Spain’s Puy du Fou Espana beat Disneyland Park in Paris and three other big names to keep its World Travel Awards title. Here’s why a park built on shows, not rides, keeps winning.
Europe’s best theme park isn’t Disneyland Paris, at least according to the World Travel Awards.
Puy du Fou Espana, a history-themed park outside Toledo, Spain, kept its title as Europe’s Leading Theme Park 2026, Euro Weekly News reported. It won the same award in 2025.
The other nominees were Disneyland Park in Paris, Phantasialand in Germany, The Land of Legends in Turkey and Tivoli Gardens in Denmark. El Espanol published the list in July.
When were the 2026 World Travel Awards Europe winners announced?
On Saturday, Oct. 17. The winners were named at a gala at the Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort in Montenegro, Euronews reported.
It was the 20th Europe Gala Ceremony and the first World Travel Awards ceremony ever held in Montenegro, according to Euro Weekly News.
Lisbon was the big winner of the night. It was named Europe’s leading city and its top cruise destination, and Portugal was named Europe’s leading destination, Euronews said.
How are World Travel Awards winners picked?
By vote. The awards were founded in 1993 and are often called the Oscars of tourism, El Espanol noted.
Winners are decided by open voting from travel industry professionals and the public. Voting for the 2026 awards closed Aug. 14, according to El Espanol.
Puy du Fou Espana openly campaigned for votes this summer, asking fans to help it repeat as champion, El Debate reported.
What is Puy du Fou Espana?
A theme park built on shows instead of thrill rides. Puy du Fou Espana tells the history of Spain through huge live productions, historical re-creations, period villages, choreography and soundtracks, El Debate reported.
Its signature is El Sueno de Toledo, a nighttime spectacular that El Espanol called the biggest night show in Spain. It has also been named the best show in the world, according to El Espanol.
Other shows put guests in the middle of Spanish history. El Ultimo Cantar follows the medieval hero El Cid, and A Pluma y Espada features the playwright Lope de Vega, El Espanol said. A newer show, El Tambor de la Libertad, joined the lineup too, according to El Debate.
Here’s the park’s official 2026 trailer:
How big is Puy du Fou Espana’s 2026 season?
A busy one. The park planned more than 190 opening days this year and more than 160 performances of El Sueno de Toledo. Every show got improvements, too, according to Turespana, Spain’s national tourism agency.
The season runs into the holidays. Christmas brings additions to La Alegria de la Navidad and more chances to meet the Three Wise Men, Turespana said.
Is Puy du Fou Espana expanding?
Yes. The park has final approval for an expansion near Toledo with three hotels and new shows, which should create about 500 jobs, El Espanol reported.
CEO Olivier Strebelle said the nomination alone confirmed the park as one of the industry’s major international names, according to El Espanol. Awards like this push the park to keep innovating, he told El Debate.
Is Puy du Fou Espana related to Puy du Fou in France?
Yes. Puy du Fou started in France’s Vendee region, and the Toledo park is its Spanish sister. Both lean on big historical shows rather than roller coasters.
What else did Spain win at the World Travel Awards?
Spain took home 11 European titles in all, Euro Weekly News reported. Madrid was named Europe’s leading meetings and conference destination for the ninth year in a row.
The Real Madrid Tour Bernabeu won Europe’s leading football stadium tourism experience again. Spanish airline Volotea was named Europe’s leading low-cost airline for the fifth time.
The global winners will be named at the World Travel Awards Grand Final in Tanzania on Dec. 12, Euronews reported.
What’s new at Disneyland Paris?
Plenty, even without the trophy. World of Frozen opened at Disneyland Paris on March 29, 2026, as PNP has reported.
Disneyland Park’s Hyperspace Mountain will become Space Mountain: De la Terre a la Lune in 2027, bringing back the ride’s original Jules Verne theme, PNP reported Sept. 13.
And the Rainforest Cafe at Disney Village closes for good at the end of 2026, PNP reported Sept. 19.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Euro Weekly News, Lucy Ramnought (Oct. 19, 2026), Puy du Fou Espana’s win and Spain’s other titles
Euronews, Dianne Apen-Sadler (Oct. 19, 2026), the gala date, venue and top winners
El Espanol (July 8, 2026), the nominees, voting, shows, expansion and Strebelle’s comments
El Debate, Virginia Sesena (July 8, 2026), the park’s show-driven model and Strebelle’s comments
Turespana (June 1, 2026), Puy du Fou Espana’s 2026 season
Pirates & Princesses (Sept. 13, Sept. 19 and Oct. 24, 2026), Disneyland Paris updates
Puy du Fou Espana on YouTube (March 5, 2026), the official 2026 trailer
AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.