Efteling: a surprisingly refreshing amusement park
A visit to Efteling in the summer is more pleasant than many people realize. While many theme parks, such as Disneyland, consist mainly of stone and pavement, Efteling is actually full of greenery. Thousands of trees, wooded areas, and shaded walking paths will keep you nice and cool during a day Efteling.
Is it all getting a little too hot for you? Then just hop on for a ride on the Piraña (and hope you actually get to pass by the waterfall). Or brave the descent at the Vliegende Hollander, which also ends in the water. Would you rather take it a little easier? The Gondoletta takes you on a leisurely tour across the water while the little roof overhead provides shade.
More about Efteling
Cool off in nature
What to do on hot summer days? That’s right: head out into nature! In De Langstraat, you’ll find several nature areas where you can enjoy walking, biking, or picnicking even on hot days. Thanks to the combination of trees, grasslands, and water, it’s often much cooler here than in the city.
De Loonse en Drunense Duinen
One of the Netherlands’ best-known nature reserves and part of Van Gogh National Park. In addition to the impressive sandy plains, you’ll also find vast forests, heathlands, and sheltered hiking trails here. It’s precisely this contrast between open sand and shady forests that makes this nature reserve ideal for your summer day.
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Huis Ter Heide Estate
Located between Loon op Zand and De Moer, this peaceful nature reserve is full of forests, ponds, and boardwalks. It’s highly recommended for a sultry summer day. Take a walk along the water or enjoy the shade under the trees. And keep your camera ready—you might just spot a herd of Scottish Highland cattle along the way!
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The Western Longstreet
This unique nature reserve is the perfect base for a lovely summer day. Water plays the leading role here, providing just the right amount of cool relief! In the Western Langstraat, you’ll find wetlands, wooded areas, and flower-filled meadows. Birdwatchers will be in heaven here—how many different species of birds can you spot?
If you’re out and about with the kids and want to make your visit to the Western Langstraat just a little more adventurous on your summer day, follow the Langstraat Expedition route. This 3.5-kilometer walking route takes you right through the nature reserve as you complete fun and surprising challenges. The good news? You can walk the route as many as three times thanks to the three themes: grass, water, and crafts.
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Take a refreshing dip in the natural waters
Let’s be honest: on hot days, there’s nothing quite like a refreshing dip. Fortunately, De Langstraat offers plenty of opportunities to swim in natural waters.
You can take a dip at Zwemplas De Afgraving in Drunen, surrounded by plenty of trees so you can relax in the shade. Het Hoefsven in Waalwijk is also a popular spot, especially for families. At Experience Island in Loon op Zand, you’ll find a beautiful beach on the clear waters of ’t Blauwe Meer. Prefer to head toward Heusden? Then the Engelermeer is a wonderful place to cool off.
Want to discover even more places where you can swim in natural waters? Check out our blog post “5 Places to Swim in Nature” for all the tips and inspiration.
More about swimming in the region
Hit the water: cool off on the water
De Langstraat is a wonderful place to spend time, not just in the water but also on the water. Do you have your own boat? In fortified town Heusden You can moor perfectly at De Wiel Marina and explore the fortified town from there. If you don’t have your own boat, you can easily rent a small boat here. Anyone who’d like to join a boat tour can do so at Wiljo Boat Cruises You’ve come to the right place. Go on a day trip, a lunch cruise, or a dinner cruise, and enjoy the waters around Heusden Vesting.
Prefer to stay active on your summer day? Take a SUP tour on the waters surrounding the historic fortress.
You can also get out on the water near the fortified town of Geertruidenberg. At Fort Lunet For example, you’ll find Boat Healthy where you can regularly join excursions to the Biesbosch. For a boat tour on the waters near Geertruidenberg, head to Cruise company Sloopz If you’d rather paddle yourself, you can rent a canoe at Biesbosch Canoe Events in Raamsdonksveer, and you’ll sail right into the Biesbosch.
Everything you need to know about boating in the region
Summer in the Langstraat
Curious about what else there is to do in De Langstraat this summer? Take a look at our special summer inspiration page, full of fun tips and great ideas. Get into the summer spirit of De Langstraat and be inspired by the best summer activities, outings, and surprising tips for a wonderful summer.
Celebrate Summer in De Langstraat
So, as you can see, De Langstraat offers plenty of ways to cool off on a sweltering summer day. Discover it for yourself and experience just how surprisingly green, water-rich, and pleasant this region of Brabant is.
And take some beautiful summer photos along the way to post on Instagram? Don’t forget to tag us or use #visitdelangstraat!
