Top 10 National Parks In Europe You Must Visit And Explore!

Europe is one of the most spectacular places in the World. Within the wide-open spaces of Europe, there is just about every climate and ecosystem you can imagine. So, naturally, there are a lot of national parks in Europe dedicated to preserving and are worth it exploring once in a lifetime.

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Here are the top 10 National Parks in Europe you would love to explore –

1. Cinque Terre National Park, Italy

Cinque Terre is Italy’s first national park in 1999 and also the UNESCO World Heritage site. All the five villages, coastline, and surrounding hillsides are part of the National park with 5000 permanent inhabitants. It is on the Ligurian the Northwest of the Country. The five lands, Cinque Terre is so beautiful and well established and also you will love the way people live there harmoniously. It is a must-visit site to explore and enjoy.

• Location – Liguria, Italy.

2. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Plitvice Lakes National Park is situated in the lower elevations of the Dinarides in the central country and also it is Croatia’s largest national park. It looks so ravishing yet serene, the water flowing over the limestone and chalk for thousands of years. These deposited as travertine barriers created natural dams, beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and caves. Plitvice is home to many animals like bears, wolves, and many rare bird species. It is a majestic example of nature and it definitely recommended to visit. 

• Location – Lika-Seni Country, Karlovac Country, Croatia.

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3. Saxon Switzerland National Park, Germany

Saxon Switzerland National Park is located in eastern Germany, southeast of Dresden. This phenomenal location has strangely eroded rock formations and more than 700 summits for rock climbers. People can also go for 400 km² of marked hiking trails, steep treks, paths, and cycle routes through the National Park to enjoy their day. If lucky enough, you can also catch a glimpse of rare species like the otter, the fat dormouse, the eagle owl, and more. Also do not forget to walk across the Bastei Bridge as it is one of the most recognizable icons of the park. A trip to Saxon Switzerland National Park will be full of fun and excitement.

• Location – Saxony, Germany.

4. Mercantour National Park, France

It is located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Alpes-Maritimes departments.  A perfect place for all adventure sports especially in summers like – Hiking, Canyoning, Via Ferrata, Rock Climbing, Paragliding, and more. The park is also very rich in fauna and flora for example – meadows and woodland, wild boars, eagles, partridges, stags, roebucks, and maybe even a wolf. Brec du Chambeyron is one of the tallest (3000 meters) peaks at Mercantour. What are you waiting for?

• Location – Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France

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5. The Burren National Park, Ireland

The word “Burren”  comes from the Irish word “Boíreann” and the meaning of the word is “Rock”. It is approximately 1500 hectares in size and it contains all the major habitats within the Burren like – Calcareous Grassland, Hazel scrub, Limestone Pavement, Ash/Hazel Woodland, Cliffs, and Fen, and more. The highest point in the park is Knockanes which is 207 meters high and is the smallest of the six National Parks in Ireland. A bit of a different and unique place to explore.

• Location – 2 Church Street, Knockaunroe, Corofin, Co. Clare, V95 T9V6, Ireland

6. Ordesa National Park, Spain

Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park is an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Category II National Park situated in the Pyrenees. This magical place is filled with lakes, soaring peaks, beautiful waterfalls, and a variety of flora and fauna. The trails are very easy to access and will lead you to natural wonders like “Cola de Caballo” (horse’s tail) waterfall, the Gradas de Soaso rapids, and more. This place looks splendid in any season but in autumn it hits a bit differently.

• Location- Pyrenees of Huesca, Spain

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7. Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland

Vatnajökull National Park is one of the 3 national parks in Iceland and is around 14,141 km² long. Adding more to this, it has a great variety of landscape features as they were created or combined by forces of glacial ice, rivers, volcanic and geothermal activities. A perfect place on the land of fire and ice to visit but do plan your visit accordingly as sometimes it stays closed due to landslides.

• Location – Klapparstígur 25, 101 27, Iceland

8. Calanques National Park, France

It is located on the Mediterranean coast in Bouches-du-Rhône in Southern France. This park includes some amazing features like Calanque de Sormiou, Calanque de Morgiou, and many more which give you a wonderful view. It includes all three – land, sea, and peri-urban areas. This place has diverse biodiversity, with an amazing variety of fauna and flora, and also it has nearly more than 60 marine heritage species too. A place which gives you so much is a must explore.

• Location – Bouches-du-Rhône, France

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9. Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park, Italy

Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park is located in northern Italy and covers 12 square miles (32 sq km). The Dolomites are one of the most renowned mountains in the world and also the most beautiful ranges. The highest point is the Marmolada peak with a summit of 10,968 feet (3,343 m). With mountains, it also has springs, swamps, rivers, and canyons. It is a must-visit.

• Location – Dolomiti Bellunesi, Belluno BL, Italy

10. Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Scotland

This place is just heaven and is located in Scotland centered on Loch Lomond. Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park won’t let you get bored as it offers many activities like – Angling, Cycling, Camping, walking and hiking, golf, climbing, water activities, and more. An incredible view with a variety of natural landscapes and a lovely time spent with your loved ones is everything you need, right?

• Location – Balloch, Alexandria G83 8EG, United Kingdom

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Castle ruins to endless lakes, magnificent landscapes, hiking trails to wonderful waterfalls, and more. These national parks in Europe are worth exploring. So, what are you waiting for? Plan your vacation on Pickyourtrail for Pre-packaged Europe Tour Packages or even you can customize your Europe itinerary on your own with your choices and preferences. See you soon!