Description
One of the largest amusement parks in Europe is located in the south of the Netherlands: Efteling. What once began as a fairytale forest now attracts around 5 million visitors every year with more than 30 attractions and exciting park shows.
Country of roller coasters
At Efteling, you can expect five fast-paced roller coasters. In the Dive Coaster Baron 1898 you experience 37.5 meters of free fall, on the wooden roller coaster Jorin en de Draak two cars compete and in the water coaster De Vliegende Hollander you can get wet. The Python chases you through a double loop and a corkscrew and on the indoor roller coaster Vogel Rok you race through the darkness at 65 km/h. A similar speed can be achieved on the bobsleigh track.
Land of fairy tales
The heart of the amusement park is still the fairytale forest Sprookjesbos. Meanwhile there are 29 fairy tales to discover here like Hansel and Gretel, the wolf and the seven little goats or Sleeping Beauty. The four themed tours will also take you into a fairytale world. While you take a trip around the world at Carnaval Festival and explore an Oriental palace on a boat tour in Fata Morgana, you dive into the world of elves and trolls at Droomvlucht. Since summer 2017 you can choose between three different routes with interactive elements on your way through the Symbolica Palace.
For the whole family
The white water ride Piraña, which makes its way past waterfalls and rapids through the Inca Empire, and the Halve Maen, the largest ship swing in the world are also an experience for young and old. The monorail snail railway runs through the village of the people of Laaf and in the floating temple pagoda you have an impressive view over the Efteling at a height of 45 metres. Or how about a ride on the 100-year-old steam carousel? It gets creepy in the haunted castle and in the cursed Villa Volta. Park shows like the legend of Raveleijn or the spectacular water show Aquanura, where more than 200 fountains and 900 lights transform the basin in front of Fata Morgana Castle into a dazzling water ballet, round off the varied offer.
The Efteling theme park is open throughout the year. In case of snow and frost, however, some attractions must remain closed.
How to get there
The Efteling amusement park is located about 45 km northwest of Eindhoven. From Cologne you need about two hours. Take the A57 towards Düsseldorf and change there to the A52 as far as Mönchengladbach. Then take the A61 towards Venlo (NL) and continue on the A67 towards Eindhoven. From Eindhoven you take the A58 to Tilburg and then the N261 to Kaatsheuvel. At the amusement park there are parking spaces with costs (12,50 €/day).
