Experience green Amsterdam
There are over thirty parks in Amsterdam, ranging from Wertheimpark which covers one hectare, to the fabulous Vondelpark which covers 48 hectares and attracts some nine million people every year. The city also accommodates a broad selection of gardens with lush plantings, green lawns and beautiful flowerbeds. In these parks and gardens you will experience Amsterdam as a peaceful oasis even on a busy day.
The Die Port van Cleve Parks Top 5
Of the numerous parks and gardens you can visit during your stay in Amsterdam, we have a selected a top 5:
The largest city park in Amsterdam, and the most famous park in the Netherlands. Vondelpark welcomes about 9 million visitors every year, and is a very popular destination for locals for jogging, dog-walking, or just for the view. Free concerts are given at the open-air theatre, situated along a large pond or in the summer at the park's bandstand. The Vondelpark is often packed with visitors relaxing, roller-skating or listening to music.
The Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is one of the oldest botanic gardens in the world. Today, there are more than 4,000 plant species growing in the garden and greenhouses. The Hortus is located in the Plantage district on the edge of the hectic center of Amsterdam. Behind the 300-year-old gates, however, the bustle of the city seems to disappear.
www.hortus-botanicus.nl
Located in Amsterdam West, the Westerpark is a wonderful place to walk, skate or to sit back, relax and watch people. The park has been recently renewed, and is part of the Culture Park Westergasfabriek.
The Westergasfabriek provides space for creative and cultural businesses. The industrial monuments and the surrounding park form a multifunctional space and a modern city park of international standing. There are trees, meadows and streams, dozens of offices, spaces for large and small events, bars, restaurants, a cinema, a theatre and much more.
www.westerpark.nl
www.westergasfabriek.nl
The Amsterdamse Bos spans almost 1000 hectars (about 2 by 5 kilometers). It is owned by the city of Amsterdam and situated within the local authorities of Amsterdam, Amstelveen and Aalsmeer. Yearly 5,5 million visitors, mostly from Amsterdamand surrounding areas visit the forest.
It is still the very same city woodland the designers of the original Boschplan had in mind in the 1920s. Under the motto 'Five years work for a thousand men', planting of the woods of the Amsterdamse Bos began in 1934, a task which provided work for 20.000 unemployed people during the years of crisis. The last tree of this forestation project wasn't planted until 1967. With its 137 km of footpaths, 51 km of cycle paths and 50 bridges, the Bos is one of the largest city parks of Europe. It contains 150 indigenous species of trees and over 200 species of birds.
A stretch of water called the Bosbaan flows through the park, and is the venue for rowing competitions in the season. At the west end of water is the Bosmuseum which exhibits on natural and social history of the park and also hosts temporary exhibitions. Other recreational possibilities include shallow swimming pools, a pancake house, a goat farm.
www.amsterdamsebos.amsterdam.nl
The Beatrixpark is one of the oldest modern city parks of Amsterdam. A small, pleasant and quiet park named after the Dutch Queen is one of the cleanest in Amsterdam. It is located behind the RAI congress centre in the South Amsterdam. The park has approximately 1450 trees, next to indigenous and very rare exotic species. There is also a toddler pool in the park for the little ones.
Walking and biking routes
The VVV tourist offices sell cycling guides and maps of Amsterdam and its surroundings, which will take you past Amsterdams popular parks and city sights. Or you can determine and print out your own bike and/or walking route via www.routecraft.com or www.routeyou.com.
