Did you know that one of the oldest theme parks in the world is a mere hour and some change away from Amsterdam?
Efteling Park is world-renowned for its enchanting fairytale forest and impressive dark rides. Offering fun for all ages, it’s a fantastic day trip from just about anywhere in the Netherlands, reachable via public transit or a rental car.
Located on the outskirts of the town of Kaatsheuvel (between Den Bosch and Breda), the park abuts the Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park, nicknamed “the Brabant Sahara,” a great area for outdoor exploration. The region of Brabant is well-worth a few days, and Efteling itself is massive– definitely plan to spend a full day here.
Efteling was officially opened on May 31, 1952, by its founder, Anton Pieck, and local mayor R.J. van der Heijden. It was initially designed as a nature park with a fairytale theme. As the years passed, it began to expand and further develop its attractions, moving beyond just fairytales.
In 1956, the park introduced its first “dark ride,” called “De Chinese Nachtegaal,” with its first roller coaster, the “Python,” opening in 1978 to much acclaim. In 1986, Efteling introduced “Droomvlucht,” a groundbreaking dark ride that combined traditional storytelling with innovative technology.
In 1992, the park was sold to a Dutch investment company called Stichting Natuurpark de Efteling. They committed to its continued growth and development, and the park continued to expand throughout the 1990s and 2000s. During this time, several new attractions were added, including “Villa Volta,” “Pandadroom,” and the “Joris en de Draak” roller coaster.
Getting There from Amsterdam
Train and Bus: You can take a train from Amsterdam Centraal to the ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) station. Trains run frequently. From there, you can take a direct bus to Efteling. Bus line #300, operated by Arriva, goes directly to Efteling and drops you off at the park’s entrance. This process can take anywhere from 2.5 to 3 hours.
Car Rental: Renting a car is a convenient option if you prefer flexibility in your travel schedule and want to save some time. The drive from Amsterdam to Efteling takes a little over an hour, depending on traffic and your origin point. Just follow the A2 motorway south from Amsterdam to ‘s-Hertogenbosch and then continue on the N261 to reach Efteling. Parking is available at the park for a fee (12,50€ at the time of our visit.)
Bicycle + Train: If you’re a cycling fan, consider taking a train to Den Bosch and then cycling the rest of the way to Efteling. The Netherlands has an extensive network of cycling paths, and it can be a unique way to experience the Dutch countryside.
Combination Tickets: Efteling occasionally offers combination tickets that include transportation from major Dutch cities, such as Amsterdam. These tickets may include both train and bus transfers along with park admission.
Efteling has also expanded its offerings to include hotels, resorts, and a golf park, if it’s in your budget to stay overnight.
Recommended Reading
Tips for your visit
Visiting Efteling is truly a magical experience, but some advance planning can help you make the most of your day and ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit. Here are some helpful tips for visiting Efteling:
- Plan ahead: Check Efteling’s official website for the latest information on park hours, ticket prices, and any special events or promotions. We recommend purchasing tickets online in advance to save time and avoid having to queue at the entrance. Note that if you need parking, that should also be purchased with your ticket.
- Arrive when the park opens: arriving when the park opens at 10 AM allows you to enjoy popular attractions with shorter wait times, as the park tends to be less crowded in the morning. Efteling offers a “Raveleijn” show and ride combination FastPass, which can help you skip the lines for some of the popular attractions. We didn’t do this, but many people recommend it on the busier summer days.
- Download the Efteling App: a must! The official Efteling app provides real-time information on ride wait times, show schedules, and a park map. It is an absolutely indispensable tool for planning your day.
- “Power rank” the rides you want to do: Our group of 5 each picked a ride or 2 they definitely wanted to do, and we figured out what order to do things in based on preferences and wait times.
- Don’t miss the Fairytale Forest: More on this below, but one of the highlights of the park is the Fairytale Forest– it’s absolutely beautiful. While the rides are really fun, make sure to budget time in to enjoy the forest.
- Stay hydrated and bring snacks: The park is huge, and you will definitely do a lot of walking. Carry a refillable water bottle with you to stay hydrated, and consider bringing snacks.
- Check out the shows: Efteling offers a variety of shows and performances throughout the day. Check the show schedule and plan to attend some of them to add entertainment to your visit.
- Sample some of the food: Efteling has a surprisingly diverse range of dining options, and in particular the traditional Dutch treats are well-worth trying.
- Dress comfortably: Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes suitable for a day of exploration and walking. The weather in the Netherlands can be unpredictable, so bring layers and rain gear.
- Respect the environment: Efteling is known for its beautiful natural surroundings. Help maintain its charm by disposing of trash in designated bins and respecting the park’s rules.
- Stay all day: Efteling’s atmosphere becomes even more enchanting at night with beautifully illuminated attractions and shows. Consider staying for the evening to experience the park’s nighttime magic.
Things to Do - Rides
Efteling offers a wide range of attractions, including thrilling roller coasters, enchanting dark rides, and immersive experiences.
Here are some of the most popular and iconic rides at Efteling:
- Symbolica: Palace of Fantasy: This enchanting dark ride, opened in 2017, takes guests on a journey through the magical palace of King Pardulfus. It offers multiple different routes, making each ride experience unique.
- Droomvlucht: Droomvlucht is a classic dark ride that has been a favorite since it opened in 1993. It transports guests into a world of dreams and enchantment, featuring beautiful scenes and animatronics.
- Baron 1898: This thrilling dive coaster, opened in 2015, takes riders on a breathtaking adventure as they plunge into a mine shaft. It’s known for its exhilarating drops and storyline.
- Vliegende Hollander (Flying Dutchman): This combination of a dark ride and water coaster tells the story of the legendary Flying Dutchman. It’s an exciting and immersive attraction that blends both elements seamlessly.
- Joris en de Draak: This dueling wooden coaster, opened in 2010, offers two different tracks, each with its own storyline. It’s a great ride for coaster enthusiasts and provides a fun competition between the two dragons.
- Fata Morgana: Fata Morgana is a dark ride that takes guests on a journey through an Arabian Nights-inspired world filled with animatronic scenes and storytelling.
- Piraña: Piraña is a river rapids ride that offers a thrilling water adventure. It’s a great way to cool off on a hot day while enjoying some excitement.
- Python: While not as modern as some of the newer coasters, Python is a classic roller coaster that has been a staple of Efteling since 1981. It’s a thrilling experience with loops and inversions.
- Carnaval Festival: This whimsical dark ride takes guests on a tour of different countries, each represented with colorful and charming animatronic characters.
Things to Do - Fairytale Forest
While there, don’t miss a visit to the Sprookjesbos, or Fairytale Forest. This is one of the park’s most iconic and beloved attractions– a magical, wooded area where visitors can stroll along winding paths and encounter a collection of enchanting scenes and characters from classic fairy tales and folklore.
The Fairytale Forest was one of the original attractions at Efteling when it opened in 1952. It was created by artist Anton Pieck with the idea behind it being to bring the world of fairy tales to life, allowing visitors to step into the stories they had grown up with. Each tale is represented by a beautifully crafted scene, complete with animatronic characters and intricate details.
In particular, keep an eye out for:
- “Little Red Riding Hood,”
- “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves,”
- “Cinderella,”
- “Sleeping Beauty,”
- “The Frog Prince,”
- “Hansel and Gretel,” and
- “Rumpelstiltskin,”
The scenes are set in charming cottages, castles, and natural settings, creating an immersive and enchanting experience.
Things to Do - Food
Efteling offers a wide range of food options at surprisingly reasonable prices. Whether you’re looking for traditional Dutch cuisine, international flavors, or quick snacks, drinks, or ice cream, you’ll find a variety of dining choices throughout the park. Here are a few options:
Themed restaurants: Efteling has several themed restaurants with full-service dining. These include restaurants like Het Wapen van Raveleijn, Het Seylend Fregat, and De Hoffelijke Heraut.
Dutch treats: You can savor traditional Dutch snacks and dishes such as poffertjes (small fluffy pancakes), erwtensoep (pea soup), frikandel (a Dutch sausage), and kroket (croquettes). Look for food stalls and stands throughout the park serving these items.
Quick bites: For those looking for a quick meal or snack, there are numerous fast-food options like burger joints, sandwich shops, and fry stands. These are perfect for a quick refueling break between rides.
Sweets: You’ll find plenty of sweet treats throughout the park, including ice cream, waffles, crepes, and pastries. Don’t miss the freshly made stroopwafels, a popular Dutch snack.
Efteling also often hosts special food events and festivals, introducing unique dishes and culinary experiences– be sure to check if this is going on when you visit.
Lastly, if like us you prefer to bring your own food, Efteling offers designated picnic areas to spread out and have a meal. We were really pleasantly surprised by how open the park was to outside food. We found it was best to bring sandwiches, refillable water bottles, and snacks and then splurge on a pancake or ice cream later.
We hope you enjoyed this guide to a day trip to vibrant and unique Efteling. The park has received numerous awards and accolades for its attractions, themes, and overall guest experience. Having visited recently, you can definitely feel a commitment to preserving the park’s beautiful natural surroundings while providing a magical experience for guests of all ages. We had an absolute blast here and will definitely be back!
For more Benelux content, check out our guides to our current “stomping grounds” in the Netherlands, as well as Belgium– always with more on the way! As well as our varied content on day trips from Amsterdam and the Netherlands in general, Why Not Walk’s home base 😉
