Amsterdam’s flat terrain, picturesque canals, attractive architecture and pedestrian-friendly streets makes it a fine city for strolling (and indeed cycling). But did you know the ‘Dam is also home to some of the most perfect parks in Europe? We’re talking the Vondelpark, the Westerpark, the Amstelpark and the Rembrandtpark, to name just a few. But which is best? We pit glorious green gems Vondelpark and Amstelpark against each other, taking a deep dive into their various attractions, family friendliness and more, to find out. Read on for the lowdown in our Amstel park and Vondelpark comparison…
Vondelpark
Name: originally named Nieuwe Park (New Park), it was quickly renamed Vondelpark in honor of Joost van den Vondel after a statue of the 17th-century writer and playwright was erected here, on a plinth designed by celebrated Rijksmuseum architect Pierr Cuypers, no less.
Age and location: Vondelpark opened in Amsterdam-Zuid borough in 1865, west of the Museumplein and Leidseplein.
Vondelpark in brief: an urban oasis par excellence, Vondelpark covers some 120 acres of prime Amsterdam real estate in the heart of the city, making it the largest park in town. Beloved of locals and visitors alike (it attracts around 10 million visitors annually), it’s a sprawling green gem, crammed with statues, sculptures, manicured gardens, tranquil lakes, cute cafés, picture-perfect footbridges, and recreational opportunities galore. The park was originally designed by 19th-century landscape architect Jan David Zocher and his son Louis Paul Zocher, and has undergone oodles of additions, expansions and improvements since opening as a green space for strolling and horse-riding over a century-and-a-half ago, in the summer of 1865.
Unmissable Vondelpark Highlights
- The jewel in Vondelpark’s considerable crown is the Openluchttheater, a wonderful open-air stage that hosts events every year between May and September, from stand-up comedy to classical music, as well as plays and kids entertainers.
- There are something like 70 statues and sculptures dotted around Vondelpark. A towering concrete piece, Picasso’s abstract 1965 masterpiece Figure découpée (aka L’oiseau aka The Bird), is perhaps the most celebrated, and was donated by the artist himself for the park’s centenary.
- Follow your nose to the splendid rose garden in the middle of the park. The garden was added in 1935 and contains some 70 species of the romantic blooms.
- Of course, relaxation and recreation are key here, and there are plenty of paths for strolling, cycling, jogging and rollerblading. You can also do as the Amsterdammers do: grab a picnic lunch and a spliff, and find a shady spot beneath the poplars to while away the afternoon.
How Family-Friendly is Vondelpark?
Vondelpark’s ace playgrounds feature great treehouse-like structures that are manna for adventurous kids (and parents looking for a break). Besides these, there are plenty of wide open spaces to roam, trees to climb, and spots to play hide and seek. Heck, there’s even a maze to get lost in. Hit up the Swiss-chalet-style Het Groot Melkhuis on the edge of the Vondelpark Forest for casual café food and drinks – the playground and sandpits here make it the ideal go-to for hungry families. Note that Vondelpark is open 24 hours, but somewhat less child-friendly after dark, when courting couples are legally permitted to get, ahem, jiggy on the lawns.
Amstelpark
Name: Amstelpark is named after the river on which it sits.
Age and location: opened for the Floriade 1972 garden festival, Amstelpark is a mere whippersnapper compared to Vondelpark. It also lies a little further off Amsterdam’s main drag than its elder cousin, around six kilometers south of Centraal Station.
Amstelpark in brief: Though lacking some of the spectacle of Vondelpark, Amstelpark still packs a decent punch. Its origins as a horticultural garden shine through to this day and you’ll find plenty of rhododendron and rose gardens that burst into color, providing Insta-perfect selfie backdrops during the season. A cute train, a petting zoo and the biggest playground in Amsterdam also makes this one a top choice for family days out.
Unmissable Amstelpark Highlights
- The Rosarium and Rhododendron Valley are Amstelpark’s standout botanical highlights. Around 140 species of rhododendron burst into fragrant bloom in April and May, providing one of the most colorful flower shows in town (no mean feat in the tulip capital of the world!). Meanwhile, the Rosarium showcases over 400 varieties of rose in summer, when the riot of bright colors and heady scents is liable to leave your head spinning.
- Fans of all things Dutch will find much to enjoy at the Riekermolen windmill, set next to the Amstel River on the park’s southern edge. The sails of this 17th-century beauty are set spinning again on some weekends in summer, and there’s a statue of Rembrandt nearby, in homage to his love of the landscapes around the Amstel River.
- The miniature train that weaves through Amstelpark is one of its most popular attractions. Hop aboard in summer to make the best of all those wonderfully verdant vistas.
How Family-Friendly is Amstelpark?
It’s fair to say Amstelpark trumps Vondelpark when it comes to facilities for children. That miniature train is a guaranteed hit, for starters, And that’s before we even get to the mini-golf, labyrinth, and petting zoo with rabbits, goats, sheep and chickens. The Speeltuin playground here is also really quite something. Kids could spend hours here, taking on the adventure zone, going bumper to bumper on the disco boats, riding the merry-go-round, and racing the super trucks.
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