20 epic national parks to visit in Europe

The South of France is home to famous beaches and a large film festival. However, it also houses Calanques National Park, home to numerous “calanques” (little inlets) that you can hike to, kayak in, or rent a boat. The easiest way to reach the park is via train from Marseille. A 30-minute ride will land you in Cassis (worth an overnight stay), where the nearest calanque is just a 30-minute walk away.

All those gorgeous waterfall pics you see on Instagram from your friend’s Croatia trip are likely from Plitvice Lakes National Park. Located a 2-hour drive from Zagreb or a 3-hour journey from Split, you could spend days hiking and boating amongst the large cascades and blue-green waters of Plitvice.

Slovenia has exploded in popularity in recent years, thanks in part to Lake Bled becoming famous on social media. However, if you drive just a bit further to Lake Bohinj, you’ll find quieter shores, numerous hiking options in the Julian Alps, and the gateway to the wonderful Triglav National Park!

The forest inspired some of the Brothers Grimm’s fantastical fairy tales. Named for the thick tree coverage throughout, it’s the ideal place for a road trip and is easily accessible by car from Baden-Baden or Freiburg. It’s best visited in winter when snow gives a wonderful atmosphere or in summer when you can enjoy the hiking trails.

Hohe Tauern is home to Austria’s tallest mountain peak, Grossglockner. But if you’re not up for the 12,000-plus-foot ascent, there’s still plenty to do. Hike less intense trails, swim in pristine lakes, and keep an eye out for wildlife — golden eagles, ibex, marmots, and more frequent the vast area. 

The name translates to “House of the Giants,” and there might not have ever been a more fitting name for a national park. Jotunheimen is home to Norway’s highest peaks, massive glaciers, and crisp lakes that you’ll only want to dive in on a summer day. It’s located in a large area between Oslo, Trondheim, and Bergen.

The French Alps are some of the most famous peaks on the entire continent. And there’s nowhere better to view them than Parc National des écrins. You can hike to glaciers in summer and ski some of Europe’s best slopes in winter. Afterward, indulge in a decadent fondue meal. 

The Dolomites are another now Insta-famous location in Europe. The jagged peaks are so unique that they are protected as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. However, if you hit the trails and go just a bit outside the main viewpoints, you can avoid the worst of the crowds.

Lapland is well-known amongst travelers at this point, and there’s no better place to enjoy this part of the Arctic than Sarek National Park. Visitors can backpack, camp amongst the stars, and go wildlife watching for eagles, lynx, moose, and bears.

The first national park in Scotland is a must-visit on your next trip. Full of vast meadows (that erupt in color in the spring), looming peaks, and cute B&Bs, there’s plenty to enjoy. Trossachs also has Loch Lomond and a giant lake that may or may not be home to Nessie.

This park in southern Albania borders the ever-increasingly popular coast. But the landscape here is mostly freshwater lakes, marshland, and flat trails. Butrint Archeological Park is also located within the larger park and must-see on any Albanian trip.

This oddly named park is indeed in Czechia, not Switzerland! Well-preserved villages amongst the rocks are the biggest draw for visitors, but you can also marvel at epic flora and fauna. Bohemian Switzerland is located an hour and a half from Prague.

Krka is another wonderful national park full of electric-colored water and impressive waterfalls. Located much closer to the Dalmatian coast, it is just under an hour’s drive from both Zadar and Split. 

The country is an up-and-coming destination and while most visitors stick to the coast or just Kotor, there’s plenty to see inland. The name “Montenegro” translates to “Black Mountain,” as most of the area is mountainous. The quiet park is full of glaciers, hiking trails, and alpine lakes, without the crowds of Switzerland or France.

Situated between two large mountain ranges, this valley is ideal for hiking enthusiasts looking to avoid crowds at other locations. You can hike or bike the Diemtigtal House Trail or visit in winter and enjoy numerous cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails.

Þingvellir, or Thingvellir, is one of the most beloved natural areas in Iceland. Known for sweeping vistas and rocky paths, the most unique aspect is all the history. Centuries ago, this is where Iceland’s first parliament was formed. Additionally, it sits on the tectonic plate divide between North America and Eurasia. It is a UNESCO site.

It is the only official national park in the country, but what a gem! The park has various landscapes, from mountains perfect for trekking to massive waterfalls that pool in rivers running through lush valleys.

This UNESCO site in the north of Hungary is a great place for cave enthusiasts. The park is full of caves and above-ground walking trails. You can visit as part of a guided tour (on foot or horseback) or independently. 

Greece’s highest peak is surrounded by a breathtaking national park. The park is rich in history and the site of some of Greece’s most famous stories. It is easily accessible from either Athens or Thessaloniki, but it’s recommended that at least an overnight visit be budgeted for.

The Emerald Isle has so many amazing green spaces for recreation that it’s hard to choose where to go. But, if you only have time for one, make it Killarney, a fairytale forested region that paints a picture of what Ireland was like before sheep farming turned it into the rolling green hills we know today!