The tallest roller coasters in the world, Europe, and Spain

Humans have always been curious about experiencing unique things, and speed, adrenaline and the sensation of flying are among the most sought-after. The best way to experience all these sensations is to ride a roller coaster.

The world’s tallest roller coasters

Roller coasters, impressive steel structures that give you unique thrills while defying gravity and the laws of speed. If you’re reading this post it’s because you’re an adrenaline lover and want to know which are the tallest, but also the fastest and most impressive roller coasters on the planet.

What makes a tall roller coaster so special?

Before getting into the details, you should know that not all roller coasters are created equal. There are many factors that make one ride different from another: speed, free fall, whether or not it has loop-the-loops, duration, track length, and height, one of the most popular attributes.

The taller the roller coaster, the more intense the experience tends to be, as gravity plays a pivotal role in creating the famous sensation of weightlessness on the descents. Another factor that makes a tall roller coaster more special than the others is its launch, which can take you from the start to the very top in a matter of seconds.

The ranking of the world’s tallest roller coasters

Any self-respecting theme park fan should know about the world’s top roller coasters, so keep reading to see which ones have broken height records and offer the most extreme experiences in the world.

Kingda Ka (USA) – 139 metres

Kingda Ka is a record-breaking roller coaster. Located at Six Flags Great Adventure park, in New Jersey, Kingda Ka currently holds the record for the tallest roller coaster in the world, at 139 metres tall and powered by a hydraulic launch that propels it from 0 to 206 km/h in a matter of seconds. Specifically, riders experience a 127-metre drop in 3.5 seconds, making it mission impossible not to keep their hands up in the air.

Top Thrill Dragster (USA) – 128 metres

Top Thrill Dragster could be found at Cedar Point theme park in Ohio, United States. Although it wasn’t the tallest in the world, it was one of the first to get closer to the clouds by breaking the 120-metre height barrier. Top Thrill Dragster is currently undergoing a complete overhaul ready for its reopening. No one can deny that its acceleration design makes it one of the most impressive yet.

Superman: Escape from Krypton (USA) – 126 metres

This ride, located at Six Flags Magic Mountain, in California, has a reverse launch feature, reaching a speed of 160 km/h before arriving at its highest point and plummeting downward. The laws of gravity are no match for Superman: Escape from Krypton!

Red Force (Spain) – 112 metres

Red Force, in Ferrari Land (PortAventura World), has a magnetic launch that catapults all its passengers to 180 km/h… in just 5 seconds! This makes it one of the fastest in the world and, standing at a mighty height of 112 metres, it’s also the tallest ride in Europe.

Since it’s the tallest in Europe, and therefore in Spain, let’s take a closer look at Red Force.

Ferrari Land’s Red Force: the tallest roller coaster in Spain and all of Europe

It’s the perfect way to experience maximum height on a roller coaster without even leaving Spain. On a European level, Ferrari Land’s Red Force is the ultimate ride for speed and power, with a design inspired by Formula 1 that offers impressive acceleration thanks to its magnetic launch system.

Riding Red Force is a pure adrenaline rush, with a panoramic view of the resort before the breathtaking drop.

Other impressive roller coasters at PortAventura World

In addition to Ferrari Land’s Red Force, at PortAventura World you’ll find some of the most spectacular roller coasters in Spain, each with its own unique characteristics. The following list highlights the best roller coasters at PortAventura World:

• Shambhala: at 76 metres high, it is the second tallest roller coaster in Europe and has the longest drop in the continent.
• Dragon Khan: with 8 loop-the-loops, it is one of the most iconic roller coasters and is a fan favourite amongst visitors.
• Furius Baco: it was the fastest roller coaster in Europe when it first opened, accelerating from 0 to 135 km/h in just 3 seconds.

If adrenaline is your thing, don’t miss the opportunity to try out the best roller coasters at PortAventura World, the ultimate destination for thrill seekers. Are you ready to defy the laws of physics?