Half an hour from Cologne, Phantasialand crams the most intense theming in Europe into a compact site: Taron whips through a hand-built craggy village at absurd speed, Chiapas is arguably the world's best log flume and the whole park rewards wandering with detail. Compact also means merciful walking distances for small legs. Ride Taron at opening before the queue builds, and stay at the Rookburgh hotel if the budget stretches — you sleep inside the steampunk land itself.
Featured in Ten theme park trips that are actually worth the hype · Family