Inside Efteling’s Fairytale Forest: A Magical Walk Through 30+ Stories

Efteling theme park in the Netherlands began in 1952 with one simple idea: a magical woodland walk filled with classic fairytales brought to life. That very first attraction was the Fairytale Forest, and it still exists today at the heart of the park. Designed by illustrator Anton Pieck and storyteller Peter Reijnders, it started with just ten scenes and has grown into a beautifully immersive forest of more than 30 fairytales. Long before Efteling became known for its big rides and themed hotels, the Fairytale Forest was what made the park special, and it remains the place where visitors slow down, wander and experience the original magic that shaped Efteling into the theme park it is now.

We have visited Efteling a few times now, and our son first visited as a young child. He is approaching his teenage years now, and he still loves wandering around the Fairytale Forest. It takes us quite a long time to get around, and we always stop halfway as there’s a snack shop with a seating area in the prettiest garden area. It’s always worth staying over at Efteling, as if you want to experience all the rides and walk around here in a leisurely manner, then two days are needed at the theme park. Not sure if Efteling is for you? This handy guide will help you plan a visit and find out exactly what to expect.

What is the Fairytale Forest?

The Fairytale Forest (Sprookjesbos) is a gentle, self‑guided walk through storybook scenes featuring animatronics, sound effects, moving characters and beautifully detailed sets. There are no queues and no rushing, just a peaceful, atmospheric wander where every turn reveals another fairytale tucked into the trees.

It’s perfect for:

• Children of all ages
• Prams and pushchairs
• Families who want a break from the bigger rides
• Anyone who loves storytelling and nostalgia

How Long Does It Take to walk around?

Most people spend 60–90 minutes exploring. It’s not really something you can dip in and out of, as there is a starting point and an end. People walking the wrong way round tend to get frowned at. If you are visiting with really young children and aren’t bothered about the big rides, then I’d walk around in the early morning as it should be at its quietest. Afternoons are good if you’re looking for a break from the rides, and it’s also good anytime of the day on busy days when you want something crowd‑friendly. Walking around at dusk is great if you want a magical, slightly atmospheric feel to the forest.

Fairytales You’ll See

There are more than 30 scenes, but these are some of the most iconic ones, perfect spots to take lots of photos:

• Little Red Riding Hood – a charming, classic walkthrough attraction featuring two scenes: a statue of her picking flowers with the wolf lurking near and Grandmother’s cottage, where the wolf lies in bed waiting
• The Princess and the Pea – Now the 31st scene in the forest. Walk inside the pavilion to see a pile of mattresses with that pesky pea at the bottom
• Indian Water Lilies – This is an indoor puppet show
• Sleeping Beauty – a scenic hill-top castle surrounded by water, rose bushes, and a snoring knight
• Rapunzel is trapped high in her tower with her hair down
• Hansel and Gretel – featuring the gingerbread house
• The Talking Tree – this is a firm favourite, especially for younger visitors
• The Troll King – when you turn the sundial, a bell rings, and the troll king will emerge. He will speak some gibberish (he is very old afterall) and make the ground shake for whoever turned the dial.
• The Dragon – he will breathe fire (technically smoke) at anyone trying to steal his treasure
• Langnek (Long Neck Man) — one of Efteling’s most famous characters, you need to stand and watch as his neck gets taller and taller
• The Emperor’s New Clothes – stand and watch this one, as there’s a surprise
• The Six Swans – This one is actually a ride that you go on. It’s very slow and gentle and is just a short ride into the castle. Wheelchair users can see this fairytale via the walking route.

Each scene has its own atmosphere, from gentle and whimsical to slightly spooky (in a child‑friendly way). Kids love pressing buttons, spotting hidden details and watching the characters move. It can be difficult to find all the fairytales, so make sure you backtrack if you spot a path heading off somewhere else. There’s a lot of detail to each fairytale scene; make sure you take the time to look at each one.

There are so many more I haven’t listed. I will include lots of photos so you can get a sense of how amazing the Fairytale forest is. It is something you really need to see in person to truly appreciate.

What the Kids will Love Most

• Buttons that trigger sounds or movement
• Giant characters like Langnek
• The dragon breathing smoke
• The gingerbread house
• The talking tree telling stories
• The freedom to wander without queues
• The donkey that shoots your coin out of its rear end

It’s one of the few theme park areas where you can explore at your own pace without feeling rushed.

Is It Pram-Friendly?

Yes, the paths are wide and mostly flat, with just a few gentle slopes. It’s one of the easiest areas of the park for:

• prams
• wheelchairs
• grandparents
• toddlers who like to walk a bit and ride a bit

The Fairytale Forest is where Efteling’s magic truly begins. It’s gentle, nostalgic and beautifully designed, and it offers something completely different from the park’s thrill rides and shows. Whether you’re visiting with toddlers, older children or a mix of ages, it’s a must‑do part of the park — and one of the places you’ll remember long after your trip.

How accessible is the Fairytale Forest?

The Fairytale Forest at Efteling is one of the most accessible areas in the whole park. The paths are wide, mostly flat and easy to navigate, with gentle slopes rather than steep hills. Almost the entire route is suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and anyone who prefers steady ground underfoot. A few older scenes have small steps or uneven surfaces, but these are clearly marked and easy to bypass without missing the main storytelling trail. It’s a calm, slow‑paced part of the park where you can wander at your own speed, making it ideal for families, mixed‑ability groups and anyone who wants a break from the bigger rides.

The Fairytale Forest has a loose layout rather than a single route, so you’ll find paths branching in different directions with scenes set slightly apart from each other. You just follow the general flow and choose which turn to take next, and everything links back together without feeling complicated. It’s straightforward to get around, steady underfoot, and easy to move through at whatever pace suits your group. This is something to put on your must-do list.