GET OUR BEST TIPS SENT STRAIGHT TO YOU

Just fill out your E-mail address and we'll do the rest:

EFTELING TRAVEL GUIDE

Efteling is one of the most iconic theme parks in the Netherlands, offering a unique experience for visitors of all ages. This page explores the enchanting world of Efteling, including its attractions, history, and magic. Discover why Efteling is much more than just thrilling rides and how the park creates an unforgettable experience for you and your family.

 

It's the park we've visited most often and we can find our way with out eyes closed and we will gladly share with you all we know so you can plan your perfect trip. Whether you’re hopping between a few parks on a short holiday, or planning a full-blown theme park road trip across the continent.

From here, you can dive into our Efteling guide where we break down:

  • Must-do attractions

  • Ticket options and costs

  • Hotel tips

  • Food recommendations

  • Travel routes and planning advice

  • Answer to frequently asked questions

EFTELING MUST DO ATTRACTIONS

Efteling is a fantasy-themed amusement park in Kaatsheuvel, in the south of the Netherlands. The biggest town near Efteling is Tilburg. The park opened on 31 May 1952 as a simple nature park with a playground and a Fairy Tale Forest. Since then, it has grown into the largest theme park in the Netherlands – and one of the oldest in the world, welcoming more than 5 million visitors each year. Today, Efteling combines classic fairytales, cultural and romantic themes, and modern attractions into one immersive, story-driven world.

 

Your visit begins at the impressive entrance building, the House of the Five Senses. With its towering rooflines and warm, wooden details, it feels less like a gate and more like a portal into another realm. From here, Efteling reveals itself as much more than “just” a theme park. Carefully landscaped gardens, the smell of fresh snacks, colourful buildings and detailed storytelling in every corner all invite you to explore. It’s a place where imagination takes the lead and every path, show and ride feels like a new chapter in a story you get to step into.

 

Efteling isn’t just a collection of rides, it’s a living storybook. Some attractions are so rich in atmosphere, detail and storytelling that they define the park itself. If you have limited time, these are the experiences you simply can’t miss: Droomvlucht, Symbolica, Baron 1898, Danse Macabre, Villa Volta, Fata Morgana and the Fairytale Forest.

Droomvlucht – Floating Through Fairy Realms

Droomvlucht (“Dreamflight”) is Efteling at its most magical. You board a gentle suspended ride vehicle and glide through glowing fairy forests, mushroom valleys, shimmering castles and twinkling star fields. Everything here is about feeling, not thrills: soft music, dancing lights, animatronic fairies and trolls, and scenes that feel like moving paintings. It’s the perfect introduction to Efteling’s style of storytelling – wordless, emotional and endlessly re-rideable.

Must-do because: it’s the purest expression of Efteling’s dreamlike atmosphere and suitable for almost everyone.

Symbolica – A Royal Audience in the Palace of Fantasy

Symbolica is Efteling’s modern fairytale palace: an indoor dark ride where you become the guest of King Pardulfus. Guided (and teased) by court jester Pardoes, you ride in trackless vehicles that dance, spin and glide through secret corridors, magical observatories and hidden rooms. You can choose different “routes” (Music, Heroes or Treasure), each with its own focus, but all packed with small details: moving portraits, playful illusions, and interactive moments where you control what happens next.

Must-do because: it shows Efteling’s newer, high-tech storytelling while still feeling classic and warm.

Baron 1898 – A Plunge into the Mine

Baron 1898 is Efteling’s big white-knuckle statement: a dive coaster themed around a cursed mine. Before you even reach the coaster, you meet Baron Hoogmoed and the ghostly “Witte Wieven” (White Witches) who warn you not to go underground. Then comes the drop: you hang over a vertical hole in the ground, facing straight down, before plunging into the mine at high speed. Mist, roaring sound effects and old-industrial theming make it feel like a full story, not just a thrill.

Must-do because: it combines intense coaster action with one of the best pre-shows and themes in Europe.

Danse Macabre – Dancing with the Dark

Danse Macabre is Efteling’s modern ode to the macabre, built on the legacy of the old Spookslot. You enter a decaying abbey, where cursed music and dark forces come to life. Inside, you’ll experience a unique ride system that literally moves the entire audience in a choreographed “dance” with the supernatural. The attraction blends gothic architecture, detailed sets, music based on Saint-Saëns’ Danse macabre and clever effects to create something that feels like both a show and a ride.

Must-do because: it’s Efteling’s new flagship dark attraction – atmospheric, innovative, and wonderfully eerie.

Villa Volta – The House That Won’t Sit Still

Villa Volta is one of Efteling’s most legendary experiences: a cursed house inspired by Dutch folklore. You meet Hugo van den Loonsche Duynen, leader of a band of robbers, who angered higher powers and doomed his home to eternal unrest. After the story pre-show, you enter a grand sitting room. Slowly, everything begins to tilt and spin – or at least, it feels that way. The classic “mad house” illusion is executed with style, music and strong storytelling, leaving many guests laughing and completely disoriented.

Must-do because: it’s a unique Efteling classic that perfectly mixes myth, music and mind-bending illusion.

Fata Morgana – A Voyage Through Eastern Legends

Fata Morgana is a large boat ride through a richly themed world inspired by tales from the Middle East. You sail past busy markets, dark prisons, stormy swamps and a grand palace, all filled with animatronics, shadows and sound. There are no big drops or surprises, just scene after scene of detailed storytelling: musicians, merchants, guards, crocodiles and a powerful ruler who watches over everything. The music and lighting make the whole ride feel like stepping into an old adventure film.

Must-do because: it’s one of Efteling’s most immersive classic dark rides, with huge sets and amazing atmosphere.

The Fairytale Forest – Where It All Began

The Fairytale Forest (Sprookjesbos) is the heart of Efteling and the place where the park’s story started in 1952. You walk at your own pace through the woods, meeting well-known characters like Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, the Talking Tree and the Long Neck (Langnek).

Some scenes are simple and charming, others surprisingly detailed or even a bit dark. New fairytales are added over time, but the feeling remains the same: quiet paths, storybook houses and the sense that you’ve stepped into a European picture book.

Must-do because: it’s the soul of Efteling – a calm, atmospheric walk that shows you where the park’s magic was born.

TICKET PRICES

When you stay on property at Efteling, tickets are included for all days of your stay including the day you arrive and depart. If you're staying outside of Efteling then you need to buy an entrance ticket. Efteling offers a flexible pricing model based on the season and ticket type:

  1. Regular Admission (Peak Season and Weekends):
    • €53 for a flexible ticket without a set date.
  2. Low Season Admission (Off-Peak Days):
    • Tickets are available for as low as €38 during quieter periods.

Special Discounts and Promotions

Birthday Discount

Efteling offers a generous birthday discount to make your special day even more magical:

  • Discount: €13.25 per ticket the only thing you have to do is subscribe to the newsletter of Efteling and wait for the e-mail that will arrive in the month of your birthday. Things to keep in mind:
    • The code is valid for a minimum of 2 tickets and a maximum of 6 tickets.
    • The birthday person must be present, and their ID will be checked at the entrance.
    • Tickets are valid during your birth month and the first 15 days of the following month.

Additional Costs to Consider

Parking Fees

  • Parking costs are €15 per car 

Efteling now offers three annual pass tiers ranging from €225 to €402 per year, providing unlimited access and other perks. Learn all you need to know about an annual pass here

HOTEL TIPS

If you’re planning more than one day at Efteling, staying nearby is a game changer. You save time, get extra perks, and stay in the fairytale bubble a little longer. Efteling has four official resorts – Bosrijk, Loonsche Land, the Wonder Hotel and the Grand Hotel – plus there are some great off-property options like GuestHouse Hotel Kaatsheuvel, just a short walk away.

This guide walks you through the pros, cons and “best for” of each option so you can pick the perfect place for your trip.

Why stay at an Efteling resort?

No matter which Efteling resort you choose, you get:

  • Unlimited park access for your whole party – including arrival and departure day

  • 30 minutes early entry to selected rides like Baron 1898, Droomvlucht and Vogel Rok

  • Parking and luggage storage included on arrival and departure day

  • Discounted tickets for CARO, Efteling’s theater show

Efteling Bosrijk – Forest Village With Pool & Privacy

Vibe: Quiet forest retreat with holiday homes and a small hotel
Walk to park: About 5–15 minutes, depending on your house/room

Bosrijk feels like a peaceful village in the woods: cottages and apartments by the water, tall trees everywhere and the glowing home of the Sandman at its center.

What you’ll find:

  • 104 forest cabins, 64 village homes, 20 group homes and 78 hotel rooms

  • Indoor pool & water playground (Badhuys) with kids’ areas, whirlpool and a rapid current

  • Several playgrounds

  • Evening storytime with the Sandman (mainly in Dutch, but he chats in English too)

  • Morning character meet & greet at Poorthuys

  • Small grocery shop with daily basics

Efteling Loonsche Land – Nature, Animals & Budget-Friendly

Vibe: Rustic, simple and very nature-focused
Walk to park: About 15–20 minutes through fields and forest

Loonsche Land sits next to the Loonsche & Drunense Duinen nature reserve, with water views, dune landscapes and wooden buildings that feel very “back to nature.”

What you’ll find:

  • 65 holiday homes and 75 hotel rooms

  • Family cottages, cottage rooms and group units

  • Animal area with goats, sheep and chickens

  • Forest playgrounds and water play areas

  • Garden gnomes who “maintain” the gardens and interact with guests

Efteling Wonder Hotel – Steampunk Fairytale Next to the Park

Vibe: Most themed hotel; “castle in the sky” with steampunk details
Walk to park: About 5 minutes – you enter by Gondoletta / Vogel Rok side

The Wonder Hotel is the place for theme lovers: hidden details, whimsical props, and a nightly show with Juul Verreweg, a dream-collecting character inspired by Jules Verne.

What you’ll find:

  • 124 rooms and 22 themed suites

  • Rich storytelling, loads of hidden Easter eggs in lobby and rooms

  • Evening show where Juul helps the hotel “float” on dreams

  • No pool on-site, but you may use the Bosrijk pool during your stay

Efteling Grand Hotel – 5-Star Fairytale Luxury

Vibe: Opulent, elegant, pure “wow”
Location: Right at the iconic House of the Five Senses entrance

The Grand Hotel is Efteling’s most luxurious option: a 5-star hotel with valet service, spa and some of the best theme park views you can get.

What you’ll find:

  • 140 rooms and suites

  • Pool and spa exclusively for hotel guests

  • Quiet, soundproof rooms where you can completely escape the park bustle

  • Evening lobby shows with princess Adinda or prince Anura, plus themed bellhops

Off-Property Pick: GuestHouse Hotel Kaatsheuvel

If you want more flexibility, or you’d like to combine Efteling with exploring Brabant, GuestHouse Hotel Kaatsheuvel is a very strong off-site option.

Location & vibe

  • About a 10-minute walk to Efteling’s entrance

  • Modern, warm design with a big roof terrace and relaxed social spaces

  • Great if you’re visiting multiple attractions (like Beekse Bergen safari park) or cities, not just Efteling

FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS

If you love good food and good theming, Efteling is a fun place to eat – but not all restaurants are equal. The short answer:

The very best food in Efteling is at the hotels and resorts.
And yes: you can eat there even if you’re not staying overnight.

Below you’ll find our favourite tips, plus the one most-themed must-do: a pancake at Polles Keuken.

The Best Food: Head to the Hotels & Resorts

Efteling’s strongest menus are in the resort restaurants. These are all open to park guests and day visitors for lunch and dinner,  you just need a reservation or to walk in when it’s quiet.  Why we recommend the hotels for food:

  • Better and more varied menus than most in-park quick service

  • Calmer atmosphere than the busy park restaurants

  • Great theming and views (especially Wonder Hotel and the Grand Hotel’s Aquanura view)

Most Themed Food Experience: Pancakes at Polles Keuken 

If you only book one themed meal inside the park, make it a pancake at Polles Keuken.

  • It’s a richly themed pancake restaurant next to Symbolica, filled with moving pots, bubbling kettles and a giant cooking stove that never stops.

  • You can get both sweet and savoury pancakes, plus specials and kids’ options like heart-shaped pancakes they can decorate themselves. 

This is, in our opinion, the most themed food experience in Efteling – the place where eating feels like being inside a fairytale kitchen.

 

For a full overview of must-try snacks, seasonal items and the best value-for-money options, check out our food and snack videos on Dutch Theme Park Network we walk you through what to order, where to find it and what we honestly think of the taste.

 

HOW TO GET TO EFTELING

It's important to note that travel times and costs can vary depending on your starting location and the specific mode of transportation chosen. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it's recommended to check the respective transport service providers' websites.

How to get to Efteling by plane from Amsterdam, Eindhoven or Rotterdam

When traveling by plain you can choose one of three airports:

  • Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) -> 1 hour and 16 minutes away from Efteling by car
  • Eindhoven Airport (EIN) -> 30 minutes away from Efteling by car 
  • Rotterdam / The Hague Airport (RTHA) -> 1 hour away from Efteling by car

How to get to Efteling by Car

You can park at Efteling for €12.50 per day. Charging stations are available for electric vehicles​​ but they fill up fast in the morning.

  • From Rotterdam: Follow A16 towards 's-Hertogenbosch (A59), then take the Waalwijk/Kaatsheuvel (261) exit and follow signs to Efteling.
  • From Utrecht: Take the A2 towards 's-Hertogenbosch, follow the A27 towards Gorinchem-Breda, exit at Waalwijk (A59), and continue to Waalwijk/Kaatsheuvel (N261) following signs to Efteling.

How to get to Efteling by Train / Public transportation

You can also travel by train without a car if so then these are your options:

    • to Tilburg, and then bus lines 300, 301, 136, 800, and 801 to Efteling.
    • 's-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) and then bus lines 300, 301, 136, or 800 to Efteling.

In the Netherlands you pay for your journey with bus or train by tapping a debit or credit card in the train or bus. You must tap a card for every person traveling, when you are traveling with children it can therefore be easier to purchase a ticket through one of the ticket machines in the train stations. 

Check train and bus schedules and plan your journey on the website: 9292OV

How to get to Efteling by Boat or Car  and Boat

P&O Ferries and Stenaline have ferries from Hull to Rotterdam or Harwich to Hoek Van Holland. You can best go to Rotterdam. From the dock in Rotterdam take a metro or a bus to the train station in Rotterdam. Take a train to s-Hertogenbosch or Tilburg, then a bus to Efteling. Check train and bus schedules and plan your journey on the website: 9292OV

How to get to Efteling by Car and Train

You can travel from the UK via Eurotunnel. Your journey to the Europe mainland starts at  the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, Folkestone, UK (CT18 8XX). When you leave the train by car in France you’ll drive in four hours to Efteling. This is the route to Efteling

How to get to Efteling by Bicycle

There is a free bicycle storage right next to the house of the five senses. You can enter it by walking the path leading from Bosrijk to the entrance of Efteling. The storage is not guarded so bring a lock for your bike.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is Efteling open all year?

Yes Efteling is closed every day of the year. 

How many days do you need for an Efteling visit?

The answer depends on your preferences but in our opinion three days is perfect. You have time to see it all and even do the favourites again.

What is the best time to visit Efteling?

Each season brings its unique charm. The special events during summer and winter add extra charm but it is busier. Spring and autumn are magical nature wise with all the flowers and turning leaves but is the time that Efteling does most maintenance. Watch our planning video to find out more.

How can you enter Efteling an hour before opening?

If the official park hours state that it opens at 10 AM, you can actually enter the park as early as 9 AM. This extra hour, known as “Efteling Early Entry.

What age is best for Efteling?

Efteling is for all ages, it has entertainment for the little ones and thrills for the teens. It has something for all ages, just like Disney.

What airport is closest to Efteling?

The Netherlands had three airports Amsterdam Schiphol, Rotterdam and Eindhoven. Eindhoven is closest but also Amsterdam can be very convenient.

Is Efteling's Caro worth a visit?

Easy answer: absolutely. The Efteling Theater is the home of the show 'CARO'. Caro is a 70-minute show with dance and acrobatics, depicting the circle of life, requiring an additional ticket. See more here.

Free Souvenirs You Can Collect at Efteling

A trip to Efteling is not just about the magical rides and enchanting atmosphere it's also an opportunity to take home some free souvenirs! Click here to read more

Can you refill your drinking bottle at Efteling?

Yes at some of the most magical water fountains you can find in the world. We have an overview here