The fantastic cities of Europe are among the most memorable parts of any trip there. Staying in metropolitan areas solely, though, means missing out on the breathtaking landscapes that can be found all throughout the continent. Visit national parks in Europe to learn about and enjoy the region’s varied topography, from the Lake District in England to the Gran Paradiso National Park in the Italian Alps. One of the best ways to enjoy your next trip to Europe is to stop at one of the continent’s many stunning national parks.
14. Jotunheimen National Park
The many mountains in Norway’s Jotunheimen National Area have earned the park another name: the Land of the Giants. There are about 250 peaks in the park, including some of Europe’s highest. Lakes of brilliant blue, formed by snowmelt, dot the landscape between the numerous snow-capped summits. Reindeer, elk, and lynx are just some of the animals that call Jotunheimen National Park home, and the park’s lakes are stocked with trout, making for excellent fishing.
13. Lake District National Park
The Lake District National Park is renowned as one of the most scenic and tranquil places in the whole of England. The park’s name alludes to the abundance of lakes found there, but the fells (mountains) that dot the terrain are just as enticing. There is a wide variety of places to stay inside the park itself, and visitors come to enjoy lengthy hikes amid the falls and take in the vistas.
12. Caldera de Taburiente National Park
The Canary Islands, and La Palma in particular, are frequently associated with beach vacations and luxury hotels. Caldera de Taburiente National Park, on the other hand, is one of the most impressive natural attractions in all of Spain. In the middle of the park lies a large depression that was formerly thought to be a crater but is now recognized as an arch in the mountains. Hikers at Caldera de Taburiente National Park may take in panoramic vistas of verdant valleys and the ocean in the distance while strolling along the mountain’s rim.
11. Bialowieza National Park
The Bialowieza National Park, located on the border between Poland and Belarus, is a sizable park that is also the last intact temperate primeval forest in Europe. This is the greatest site in the world to see European Bison in their native environment. Bialowieza National Park is a fantastic place to go hiking or cycling because of its network of tree-lined routes. If you want to understand more about the history, flora, and fauna of Biaowiea National Park, you should definitely check out the Museum of Nature and Forest.
10. Oulanka National Park
Oulanka National Park is a large and beautiful park in northern Finland. The park was established to preserve the traditional lands of the Sami people, who fished and hunted there until the early 17th century. Nowadays, the highlight of each trip to Oulanka National Park is hiking the Karhunkierros, the most well-known trail in all of Finland. Berry picking, mountain biking, kayaking the many rivers, and spending the night in one of the park’s many wooden cottages are some of the other popular activities here.
9. Saxon Switzerland National Park
The Saxon Switzerland National Park is located entirely inside Germany, close to the city of Dresden, despite the name’s suggestion otherwise. This European national park is fantastic for climbing and trekking due to its unique stone formations and breathtaking scenery. There is no need for prior climbing expertise to see famous landmarks like the breathtaking Bastei Bridge and the towering Königstein Fortress, which is perched 245 meters (800 feet) above the Elbe River.
8. Gran Paradiso National Park
The Gran Paradiso National Park may be found smack dab in the center of the Graian Alps in Northern Italy. It was originally established as a park to safeguard the ibex from poachers, since the surrounding region was thought to be the king’s personal hunting grounds. The park is somewhat wooded and also has many glaciers. Many visitors come to the park to hike, notably to the top of Gran Paradiso Mountain, from whence they can see neighboring Alpine peaks like Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.
7. Durmitor National Park
The Durmitor National Park may be found in Žabljak, Montenegro. Durmitor’s massive peaks rise at odd angles, surrounded by river canyons, for a strange contrast in environment. People who want to ski or snowboard on glacial lakes, hike to the top of mountains, or just enjoy breathtaking scenery, often go to Durmitor National Park.
6. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
The national park of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs is located in the very middle of Scotland. Beautiful mountains like Ben More, Be Lomond, and Stob Binnein may all be found in this national park. The West Highland Way is a hiking trail that passes through Lock Lomond, taking hikers to a number of breathtaking lookouts and giving them the opportunity to enjoy quiet isolation in the midst of a verdant forest. A few of the park’s hamlets serve as convenient pit stops for those on foot, providing the opportunity to refuel with a cold beer or a hearty pub meal before continuing on their hike.
5. Ordesa National Park
Ordesa National Park is located in the Pyrenees Mountains, which are on the border between France and Spain. The park is home to a verdant valley nestled among the hills of the Pyrenees, providing a breathtaking panorama and excellent trekking opportunities in the cool, shady surroundings of the mountains. Ordesa National Park is home to a wide variety of animals, some of which include hawks, owls, mountain goats, and marmots.
4. Vatnajokull National Park
Vatnajökull, Iceland’s spectacular glacier, is located in the park of the same name. The park is full of contrasting features, such as snowy mountain peaks, deep blue rivers, and even some active geothermal sites. The Svartifoss and Dettifoss waterfalls, as well as the iceberg-filled glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón, are among the park’s most popular attractions. Hiking is the most common method to see the sights of Vatnajökull National Area, and the park is dotted with campsites for those who like to spend the night there.
3. Triglav National Park
Triglav National Park is the only national park in Slovenia, and it is named after Mount Triglav, the country’s tallest mountain. The Julian Alps, of which Triglav National Park is a part, are characterized by both lofty peaks and verdant valleys. For both topographical and touristic reasons, water is vital to the park. Locals and tourists alike go to the park to enjoy its lakes and take in the scenery of the Soa and Sava rivers, which ultimately empty into the Adriatic and Black seas.
2. Hohe Tauern National Park
Within Austria’s Hohe Tauern National Park is a mountain range of the same name. The Hohe Tauern National Park has tundra, woods, glaciers, and waterfalls and is the biggest natural reserve in the Alps. Hiking is quite common in the park, both for exploration and to reach the top of the larger peaks like Großglockner and Großvenediger. Driving through the park and the mountains, through the spectacular tunnels or along the picturesque Grossglockner High Alpine Road, is also quite enticing.
1. Plitvice Lakes National Park
Plitvice Lakes National Park, a stunning woodland preserve in the heart of Croatia, is famous for its magnificent chain of 16 tiered lakes. The lakes are linked together by waterfalls, and they reach all the way to a breathtaking limestone canyon. Beautiful vistas may be seen from the many pathways and walkways that run around and even over these lakes. In addition, you may explore some of the caverns and see the lakes from a new angle by peering through the rock.
