Inspired by fairy tales and founded upon the work of artist Anton Pieck, The Netherlands' Efteling charms visitors with a variety of dark rides, thrill rides, and walk-through attractions in a delightful garden setting. Open year-round and attracting more than 5.5 million visitors last year, Efteling is the fourth-most visited theme park in Europe.
Our recommendations below come from our year-end survey of Theme Park Insider readers. Vote here to take part in our surveys and submit your picks for top attractions.
Click the 🎦 symbol to watch on-ride or show video for each attraction.
New for 2025
Efteling is opening a new 143-room Efteling Grand Hotel at the park's entrance on August 1.
In The Fairytale Forest, Efteling has added its 31st fairy tale to this walk-through installation with The Princess and the Pea.
What To Do
Top Recommendation
Sprookjesbos [Fairytale Forest]:
The heart of the park, this walkthrough installation features scenes from 31 fairy tales, using miniatures, animatronics, and even Pepper's Ghost effects.
Roller Coasters
Baron 1898
A 1,644-foot Bolliger & Mabillard dive coaster with a 123-foot drop, top speed of 56 mph and two inversions. Height requirement: 52 inches
Joris en de Draak [George and the Dragon]
Great Coasters International racing wooden coasters - Water and Fire - with lengths of 2,585 feet, 72-foot drops and top speeds of 47 mph. Height requirement: 43 inches
De Vliegende Hollander [The Flying Dutchman]
A KumbaK combination dark ride and water coaster with a height of 74 feet top speed of 44 mph. Height requirement: 47 inches. (Closed in winter.)
Python
A 2,460-foot Vekoma double loop corkscrew coaster with a height of 95 feet, top speed of 47 mph and four inversions. Height requirement: 47 inches
Vogel Rok
A 2,110-foot indoor Vekoma custom coaster with a 62-foot drop and top speed of 40 mph. Themed to Sinbad the Sailor's adventure with the gigantic bird Rok. Height requirement: 47 inches
Max + Moritz
Twin Mack Rides family powered coasters, with lengths of 984 feet and a top speed of 22 mph. Height requirement: 39 inches. 🎦 Video
Dark Rides
Symbolica
With the help of Pardoes the magic jester, you will ride in trackless vehicles through one of three slightly different adventures through the Palace of Fantasy.
Danse Macabre
The first-ever Intamin Dynamic Motion Stage ride places riders atop spinning, tilting turntables, accompanied by on-board music, inspired by Camille Saint-Saens' 1874 symphonic poem.
Fata Morgana
Enter a majestic Arabian palace for this "1,001 Nights"-themed boat ride. 🎦 Video
Droomvlucht [Dreamflight]
A suspended dark ride through set pieces in a fairy land. 🎦 Video
Carnaval Festival
Tracked dark ride with clown-like characters in different scenes from around the world.
Shows
Raveleijn
Medieval-themed pageant/stunt show where five riders defend the magical city Raveleijn from the wicked Count Olaf and his five-headed Draconicon. (Closed in winter.)
Aquanura
Nighttime fountain projection show on the park's central lagoon. 🎦 Video
Fabula
4D animated movie from Aardman
More attractions
Archipel: Playground
De Oude Tufferbaan: Classic car track ride
Efteling Museum: Walkthrough exhibit featuring the park's history
Gondoletta: Scenic boat ride with views of the park
Pirana: Intamin River Rapids ride (Closed in winter)
Sirocco: Mack Rides Teacups
Stoomcarrousel: Steam carousel
Stoomtrein: Steam train
Villa Volta: Vekoma Madhouse
Park Map
Efteling is located in Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands - about 75 minutes south of Amsterdam. Take the train to 's-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) then transfer to one of the buses to the park: 300, 301, 136, or 800.
Strategy
Plan two days to visit Efteling, given the large physical size and number of attractions in the park. The Fairytale Forest itself can take much of an afternoon, if you spend time to look at all the detail. No attractions here offer terribly long waits, though we would suggest heading straight to Symbolica on the morning of your first day.
Weather can be an issue when visiting Efteling, with select attractions closed from January through April. When it is open, try to time your ride on De Vliegende Hollander for the warmest, sunniest moment in the day, as you will get wet on its final drop.
Wrap one of your days with the nighttime spectacular Aquanura and consider buying a ticket for a performance of CARO - a musical inspired by Efteling's historic carousel - in the adjacent Efteling Theatre on the other night.
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