Vondelpark  

Named after a famous Dutch poet, The Vondelpark is the largest park of the city, close to the Leidseplein and the big museums. The park is by far the most popular with visitors and locals alike, especially during the summer and on sunny winter days. The park extends over several hundred acres with bike paths, walking paths, an open-air concert venue, three large outdoor cafes and the Filmmuseum . A film buff's dream, the NFM is more a theater than a museum: several films from the museum's collection of 30,000 are shown nightly on its three screens.

The park is always filled with skaters, joggers and all sorts of street performers. There is always something to do and see in the Vondelpark: walk, rollerblade, visit the children's park, listen to African drums, classical quartets or jazz singers, or just relax and watch the people.

The park was designed in an English landscape style by the architect L.D. Zocher and his son in 1865. They created a park that gave the 19th century people of Amsterdam the illusion of a perfectly natural landscape. Today both inhabitants of Amsterdam and visitors alike seek rest from the bustle of the city and find a place to get away from it all.

In the summer months, the Vondelpark Open Air Theater stages regular performances. There are several cafes, all with outside terraces. Rollerbladers meet once a week for the Friday Night Skate. Film screenings, pop concerts are also held here. All in all a very pleasant place to spend a lazy summer day.

Recommended hotels in the immediate area:

Amsterdam Marriott Hotel*****   Stadhouderskade 12 (Oud-West)
Prinsen Hotel***   Vondelstraat 36-38 (Oud-West)
Hotel de Filosoof***   Anna van den Vondelstraat 6 (Oud-West)
Hofpark Hotel***   Koninginneweg 34-36 (Oud-Zuid)
Hotel Wilhelmina**   Koninginneweg 167-169 (Oud-Zuid)
Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark (hostel)   Zandpad 5 (Oud-West)

Vondelpark

Eating & drinking in the Vondelpark:

Groot Melkhuis
't Blauwe Thee-
huis
Vertigo
De Vondeltuin

Go! Vondelpark
a concise guide to everything the Vondelpark has to offer. Order now

Royal Riding School
one of the last remaining and most beautiful city riding schools of Europe