Solo, with friends or family, conquer the Old Continent in nature and discovery mode! Embark on an off-the-beaten-track experience and discover Europe’s 13 most beautiful national parks.
From Sweden to Austria, via Portugal and Albania, Europe boasts a multitude of national parks. Their richly varied environments are each as unique as the next… If you love nature and wide open spaces, these are the perfect places to spend unforgettable moments.
Huge reliefs, improbable colors, surprising history, geological treasures: they all have that little something special that undeniably invites you to escape and adventure. Follow the guide and make the most of your next vacation by visiting one (or more!) of Europe’s most beautiful national parks.
1. Vatnajökull National Park (Iceland)
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Twice the size of Corsica, Vatnajökull is Europe’s largest national park. Its landscapes of glaciers, waterfalls and icebergs stretch as far as the eye can see, between sparkling ivory and grey-blue. Its ice cap, Iceland’s largest, can sometimes be up to a kilometer thick!
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019, you’ll also be able to see a number of volcanoes, mountains, plateaus and canyons whose colors change with the seasons. If you love hiking and polar panoramas, then Vatnajökull National Park is the place for you.
2. Black Forest National Park (Germany)
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Located in south-west Germany, the Black Forest National Park stands out for its wild, untouched vegetation. Three tourist itineraries have been created. The aim of this diversity is to enable you to visit the park as you wish.
Wine lovers? The Baden wine route is famous! It takes you through the vineyards on the western flank of the park. Are you a lover of wide open spaces? If so, you’ll want to take the Route des Crêtes, a high-altitude route through the mountains. Looking for diversity? Choose the Panoramic Route. It combines culture, tradition and exceptional views. In this typical German mountainous region, you can enjoy hiking and climbing in the heart of this superb green and golden natural setting.
3. Sintra-Cascais Natural Park (Portugal)
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With its towering limestone cliffs, fossil dunes and picturesque villages, Sintra-Cascais is one of Europe’s must-see national parks. You can hike through lush green hills to the coast, or climb to the Cabo da Roca lighthouse. If you like unusual places, you’ll opt for a visit to the hilltop fishing village of Azenhas do Mar. If you prefer the seaside, take a leisurely stroll along the beach at Praia do Guinchos.
Wherever you are in Sintra-Cascais, you’ll enjoy an authentic experience amidst a varied and colorful landscape! Here, the salty scent of the sea breeze mingles with the heady floral fragrances of the hinterland.
4. Plitviče Lakes National Park (Croatia)
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The Plitviče Lakes National Park is located between Zagreb and Zadar. Set in the heart of an immense karst plateau, it’s a complete change of scenery. Dotted with 16 emerald lakes and verdant forests, it is Europe’s oldest national park.
There are many ways to explore this magnificent natural environment. Are you a keen hiker? Set off on foot along the logging road that surrounds the park. Or, more unusually, discover the area by scenic train or by boat on the lakes. Virtually untouched by human development, these bluish lands are unique. They are home to an absolutely untouched flora and fauna. Keep your eyes peeled for wolves, deer, lynx and bears.
5. Sarek National Park (Sweden)
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Sarek National Park lies in the heart of Swedish Lapland, an icy land inhabited by the Sami people. Whether on foot, skis, snowshoes or snowmobile, you can enjoy the park and its varied landscape from spring to autumn.
The most remote mountain range in the country, it’s a place of calm and silence like nowhere else in Scandinavia. You’ll often have the impression of being alone in the middle of this immense natural expanse. Vertiginous peaks (Sarektjåhkkå is 2,089 m high), icy streams, boreal forests, mint-green valleys and plateaus… Get ready for an unforgettable feeling of being at the end of the world when you visit Sarek National Park.
6. Snowdonia National Park (Wales)
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Created in 1951, Snowdonia is the UK’s second largest national park. From north to south, it is made up of rocky mountain ranges. It’s a grandiose spectacle of sumptuous Welsh panoramas. You’ll also find hundreds of lakes and long golden beaches.
Need more expert advice? On your trip to Snowdonia, don’t miss the walk to the ruins of Castell-y-Bere Castle! You can also choose to visit the Pany Mill. The must-do in the park is, of course, the ascent of Mount Snowdon. But don’t forget to visit the unusual village of Portmeirion or explore Lake Bala by canoe.
7. Valbona Valley National Park (Albania)
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For original views and panoramas, visit Valbona Valley National Park. Bordering Montenegro to the north of Albania, it is home to pine forests, waterfalls and caves. In winter, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of splendid snow-capped mountains.
With its small size of 80 km², the park boasts a varied and remarkably well-preserved flora and fauna. You may even come across bears, deer and wolves. The 13-kilometer hike from Valbona to Thethi National Park is well worth a visit. It gives you a close-up view of the many natural treasures to be found in the heart of the valley.
8. Jostedalsbreen National Park (Norway)
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In southern Norway, it takes its name from the eponymous glacier at its center. The glaciers and valleys of which it is composed have emerged and formed over periods of glaciation. The result? A veritable mosaic of relief and green-and-white landscapes.
Created in 1991, it continues to attract hundreds of thousands of travellers from all over the world every year. Their common goal: to contemplate the breathtaking natural beauty. Take the time to discover its grassy plains, midnight-blue lakes and grey-rock mountains. Our advice is simple: don’t miss out on one of Europe’s most beautiful national parks.
9. Göreme National Park (Turkey)
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A huge open-air museum, Göreme National Park is a veritable jewel in the heart of Turkey. Its magical atmosphere is sure to surprise you. Surrounded by valleys carved out naturally by time, you’ll have plenty to savour on your trip! Come and admire the rock sanctuaries and traditional troglodyte dwellings.
Göreme National Park is made up of « fairy chimney » cliffs in shades of grey and bronze. They blend in perfect harmony with the cultural elements that surround them. If you get the chance, take a hot-air balloon ride over Göreme Park for an authentic and incredible experience.
10. Dolomites Bellunesi National Park (Italy)
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In addition to their unique sense of style, unrivalled pizzas and lilting tongue, our Italian neighbors also boast one of Europe’s most beautiful national parks. Since its creation in 1988, its main aim has been to preserve the Dolomites.
This massif in the eastern Alps is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its pink limestone mountains, almond-green forests, breathtaking valleys, blue lakes and flower-filled meadows, the Dolomites Bellunesi are without doubt one of Europe’s must-see national parks for hikers, mountaineers and winter sports enthusiasts.
11. Triglav National Park (Slovenia)
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Slovenia’s only national park, Triglav is located in the extreme north-west of the country. It’s within easy reach of Austria and Italy. Named after Slovenia’s tallest peak, it’s packed with eclectic but equally beautiful natural sites.
One of the must-see attractions in Triglav National Park is the immense Pericnik waterfall. Take the high-altitude trail to Mangart for breathtaking views. A visit to the Alpinum Juliana botanical garden will make you see the world in color, as will the emerald springs of Zelenci. There are countless unusual places to visit. Take, for example, the « pagan maiden » carved into Mount Prisant, the Pokljuka Gorge, the breathtaking Krn peak or the bottle-green lake of Planina Pri Jezeru… All places where you can fully enjoy the wonderful biodiversity of Triglav National Park.
12. Oulanka National Park (Finland)
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Located on Finland’s Arctic Circle, Oulanka National Park is a sparkling northern paradise. In the heart of the river valleys, gorges, torrents, waterfalls and rapids mingle, adding color to the surrounding forests. Despite the relatively harsh living conditions, the area boasts a wealth of wildlife: reindeer, butterflies, nesting birds, wolverines, bears…
You can enjoy magnificent walks and hikes by canoe or on foot. In summer and winter alike, water is omnipresent in this blue-and-white environment. You’ll find plenty of vantage points from which to enjoy these sumptuous panoramas.
13. Hohe Tauern National Park (Austria)
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Discover Tyrolean nature at its most magical in the Hohe Tauern National Park. Created in 1981, it is Austria’s oldest and largest national park. This protected area of almost 2,000 square kilometers is divided between valleys, flower-filled plains, pine forests and rocky ridges.
While you’re in Hohe Tauern, why not try your hand at gold panning, glacier climbing or raptor watching? Some hikes may even take you above a sea of clouds at sunset to admire a breathtaking panorama.