Theme Parks near Amsterdam

“Pretpark bij Amsterdam” is a common search, and the honest answer is that there isn’t one in the city. What Amsterdam does have is fast trains. The Netherlands is small, and from Amsterdam Centraal you can reach every park in this guide in about two hours or less. The only attraction inside the city is ARTIS, and it’s a zoo.

Sort the options by journey time and the choice gets easier.

The parks

ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo

ARTIS opened in 1838 and is the Netherlands’ oldest zoo, a leafy site in the Plantage district with historic buildings, a planetarium and a restored aquarium. The ARTIS-Micropia microbe museum and the ARTIS-Groote Museum sit alongside it. It opens every day, and on weekdays a late-afternoon ticket lets you in from 16:00. Plan a half day.

Madurodam

Madurodam is the Netherlands in miniature: famous Dutch landmarks, such as Rotterdam’s Cube Houses, rebuilt at small scale. Many scenes are interactive. You can turn steam-engine wheels in The Waterwolf or fire cannons in New Amsterdam. It takes 2–3 hours and opens year-round.

Walibi Holland

Walibi Holland is the Netherlands’ thrill park, run by Compagnie des Alpes. Untamed, a hybrid coaster with relentless airtime, is regularly rated among Europe’s best, backed by Goliath, Lost Gravity and the launched Xpress: Platform 13. Walibi Play Land covers younger children, but under-10s will run out of rides by mid-afternoon. Dated online tickets cost well below the gate price, and Fright Nights evenings sell out.

Efteling

Efteling opened in 1952 and grew out of the Fairytale Forest. It’s the country’s most-loved park and suits every age. Symbolica, Baron 1898, Danse Macabre, Droomvlucht and the duelling Joris en de Draak coasters are the highlights, and the Aquanura fountain show closes the day. It fills a full day, and two days if you want everything.

Safaripark Beekse Bergen

Beekse Bergen at Hilvarenbeek is a safari park you can tour four ways: in your own car, on a ranger-led bus, by boat, or on a walking route of about 3.5 km. The safari boats don’t run in winter. It’s close to Efteling, so the two pair well on a weekend in North Brabant.

Slagharen: the long trip

Slagharen is a Wild West family park near the German border, with low height limits and cheap tickets. At 1.5–2 hours by car and slower by train, it only makes sense from Amsterdam if you stay overnight in its wigwam village or are already touring the east.

A one-day plan

Efteling by public transport:

1. 07:45: train from Amsterdam Centraal to ’s-Hertogenbosch or Tilburg, then the direct bus to the park.
2. 10:00: at the gates for opening. Ride Symbolica first, then cross to Baron 1898 and Joris en de Draak before midday.
3. Midday: the Fairytale Forest, Droomvlucht and a Raveleijn show performance. Seats fill 20 minutes ahead.
4. Evening: Aquanura on the lake, then the bus and train back to Amsterdam.

If you only have time for one

• Most groups: Efteling. It’s the Dutch park everyone remembers, and the journey is easy.
• Teens and coaster fans: Walibi Holland, which is closer and cheaper.
• Young children, or only half a day: Madurodam, or ARTIS if you’d rather not leave the city.

Seasons and timing

• Walibi Holland runs a spring-to-autumn season with Halloween Fright Nights in October. Avoid the Lowlands festival weekend in August, when the roads around the park are swamped.
• Efteling opens all year. Winter Efteling brings lights, evening hours and seasonal extras, and gets busy.
• ARTIS and Madurodam open year-round, with shorter winter hours.
• School holidays in both the Netherlands and Belgium fill Efteling. Check both calendars before you pick a date.

Browse every Dutch park on the Netherlands destination hub, or compare Europe-wide on the theme parks hub.

Guide last updated: October 2026.