Huge European town with major attraction for families just 6-hours from UK
This Dutch theme park is packed with whimsical and fairytale-inspired rides, restaurants and shows, but without the high prices and long queues of Disneyland Paris
This entertainment destination in the Netherlands is a closer - and cheaper - alternative to Disneyland Paris. Featuring delicious and budget-friendly foods, rides and storybook charm, this amusement park has all the fun of American parks but at a fraction of the cost.
Efteling Theme Park Resort is a fantasy-inspired entertainment destination. Efteling is called the 'keeper of fairytales" in the Netherlands and once you arrive you'll understand why it has become such a beloved summer holiday spot for local families and tourists alike.
The park opened in 1952 - 40 years before Disneyland Paris - in an attempt by the Efteling Nature Park Foundation to attract more visitors. Thus, the idea for a 'three-dimensional Fairytale Forest with plenty of movement' was conceived, alongside the filmmaker Peter Reijnders and artist Anton Pieck.
In addition to the Fairytale Forest, the park has expanded exponentially over the years to include rollercoasters, family-friendly shows, rides, restaurants and playparks. Each area of the park is designed to add to an overall sense of magic and tells the story of fairytales new and old.
Some of the fairytales that serve as inspiration for the park include familiar favourites like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid and The Frog Prince. But it also features less mainstream classics like The Red Shoes and The Emperor's New Clothes.
Efteling celebrates the work of famous writers like Hans Christian Anderson, the Grimm brothers and Charles Perrault. But in a way that both honours the original tales and is fun for visitors of all ages.
That said, visitors are sure to find all the modern attractions of a large theme park, including goosebump-inducing rollercoasters and water rides that make big waves. If heights are not your forte, then you can opt for a relaxing train ride through the park or take in a 4D show.
The park has different highlights for each of the four seasons, so no matter when you visit, there will be something new to enjoy. Winter in the park is defined by bonfires and twinkle lights and offers the chance to sample some classic Dutch winter treats. Conversely, summer presents the opportunity to see the Fairytale Forest in all its splendor and enjoy the water-based attractions.
There are also plenty of dining options for parents and their picky eaters to sample traditional Dutch pancakes, stroopwafels and more hearty meals. In keeping with the enchantment of the park, each dining establishment takes on a fairytale-inspired theme with staff dressed in costume and putting on a table-side spectacle for diners to enjoy.
Guests must-try experience is the Burgundian heroes' dinner in the Het Wapen van Raveleijn restaurant. To get the full experience, you can book a three-hour programme that includes a park show, a visit to the Riding School, a big main course with dessert and a special finale.
On the opening day of the Fairytale Forest back in 1952, the cost of entry was 80 cents in Dutch Guilder (£0.31). While the price has increased in 2025, it's still reasonable compared to other large theme parks and admission for children 3 years old and under is free. Depending on your date of visit, entrance prices can range between €38.00 to €53.00 (£32 to £45).
If you want the full experience, you can also opt to stay overnight in Efteling or opt to stay in Kaatsheuvel. The town is conveniently located near the park and has come to be a popular staycation destination in the country for its sand dunes and impressive national park. Located in the Brabant countryside, this part of the country is also a popular Eurocamp spot.
Getting there
There are no direct flights to Efteling with plane passengers told to fly into Amsterdam Schiphol or Eindhoven airports, before a 1.5 hour transfer. For drivers, the Eurotunnel-le-Shuttle in Folkestone offers a 30 minute cross-Channel train ride into Calais, or the ferries at the Port of Dover offer the crossing in around an hour.
From there drivers will need to come through France and Belgium, before crossing into the Netherlands, a drive which takes four to five hours. For those situated in the north of the country, you can take the ferry from Hull to Rotterdam, then drive around 2.5 hours to Efteling.
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