe with water slides. The splashy part here is huge and entertaining. Your kids will love choosing among 9 slides, gliding through the lazy river, and swimming in the pools. It’s truly a universe of watery fun with added bonuses such as a beachside location, elegantly designed rooms, several restaurants on-site, a spa center, and tennis courts. It’s an all-inclusive accommodation so you won’t have to worry about anything on the Greek holiday. For an even more luxurious experience, be sure to book a unit that comes with a private pool.
Key amenities:
-
The lazy river and 9 slides at the waterpark
-
2-acre kid’s playground
-
12 treatment rooms at Spa Center
Arina Beach Resort - Greece
Sometimes it’s great to have a total getaway from all the bustle. It’s under the Cretan sun and next to the Aegean Sea that you find peace. When it’s a family holiday, few can rival Arina Beach, one of the top waterpark resorts in Europe, boasting a superb seaside location, coming with all-inclusive perks, and having many positive reviews. As adults lounge in the pool bar (drinks come free), children can try 4 big water slides, play with the splashy toy, and race in high-speed tubes. There’s also a special pool for parents to relax. A great additional advantage of Arina Beach Resort is the proximity to vibrant Crete’s capital Heraklion.
Key amenities:
-
A luxurious all-inclusive beachside resort
-
Indoor heated pool and a large outdoor waterpark
-
Animation program for kids
Lyttos Mare Exclusive Beach Resort - Greece
From above, the Lyttopia Waterpark at Lyttos Mare looks quite epic. It’s easy to confuse it with an actual full-fledged amusement center. But this large area with a lazy river, bridges over the pools, various water playgrounds, and tall slides will be reserved exclusively for you, the guest. Lyttos Mare is an upscale kind of Greek resort, the one where you can book a unit with a private pool, or even a separate villa for better privacy. There are rooms with sea vistas, a sandy beach just for the guests, animation for the younger ones, and spa treatments for adults.
Key amenities:
-
Five on-site restaurants and four bars
-
Private access to Blue Flag beach
-
Free Wi-Fi across the resort
Leonardo Laura Beach & Splash Resort - Cyprus
There’s everything you need for a 360-degree vacation at Leonardo Laura Beach & Splash Resort. Cyprus’ prime luxury holiday establishment boasts sea-facing rooms, an all-inclusive mentality, a great spa proposition, and a fitness center as well as such less-encountered hotel features as a cinema and escape rooms. But you would want to consider this resort primarily for the glorious Splash Waterpark, an enormous (by resort standards) amusement destination with a plethora of fun rides for both kids and adults. There’s a wave pool, a toddler zone, float tubes, a free-fall slide, a racer, and a tornado bowl.
Key amenities:
-
Award-winning waterpark with tall slides
-
Rooms with private balconies and sea vistas
-
All-inclusive dining at multiple on-site restaurants
Atlantica Aegean Blue Resort - Greece
Not only Atlantica Aegean Blue is among the best waterpark resorts in Europe, but it’s also one of the most stunningly set ones. Mighty Kolymbia Rock is towering over, the infinite azure of the sea is always there for you to admire, and the Rhodos magic is alive and well here. Still, the presence of the waterpark was a game-changer for many reviewers who loved how a variety of pools, a lazy river, rafting, freefall, and animal kingdom slides kept the children and adults busy during vacationing at Atlantica. Tennis, mini football, and beach volleyball facilities are also in place if you decide to get active. The variety of restaurants and bars on-site will be a gift that keeps on giving for alfresco dining enthusiasts, it’s all terraces and sea views here.
Key amenities:
-
Great choice of family suites with sea views
-
All-inclusive dining with Greek and international cuisine
-
On-site gym
Louis Phaethon Beach - Cyprus
Slides big and small are great fun at Louis Phaethon Beach, a beloved and well-reviewed family-friendly resort in Cyprus. The on-site waterpark is guaranteed to become a favorite place for your kids, the pools are excellent for rewinding, and the all-inclusive helps to forget about anything money-related while you’re on vacation. The proximity to Paphos is a nice addition to the experience. Be sure to explore the vast UNESCO-protected Archaeological Park of Nea Paphos, take a stroll along the picturesque promenade in the center, and see the remains of a medieval Castle.
Key amenities:
-
Aegeo Spa with a variety of massages and treatments
-
5,000 square meters waterpark with kid playgrounds and slides
-
Private beach access
22 Theas Aphrodites Avenue, Yeroskipou 8204, Cyprus— +357 26 964600
Iberostar Malaga Playa - Spain
While Iberostar’s waterpark is on a more boutique scale, it’s hard to resist the allure of Southern Spain as an all-inclusive destination. Also, it’s quite an affordable vacation choice too – you can get an apartment-like unit with a full kitchen for only 117 Euros per night. What you’re getting is a water playground for kids, a big stylish pool for adults, direct access to the sandy Meditteranean beach, and the full board included in the price. Moreover, the location in Andalusia means lots of world-class sightseeing and a chance to see the wonderful city gems like Malaga, Nerja, Granada, Sevilla, and Cordoba (all easily reached on a day trip).
Key amenities:
-
All-inclusive Andalusian-style hotel
-
Splendid pool with sea views
-
Location next to the sandy beach
Avenida Ferrara, s/n, 29793 Torrox Costa, Málaga, Spain— +34 952 52 75 94
Magic Aqua Rock Gardens - Spain
Skyscraper-dotted Benidorm is an unlikely place for a resort with a waterpark but Magic Aqua Rock Gardens begs to differ. It’s a charming family accommodation that offers an ultra all-inclusive package that gets you not only the full board but also drinks and themed excursions. The waterpark here is not big but has enough slides and tubes to deliver an amusing experience for your kids. It’s a city resort so keep this in mind. You will have all the perks of civilization at your doorstep but less peace than in remotely located megahotels.
Key amenities:
-
Scenic African Emotion Water Park with tubes and Kamikaze slides
-
Swimming pool with a wet bar
-
Mini club for kids and entertainment program for adults
C. de Bonn, 6, 03503 Benidorm, Alicante, Spain— +34 965 85 16 54
Magic Natura Animal, Waterpark & Polynesian Lodge Resort - Spain
Rarely do you find a resort with a waterpark that also includes a zoo, themed entertainment, an aviary, and VR experiences. Magic Natura is set close to Benidorm on Costa Blanca and gives you an ultra-all-inclusive kind of holiday that is specifically focused on children’s leisure. Aqua Natura is responsible for splashy fun and includes different slides and pools. Terra Natura is a zoo section with elephants, tigers, and reptiles. The latter is a big coastal hit with tourists flocking to greet the animals from all over the Costa Blanca.
-
Polynesia-themed resort with a zoo
-
Vast waterpark with infinity pool
-
VR experiences in the game zone
Partida Foia del Verdader, 1, 03502 Benidorm, Alicante, Spain— +34 965 85 16 54
Forte Village Resort - Il Castello - Italy
With all the expanse of its coast, Italy isn’t particularly famous as the waterpark hotel destination in Europe. But there’s one spot you should check out, the striking Forte Village Resort. Fully embracing its beachfront location on the enchanting island of Sardinia, this accommodation is what the Italian holiday dreams are made of. There are several lodging to choose from, with Il Castello being the top pick for an ultra-luxurious five-star offer. It includes water-facing rooms, an infinity pool, and an upscale restaurant on-site. Your children will be happy to discover Wonderland, a themed kids-focused center with an Aquapark that features 6 slides, water playgrounds, and a 5-lane Olympic swimming pool.
Key amenities:
-
Upscale Sardinian all-inclusive hotel
-
Beachside location next to a fine sandy stretch
-
Lush gardens on the territory
Hotel Victory Therme Erding - Germany
What if I told you that one of the best waterpark resorts in Europe is located not next to the sea but in the heart of Bavaria, Germany? Of course, it’s the Hotel Victory at Therme Erding also known as the largest thermal spa complex in the world. It’s quite a unique place to stay too, the lodging is designed as a gigantic ship, and there’s a Venetian palazzo part too. In other words, a lot is going on here, and it has definitely taken a lesson or two from the opulent kitsch of Las Vegas resorts. Nevertheless, being right inside the gargantuan water park is a fantastic way to have lots of splashy fun for the whole family.
Key amenities:
-
Direct access to the largest thermal baths in the world
-
Amazing wave pool
-
35 saunas and steam baths
