Located in Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands, Efteling opened on May 31, 1952, evolving from a nature park and Fairytale Forest into a major theme park resort. The property is owned and run by the non-profit Efteling Nature Park Foundation, established in 1950 by mayor R.J. van der Heijden, filmmaker Peter Reijnders, and designer Anton Pieck. Drawing over 5 million annual visitors, this historic destination offers cultural, romantic, and nostalgic charm alongside modern amusement rides for both children and adults.
Spanning a 72-hectare theme park within a broader 276.1-hectare resort set in an existing pine forest, Efteling delivers a unique green, nature-park atmosphere with large ponds and gardens. The park layout is organized into five central themed realms: Reizenrijk (Travel Realm), Marerijk (Fairy Realm), Ruigrijk (Adventure Realm), Anderrijk (Other Realm), and Fantasierijk (Fantasy Realm). Guests navigate these areas via central pathways like the Pardoes Promenade and the central Efteling Brink hub to explore the park's varied attractions.
Famous for its six roller coasters and five dark rides, Efteling blends thrilling experiences like the Python double-loop coaster with enchanted dark rides such as Symbolica and Droomvlucht. Its detailed artistic design originated from Anton Pieck's high standards, avoiding cheap materials in favor of romantic, high-quality aesthetics. Catering to families, thrill-seekers, and multi-day vacationers, the resort extended its appeal by introducing year-round operations, complemented by overnight holiday villages, on-site hotels, and a dedicated theatre.
01 Signature rides & attractions
The park’s headline rides across its themed areas. Confirm heights and any single-rider lines on the day.
Compiled from Wikipedia · a full ride-by-ride list per themed area is on the way.
Park map
The free OpenStreetMap layer below shows the park and its surroundings — entrances, themed areas, car parks and access roads. Zoom in for detail; the official ride-by-ride park plan is linked below.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL, free). Official park maps are copyrighted — we link to them.
02 Tickets & prices
Ticket prices for Efteling change by date and season, and the park sells single-day, multi-day and annual passes — buying online in advance is almost always cheaper than at the gate, and popular dates can sell out. Check the official site for live pricing before you travel.
We deliberately don’t list prices that change daily — the ticket button leads to live, up-to-date pricing.
03 Where to stay
On-site and resort hotels put you right at the gates — often with early park access — turning the visit into an easy two- or three-day trip.
Located directly inside the park with 140 rooms, seven floors, wellness facilities, and dining overlooking the Aquanura water show.
Four-star accommodation operating on-site, formerly known as Efteling Hotel until 2025.
An accommodation park and holiday village set within the resort grounds.
An accommodation holiday village situated within the resort property.
04 Best time to visit & opening times
| Season | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Efteling | November through about February | The park stays open year-round with special winter themes. |
Opening times vary by day · Last updated: 2026-09-12 · check before you travel
05 Themed areas
Each area has its own theming — architecture, food and rides. Half the fun is simply walking through.
Good to know
- The park is open year-round with 'Winter Efteling' running from November through February.
- Overnight stays are offered across multiple on-site hotels and holiday villages.
- Efteling Theatre hosts major productions that require admission separate from park entry.