The Netherlands is home to a couple of great amusement parks and theme parks. From attraction parks filled with roller coasters to a park where you can see the whole country in just one afternoon. There truly is something fun for everyone, as most parks have their own theme and focus. Below are the 9 "best theme parks in the Netherlands" where you can easily spend a whole day, or maybe even more.
The biggest amusement park in the Netherlands is the Efteling in Kaatsheuvel. In fact, it is the biggest amusement park in all of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg combined. It is among the most visited attraction parks in Europe, which does not surprise me. With its fairytale-themed attractions and family-friendly image, the Efteling has a lot to offer.
The Efteling truly is an amusement park for all ages. This means that even for little children, there are plenty of things to do. They can enjoy a nice walk through the fairytale forest for example. In the fairytale forest, they come across several fairy tales such as Hansel and Gretel, Pinocchio, and Tom Thumb. If they are lucky, they might even meet one of the actors dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood.
Apart from those attractions, there are also several playgrounds such as Kleuterhof and Kindervreugd. For all children under the height of 1.50 meters (4.9 ft), there is a maze as well.
For older children or even adults, there is a lot to do in the Efteling as well. Roller coasters tend to be quite popular, the Efteling has several of those. Whether it includes a free drop from 37,5 meters or a race between two colors, roller coasters and other attractions in the Efteling usually have a story around it. These stories help make the attractions more exciting or scary.
Additionally, the Efteling has its own game gallery. In order to play these games you need to pay, but you can win cool prizes such as a big stuffed animal. All of these games have a nautical theme to fit in with the rest of that particular part of the Efteling.
The Efteling is more than just an attraction park. There are a few other things the park has that can make your visit even more memorable. You can combine those things in one visit, although in that case, I would recommend going for several days. You do need to purchase specific tickets for these extras, it is not included in the ticket price for the attraction park.
The Efteling has its own theater that is located just behind the main entrance of the park. In this theater, you can watch shows and musicals, often with a fairytale theme. Some of these fairytales are widely known, such as Pinocchio or Cinderella. Other musicals include the Sound of Music and Annie.
If you want to visit the Efteling for several days, there are plenty of options for spending the night. The Efteling has quite some places where you can stay, prizes and comfort variating.
Next to one of the holiday parks owned by the Efteling, there is a golf course. This golf course consists of 18 holes. The golf course used to be fully owned and operated by the Efteling, but the Efteling recently made a deal causing it to become more of a standalone golf club. However, the Efteling is still the owner and you can still pay to golf there.
The Efteling is easily accessible. There is a big parking lot in front of the entrance where you can park your car. On busier days there are employees telling you where to park to avoid long traffic jams and to make sure every spot gets filled efficiently.
If you want to come by public transport, that is no problem either. If you go to the train station in either Den Bosch or Tilburg, several busses specifically take you from the train station to the Efteling and back.
Since the Efteling is a popular attraction park, during busy periods it is recommendable to leave on time. If you want to enter the park at the time it opens, you need to arrive there early.
The Efteling is located in Kaatsheuvel, which is in the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant. The Efteling is a 55-minute drive away from Utrecht, 1 hour and 15 minutes from Amsterdam, 1 hour from Arnhem, and 40 minutes from Eindhoven. For the lower part of the Netherlands, it isn’t a very long drive. The northern cities are a bit further away, with Groningen at a 150-minute drive.
In conclusion, the Efteling is a great amusement park for people of all ages. There are plenty of themed attractions that guarantee a lot of fun. If you want to spend the night, there are lots of opportunities to do so. The Efteling is a popular park, which means it will be crowded during holidays and festivities. Perhaps on those days, you would prefer to visit the Efteling theater.
Pro’s:
Cons:
Walibi Holland is an amusement park in Biddinghuizen, Flevoland. It opened in 1971 and has been popular ever since. Due to the thrilling nature of most attractions and the fact that it has so many roller coasters, this attraction park is most popular among adolescents and young adults.
Walibi Holland is mostly known for its roller coaster. Those roller coasters are accessible for children taller than either 1.20 meters (3.9 ft) or 1.40 meters (4.5 ft), depending on the coaster. For smaller children or children who simply do not like roller coasters, there are plenty of other attractions as well. There are several vehicle-themed attractions and there is a big Ferris wheel.
Walibi Holland also has a mascot called Walibi. On some days Walibi is walking through the park so kids can get a picture with him.
Walibi is a great attraction park for older children and adults. Thrill-seekers can spend the whole day going from one roller coaster to another. Walibi Holland is home to the highest roller coaster in all of the Benelux and there is even a roller coaster with its own special song. When you are done with the roller coasters, you can opt for a free fall or a gondola that spins.
For an additional charge, it is also possible to do the SkyDiver experience. This can be done on your own, with a friend, or even with two friends.
In October, amusement park Walibi Holland undergoes a big makeover. It is time for the famous Halloween event. These Halloween events have been taking place since 2001. Recently, in 2019, a Halloween event for children has been added.
Some of the attractions get a true Halloween makeover, making them even scarier than before. Besides that, the whole park is turned into a scare zone. Jump scares are around every corner and there are plenty of actors dressed scarily, taunting the visitors. Clown Eddie is the face of these Fright Nights, I would only recommend this event to people with a bladder of steel.
For children from 6 to 12 years old, there is a Halloween event that takes place during the day. There are still scare zones, but since this event is catered to kids it is not as scary. Clown Daysee is the face of Spooky Days and she needs the children’s help finding other monsters who are hidden throughout the scare zones.
For people who want to come by public transport, there is a special deal made with the NS to get train tickets at a discount. The best option is to get to Harderwijk station and take the bus from there. If you prefer to come by car, you can use the parking lot. This costs €9,50 ($11,15).
For electric cars, there are a few charging poles at the parking lot. The park also has a special Kiss & Ride place, where you can drop people off.
Walibi Holland is located in Biddinghuizen, which is in the Dutch province of Flevoland. Walibi Holland is a 50-minute drive away from Utrecht, 56 minutes from Amsterdam, 63 minutes from Arnhem. For the middle parts of the Netherlands, it is definitely doable to drive there. The southern and northern parts will have to have some more patience, with Eindhoven at 97 minutes and Groningen at 87 minutes.
Walibi Holland is a great amusement park for thrill-seekers. There are plenty of roller coasters and the park is even home to Goliath, the highest roller coaster in all of the Benelux. Besides those roller coasters, there are some other attractions as well, such as a Splash Battle and a VR attraction. During October you can go to the Halloween event if you dare.
Pro’s:
Cons:
Madurodam is not the first park that comes to mind when thinking about theme parks. This is because it doesn’t have any traditional attractions. Instead, at Madurodam you can walk through a miniature Holland. Madurodam really focuses on the typically Dutch things so you can learn all about the Netherlands in an interactive way.
The main focus of Madurodam is the miniature buildings and people. This is fun for both young children and older ones, but also adults. Madurodam has quite some interactive experiences, some of which are more catered to children than others. Besides that, there are multiple playgrounds where small children can play to their heart’s content. Older children and adults might be more interested in history-themed shows.
Besides those attractions, there are multiple interactive experiences throughout the park. You can watch the train's move or play a song at the Armin van Buuren concert. Walk over the famous Erasmus bridge or buy some typical Dutch merchandise.
Madurodam is quite easily accessible by public transport. You can take the train from anywhere in the Netherlands and go to The Hague central station. From there it is only 10 minutes with the tram before you reach the park. By car, it is not difficult to get to Madurodam either. Signs are telling you where to go when you get close and there is a parking lot to park your car. Signs are telling you where the parking lot is as well, it costs €10,00 ($11,74) for a whole day.
Madurodam is located in The Hague, which is in the province of Zuid-Holland. Madurodam is a 56-minute drive away from Utrecht and 49 minutes from Amsterdam. For cities further in the north or south of the Netherlands, it is a bit further. Madurodam is an 87-minute drive away from Arnhem, 96 minutes from Eindhoven, and 156 minutes from Groningen.
Madurodam is a great park for spending the afternoon with family or friends. You can rediscover the Netherlands and learn all about our history. You can find out what makes our country so special in an interactive way and walk home with a small 3D figure of yourself.
Pro’s:
Cons:
Duinrell is located in Wassenaar, which is in the province of Zuid-Holland. Duinrell has a frog named Rick as its mascot, their slogan being a fun wordplay on the Dutch word for frog, which is kikker. The park is diverse, as it has both traditional attractions such as roller coasters, as well as some unique ones, like the shadow house. Besides a holiday park, Duinrell is also home to the Tikibad. This is a big waterpark with plenty of slides.
In most attraction parks, roller coasters are mainly focused on older children and adults. This is not the case with Duinrell, as it has its own children’s roller coaster. Don’t think this means it’s not fast, because with 40 kilometers per hour it’s not a slow attraction. Of course, there is a playground as well, along with a big slide you can slide off of on a mat.
There is one attraction that deserves a special mention, this is the Shadow house. It is a dark room with big green walls. A specific sound lets you know it’s almost time, and then there is a big flash of light. Almost as if your picture is being taken. After that, you can see your shadow on the wall. This can lead to hilarious poses.
From roller coasters with loops to planes that you can turn 360 degrees, Duinrell definitely has some great attractions for young adults and even adults. You can get catapulted into the water or visit the aqua shute, which can be as fast as 45 kilometers an hour.
Although the park might have a bit of a childish look to it, this attraction park can still be fun for older children. Besides, even the attractions that are fit for younger children can be fun for adults, such as the mini roller coaster and the shadow house.
Duinrell is home to one of the best-known swimming parks in the Netherlands. The Tikibad is the biggest water park of all of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands combined and has 21 waterslides. Tikibad has an indoor and an outdoor part, and there is a special part for small children. Some of the most popular waterslides are funnel waterslides, one that has a free fall and there is one with lights in it.
Duinrell offers a few different locations for guests to book. There is a campsite, as well as bungalows and cottages. This means there are different levels of comfort. For big groups, the park has several bigger accommodations. You can book accommodations for up to a hundred people! Tickets for the attraction park and the Tikibad are included depending on what accommodation you book.
It should be no problem to access Duinrell by car. There is a big parking lot that costs €10,00 ($11,74) for the day, with the first 90 minutes being free. Several signs are pointing to the park and the traffic is usually quite doable. It is also possible to come by public transport. There is a special bus that brings guests specifically to Duinrell. There is a bus service from The Hague central station to Duinrell, and there is one from Leiden Central station to Duinrell. If you prefer taking a taxi, you should opt for Leidse regio Taxi. This is the only company allowed to enter the parking lot of Duinrell.
Duinrell is located in Wassenaar, which is in the province of Zuid-Holland. Duinrell is a 63-minute drive away from Utrecht and 45 minutes from Amsterdam. For cities further in the north or south of the Netherlands, it is a bit further. Duinrell is a 92-minute drive away from Arnhem, 103 minutes from Eindhoven, and 149 minutes from Groningen.
Duinrell is a fun amusement park in Wassenaar. It is perfect for families. There are lots of attractions for children, and there are some roller coasters for the older ones. Duinrell is an affordable option for a day of fun. For a group of friends, it is fun as well, as you can also decide to go swimming in the big waterpark. With 21 waterslides, you don’t have to get bored anytime soon.
Pro’s:
Cons:
The small town of Hellendoorn is home to Avonturenpark Hellendoorn. It started as a simple teahouse with a playground but grew out to become a true attraction park. The water coaster in Avonturenpark Hellendoorn was the first one in the Netherlands. Now, the park has two mascots and plenty of attractions for guests to enjoy.
There are plenty of fun attractions for younger visitors. Avonturenpark Hellendoorn’s mascot, Bear Baba, has his own house along with his wife Bella. Children under the height of 1,20 meters (3.9 ft) can go visit him. Bella also has a dancing castle in which small children can dance and sing. Most attractions for kids are built around the mascots.
There is also an attraction that takes visitors through the "jungle", and there is a laser game attraction. Yet again, these are based around a story and characters.
Even though Avonturenpark Hellendoorn has a big focus on being a family-friendly amusement park, there are some more thrilling attractions as well. There are roller coasters and for those who think that is not exciting enough, the park is also home to a big disk’O coaster.
Some of the attractions that are fun for younger children, can be fun for older people as well. There are some attractions specifically for really young kids, but other than that the attractions are aimed at families. This means it’s fun for all ages.
Slidepark is an outdoor waterpark that has eleven fun waterslides. Although there is no swimming pool, you should bring your bathing suit. There are a few waterslides specifically for children, but there are some more thrilling waterslides as well. You probably won’t be spending a whole day here, but it is a fun addition when you are visiting the attraction park anyways.
The best way to access Hellendoorn is by car. It is not very accessible by public transport. You can order a taxi though, Hellendoorn has an agreement with Sneleentaxi. They can take you to the park safely and affordably.
By car, the attraction park is easily accessible. There is a parking lot in which you can park your car the whole day for only €7,00 ($8,22).
Avonturenpark Hellendoorn is located in Hellendoorn, which is in the Dutch province of Overijssel. Avonturenpark Hellendoorn is a 73 minute drive away from Utrecht and 61 minutes from Arnhem. Groningen is a 78-minute drive away. For Amsterdam and Eindhoven, it is a longer drive. Amsterdam is 94 minutes away. Eindhoven is 101 minutes away.
Avonturenpark Hellendoorn is a fun amusement park for the whole family. It is focused on younger people, which causes some attractions to be catered for children. Nevertheless, it can be fun for older people as well. It has some water slides too, but no swimming pool.
Pro’s:
Cons:
Drievliet is the perfect attraction park to go to with friends. You will see mostly youngsters walking around, although the park presents itself as a family park. It can still be fun for older people, but if your group consists of solely adults another amusement park might be more your cup of tea. Other than that, Drievliet has some great attractions and is home to the oldest monorail in the Netherlands.
Drievliet has quite some attractions for young children. Most of them are animal-themed. One of the most unique animal-themed attractions Drievliet has is the singing stable. This is a farm stable with singing animals. Guests can walk in there and listen or sing along with the songs.
The park also has several playgrounds. Some of those have a theme, like a sea theme or a lighthouse. Drievliet also has a regular playground.
Drievliet has some thrilling attractions, like roller coasters. It also has a spinning attraction testing gravity. Besides that, some attractions are fun for all ages. These include a spooky museum and water coaster.
The park also has a fun 5D show about a captain at sea. The chair moves, you can feel the wind and you can feel something touch your leg. This show lasts for 15 minutes and is definitely worth your time.
Before 11 o’clock, the park has a special kiss and ride. You can drop people off here for free. Should you arrive after 11 am, you will have to buy a parking coin. If you want to park your car for the day, you have to buy a parking coin as well, this costs € 8,00 ($9,39).
If you prefer to come by public transport, your best option is to go to The Hague central station. There is a tram departing from there directly to the attraction park every 15 minutes.
Drievliet is located in The Hague, which is in the province of Zuid-Holland. For the cities in the surrounding Zuid-Holland, it is not a very long drive. Amsterdam is 45 minutes away and Utrecht is 52 minutes away. For cities more in the corners of our country, it is a longer drive. Arnhem is 82 drive away. For Eindhoven, it’s 91 minutes and for Groningen, it is 153 minutes.
Drievliet is a great theme park that has attractions for all ages. It claims to be a family park, and although this is true you will mainly see groups of youngsters. There are a variety of attractions which means there is something fun for everyone. However, after one day of fun, you have seen it all.
Pro’s:
Cons:
In the amusement park Archeon, you can learn all about the history of the Netherlands. There are three eras that you can learn about. These are Prehistory, the Roman Era, and the Middle Ages. In Archeon, fun activities get combined with history, thus teaching people about the past in a fun way.
Most children like learning new things if it is presented in a fun way. At Archeon they know just how to do that. There are different activities in the three eras that help children learn new stuff in a fun way. They can get their faces painted to become a prehistoric hunter, or they can march with the Roman soldiers.
For older children and even adults, the park is just as much fun. Maybe you already know a thing or two about the past, but there is always more to learn. You can ask the actors questions, or participate in some of the activities. You can watch the gladiators fight, or perhaps you can show off your archery skills in the area for the Middle Ages.
Archeon is easily accessible by car. It has a parking lot that also offers spaces for electric cars. Archeon encourages its visitors to make use of their parking lot because, for every parking ticket they sell, they donate 30 cents to Trees for All. This is how Archeon tries to compensate for the C02 gasses emitted by the car.
If you prefer to come by public transport, you can take the train to station Alphen aan den Rijn. From there it is only a 15-minute walk to the park and there are signs with directions along the whole road. There is also a bus that takes visitors from the station to Archeon and back. There is a bus available every hour.
Archeon is located in Alphen aan den Rijn, which is in the province of Zuid-Holland. For more central cities it is a relatively short drive. Amsterdam is 44 minutes away and Utrecht is only 36 minutes away. Arnhem and Eindhoven are a bit further, with a 66-minute drive and 77-minute drive respectively. From Groningen to Archeon it is a pretty long drive of 147 minutes.
Archeon is a fun amusement park that lets you learn all about history. Whether you are interested in Prehistory, the Roman Era, or the Middle Ages, Archeon will give you plenty of opportunities to learn. You can participate in activities people used to do a couple of hundred years ago, or you can watch the actor play out a gladiator fight. Besides that, you can host a party here or participate in a scavenger hunt.
Pro’s:
Cons:
Linnaeushof is a big playground in Heemstede. The park has three parts; outdoors, indoors, and a water playground. There aren’t any electrical attractions, visitors have to do everything themselves. There is a train going through the park and Linnaeushof is the biggest playground in all of Europe.
Linnaeushof has lifted the concept of a playground to the next level. Next to the traditional slides and swings, which you can also find at normal playgrounds, this park also has a lot of other attractions. There are air go-karts, a train, and even bumper cars.
Next to the playground outdoors, Linnaeushof also has a playground indoors. Here you will find a shadow room and laughing mirrors among other attractions.
Linnaeushof is mainly focused on younger children. For adults, there is not a lot to do. Older children can have fun at some of the more thrilling attractions though, such as the looping swings. There is a climbing parcours as well, along with trampolines and an obstacle course.
Next to the indoor playground and the outdoor playground, Linnaeushof also has a water playground. You do not have to pay extra for this. There are slides and there is other equipment to play with as well. In the parts for smaller kids there are plenty of benches, so parents can stay close to their children. In the parts for older children, there are fewer benches to give them more freedom.
If you want to come by car, you can use the parking lot close to the park. You do need to reserve a spot in advance, this can be done online. The parking costs are €7,00 ($8,22).
If you prefer to come by public transport, you have two options. You can go to Haarlem Station first, from there you can take the bus. Both busses number 14 and 50 go to a bus stop near the park.
Linnaeushof is located in Heemstede, which is in the Dutch province of Noord-Holland. For the central cities, it is not a long ride. It’s only a 36-minute drive from Amsterdam. For Utrecht, it’s a 61-minute drive. For cities that are located closer to the corners of the Netherlands, it can be a bit of a long drive, with Arnhem at 92 minutes. Eindhoven is 102 minutes away, and Groningen is 142 minutes away.
Linnaeushof is a fun playground with some extra attractions. It is a play paradise for younger children. Some attractions can be fun for older children as well, although the main focus is on younger children. Next to an outdoor playground, the park also has an indoor playing castle and there is a water playground.
Pro’s:
Cons:
Toverland is an amusement park divided into six magical worlds. Each world has its own theme, but they are all connected by magic. There are several attractions, both for children and adults. If you want to experience a real magical feeling, you can do a scavenger hunt with your own wand or you can visit one of the shows.
Toverland has quite some attractions that are accessible for children up to 12 years old. Next to the magical theme which can be quite fun for children, there is also a mascot with her own themed area. You can take a boat ride through the magical caves in Avalon, or you can go on a scavenger hunt with your own magic wand.
Even though the park has a slight focus on younger children, there are still plenty of fun attractions for older kids and even adults. In the themed area Ithaka you can find the longest and fastest wooden roller coaster of the Benelux, or you can go in a bobsled and decide your own pace.
Toverland has several shows, all having a story related to magic. In the themed area of Port Laguna, there is an interactive show in which you can discover your own magic. There is also a water show with lights and music. During the winters, park mascot Toos Toverhoed hosts a show as well.
Toverland is fairly easily accessible. It has its own parking lot where you can park your car for €10,00 ($11,74) a day. If you want to come by public transport, you can go to station Horst-Sevenum. There is a bus that takes you from station Horst-Sevenum directly to the park.
Toverland is located in Sevenum, which is in the Dutch province of Limburg. This means it is really close to the cities in the south of the Netherlands, such as Eindhoven which is only a 37-minute drive away. Arnhem is 69 minutes away. For cities more in the north of the country, it’s a long drive. For Utrecht, it’s a 90-minute drive and for Amsterdam, it’s a 107-minute drive. Groningen is the furthest away with 169 minutes.
Toverland is an attraction park that has a focus on children but is still fun for older children and adults. It has plenty of traditional attractions, like roller coasters and a rapid river, but it also has unique ones like the magical scavenger hunt. Magic is the theme that you will see throughout the park, both in attractions and during shows.
Pro’s:
Cons:
Whether you are old, young, want to come with friends, or perhaps family, the Netherlands has great amusement parks and theme parks to offer. Some of them are more educational while others are simply a big playground. Hopefully, by reading this "best amusement parks in the Netherlands", you now have all of the information you need to pick which attraction park you want to visit and don’t be shy to visit every park on the list!
