10 Best Parks in Amsterdam
Explore Amsterdam's Most Beautiful Outdoor Spaces
Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful cities in all of the Netherlands and even Europe as a whole. Its stunning local parks play a huge role in that status. You’ll find quite a few parks throughout the city, each with its own special features to offer.
Within each of these green spaces, you’ll discover plenty to see and do whether you’re looking for more active experiences or some time to relax. They definitely show off the natural beauty of the city’s landscapes no matter what time of year you visit. Take a look at the 10 best parks in Amsterdam to find where you best fancy a stroll.
1. Vondelpark
A historic park with its own theater
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
Vondelpark is a popular urban park encompassing 47 hectares of space within Amsterdam-Zuid with its own theater and playground among other attractions. The Vondelpark Openluchttheater is an open-air theater that hosts frequent shows between June and August. If you’re visiting during the summer, make sure you check out their calendar of events.
Several walking paths are present throughout the park but, in true Amsterdam fashion, you’re free to traverse them by bike as well. Additionally, food services are available in the park including several bars and restaurants. Don’t forget to wander past the statues, one of which dates back to the mid-19th century. Read more
Location: 1071 AA Amsterdam, Netherlands
Vondelpark
2. Amstelpark
A labyrinth to explore
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Budget
Amstelpark is one of the more unique parks in the city, as it features its own winding labyrinth alongside a mini-golf course and other attractions. The labyrinth is a challenging hedge maze you can try, but if you’re looking to simply relax, you’ll find plenty of walking trails throughout this lovely green space.
Along the paths here, you’ll encounter about 139 species of rhododendrons. They generally bloom around April and May, treating you to a fabulous rainbow of color. Additionally, there’s a beautifully tended Japanese Garden alongside an orangery which often contains art exhibitions to enjoy. Read more
Location: Arent Janszoon Ernststraat 1, 1083 GA Amsterdam, Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0)20 644 4216
Amstelpark
3. Het Amsterdamse Bos
An elegant English-style landscape
Good for: Budget, Families, Photo
Het Amsterdamse Bos is a gorgeous English-style landscaped park located in Amstelveen where you’ll find a massive forest along with open meadows and streams. The rivers winding through the park are particularly popular since they offer rowing and bathing opportunities to enjoy with family and friends.
The park also features a maze and a playground, so there’s plenty of fun for little ones. Or, visit during springtime to marvel at the 400 cherry trees in bloom in the Blossom Park area. When hunger calls, head to The Veranda brasserie near the park’s main entrance for coffee and snacks. Read more
Location: Amstelveen, Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0)62 908 1628
Het Amsterdamse Bos
4. Beatrixpark
A tranquil and meditative space
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Budget
Beatrixpark is a relatively small and quiet park located just east of Station-Zuid WTC where you’ll be treated to landscaped paths, a playground, and a pretty pond. The park itself has a long history as it was first created in the 1930s, and you’ll find the oldest parts of the park still offering a romantic English-garden atmosphere.
This is an especially good park to visit if you have children. You’ll be able to have plenty of fun by the pond and within the onsite playground. Plus, getting to the park is easy whether you take the streetcar or drive yourself. Read more
Location: Diepenbrockstraat 21, 1077 VX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0)20 624 1111
Beatrixpark
5. Westerpark
Former gas factories turned into a park
Good for: Couples, Families
Westerpark is a massive green area created from the remnants of defunct municipal gas installations, that offers open spaces, sculptures, and the iconic Westergasfabriek cultural buidling. When you visit the Westergasfabriek, you’ll find an area undergoing transformation yet still hosting amenities like an art-house movie theater and cafes.
The old park offers a more traditional experience with ponds and open green spaces. Several sculptures can be found in the park as well, including some seasonal art installations. For example, the Bruidsjurk sculpture is a wedding dress that floats across the pond from April to October. You’ll find it all in the neighborhood of the same name on the west side of town. Read more
Location: Haarlemmerweg 4, 1014 BE Amsterdam, Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0)20 624 1111
Westerpark
6. Rembrandtpark
A park named after the famous painter
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Budget
Rembrandtpark is an urban park consisting of 45 hectares of space complete with various picturesque lakes and an array of bird species frequenting its trees and skies. Birdwatchers will especially enjoy themselves here with 37 bird species on display, such as the common buzzard. Of course, you’ll also find 6 bat species and 35 bee species.
This park is also popular with families traveling with children. There are several playgrounds within the park that your little ones will enjoy, along with plenty of space to run around. This lovely park is within the Overtoomse Veld region, a few miles west of downtown. Read more
Location: Postjesweg, 1057 NT Amsterdam, Netherlands
Rembrandtpark
7. Frankendael Park
A 17th-century country estate
Good for: Couples, Families, History, Photo
Frankendael Park is the last 17th-century country estate in the city and offers a romantic atmosphere complete with a period garden and a landscaped garden. This park is also home to a natural marsh and a sunbathing area, so you can take in its natural beauty in quite a few different ways.
The middle of this park is home to the Frankendael House, which frequently hosts events, so be sure to check their calendar to see what’s on before your visit. Additionally, you’ll find 2 restaurants housed in beautiful historic buildings. It’s all located south of downtown around Amsterdam-Oost.
Location: 1097 DE Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Daily from 7 am to 10 pm
Frankendael Park
8. Oosterpark
One of the oldest parks in town
Good for: Couples, Families, History, Photo
Oosterpark is one of the oldest parks in Amsterdam dating back to the late 19th century offering verdant fields, a pond, walking paths, and several monuments and art installations. This park is commonly known as the home of the National Slavery Monument, which was created to commemorate the abolition of slavery in the country back in 1863.
You’ll find other monuments here such as the Theo van Gogh memorial, but you can also embrace the natural features of the area. Several gray heron nests can be found here, so birdwatchers will especially enjoy their visit. This lovely park can be found southeast of downtown on the other side of the Lozingskanaal. Read more
Location: Oosterpark, 1012 AA Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: 24/7
Oosterpark
9. Sarphatipark
A quaint and modest park for contemplation
Good for: Couples, Families, History, Photo
Sarphatipark is a small park in the city named after the Dutch physician and city planner, Samuel Sarphati, where you can find a 19th-century monument dedicated to him and his work. You’ll also find open green spaces here along with a few pretty waterways, so it’s a great destination for those looking to relax.
For most of the park’s history, amenities were limited, but the modern park offers playgrounds for kids to enjoy, along with a gym. There are also several small bridges stretching over the waterways, creating attractive walking paths to explore. This compact park is just a few minutes south of downtown. Read more
Location: Sarphatipark 37I, 1073 CP Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sarphatipark
10. Eramuspark
A scenic ring of water
Good for: Couples, Families, Unusual
Erasmuspark is a unique urban park that’s primarily situated within a circular waterway. Visitors can access the entire space via several bridges. You’ll find plenty of walking paths here complemented by a variety of tree species like the common ash, black alder, and field maple.
There are fun activities to enjoy all year long at this park. The warmer months make it easy to take in its vibrant greenery and art installations, while in the winter months, the waterway often freezes over making it a premier destination for ice skating. This park can be found just a few miles northwest of downtown.
Location: Jan van Galenstraat, 1056 LE Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Daily from 7 am to 10 pm
Eramuspark
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