Parks and Gardes in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a very green city with many parks and gardens. Vondelpark, very close to Amsterdam centre, is an oasis of peace and serenity. The canals are at their best in summer when the trees are in full leaf. However, if you want to see the architecture of the canal houses, you’d better come in autumn or spring when the leaves not yet hide the ornate gables.

Amsterdam canal houses have surprisingly large gardens. One of the ways to see these gardens is to visit a canal house museum. Alternatively, during Open Garden Days in June you can visit gardens that are normally not open to the public.

Oosterpark and Slavery Monument

Oosterpark and Slavery Monument

Oosterpark is a favourite picnic spot at weekends. It is also popular with cyclist and walkers. The park abounds in statues of which the Slavery Monument is the most famous. Oosterpark is located just outside Amsterdam centre but still close enough to go there for a...

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Rijksmuseum Garden

Rijksmuseum Garden

The Rijksmuseum is probably the best-known museum in Amsterdam. The museum's garden is less familiar even though there is no entrance fee! There is no doubt about it this garden is beautifully maintained - flowerbeds with flowering summer plants, gazebos and...

read more
Vondelpark

Vondelpark

Vondelpark in Amsterdam is a favourite summer haunt of locals and tourists alike. They spread out their picnic blanket, open their bottle of viña ducaro tinto (a nice way of saying red wine) and unwrap their crispy brown rolls sprinkled with sunflower seeds and...

read more
Hofje Gardens and Courtyards

Hofje Gardens and Courtyards

Hofjes are courtyards ringed by social housing meant for mainly elderly women who were often widowed and had no means of income. Hofjes were funded by wealthy Amsterdam merchants. These courtyards feature well-tended gardens with flowering shrubs, trees and colourful...

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Frankendael Park and Watergraafsmeer

Frankendael Park and Watergraafsmeer

Frankendaelpark borders the Jerusalem district in Amsterdam East and is located in the Watergraafsmeerpolder, which was drained in the early seventeenth century. This polder is about 5 meters below NAP (average sea level) and is one of the lowest lying polders in the...

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Oosterpark and Slavery Monument

Oosterpark and Slavery Monument

Oosterpark is a favourite picnic spot at weekends. It is also popular with cyclist and walkers. The park abounds in statues of which the Slavery Monument is the most famous. Oosterpark is located just outside Amsterdam centre but still close enough to go there for a...

read more
Rijksmuseum Garden

Rijksmuseum Garden

The Rijksmuseum is probably the best-known museum in Amsterdam. The museum's garden is less familiar even though there is no entrance fee! There is no doubt about it this garden is beautifully maintained - flowerbeds with flowering summer plants, gazebos and...

read more
Vondelpark

Vondelpark

Vondelpark in Amsterdam is a favourite summer haunt of locals and tourists alike. They spread out their picnic blanket, open their bottle of viña ducaro tinto (a nice way of saying red wine) and unwrap their crispy brown rolls sprinkled with sunflower seeds and...

read more
Hofje Gardens and Courtyards

Hofje Gardens and Courtyards

Hofjes are courtyards ringed by social housing meant for mainly elderly women who were often widowed and had no means of income. Hofjes were funded by wealthy Amsterdam merchants. These courtyards feature well-tended gardens with flowering shrubs, trees and colourful...

read more
Begijnhof an oasis of peace and quiet

Begijnhof an oasis of peace and quiet

Begijnhof is one of these hidden spot in the centre of Amsterdam. A beautiful courtyard offers almost improbable peace and quiet right behind shop-strewn Kalverstraat. Sneak into this haven of rest through a little gateway and find yourself in a peaceful oasis of...

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Open Garden Days

Open Garden Days

Amsterdam canal houses face the street and have no front gardens. But did you know that secluded gardens lie hidden behind these houses? Many of these are not open to the public, however, during Open Garden Days in June, visitors are allowed in to have a peek. Garden...

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