Westerpark Vs Vondel Park Comparison

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

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Cyclists taking a break on the grass in Amsterdam's Vondelpark

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
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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Best Day Trips From Amsterdam

Greed. Gordon Gecko said it was good. We'd argue he was right, but not for the same reasons. See, sometimes it's good to be greedy for more. But not money. No, we're talking about the greed and need for experiences. Prepare for the segue, because we're talking about journeying outside of Amsterdam and discovering the wonders that lie beyond. Did that make sense? Not really. Will our guide to the best day trips from Amsterdam open your mind and blow your socks off? Quite possibly. Read on, and discover the hidden - and not so hidden - gems that lie a short trip from Amsterdam's shores! Including: Zaanse Shans Edam Keukenhof Gardens Brussels Rotterdam and more! Windmills, glorious windmills Let's kick things off with a blast from the past. Zaanse Shans is a village stuck in time, transporting visitors back to the pre-industrial days. Simpler times, for sure, but certainly more arduous. While it may appear that Zaanse Shans is a giant, open-air museum, it is, in fact, a community. So don't go prodding any life-like statues; those are people. Just a fifteen-minute train from Centraal Station, this charming village is full of explorable windmills, museums, and shops where you can pick up authentic cheeses, grains, and condiments milled on-site. On top of that, Zaanse Shans is simply a beautiful travel destination brimming with photo opportunities. Do yourself a favor and pick up a Zaanse Schans Card, which gives you access to all the good stuff for one low price. Plus, you can see everything in about half a day, giving you more time to make the most of your Amsterdam vacation! Alternatively, take a bus tour of Zaanse Schans and the surrounding towns to sate your rustic fix in a single day! So, if you're looking to take your foot of the gas and relax, it's one of the best day trips from Amsterdam! A bit cheesy Next on our tour of fun beyond Amsterdam's walls is a town famous for its biggest export - Edam. Yes, Edam isn't just a cheese; it's a cheese named after the town that birthed it! Just a 30-minute drive, or a 40-minute train trip north of the city, you'll find this delightfully rustic town, cloaked in medieval brick and mortar. You'll only need a short stay to see everything, as it isn't exactly a tourist hotspot. However, the cobbled streets, centuries-old bridges, and aforementioned medieval decor do make it a breath of fresh air after staying in the Netherlands' biggest city. On every Wednesday over the summer, Edam holds a cheese market that attracts connoisseurs from far and wide, so plan your trip appropriately and go sample the town's crumbly delights! If you want a more curated experience, why not take a bus tour from the city that will let you hit up all the rustic glory of Amsterdam's satellite towns in a single day? Tulip Town If you want some of the most romantic sights in the country, head to Keukenhof. Famous for its rolling fields of colorful tulips, it welcomes nearly one million people every year. A 30-minute drive, or bus tour from the city, Keukenhof boasts the biggest flower garden on the planet. Comprising over a million bulbs, you'll see all sorts of beautiful flowers alongside tulips, such as hyacinths, daffodils, and other spring flowers. If you take the bus tour, you'll have the chance to explore the fields on foot as you wander along 15km of footpaths. Many gardens make up Keukenhof, with each representing different landscapes across the globe. English, Japanese, and Dutch are just some of the many on display. Keukenhof is well worth a visit if you want to squeeze a bit more beauty out of your vacation! Brussels Now, you may be wondering why Brussels is on this list. Isn't it in Belgium, after all? Well, yes, it is. But the beauty of Amsterdam is that you're a stone's throw from the border! Brussels is a beautiful city, with its mix of medieval and modern, the abundance of cafes, bars, and museums, and plenty of other things to do too. It is a 2-hour train ride from Centraal Station, so you'll want to make the most of it. However, if you want to cram your vacation full of as many sights and sounds as possible, why not make the trip? While English isn't as ubiquitous in Brussels as it is in Amsterdam, you'll still be able to fumble your way through food and drink orders if necessary. Just point at the menu and give a thumbs up. Or don't do that, and maybe learn the basics you need to get about and try your best. It's entirely up to you. As it's a long trip, plan ahead and make sure you know what to do when you get there. The last thing you want is to waste your precious time coming up with an itinerary on the fly! Rotterdam is anywhere? Amsterdam's growing sibling, Rotterdam is well worth a trip if you want to see something new. A mix of old and new like much of the Netherlands, it's a picturesque place with plenty to do and see. Rotterdam is home to the largest harbor in Europe, so why not take a tour by sea and see it from a different perspective? You'll also find a bunch of places to eat, drink, and shop, and a heap of museums if you want to learn more about the city's history. For the architecturally-minded, you'll be fascinated by the Cube Houses (or Kubuswoningen). These lob-sided square houses need to be seen to be believed. And, if you're looking for tasty food in an awe-inspiring setting, head to Market Hall (or Makthal) and pick up something delicious. Hague. No, not William And finally, we end our list of the best day trips from Amsterdam with a journey to the center of the Dutch government. But don't worry, it's not all politics. The Hague has plenty for budding adventurers to explore. Take a 45-minute train from Amsterdam, or hop on a bus to tour the surroundings. See the famous Girl With the Pearl Earring up close at The Mauritshuis, stroll past the Peace Palace - where international law is presided over, and enter the topsy-turvy world of M.C Escher. Oh, and did we also mention there's a beach there? The Hague is also a stunning seaside town, so if the weather's good, go get your tan on! And that wraps up our list of the best day trips from Amsterdam!
Dom Bewley
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Things to do in Amsterdam With Kids

The children are our future; that much is clear. But what about the present? Until our robot overlords inevitably subdue the human race, the little ones might as well have some fun! And, if you're vacationing in Amsterdam, you might be wondering about the things to do with the kids. Well, wonder no more. Read on, and discover our picks for the best things to do in Amsterdam with your kids! Including: 5D Experiences Canal pedaling Chocolate wonderland Interactive science Zoos and more!   5D Fun We know how it is sometimes. You visit a new city in a new country and bring a checklist of all the city's landmarks to see. However, your little one might not be so into that, wanting instead to be dazzled by the sights and sounds on the TV or videogame instead. Thankfully, you can now combine the sightseeing experience with a breakneck, 5D experience at THIS IS HOLLAND! This hour-long thrill ride will have you soaring over iconic sights such as its tulip fields and windmills. You'll feel mist and wind crash against you as you fly through four shows, all based on the country's past, present, and future. Mist and wind will ensure you see and feel the Netherlands like never before. Perfect for kids who spend too much time watching things and not enough time going out and experiencing them!   Ride on water One thing that your little one will likely love in Amsterdam is the abundance of water and boats. You're never more than a few minutes' walk from a canal, bridge crossing, or even the large river that separates the city's 'North' Neighborhood from the rest. But what's better than walking along a canal? Sailing across it! Well, not sailing, but pedaling in a boat. Yes, it's no surprise that the world's most cycle-centric city has a pedal-centric form of sea vessel. The good news is that pedal boats are great for both kids and adults alike, as everyone can feel like they're making the journey happen. It's a more fun and engaging method of sightseeing compared to walking, so it'll keep even the fussiest little ones from growing tired of the constant wandering. And hey, you could even give them the wheel too, if you trust their navigation!   Choco frenzy Most kids love chocolate; there's just no two ways about it. While many of us grow out of the dreaded sweet tooth, for kids, it's the only thing they want on the menu morning, noon, and night. So, why not take them to the Dutch equivalent of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, minus all the troubling treats. At Tony's Chocoloney Superstore, you'll not only learn how they ensure their operation is 100% fairtrade, from field to shop, but you'll also be able to sample many of the famed chocolatier's delicious treats. And hey, you're probably not one to pass up some good moral lessons for your kid, while ensuring their hunger is satisfied in the process!   The White Whale Little people are fascinated by many things. Inquisitive minds are beautiful things but let's be honest, you don't have all the answers. For every other question your child inevitably throws your way about science, life, or any number of subjects, you're likely to draw a blank. Well, draw blanks no more! Head down to NEMO Science Museum and let your little ones get hands-on with some fantastic interactive exhibits. Kids of all ages will find tons of fun here, with plenty of levers, buttons, and other gizmos that let them learn through touch. You can even head to the roof for some delightful gardens, water features, and free exhibits to explore. Delightful, and easily one of the best things to do in Amsterdam with your kids!   Walk with the animals Another curiosity for many children is the animal kingdom. With so many species adorning the land, air, and sea, it's easy for kids to get carried away thinking about them. So, why not let them get up close and personal with some delightfully exotic critters at ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo? Explore the facilities' awe-inspiring aquarium, take them to meet a family of elephants, giraffes, and monkeys, and even learn about the tiny critters they cannot even see without a microscope. Then, when they've seen all the animals they want, there's a fantastic play area on-site that they'll enjoy exploring. You just have to hope you can drag them away when it's time to leave!   Park ya buns Another one of Amsterdam's outstanding features is its green spaces. There is a myriad of large parks dotted about across the city. Each has its own unique activities that are perfect for kids, so let's take a look at our picks. Our first pick is Westerpark, one of the city's largest parks that's a short walk from Central Station. There, you'll find plenty of space to set up a picnic, plenty of restaurants nearby for nibbles or lunches, and even a VR arena at Westerunie, where 6 people can be transported into another world and shoot some zombies! Perfect for bigger little ones who love video games. Alternatively, Amstelpark in South Amsterdam has lots of kid-related activities. You'll find a petting zoo, rides, mini-golf, and even a summer train they can ride around the park's gardens! With a great mix of greenery, activities, and affordability, visiting Amsterdam parks is one of the best things to do with kids.   Pancake plan And finally, let's end our list with some more delicious sweet treats. Pancakes are one of the Netherlands' biggest exports, and surely one that your little one has gobbled up at some point in their life. And, as the saying goes, 'when in Rome, eat pancakes because they're delicious.' Well, it's something along those lines, at least. Take your little ones to Pancakes Amsterdam, where they do things a little differently. While they could just make classic Dutch pancakes the traditional Dutch way, they incorporated pancake styles from all over the world to serve a wide variety of treats. Take them for a free tasting, and let them pick whichever they desire. Then, sit back, and feel smug about how great of a parent you really are. And those are our picks of the best things to do in Amsterdam with kids! Looking for a little alone time with your partner while the babysitter's watching the kids? Check out our guide to Amsterdam's best couples activities!
Dom Bewley
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Top 10 Dutch Food Specialities to Try in Amsterdam

One of the biggest treats of heading abroad is sampling the local cuisine. And Amsterdam is no different. From fried balls to mini waffles, you'll find a wide selection of delicious foods you won't find anywhere else. These are our picks for the top 10 Dutch food specialities to try in Amsterdam! And those are our picks for the top 10 dutch food specialities to try in Amsterdam! And if you want see everything the city has to offer, grab an Amsterdam pass and save while you sightsee!
Dom Bewley

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