The 7 biggest roller coasters on the Iberian Peninsula
They are an attraction that generates a lot of interest due to their name and origin, so let’s see how roller coasters work and which are the biggest on the Iberian Peninsula.
Origin of the name roller coaster
The roller coaster emerged in the 14th to 16th centuries and, as its name implies, it is of Russian origin. It appeared as a solution to the winter sleigh rides that were stuck on specially built ice hills, mainly around St Petersburg. They were then built 20 to 24 metres high and consisted of a 50º drop.
The 7 biggest roller coasters in Iberia
1. Red Force in Ferrari Land Spain
Red Force was launched in 2017 at PortAventura World in Ferrari Land (see map) and is one of the largest roller coasters in Europe at 112 metres, a spectacular ride with a course of 880 metres, accelerating from 180 km/h in just 5 seconds.
For children who like an adrenaline rush, they have to be at least 1.40 metres tall and for adults no taller than 1.95 metres.
Ferrari Land has a number of rides for the little ones, such as the Race of Champions, the Great Maranello Race and the Junior Red Force.
Prices start at €17 for children and seniors and €19 for adults. For more information visit the official website (see website).
Red Force – image taken from: Auto Guide
Here are some links to help you imagine what your experience will be like
Red Force Roller Coaster Tallest and fastest in Europe – PortAventura RollerCoaster (taken from Theme Park Review Youtube Channel)
Red Force – PortAventura RollerCoaster (taken from PortAventura Youtube Channel)
2.Coaster Express in Parque Warner, Madrid
Coaster Express was launched in 2002 at Parque Warner Madrid (see map) and is Europe’s tallest and longest roller coaster, with a steep drop from a height of 45 metres, Coaster-Express is one of the fastest wooden roller coasters, reaching a maximum speed of 95 km/h.
For children who enjoy thrilling rides, they have to be at least 1.21 metres tall and for adults no taller than 1.97 metres.
There are also several less intense rides such as Los Carros de la Mina for children, Cine Tour or La Captura de Gossamer.
Prices start at €29.90 online and at the park ticket office €52.90 for children and seniors and €50.90 for adults. For more information visit the official website (see website).
Coaster Express – image taken from: Parque warner
Here are some links to help you imagine what your experience will be like
Coaster Express – Parque Warner Madrid (taken from Theme Park Worldwide Youtube Channel)
Coaster-Express – Parque Warner Madrid (taken from HumberRides Youtube Channel)
3. WATER COASTER AQUASHOW PARK
The WATERCOASTER, which opened in 2021 at Aquashow Park (see map), is the world’s largest water roller coaster, 23.5 metres high and with a 740 metre ride in and out of the water.
There are no age restrictions for children or adults, but they must be at least 1.20 metres tall.
The aquashow has various rides such as the Mammothblast and Aquakids and the Twin space shuttle, a slide with two giant capsules and special effects inside.
Prices start at €24 and go up to €34 at the park’s ticket office and there’s a 10% discount online (see website).
Water Coaster – image taken from: Traventia
Here are some links to help you imagine what your experience will be like
Water Coaster- Aquashow Park (taken from Gezen Adam Youtube Channel)
Watercoaster – Aquashow Algarve (taken from theme park ben Youtube Channel)
4. Shambala PortAventura Park
Shambala, inaugurated in 2012 and located in the PortAventura park (see map), is one of the world’s tallest roller coasters, standing 8 metres high and reaching 134 km/h. There are no age restrictions for this rollercoaster, but you must be at least 1.5 metres tall.
There are no age restrictions for this roller coaster, but you must be at least 1.40 metres tall.
The main characteristics of this attraction are its sheer size, drop and height and it has the particularity of having elevations or camelbacks during the ride that will make you feel as if you have lost contact with the seat.
Prices start at 17€ for children and seniors and 19€ for adults. For more information visit the official website (see website).
Shambala – image taken from: pinterest
Here are some links to help you imagine what your experience will be like
View from Shambhala – PortAventura RollerCoaster (taken from Coaster Force Youtube Channel)
Shambhala POV | PortAventura World 2023 (taken from PortAventura Home Youtube Channel)
5. Stunt Fall Warner Park
The Stunt Fall, opened in 2008 and located in Warner Park in the Movie World Studios area (see map), is unique and incredible in all of Europe.
With a top speed of 115 km/hour and a height of 65 metres, it simulates an action scene throughout the ride and offers six truly intense inversions.
Children and adults who want to be part of this action roller coaster must be at least 1.37 metres tall and no taller than 1.95 metres.
Prices start at €29.90 online and at the park ticket office €52.90 for children and seniors and €50.90 for adults. For more information visit the official website (see website).
Stunt Fall – image taken from: spaincoaster
Here are some links to help you imagine what your experience will be like
Stunt Fall (Onride) -Parque Warner Madrid (taken from Parque Warner Youtube Channel)
Parque Warner Madrid STUNT FALL (taken from Huvipuisto Youtube Channel)
6. Superman Parque Warner Madrid
Superman, which opened in 2002 and is located in Parque Warner in the DC Super Heroes World area (see map), is a roller coaster that simulates the flight of a real hero at over 100 km/h, with seven inversions and several free falls and is 55 metres high.
It’s the only attraction of its kind in Europe, with floorless trains that leave your feet unprotected on the track for the entire ride, which lasts more than two minutes.
If you want to be Superman for a few minutes, you just need to be at least 1.32 metres tall to fly.
Prices start at €29.90 online and at the park ticket office €52.90 for children and seniors and €50.90 for adults. For more information visit the official website (see website).
Superman – image taken from: flicker
Here are some links to help you imagine what your experience will be like
Superman Parque Warner Madrid (taken from Coaster Adventures Youtube Channel)
Parque Warner Madrid – Superman (taken from The little Skier Youtube Channel)
7. Swiss Mountain Spain
Swiss Mountain, inaugurated in 1912 and located on Monte Igueldo in San Sebastián (see map) , is one of the oldest roller coasters in the world, in a park that has more than 100 years of history and is still open is a different attraction because it has no steel or wooden supports.
This is not an attraction known for its strength or speed, but for its privileged views of the Bay of Biscay and its historical value associated with a mechanical attraction with almost a century of history.
Children are recommended from the age of 6 and there are no height restrictions.
The park operates like a fair and entry is free, you only pay for the attractions, which range from €1 to €3. The rollercoaster, for example, costs €3 (see website).
Swiss Mountain – image taken from: spainist
Here are some links to help you imagine what your experience will be like
Montaña Suiza front seat -Monte Igueldo (taken from Coaster Force Youtube Channel)
Montaña Suiza off-ride – Monte Igueldo (taken from Coaster Force Youtube Channel)
Other roller coasters worth mentioning
Magikland, located in Penafiel, is a theme park where magic happens, with themed areas inspired by Africa, the world of confusion, the medieval village, the pirates’ refuge, Far-west which has the Magic Mountain attraction, a roller coaster that causes the most incredible sensations, and Souk where the catering area is located.
Magic Mountain – image taken from: magikland
Isla Mágica in Seville is a theme park with 6 areas that will take you back in time to discover the most representative customs and places of the Age of Discovery, the 16th and 17th centuries.
The Amazon area is home to the park’s biggest roller coaster, the Jaguar, a great test of bravery for the more adventurous explorers, as the journey is made on trains suspended from the track, from which you’ll scream like never before.
Jaguar – image taken from: tegustaviajar