Cyclists taking a break on the grass in Amsterdam's Vondelpark

Westerpark Vs Vondel Park Comparison

It's Westerpak vs Vondel Park as we pit two of Amsterdam's green space heavyweights against each other.
By Stuart Bak

If you've only got time for just one of Amsterdam's beautiful public parks, then this guide is for you!

You’ve heard of its scenic canals, bike-friendly paths, fine art museums, cannabis cafés and, um, red light district. But did you know Amsterdam also has some top-notch public parks? Located in and around the city these great green spaces, among them Vondelpark (pictured above), Westerpark, Amstelpark and Rembrandtpark, provide fine natural oases for strolling, cycling, picnicking, and admiring the spectacular public monuments and glorious Amsterdam art and architecture. We took a closer look at two of the ‘Dam’s most popular parks, so join us on an outdoor adventure as we compare the relative merits of Westerpark vs Vondelpark…

Westerpark

Weeping willow overhanging a Westerpark pond

Name: Westerpark lies – wait for it – just west of the River Amstel.

Age and location: Westerpark was created in the late 19th Century, between the banks of the river and a new gas plant (the Westergasfabriek). Later decommissioned, the Westergasfabriek was designated a National Monument in the 1990s and became an official part of the Westerpark in 2003. The resulting expanded public space, a couple of clicks north of Centraal Station and the Anne Frank House, is around 35 acres in size.

Westerpark in brief: small when compared to near-neighbor Vondelpark (and indeed the impressive Amstelpark in the south of the city), Westerpark nevertheless packs a very mighty punch. An urban space in the best way, it promises hip food markets and festivals in summer and an opportunity to explore a cool combination of nature and industrial heritage for the rest of the year. There are wooded areas to explore, wading pools for cooling off, and plenty of art installations to ogle.

Top Westerpark Highlights

Renovated building of the former Westergasfabriek gas plant
  • Fans of industrial architecture will find much to enjoy in the former Westergasfabriek area of Westerpark. As well as being endlessly photogenic, this collection of buildings now contains a diverse range of bars and cafés, plus a cool arthouse cinema in the shape of the Ketelhuis. Other highlights of the former gas site include a century-old steel drawbridge and canal lock and pump.
  • Also on the former gas site, there’s a large paddling pool (more like a wading pool, actually), where kids (and, yes, grown-ups too) can cool off on warm summer days.
  • One of the major highlights of Westerpark is the proliferation of public art. As well as occasional temporary installations (and festivals), you can check out permanent sculptures including Mirjam Janse’s Gold in your mind, gold in your feet; Ronald Tolman’s Man on stool; and the untitled piece by Herman Makkink known locally as Bolbewoners, a thought-provoking piece featuring a pair of four-legged humanoid figures on a inclined hemisphere. In summer, a wedding-dress sculpture (Bruidsjurk) joins the party, drifting gracefully back and forth across the Westerpark pond.

How Family-Friendly is Westerpark?

A duckling shaking its feathers in Westerpark

There’s plenty of open space to entertain the kids here, with duck ponds, a muddy adventure playground and a small petting farm thrown in for good measure. You’ll also find a decent program of children’s films at the Ketelhuis cinema, which also hosts the Cinekid festival every October. 

Vondelpark

Entrance sign at Vondelpark

Name: Nieuwe Park (New Park) was established in 1865. Locals started referring to it as Vondelpark a couple of years later, after a statue of 17th-century Dutch writer and playwright Joost van den Vondel was installed. The name stuck, and an Amsterdam legend was born.

Age and location: Vondelpark is Amsterdam’s largest public park and also its most central, located just west of the Museumplein, where arts enthusiasts can go wild at the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Moco Museum.

Vondelpark in brief: Vondelpark is a vast municipal green space, spanning a whopping 120 acres of prime urban real estate in the heart of Amsterdam. Not only the city’s largest, Vondelpark is also the ‘Dam’s most popular public park, drawing in something like 10 million visitors annually, a mixture of spliff-toting locals, and vacationers eager to nab those essential Insta-perfect selfies… in the rose garden, by the eye-popping concrete Picasso sculpture, or draped languidly over a picturesque Victorian footbridge. The park was designed by celebrated 19th-century landscape architect Jan David Zocher, expanded upon by his son Louis in subsequent years, and further developed throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.

Top Vondelpark Highlights

Vondelpark in autumn
  • Some would say Vondelpark is worth visiting for the public art alone. And they’re not wrong. Chief among these sainted sculptures is the soaring concrete bird (or is it a fish?) donated by Picasso (yes, that Picasso) for the park’s centenary in 1965. You’ll also want to take a gander at the nine-foot-high bronze of park namesake Vondel. His imposing statue stands atop an equally elaborate pedestal by celebrated Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers, who also designed the nearby Rijksmuseum and Centraal Station.
  • Admission to Vondelpark’s exceptional open-air theater is free, but you may still need to book some of the more popular summer shows, which run the gamut from classical concerts to stand-up comedy, contemporary dance, classic plays, and kid-friendly slapstick. Shows generally run between May and September.
  • A fragrant 1935 addition to Vondelpark, the rose garden sits in the center of the park and boasts something in the order of 70 species. Particularly splendid in summer, you’ll find something to see (and sniff) here year-round.

How Family-Friendly is Vondelpark?

Cycling in Vondelpark

Vondelpark’s sheer size alone – crammed full with woodland trails, skating lanes and bike paths –  makes it one of the best outdoor playgrounds in town for kids and adults alike. Recreational opportunities abound here, and there are plenty of great places for the little people to climb trees and play hide and seek within sight of parental picnic spots. There’s also a maze and several dedicated play areas for children, with some of the best featuring big old treehouse structures to scale and explore. Het Groot Melkhuis is where it’s at for sandpit fun, with yet another playground to help work up little appetites for lunch in the Swiss-chalet-style café.

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Stuart Bak

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Windmill and hot hair balloons over a field of tulips
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Outdoor Activities in Amsterdam

If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Amsterdam on a particularly clear day, you’ll want to make the very most of the situation. As a city known for its gorgeous waterside architecture and iconic canals, no trip would be complete without giving yourself the chance to really explore its unique streets and squares. What’s more, there’s a plethora of outdoor activities in Amsterdam to help you make the most of a pleasant day. Whether you’re keen to explore some quaint Dutch markets or take a tour upon the city’s famous canals, there’s plenty to do for all types of visitors. Cycle Across the City Home to more bicycles than people, Amsterdam is a city literally built for cycling. With over 470 miles of cycle lanes making up the Amsterdam Bicycle Network, cycling can often be the easiest means of getting around. What’s more, it doesn’t get much more authentically Dutch than exploring the capital on your own pair of wheels. If you’d like to make your visit a more active one, then you can pick up a bike at one of the many rental shops spread throughout the city. You can expect to pay somewhere in the region of €10/day at most shops, while some may also offer weekly or hourly packages. Once you’re up and running, why not choose one of the city’s many stunning routes to follow for the day? Cruise Along the Canals Second only to the prevalence of bikes, Amsterdam’s canals are one of the most central symbols of the Dutch capital. Having been built originally for water management, defense and trade purposes, this labyrinth of canals makes up 25% of the city’s total surface area. While they’re certainly pretty to look at and make for a fantastic (if somewhat overdone) photo op, Amsterdam’s waterways are best experienced on the water itself. Naturally, the city is home to a huge boating industry, with countless companies offering all manner of excursions through the canals. If you’re looking for a unique way to explore the city, then a hop-on, hop-off boat could be the ideal transportation for you. But where the city’s boating industry arguably shines brightest is in its canal tours, offering visitors an overview of many of Amsterdam’s top attractions, complete with audio commentary to provide unique insights into their cultural and historical significance. Discover the ARTIS Royal Zoo One of the oldest zoos in Europe, the Natura Artis Magistra was established in the mid-1800s and has since continued to offer an enchanting escape from the busy streets of Amsterdam for families and nature lovers alike. Commonly known simply as ARTIS, the location comprises both a botanical garden and zoological garden. Home to over 200 unique species of trees – many on the brink of extinction – alongside over 900 animals from all manner of habitats around the world, the zoo serves to educate visitors as to the vital role that every living creature plays in nature. The site is also home to an aquarium, a planetarium and an impressive art and sculpture collection. Spare a Moment in Nature For a brief escape from the bustling streets of the Dutch capital, Amsterdam is home to a wide selection of beautifully serene green spaces. Most popular among these is the Vondelpark, whose 120-acre footprint houses ancient trees, scenic lakes, charming gardens and a variety of delightful bars and cafés. Westerpark is another popular choice as, connecting to the Westergasfabriek complex, it serves as a home to some of the city’s most hip bars and restaurants, along with an arthouse cinema. Visitors can hire a boat to cruise along the Haarlemmerweg canal into the city, or attend some of the great food and music festivals hosted in the park throughout the year. If you happen to visit Amsterdam during the spring, then you should definitely consider a trip to the nearby town of Lisse. Only an hour’s train ride from Amsterdam, Lisse is home to Keukenhof Park, sometimes known as the Garden of Europe, where you’ll find the Netherlands’ best display of tulips and other flowers punctuated by the ever so iconic Dutch windmills. Grab Yourself a Bargain Those with a penchant for finding a bargain can rejoice at the fact that Amsterdam is home to over 20 regularly occurring markets. Whether you’re looking for fresh produce, antiques or simple bric-a-brac, chances are one of these markets should scratch that shopping itch. For all things food, the Albert Cuyp Market takes place every weekday, as does the Marqt Farmer’s Market (excluding Fridays), while the Nieuwmarkt and Noordermarkt Farmers’ Markets take over on Saturdays with their selection of organic goods. Also popular is the Flower Market, which runs Monday to Saturday and offers a wide selection of rare flowers, seeds, bulbs and gardening equipment. Held each Wednesday and Saturday, the Postzegelmarkt is one for the history buffs, stocking all manner of old coins, medals, stamps and postcards. The Waterlooplein Flea Market is the best stop for antiques and second-hand clothes, open Monday to Saturday and very much open to bartering. For a unique gift, be sure to visit the Boekenmarkt op het Spui, stocking various books, maps, cards and engravings. Explore Another City If you find yourself with a spare day or two and want to see a little more than just Amsterdam, then there are plenty of nearby cities to explore. With most destinations throughout the Netherlands easily reachable within a couple hours by train, it’s perfectly doable to slot some excursions into your itinerary. The fourth-largest city in the Netherlands, Utrecht is often considered Europe’s most beautiful canal city – even overtaking Amsterdam! Known for mixing big city amenities with a provincial atmosphere, the city is home to both medieval architecture and one of the Netherlands’ largest shopping malls, Hoog Catherijne. Utrecht also serves as the embodiment of European café culture, with a vast selection of quirky bars and terraces. Rotterdam is the Netherlands’ chief port town and second-largest city, serving as the country’s main departure and arrival destination for international cruises and cargo ships. Having been heavily bombed during the Second World War, the city is now famous for its wealth of modern architecture, from its cube-shaped houses to its spaceship-like market hall. Particularly popular with younger groups is the city’s thriving nightlife scene, complete with many quirky nightclubs and bars. Home to both the Netherlands’ monarchy, the parliament and many major Dutch companies such as Royal Dutch Shell, The Hague is truly the seat of Dutch business and politics. The city is home to a wealth of royal architecture and palaces, alongside art galleries showcasing the works of Vermeer, Rembdrandt and Andy Warhol.
Robert Heaney
Panoramic view of Amsterdam's canal houses
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Amsterdam in June

A trip to Amsterdam in June offers a unique combination of a bustling city atmosphere and nightlife scene with the last remnants of a quieter period for the city. With the weather on an upward trend, the Dutch capital truly begins to come into its own throughout this period, making it an ideal time to see the city at its best. What’s more, June serves as the opening act to Amsterdam’s summertime festival season, giving you plenty of options for making your visit a truly exciting one. Visiting Amsterdam in June Average Temperature: 50 - 64°F • Average Rainfall: 9 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 7 hours/day With spring now in the past, Amsterdam prepares for its busiest period of the year. June marks the last days of the tourism shoulder season, meaning you can still benefit somewhat from the shorter queues and occasional lower accommodation rates, but the city will be quickly filling up as the month moves along. This increase in traffic feeds into Amsterdam’s famously bustling nightlife scene, giving the city a real buzz throughout this period. Likewise, the weather in Amsterdam also begins to gear up for summer during this period. Throughout June, you can expect mild to warm days, often complemented by relatively clear conditions – perfect for exploring the city’s iconic streets and squares. It’s still advisable to pack an umbrella and some waterproof layers, but if you’re lucky, you might not have to whip them out during your stay. Things to Do in June One of the best things to do in Amsterdam year-round is to explore its world-renowned cultural hubs. The Rijksmuseum proudly towers over the Museumplein, housing within its Gothic-Renaissance exterior the country’s largest collection of artworks and historical artifacts. Most notable among the museum’s art pieces are a number of celebrated works by Rembrandt and Vermeer. Serving to chronicle the Dutch capital’s diverse history, the Amsterdam Museum documents the city’s growth from as far back as the middle ages to the modern day. Most popular, however, is the Anne Frank House, originally the home where the famous wartime diarist evaded German capture and now a monument to both her life and the lives of many others like her during the Second World War. Known as a city rich with art and culture, Amsterdam is also replete with a vast selection of major art galleries. The Van Gogh Museum, for example, stands as one of the largest collections of the renowned Post-Impressionist painter’s works, while the MOCO Museum next door celebrates all manner of modern art, from Damien Hirst to Banksy. To make the most of the milder weather in June, there are few better ways to explore the city than on your own two wheels. With more bicycles than people, Amsterdam is a city literally built for cycling, complete with over 470 miles of cycle lanes throughout. You’ll find a variety of bike rental stores dotted throughout the city where you can typically grab your own bike for around €10/day. Another unique way to see the Dutch capital from a new angle is by cruising along its characteristic waterways. There are multiple agencies and organizations operating a variety of boating tours and excursions on the canals, offering a different way to get around while also providing engaging insights into the cultural and historical significance of many of Amsterdam’s key points of interest. If you find yourself looking to spend a pleasant day in the great outdoors, head over to Amsterdam’s Vondelpark where you’ll find a theater stage set up shop for the summer. Between June and September, the Vondelpark Open Air Theater offers a vast program of live performances, ranging from kids’ shows to classical music concerts to appearances from some of the latest Dutch and international pop artists. Events in June Holland Festival Running throughout June, Holland Festival is the Netherlands’ largest performing arts festival. This theatrical festival takes place across several venues throughout Amsterdam and offers a wealth of performances from multiple mediums. Acts are held to the highest artistic standards, making for an incredibly talent-rich program across the board. As a leading international theatre festival, you can expect performances in theatre alongside music, opera, film and visual arts, many of which are offered in a variety of languages. Disciplinary crossovers are highly encouraged among acts, often bringing together otherwise isolated art forms into something new and modern. Taste of Amsterdam Over four days in June each year, Amstelpark is taken over by a hearty festival of food, drink and live entertainment. The Taste of Amsterdam food festival is a paradise for foodies, bringing together top Amsterdam chefs to serve their specialty dishes across multiple categories of cuisine. This open-air feast is accompanied by an impressive program of live events, including music performances, wine tasting workshops, cooking demonstrations and, most anticipated of all, a live cook-off between the guest chefs. Amsterdam Open Air Amsterdam Open Air takes place over two days in June and serves as a combined music, arts and culinary festival. Setting up shop in Gaasperpark, the event brings together some of the city’s hottest promoters for a weekend of good food, great tunes and stunning visual aesthetics. Gaasperpark’s vast open spaces offer fantastic greenery within which to relax beside scenic rivers and among hundreds of old trees. The open-air festival makes good use of the park’s space, providing a camping area for visitors who choose to stay on site for the duration of the event. Amsterdam Roots Festival One of the biggest events focused primarily on non-western music, the Amsterdam Roots Festival brings together around 25,000 visitors each year to revel in some of the world’s best musical performances. The festival combines multiple languages and musical genres, bringing to the spotlight some of our planet’s more overlooked musical gems. Taking place across multiple different stages and areas, the event also brings in elements of circus performance, with musical performances accompanied by the talented acts of international entertainers and dancers. Visitors can also attend a wide selection of workshops, activities and presentations on a variety of themes and from a vast range of disciplines. Open Garden Days On the third weekend of June, Amsterdam’s Museum Van Loon opens up a part of Amsterdam which is otherwise invisible to tourists throughout the rest of the year. During this weekend, more than 25 of Amsterdam’s canal house gardens are opened to the public, giving tourists and locals alike the chance to freely roam some of the city’s most beautiful green spaces and floral displays.
Robert Heaney
amsterdam alone
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Things to do Alone in Amsterdam

They say that 1 is the loneliest number. But what do they know? Sometimes, having the freedom to do and see whatever you want whenever you want is just what you need. So, if you're visiting Amsterdam alone, or you have a day to yourself, what are the best things to do? Well, we're going to tell you. Right now. So sit back, scroll down, and retain all this sweet information, because these are our picks for the best things to do alone in Amsterdam! Including: Museums Boat tours Bike rental Stadium tours Brewery visits   Image courtesy of Gerard Arrey/Shutterstock Artifact watching Why not go check out a museum while you're on your lonesome? You get to stay as long as you want, and no one need drag you around any museum that doesn't interest you! The Moco Museum is for the modern art enjoyer, with an unofficial 'residency' courtesy of street art legend Banksy. Inside, you'll find works from many artists besides the elusive stenciler, each with their own views on modern life, governance, and greed. Truly some eye-opening works lie within, and plenty of photo ops, should you dare ruin the moment with your need for social media attention. Or, on the more classic side of art is the Rijksmuseum. Featuring works from luminaries of the Dutch Golden Age of painting, discover well-known pieces from Rembrandt, Vermeer, and many more. The museum houses over 8,000 works of art, so good luck seeing them all in one day! Or, if science is more your jam, big and little kids will love the NEMO Science Museum. With hundreds of interactive exhibits across multiple floors, exploring everything from electricity to chemical reactions, there's something for everyone inside. Then, when you're done, head to the roof for more exhibits embedded in a luscious garden.   Bayside High Or, leave your seasick friends and family at home and go explore Amsterdam on the open ocean. Well, not the ocean per se, but certainly on the city's many canals and rivers! If you want to see Amsterdam's highlights all rolled into one waterborne trip, then why not hop on a boat tour of the city? There are multiple stops along the way, giving you the opportunity to stretch your legs, explore, and snap some sweet pics. You'll head past the Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark, Centraal Station, and the Anne Frank House. Or, if you want to see what else the country has to offer, and take a roundtrip tour of The Hague, Rotterdam, and Delft! You'll tour Rotterdam's illustrious harbor by boat, see the historic Delft town center, and then onto The Hague, the governing center of the whole country. Just make sure you set aside a day for this one, because you'll be exploring for hours on end!   Two wheels, one rider Another fantastic way to explore Amsterdam on your own is by bike. It's no secret that Amsterdam is the most cycle-friendly city on Earth, so why not rent one for yourself and see what all the fuss is about? There's pretty much no place you can't go on a bike; even many of the country's freeways have cycle lanes! It's the easiest way to make your way through Amsterdam's many winding, cobbled streets as you explore the city from top to bottom. Then, swap urban for flora at one of Amsterdam's brilliant parks, which are all cycle-friendly too! A fair warning: the cyclists that call Amsterdam's lanes home take no prisoners. If you're a bit rusty, or are getting used to the hired bike's gears, do yourself a favor and go practice in a park. There's no room for slowpokes in the fast lane, baby, and you're likely to be stared at or tutted if you fumble your way on the lanes.   Image courtesy of Vladimir Zhoga/Shutterstock Stepover into history For the soccer fans out there, you might not wish to drag your partner out to a stadium tour. Not everyone digs the beautiful game, and there probably aren't many things more boring than a non-fan to walk around a stadium staring that silverware that means nothing to them. So, leave your soccer-hating partner in the dirt, and do yourself a favor. Go take a tour of the Johan Cruijff Stadium, home of European juggernauts Ajax. Comfortably the Netherlands' best team for decades, this 75-minute tour will take you around the team's facilities, including the changing room, down the tunnel, and even pitchside. Then, explore the extensive trophy cabinet, with many domestic and European trophies won by soccer legends like Johan Cruijff, the stadium's namesake. Simply the best, and one of the most perfect things to do alone in Amsterdam if you're the only soccer fan!   Go grab a beer Of course, one of life's many pleasures is sitting out in the sun, sipping a beer, and letting the warm calmness wash over you. Just us? Surely not. Thankfully, if that sounds like paradise to you, Amsterdam's got some treats you shouldn't miss. For craft beer connoisseurs, hop on a free ferry from Centraal Station over to Amsterdam Noord. There, a short walk from the harbor, you'll find the Oedipus Taproom, a delightful brewery cum bar, with plenty of outside seating, friendly staff, and a comprehensive number of different beers on tap. You can even order a burger from the resident eatery 'The Beef Chief'. Don't worry; they do veggie and vegan burgers too, if murder isn't your acquired taste. And, as the staff and patrons are both incredibly welcoming, with conversations struck up left, right, and center, it's one of the best things to do alone in Amsterdam! Or, if you want a more touristy experience, why not take a tour of the Netherlands' favorite amber export, Heineken? At the Heineken Experience, you'll tour the very first Heineken brewery, which opened nearly 200 years ago. You'll learn about the brand's heritage, how it's brewed, and what innovations they're planning to bring to the beer game. And don't worry, when all is said and done, you'll get a chance to try a couple of glasses yourself, on the house. And those were our picks for the best things to do alone in Amsterdam!
Dom Bewley

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