Attraction
Rijksmuseum
The national museum of the Netherlands, housed in Pierre Cuypers's 1885 building and home to Rembrandt's Night Watch and Vermeer's Milkmaid.
Vondelpark
Amsterdam's best-known park, 47 hectares of lawns, ponds and paths that opened in 1865 and is named after the poet Joost van den Vondel.
At a glance
- Type
- City park
- Area
- Oud-West, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Good to know
- Free entry
- Open-air theatre in summer
- Playground
- Rose garden
- Cafés
Why we recommend it
Vondelpark is the city's favourite green space, a long, landscaped park of lawns, ponds, winding paths and old trees between the Museum Quarter and Oud-West. It opened in 1865 as the Nieuwe Park, laid out in the English landscape style, and was soon renamed after Joost van den Vondel, the 17th-century playwright and poet whose statue, unveiled in 1867, still stands in the park. Today it covers 47 hectares.
The park works on many levels. Early in the morning it belongs to runners and dog walkers; by lunchtime the lawns fill with office workers and families; and on warm evenings groups of friends settle in for picnics until the light fades. Features worth seeking out include the rose garden, created in 1936, the bandstand of 1873, Picasso's sculpture The Fish, and the Blauwe Theehuis, a round modernist tea house opened in 1937 that serves drinks and snacks on its terraces. The ponds attract herons, and the park is also known for its noisy colony of feral rose-ringed parakeets.
From June to August the open-air theatre stages a programme of music, theatre and dance, and the playgrounds make the park a good break for families with young children. In autumn the trees turn and the paths are quieter, while on All Souls' Day people float candles on small boats on the pond.
Entry is free at any time, and there is no need to plan much: simply walk in from one of the many entrances. The main paths double as busy cycle routes, so keep to the edges when walking, and keep an eye on children near the bike lanes. Bring a blanket and some food from a supermarket or deli on Overtoom or in Oud-Zuid if you want to picnic, and take your rubbish with you. On sunny weekends the lawns near the main entrance are the most crowded; head further south-west for more space.
The main entrance is near Leidseplein, by Stadhouderskade, and the park is a short walk from Museumplein. Trams run along Overtoom on the northern side and through Oud-Zuid to the south. Foodhallen and the shops of Oud-West are a few minutes away, making the park easy to combine with lunch or a museum visit.
Vondelpark FAQs
Is Vondelpark free?
Yes, the park is free to enter.
Are there events in summer?
Yes, the open-air theatre stages performances from June to August.
When did the park open?
In 1865, originally as the Nieuwe Park.
Who is it named after?
Joost van den Vondel, the 17th-century poet and playwright.
How big is it?
About 47 hectares.
Is it good for children?
Yes, there are playgrounds and plenty of space, but watch out for cyclists on the main paths.
Where can you get a drink in the park?
The Blauwe Theehuis, a round tea house from 1937, has terraces in the middle of the park.
What is nearby?
Museumplein, Leidseplein and Foodhallen are all a short walk away.