Familypark

Familypark at St Margarethen is the largest amusement park in Austria, laid out on flat ground west of Lake Neusiedl and aimed squarely at families with small children. The rides stay gentle: a couple of family coasters, log flumes and water rides, carousels, a slow train around the site, and themed areas built around fairytale scenes with walk-in sets. There are animal enclosures, large playgrounds and enough shaded seating for adults who are mainly there to supervise. Nothing is designed to frighten anyone over ten, which is the whole idea, and it explains why the park works far better for young families than for teenagers.

What you actually see

• The fairytale areas - walk-in scenes and buildings from traditional stories, with paths running through rather than past them.
• The family coasters - short, low-speed rides that most children over about a metre tall can go on.
• The water rides - log flumes and splash rides that get everyone properly wet on a hot day.
• The animals and playgrounds - small enclosures and large play areas spread between the rides.

When to go

April to October, with the park closed through winter. Late spring and September are the sweet spot: mild weather, shorter queues, everything open. July and August bring heat on an exposed site and the longest waits. Weekdays outside Austrian school holidays are noticeably quieter. Arrive at opening to get the popular rides done first.

Honest expectations

It is pitched at under-tens, and teenagers will be bored inside an hour. Queues in high summer are long for short rides. Food, lockers and extras add up quickly on top of an already high ticket. Shade is limited on the open sections and the site gets hot. Everything shuts for the winter.

Nearby

Lake Neusiedl and its reed belt are east of the park, with Eisenstadt a short drive north-west.