The 13 most beautiful national parks in Europe

In solo, with friends or family, go to the conquest of the Old Continent in nature and discovery mode! Embark on an experience off the beaten track by discovering the 13 most beautiful national parks in Europe.

From Sweden to Austria, to Portugal and Albania, Europe is home to a multitude of national parks. Their rich and varied environments are all as unique to each other.. If you love nature and large spaces, these are perfect places to spend unforgettable moments.

Unused reliefs, improbable colors, surprising history, geological treasures: all have a small something special that undeniably invites you to escape and adventure. Follow the guide and enjoy your next holiday to visit one (or several!) of the most beautiful national parks in Europe.

1. Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland

With an area equal to twice that of Corsica, Vatnajökull is the largest national park in Europe. Between sparkling ivory and gray blue, its landscapes of glaciers, waterfalls and icebergs extend to a loss of sight. Its ice cap, the largest in Iceland, can sometimes reach up to one kilometre thick!

Inscribed to UNESCO’s World Heritage since 2019, you can also see several volcanoes, mountains, trays and canyons whose colours vary over the seasons. If you like hiking and polar panoramas, then the national park of Vatnajökull It's for you.

2. Parc national de la Forêt-Noire (Germany)

Located in the south-west of Germany, the Noire Forest National Park stands out thanks to its pristine and wild vegetation. Three tourist routes were created. The goal of this diversity: you can visit it according to your desires.

Wine lovers? The wine route of Baden country is renowned! It allows you to cross vineyards on the west side of the park. Amateurs of large spaces? You will choose more the Crest road, an altitude circuit across the mountains. Want diversity? Go for the panoramic road. It mixes exceptional culture, tradition and views. Through this typical mountainous territory of Germany, you can enjoy hiking and climbing in the heart of this superb green and mordored natural setting.

3. Sintra-Cascais Natural Park (Portugal)

With its huge limestone cliffs, fossil dunes and picturesque small villages, Sintra-Cascais is one of Europe’s national parks not to be missed. You can cross green hills that take you to the coast or climb to the Cabo da Roca lighthouse. If you like atypical places, you will choose to visit the high-perched fishing village of Azenhas do Mar. If your heart swings for the seaside, walk quietly on the beach of Praia do Guinchos.

Wherever you are in Sintra-Cascais, you will experience an authentic experience in the midst of varied and colorful landscapes! Here, the smell is salted from the sea breeze comes to mix with the beautiful floral scents of the hinterland.

4. Plitviče Lake National Park (Croatia)

The Plitviče Lake National Park is located between Zagreb and Zadar. In the heart of a huge karstic plateau, it is unpleasant to wish. Situated in 16 emerald-colored lakes and green forests, it is the oldest national park in Europe.

Several options are available to you to explore this beautiful natural environment. Is hiking your passion? Go on foot through the log path around the park. More unusual: explore this place by panoramic train or by boat on the lakes. Almost virgins of any development made by man, these blue lands are unique. They contain an absolutely intact fauna and flora. Open the eye and you may see wolves, deer, lynx or bears.

5. Sarek National Park (Sweden)

Sarek National Park extends in the middle of Swedish Lapland, an icy territory populated by the Sami. On foot, in skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling, you can fully enjoy the park and its varied terrains from spring to autumn.

The most remote mountainous mass of the country, there is a calm and silence as nowhere else in Scandinavia. You will often feel like you are alone in the midst of this vast natural expanse. vertiginous summits (2,089 meters above sea level for the Sarektjåhkkå), iced watercourses, boreal forests, valleys and green plateaus mint... Prepare yourself for an impression of an unforgettable end of the world during your visit to Sarek National Park.

6. Snowdonia National Park (Wales)

Founded in 1951, Snowdonia is the second largest national park in the United Kingdom. From the north to the south, it is composed of mountainous mountains with rocky summits. It offers a spectacular show made of sumptuous Welsh panoramas. You can also see a hundred lakes and long golden sand beaches.

Need more advice? During your trip to Snowdonia, do not miss the walk to the ruins of Castell-y-Bere Castle! You can also choose the Pany Mill. The immanquable park remains the ascent of Mount Snowdon. However, do not leave aside the very atypical village of Portmeirion or the exploration of Lake Bala in canoe-kayak.

7. Valbona Valley National Park, Albania

For original views and views, visit the Valbona Valley National Park. Frontalier with Montenegro, north of Albania, it houses pine forests, waterfalls and caves. In winter, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of beautiful snowy mountains.

With its small size of 80 km2, the park has a varied and remarkably well preserved fauna and flora. You can even cross bears, deer and wolves. The 13-kilometre hike that connects Valbona to Thethi National Park is to be discovered. It allows you to see closely the many natural treasures present in the heart of the valley.

8. Jostedalsbreen National Park (Norway)

In southern Norway, he is named after the eponymous glacier in its centre. The glaciers and the valleys that make up it appeared and formed over the glaciation periods. The result? A true mosaic of reliefs 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 goal is common: contemplating breathtaking natural beauty. Take the time to discover its grassy plains, its lakes with dark blue reflections and its mountains with grey rock. Our advice is simple: don’t miss one of the most beautiful national parks in Europe.

9. Parc national de Göreme (Turkey)

Immense open-air museum, Göreme National Park is a real gem nestled in the heart of Turkey. Its magical atmosphere will not fail to surprise you. In the middle of valleys dug naturally over time, you will have to enjoy your trip! Come and admire these cave sanctuaries and this traditional troglodyte unusual habitat.

The national park of Göreme is composed of cliffs (called "fair chimneys") with grey and mordored hues. They mix in perfect harmony with the cultural elements around them. If you have the opportunity, fly over the Göreme Park in the hot air balloon and experience as authentic as you can.

10. Dolomites Bellunesi National Park (Italy)

In addition to their unique style, their unparalleled pizzas and their language with singing accents, our Italian neighbours also have one of the most beautiful national parks in Europe. Since its creation in 1988, its main aim has been to preserve the Dolomites.

This massif of the eastern Alps is part of UNESCO’s world heritage. It has an invaluable heritage value: rosy limestone mountains, almond green forests, dizzying valleys, blue lakes, flowery meadows... The Dolomites Bellunesi are undoubtedly one of Europe’s most important national parks if you love hiking, mountaineering and winter sports.

11. Triglav National Park (Slovenia)

A unique national park in Slovenia, Triglav is located in the far northwest of the country. It will be perfectly accessible to you if your journey leads you to Austria or Italy. Named from the largest of Slovenian summits, it is full of eclectic natural sites but all as beautiful as one another.

Among the must-sees of Triglav National Park, discover the immense Pericnik waterfall. Take the altitude path leading to Mangart for a breathtaking view. A small tower in the botanical garden Alpinum Juliana will show you the world in color, just as in the emerald sources of Zelenci. Uncommon places are countless. Let's also take as examples the "Pagan girl" engraved in Mount Priser, the Pokljuka Gorges, the vertiginous summit of the Krn or the green lake bottle of Planina Pri Jezeru... So many places where you can fully enjoy the wonderful biodiversity of Triglav National Park.

12. Olanka National Park (Finland)

Located on the Arctic Circle in Finland, Olanka National Park is a Nordic paradise with sparkling reflections. In the heart of the river valleys, gorges, streams, waterfalls and rapids are surrounded and give colour to the surrounding forests. Wildlife is very rich despite relatively harsh living conditions: reindeer, butterflies, breeding birds, gloutons, bears...

In canoeing or on foot, you can enjoy beautiful walks and hikes. Summer and winter, water is omnipresent in this environment with blue and white dominants. You will find many views to enjoy these sumptuous panoramas.

13. Hohe Tauern National Park (Austria)

Discover the Tyrolean nature in everything it has more magical at Hohe Tauern National Park. Founded in 1981, it is the oldest and largest in Austria. This protected area of nearly 2,000 square kilometres is divided between valleys, flowery plains, pine forests and rocky peaks.

During your visit to Hohe Tauern, why don’t you try to relax, climb a glacier or observe raptors? Some hikes can even take you above a sea of clouds at the time of sunset to admire a breathtaking view.