Amsterdam is greener than most visitors expect. From the Vondelpark next to the museums to the huge Amsterdamse Bos forest, here are the parks worth your time, what makes each special and how to get there.
Last checked: September 2026
Amsterdam’s most famous park, opened in 1865 and named after the poet Joost van den Vondel. Its 47 hectares of lawns, ponds and winding paths sit right next to Museumplein.
Tip: From June to August the Vondelpark Open Air Theatre hosts free performances, from music and dance to cabaret.
A modern park around the former Westergasfabriek gasworks, whose monumental buildings now house restaurants, cinemas and event spaces.
Tip: Walk here through the Jordaan and along the Brouwersgracht, one of the prettiest canals in the city.
A man-made forest of around 1,000 hectares, more than 20 times the size of the Vondelpark, with lakes, walking and cycling routes and the Bosbaan rowing course.
Tip: Rent a bike and make a day of it. Goats and pancakes at the forest’s farm are a hit with children.
A 19th-century landscape park in a lively multicultural neighbourhood, close to the Dappermarkt and the Wereldmuseum (formerly the Tropenmuseum).
Tip: Combine it with lunch at the Dappermarkt, one of the city’s most local street markets.
A small, elegant park in the heart of De Pijp, a few minutes from the Albert Cuyp Market.
Tip: Pick up snacks at the market and eat them on the lawn.
One of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, founded in 1638, with historic glasshouses, tropical plants and a butterfly house.
Tip: A peaceful stop between Artis Zoo and the Jewish Cultural Quarter.
| Park | Area | Best for | From the centre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vondelpark | Oud-Zuid | Picnics, running, open-air shows | 10 min by tram |
| Westerpark | West | Food, culture, events | 15–20 min walk from Centraal |
| Amsterdamse Bos | South-west edge | Cycling, nature, a full day out | 30 min by bus or bike |
| Oosterpark | Oost | Local life, markets | 15 min by tram |
| Sarphatipark | De Pijp | A short break after the market | 15 min by tram or metro |
| Hortus Botanicus | Plantage | Plants, glasshouses, a quiet hour | 10 min by tram |
Guided bike tours are an easy way to link several parks and neighbourhoods in a few hours.
The Vondelpark, a 47-hectare park next to Museumplein that opened in 1865.
Yes, all city parks are free. The Hortus Botanicus is a botanical garden and charges an entrance fee.
The Amsterdamse Bos, a forest park of around 1,000 hectares on the south-western edge of the city.
Yes, the Vondelpark is open day and night.