Heide Park Resort

Heide Park Resort in Soltau is the biggest amusement park in northern Germany, set in the Lüneburg Heath roughly halfway between Hamburg and Hanover. Spread over about 85 hectares, it is known for record-breaking roller coasters such as the wooden giant Colossos and the dive coaster Krake, plus a drop tower more than 100 meters tall. It is a great day trip from Hamburg for thrill seekers and families.

Where it is and how to get there

The park's address is Heide Park 1, 29614 Soltau, right off the A7 highway (exit Soltau-Ost). Parking costs €14 per car per day when booked online; on-site prices are higher and card-only.

By rail, travel to Wolterdingen (Han) or Soltau (Han); from Wolterdingen it is about a 20-minute walk to the entrance, which the park recommends if you are coming from Hamburg. Regional trains are covered by the Deutschlandticket. The Heide Park Express bus also runs directly from Hamburg and Hanover.

A short history

Heide Park opened on August 19, 1978, and today belongs to the British Merlin Entertainments group, which also runs Legoland. It is Germany's second-largest leisure park by area and welcomed about 1.68 million visitors in 2023. It has made coaster history several times: Desert Race was Germany's first launch coaster, Krake its first dive coaster and Flug der Dämonen its first wing coaster.

What you will see

• Colossos, a wooden coaster from 2001 reaching about 110 km/h (68 mph)
• Scream, a 103-meter drop tower with a 71-meter free fall
• Krake, a dive coaster that plunges toward the lake
• Flug der Dämonen, Desert Race, Big Loop and the Swiss bobsled ride
• Family areas such as Exploria with Peppa Pig Land, and the Mountain Rafting river ride

In October the park hosts Halloween Nights, with haunted mazes and costumed characters.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, according to the official website:

• The 2026 season ends on October 31; the park is closed over the winter.
• The park usually opens at 10 a.m. (some Halloween days at noon). Closing times vary by day; listed times refer to the rides, and the park itself closes one hour later. Check the daily calendar online.
• Dated day tickets start at €37 online, compared with €64 at the gate. Undated tickets cost €52 online.
• Children under 90 cm (about 35 inches) enter free.

Rides and themed areas in detail

The park is divided into themed areas, including the pirate bay with its ship-themed attractions, Transylvania-style spooky zones and the family-friendly Exploria. Several coasters rank among Germany's firsts, so coaster fans often come just to tick them off. Younger children will find gentler rides, playgrounds and shows, and the Dämonengruft dark ride, opened in 2024, is a good middle ground for families. Many rides have minimum height requirements, which you can check in the park's free app before you go.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, if you love roller coasters. Plan a full day, book tickets and parking online to save a lot of money, and arrive before opening, since the turnstiles open about 30 minutes early. Weekdays outside school holidays are the quietest. The on-site Adventure Hotel and Holiday Camp make it easy to stay overnight, and a Fast Track-style Express Ticket is available for shorter waits.