Why Austria's biggest theme park is worth the drive from Prague

A wooden boat has finished its slow climb and tipped over the edge of Biberburg, a log-flume ride that races down a 17-meter drop, hits the water and sends up the kind of splash that leaves its passengers laughing, soaked or both. 

Nearby, children steer tractors past farmyard scenery. Roller-coaster cars wind around tight bends, and flying machines circle high above the ground. 

This isn’t a dreamscape, but a place near Czechia worth traveling to. Familypark, Austria’s largest theme park, offers a place where guests of all ages can enjoy more than 30 rides and interactive experiences. Covering more than 145,000 square meters spread across four themed areas, it received the Family Award 2026 for Best Theme Park, placing first overall and first in the ranking’s fun-factor category. 

With two new attractions and more than 700,000 visitors each season, here’s why it’s worth the drive for a full day of fun, an exciting overnight stay or a lively stop on a longer Central European road trip.

Drive a few hours from Prague and you’ll come across Familypark, located in St. Margarethen in Austria’s Burgenland region, a few kilometers from Lake Neusiedl. Once there, you can easily dive straight into the action: One admission fee includes repeated use of almost all rides and attractions throughout the day, so parents don’t need to reach for their wallets every time someone demands another turn. 

The park welcomed two new rides this year. Rotonda is the wilder of the pair, aimed at older children, teenagers and adults. Riders sit facing outward on a large circular platform that spins as it travels back and forth along a curved track, reaching a height of around 15 meters. 

For younger children, the new Wilder Winzer offers a gentler first step into more dynamic rides, where passengers climb into a wooden cart that rises and falls as it moves. Elsewhere in the park, toddlers and younger children can explore gentle rides, colorful themed areas, playgrounds and the Fairytale Forest.

From there, families can choose their own level of adventure. Older children can graduate to Götterblitz, a family roller coaster combining speed, curves and excitement, or head to Azurgo, which sends riders swinging up to 12 meters above the park. Leonardo’s Flying Machine offers a different kind of thrill, rising 22 meters above the ground. Riders control the wings attached to their gondola, choosing between a calmer flight and a series of inversions.

According to the Familypark team, safety and cleanliness are part of the park’s daily operation, with rides undergoing technical checks, staff enforcing height restrictions and visitors receiving clear instructions before boarding. Parents can also use the park’s online height tool to check suitable rides before visiting.

Theme-park days require snacks, bathroom stops and a plan for the child who was not hungry 10 minutes ago. Those craving local flavors can opt for 18 self-service outlets selling meals, snacks, ice cream and more (vegetarian and vegan options are available throughout the park).

Families are also allowed to bring their own food and drinks into the park, and multiple water fountains can be found throughout the premises, making it easy to refill water bottles and stay hydrated in the summer heat.

While Familypark is definitely doable as a day trip from Czechia, families who would rather not drive home can stay at one of Familypark’s partner hotels and turn the visit into a short Burgenland break near Lake Neusiedl. The park is also within easy driving distance of Vienna and Bratislava, making it a useful stop on a longer road trip through Austria, Slovakia or Hungary.

Before setting off, check Familypark’s current opening hours and individual ride restrictions. Their website offers discounted tickets when purchased online compared to those bought at the entrance, and booking ahead leaves one less decision for the morning of the trip.

Then the main question is who will volunteer to sit at the front of Biberburg.