The Ultimate Guide To Efteling A World of Wonders – All You Need To Know

Explore Efteling, a magical theme park in the Netherlands with thrilling rides, enchanting tales, and adventure for all ages.

Efteling is a magical theme park located in the Netherlands, and it is one of Europe’s oldest and most iconic amusement parks. Since opening in 1952, its fairytale-inspired theme and immersive storytelling have visitors returning each year. Today, it ranks as the third most visited theme park in Europe, just behind Disneyland Paris and Europa Park in Germany.

For this Efteling travel guide I needed to get an expert’s opinion on Efteling’s top attractions, the best places to stay and how to get there. Luckily I knew the very person! Award winning food, travel and lifestyle content creator Stephanie Buckley AKA @EatSleepChicBlog has been to Efteling with her family and loved it. Stephanie kindly agreed to write this travel guide and share her top tips to make the most of your visit.

If you ask my 6 year old what’s one of the best family holidays we’ve ever had his answer is Efteling. He’ll often bring it up in conversation, “Mom when are we going back to Efteling?” Phoenix was 4 at the time and talks about the experience like it was only yesterday. He remembers the Netherland’s largest theme park so vividly.

Efteling is a magical, fantasy-themed theme park located in a natural setting. We spent three days exploring the Fairy Tale Forest and grounds, and experiencing the impressive selection of enchanting attractions. We’d recommend it to everyone!  

I have listed the best rides in Efteling, my hotel recommendations and answered the most frequently asked questions, to help you plan a trip to one of the oldest theme parks in the world.

Best Rides at Efteling

Efteling is a fun park for all the family with rides for adults and children of all ages. There are thrilling rides and family-friendly rides including six roller coasters and four dark rides.

The attractions reflect elements from ancient myths and legends, fairy tales, fables and folklore. Let’s put it this way, there was 7 of us from age 4,10,12,29 and three 30+ year olds. We were entertained for days and there was a great mix of rides that we could all enjoy as a family. 

Entertainment: Shows and Attractions

Efteling offers more than just rides! While the theme park is known for its fantastic rides, it also has a range of other entertainment options. Some of these include:

Seasonal Events – Christmas at Efteling

Efteling also celebrates seasonal events like Winter Efteling, which turns the park into a winter wonderland with Christmas markets, ice skating, and seasonal entertainment. So, while the rides are a major highlight, there’s a lot to explore if you’re looking for a more relaxed or immersive experiences.

TOP TIP: Watch the last water show of the day when’s it’s dark for optimal effect! 

Efteling Attractions for toddlers and young children

Efteling has a wonderful selection of rides and attractions that are perfect for toddlers and younger children. To give you an idea, Phoenix was 4 years old when we visited Efteling and he enjoyed all of the rides (and more) listed below.

Here are 10 of the best rides that toddlers at Efteling:

Fairy Tale Forest (Sprookjesbos): Age group: All ages
This walk-through attraction brings classic fairy tales to life with animatronic figures and beautifully designed scenes.

Droomvlucht (Dream Flight): Age group: All ages, but especially toddlers
A gentle indoor dark ride that takes guests on a dreamy journey through magical forests, fairies, and enchanted castles.

Carnaval Festival: Age group: All ages
This is a fun, colorful, and gentle boat ride that takes you on a trip around the world, showcasing different cultural festivals.

PandaDroom: Age group: All ages, suitable for toddlers
A cute, interactive, 3D experience where you join a young panda on a journey to save the forest.

De Vliegende Hollander Age group: Toddlers can ride with parents
While not exclusively for toddlers, this is a calmer boat ride through an eerie, pirate-themed world, though there are some light drops.

Poppeneiland: Age group: All ages
A charming, gentle boat ride where toddlers can experience a magical island filled with friendly, animated characters.

Elfs: Age group: All ages
A gentle ride where little ones can explore a world filled with cute elves, fun music, and friendly characters.

The Flying Dutchman: Age group: Toddler with an adult. A calm and whimsical boat ride that doesn’t have scary moments but offers plenty of magical visuals.

Rupsje Nooitgenoeg (The Hungry Caterpillar): Age group: Toddlers and small children
A perfect ride for toddlers, this gentle ride features a caterpillar that moves slowly around a track, offering a calm and colourful experience.

Monorail: Age group: All ages
The Efteling Monorail provides a nice, scenic ride around the park with beautiful views from above.

Efteling attractions for all the family

Many of the rides listed above are also suitable for parents to join in, making them a fun family experience. Just keep in mind that some rides may have height restrictions, so check those before getting in line. Here are some rides/experiences that aren’t listed above but they’re worth mentioning;

Fata Morgana
A water ride through an Arabian palace where you encounter pirates, snakes, and mysterious creatures. It’s a bit eerie, but suitable for most ages. The dark ride sections and mild drops add a touch of adventure.

Polle’s Spielwiese
This is not a ride, it is a playground and interactive area for all the family to enjoy. This is a lovely play area for younger children, with slides, climbing structures, and interactive elements. Parents can relax nearby while the little ones have fun.

Polles Keuken (Pancake House)
This interactive dining experience lets families cook their own pancakes at the table, making it a fun, hands-on activity. It’s a great place for families to relax and enjoy a meal together.

Efteling Rides for thrill seekers, teenagers and adults

If you’re looking for adrenaline pumping experiences, here are my top picks for bigger rides in Efteling for thrillseekers.

Baron 1898
The Baron 1898 is a dive coaster that features a 37.5-meter (123 feet) vertical drop, creating an intense, stomach-churning free fall. It’s a smooth coaster with sudden drops and powerful inversions, all set in a spooky mine-themed environment.

Joris en de Draak
A classic wooden roller coaster with a twist—Joris en de Draak is a racing coaster where two trains (one representing fire, the other water) race against each other. It has steep drops, high-speed turns, and a great feeling of air time.

De Vliegende Hollander (The Flying Dutchman)
A boat ride through dark, pirate-themed waters before being launched into a high-speed roller coaster drop.

Python
A classic looping roller coaster with inversions, twists, and sharp turns. It’s one of the older coasters in the park but still offers a fun and intense ride.

Vogel Rok
A thrilling indoor coaster with a fantastic soundtrack and a series of twists and drops
in the dark.

Sirocco
A fast, exciting flying experience where riders are swung upside down and around in a thrilling race against the wind.
Spinning Vortex This ride spins riders around at high speeds, causing them to experience intense g-
forces as you spin, twist, and flip through the air.

The Flying Dutchman
A classic spinning coaster with high-speed turns and thrilling inversions. Riders will experience an exciting, unpredictable ride as they are flipped around.

Phoenix’s favourite attractions

We loved the fact that some of Efteling’s biggest rides are suitable for the entire family. They really have something for all ages and tastes. My son, Phoenix (age 4 at the time) is most definitely a thrillseeker with a need for speed. He loved Max & Moritz: a fun, fast family roller coaster, Joris en de Draak: a wooden racing coaster and Piraña: River Rapids Ride.

However, to my surprise his favourite ride was Droomvlucht, a slow paced, indoor attraction that glides around the track in an enchanting world of fairies, elves, trolls and unicorns. It was simply magical!

How to Get To Efteling Theme Park

There are many ways to get to Efteling. The closest airport to the park is Eindhoven Airport which is 32km away. We flew with Ryanair from Dublin Airport into Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. KLM also have flights via this route but Ryanair was the best value at the time. I’d suggest you shop around when booking.

You can also fly into Rotterdam (70 km from Efteling) or Brussels in Belgium (140km from Efteling). 

Transport from the Airport to Efteling Resort

Efteling By Car 

We rented a car from Budget Car Rental. It was €205 for 3 days with collection in Schiphol Airport. Efteling is about 100km from Amsterdam. We followed Google Maps from A to B and it was seamless. It felt a lot like driving along the M1 but with the added bonus of the Netherland’s famous Windmills scattered about the rural landscape.

Efteling By Train

There’s a train station located in Amsterdam airport and you can catch the 80 minute train directly to Hertogenbosch. Once you arrive there is a Efteling shuttle which will have you in Kaatsheuvel, where the theme park is situated, in 30 minutes.

Where to Stay at Efteling

Guests can stay in one of the many accommodation options on site. Choose from The Efteling Grand Hotel, The Efteling Hotel, Efteling Loonsche Land and Efteling Bosrijk. It’s good to note that all on site accommodation includes your park entry tickets which is convenient. 

The NEW Grand Hotel

The Efteling Grand Hotel rooms and suites are inspired by the different views around the theme park. Discover two restaurants, and a swimming pool with spa facilities. Bookings are open now for August 2025. 

The Efteling Wonder Hotel 

Just a 5-minute walk from Efteling lies the Efteling Wonder Hotel. You will be amazed by the themed suites and premium rooms, each filled with magic and adventure. Start your day with a royal breakfast, meet one of your favourite Efteling-inhabitants and dream about the adventures you’ll experience in Efteling. In this unique hotel, you’re immersed in a world of fantasy, where every stay becomes an unforgettable fairytale.

Efteling Loonsche Land 

On the edge of the Loonsche Land nature park and within walking distance of the park, lies Efteling Loonsche Land. Among the treetops, you’ll overlook the fairytale forest, heathlands, and dunes. Climb and scramble on the various playgrounds, meet and greet the Forest Gnomes, and admire the animals at the Hooijmijt animal shelter.

Holiday Village Efteling Bosrijk

In the wooded area surrounding Efteling, and home to the famous Sandman, you will find Efteling Bosrijk, where we stayed. Take a dip in the Badhuys, enjoy a hearty meal at the Eethuys restaurant, and visit the Sandman’s sandcastle in the middle of the lake.

We booked a secluded family room for 4 at the Bosrijk holiday village. The family room for 4 has a separate room for the children with bunkbeds, Sandman bedsheets, a story book, “Midnight Adventures with Mr Sandman” and nap caps (hats, not drinks) for the children. The holiday village in the woods also has  houses, group accommodation and apartments. 

I loved the added touch of the bedtime story book, “ As the moon rises to the heavens, Mr Sandman and his owl sprinkle magic sand on every cottage and apartment”. This was Phoenix’s first introduction to Mr. Sandman and he was obsessed! 

What’s even better was we were lucky enough to bump into Mr. Sandman while walking to our room one of the days. My son couldn’t believe he met the real Sandman that we had read about the night before, it was pure magic and made his little holiday!  

The only downside to our stay is that there was nowhere to purchase drinks back at out accommodation. We got back very late and didn’t realise that everything would be closed, a vending machine in the building would have been nice. 

Recommended Airbnb Near Efteling

If you don’t fancy staying in one of Efteling’s accommodation options, I can highly recommend this luxury apartment that we also stayed in.

We spent two nights here due to limited availability in Bosrijk. The location was amazing – honestly you can’t get any closer to the entrance to Efteling theme park. For families, especially with children, that want to visit Efteling, you can leave the car here and it is just a short walk to the main entrance. I think it was actually closer than our accommodation in Bosrijk.

The luxurious and comfortable apartment has all the amenities that you’d expect from a pod apartment. In the bedroom you find a large double bed plus a bunk bed – bear in mind you’re all in one room. There is a modern separate bathroom with a nice walk-in rain shower, a large double vanity and lots of storage.

The separate living room has a kitchenette with a refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave. You can add breakfast to your booking at €12.50 per person.

You have your own separate garden. At night with good weather you can sit outside on a beautiful terrace, reminiscing about your adventures in the theme park. The supermarket is about 5 minute walk, you’ll find info for local amenities in a folder in the B&B. As a family of 3 travelling we highly recommend this B&B! 

Park Tickets for Efteling

When staying in one of the on-site accommodations your park ticket entry is included. If you opt to book alternative accommodation you must book your tickets separately. 

The price of an Efteling ticket depends on your day of visit. Check the price for your desired visit date in the calendar on the Efteling website. Children up to 3 years old have free access by presentation of a valid ID.

Best time to visit Efteling

The school summer holidays are the busiest time to visit Efteling, especially during the Dutch holidays ( rather than Ireland or UK). With a quick online search, you can easily check the Dutch holiday schedule and plan around it.

Efteling is open 365 days a year, so you’re bound to find a time that suits you. Keep in mind, tickets can only be purchased up to 5 months in advance.

In the summer, the park offers extended hours, live music, dancing fountains, and extra entertainment. Throughout the year, Efteling also hosts special events like Halloween or anniversary celebrations, often featuring unique shows and seasonal touches.

For a quieter experience, visit midweek or during the off-season. Weekdays especially Tuesday to Thursday tend to be less crowded. Winter at Efteling is especially magical, with cosy lights, open fires, festive music, extra shows, and sometimes even ice skating or snowy scenes.

How many days do you need in the Efteling park? 

I suggest staying in Efteling for 3 day if visiting with your family or 2 days if visiting as a couple. I also advise looking at the map to plan what rides/shows you want to take in prior to your arrival. We actually missed a few attractions, but we definitely could have seen them if we were more organised.

What are the dining options in Efteling?

Efteling offers a wide variety of dining options, ranging from quick bites to themed restaurants, all tailored to compliment the park’s magical atmosphere. Here are some notable dining spots:

1. Themed Restaurants

Polles Keuken: A cozy, Dutch-style pancake house where you can cook your own pancakes at your table. It’s a fun, interactive experience, especially for families.

De Huifkar: A charming restaurant with a rustic, old-world feel, located near the entrance. It serves a variety of Dutch and international dishes in a cozy, wagon-like setting.

Pavillon: A beautifully themed restaurant inspired by the fairy-tale atmosphere, offering a variety of European dishes and desserts in a whimsical, elegant setting.

Fata Morgana: This restaurant is located near the Fata Morgana boat ride and features Moroccan-inspired cuisine in an exotic setting.

2. Casual Dining & Fast Food

Efteling’s Self-Service Restaurants: There are several fast-casual restaurants where you can grab a quick meal, such as Het Witte Paard (serving sandwiches, soups, and salads) and Restaurant de Falbala (offering burgers, fries, and light bites).

Smulhut: For a quick snack, this place offers fries, snacks, and hot dogs with some local Dutch touches.

Wodan Grill: A quick-service spot offering grilled items like sausages and burgers, located near the Wodan rollercoaster.

3. Snacks & Treats

Sweet treats: You’ll find several kiosks throughout the park offering waffles, Dutch poffertjes (small, fluffy pancakes), ice cream, and cotton candy.

Churros: There are stands where you can grab freshly made churros, perfect for a quick sweet snack while strolling around.

4. Fine Dining

De Grote Keizer: If you’re looking for a more upscale dining experience, this restaurant offers a selection of fine dishes, including meats, fish, and local specialties in a more relaxed and refined atmosphere.

5. Seasonal and Themed Food

During events like Winter Efteling, you’ll find festive food options like hot chocolate, seasonal soups, and Christmas-themed treats.
Special events like Halloween or the summer months may also feature themed food carts and limited-edition menu items.

6. Vegetarian & Vegan Options

Efteling has started offering more plant-based options, especially in larger restaurants. You’ll find vegetarian and even vegan dishes like veggie burgers, salads, and plant-based snacks at most of the sit-down eateries.

Top Tip: If you’re planning a full day at the park, it’s a good idea to make reservations in advance for the more popular restaurants, especially during peak season.

Is Efteling expensive?

We all agreed Efteling is not expensive. The park is an affordable alternative to other theme parks, with multiple accommodation options nearby, both hotels and self-catering, and multiple food options. The dining and gift shop weren’t overly priced at all.

Expect to pay around €7-€14 for lunch items like soup, sandwiches, and salads, and snacks like French fries and bread platters cost around €4-€7. There are plenty of picnic areas if you want to take your own food or drinks with you too.

Travel Tips for Visiting Efteling

• Arrive early as the park gets busy by midday. Arriving at opening time lets you go to popular rides with shorter queues and waiting time.
• Download the Efteling app, it is essential for wait times, show schedules, park map, and food information.
• Use single rider lines when available.
• You can bring your own food so take snacks and water! This is perfect for budget travellers or picky eaters. There are picnic areas throughout the park.
• Dress for the weather as most of the park is outdoors. Pack layers and a rain poncho. Good walking shoes are essential.
• Visit midweek or off season weekdays (especially Tuesday–Thursday). Off-peak months mean fewer crowds, and winter at Efteling is especially magical with lights, fire pits, and seasonal snacks.
• If you’re visiting Amsterdam for a short break, consider visiting Efteling as it’s just over 1 hour drive from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. You can also use the direct bus connection from Hop On Hop Off Holland, which includes entrance tickets to the amusement park. 

I hope you enjoyed this Efteling travel guide and it will inspire you to book a family holiday to Efteling soon. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, accommodation facilities and attractions are subject to change.

Note some of the links in this post contain affiliate links, where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional cost to you.

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