Amsterdam itself doesn’t have a big roller-coaster park inside the city, but if you are looking for a theme park amsterdam families can reach in a day, there are several choices within a drive or train ride. Here are the main options and how to plan a visit. Check each park’s current opening days, prices and rules, because they change by season.
Efteling
The Efteling, in the south of the country near Kaatsheuvel, is the most famous Dutch theme park and one of the oldest in Europe. It is known for fairy-tale themes, a forest of storybook characters and a mix of gentle rides and thrill rides. From Amsterdam it is roughly a ninety-minute to two-hour trip by car, depending on traffic, or by train and bus with changes. It suits families with younger children and adults who enjoy the setting.
Walibi Holland
Walibi Holland is in Biddinghuizen in Flevoland, around an hour from Amsterdam by car. It is known for coasters and thrill rides, making it the better pick for teenagers and adrenaline fans. Check height limits for rides, and the occasional special events, such as seasonal evenings.
Linnaeushof
Linnaeushof, near Bennebroek and Haarlem, is a large children’s playground park with a very short journey from Amsterdam. It focuses on play areas rather than big rides and is perfect for small children. It is a good alternative for days when you do not want a long trip.
Other nearby fun
- Archeon, a living-history park in Alphen aan den Rijn
- Dolfinarium and Sea Life attractions on the coast
- Beach and amusement piers, such as the one at Scheveningen
- Zoos and indoor playgrounds for rainy days
Choosing the right one
For small children, pick Linnaeushof or Efteling. For teenagers, Walibi. For a rainy day, look at indoor options. Read about height limits, queue times and whether food can be brought in.
Tickets and timing
Book tickets online, which is usually cheaper than at the gate. Arrive at opening to avoid queues, and avoid school holidays if you can. A weekday visit outside the summer holiday makes a big difference. Bring a rain jacket, comfortable shoes and sunscreen, depending on the weather. See our post on Amsterdam weather in April for a taste of spring weather.
Combining with a city stay
Many families make the park a day trip from Amsterdam, with the rest of the time for the city. A visit to the House of Bols is an adult-only idea, so keep that for a different day.
Final thoughts
You do not need to stay near a park to enjoy it; the Netherlands is small enough for easy day trips. For further reading see Efteling on Wikipedia. More ideas are on invisionfree.com.
