Vondelpark Amsterdam’s City Park

The Vondelpark is Amsterdam’s main city park. With 47 hectares, it’s the biggest public urban park in Amsterdam. The park is open all year round and no matter what the weather is like, it is a wonderful park to walk, jog, cycle or play in. But of course it is best in summer when the sun is out. Besides all the lingering and activities you can do in the park, you can also have something to drink or have a bite in one of the four restaurants/cafes in the Vondelpark.

A short history of the Vondelpark

The Vondelpark was designed by garden architect L.D. Zocher. The first part of Amsterdam’s main city park was opened on 15 June 1865 and now is a national heritage monument. The beautiful park is designed as an English landscape park and was originally called the “Nieuwe Park”. After the statue of the poet Joost van de Vondel was placed, people started calling it the “Vondelpark”, which became the official name of the park in 1880. The main entrance of the Vondelpark is at the city side, on the Stadhouderskade, but the park has many more entrances on all sides.

Popular city park

This mid 19th century city park is a wonderful park to enjoy the sun in. There are many different areas with different views, which, funnily enough, attracts (completely) different types of people. But even when the sun is not out, it can be very busy in the park. I love to walk and cycle in the park, all year round. It is a great place for people watching. Just sit on the grass and watch the people pass by when they walk hand in hand, jog, cycle or skate by themselves or in a group, walk their dog or make music. The park has four restaurants/cafes with large terraces, a few children’s playgrounds, an open air theatre (The Vondelpark Openluchttheater) and a rose garden.

The Friday Night Skate tours depart every Friday night at 20.30 from the Vondelpark next to “the round bench” close to Vondelpark 3. It’s a skate tour through Amsterdam of about 20 Km. Anyone can join in, free of charge. Participation is allowed under the condition that you are a skilled skater who is able to brake well.

Have a drink or a bite on one of the four terraces in the Vondelpark

As said, the Vondelpark has four cafes/restaurants where you can have a coffee, have something to eat or drink something stronger: Het Blauwe Theehuis (NL), Vondelpark 3, Groot Melkhuis (NL) and the Vondeltuin (menu in EN). All four of them have large terraces.

The distinctive white and blue building of Het Blauwe Theehuis, is located in the middle of the park in a somewhat secluded area. Making it a perfect place to have a coffee, lunch or drinks, while sitting in the sun on the terrace on the ground or first floor. Vondelpark 3 is located more to the main entrance in a monumental building. It has a large terrace facing south and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Groot Melkhuis is ideal and therefore very popular with families with kids. Next to the large terrace is a children’s playground, making it an ideal place to have a coffee, while watching your kids play. The Vondeltuin on the south side of the park also has a nice terrace. They serve lunch, dinner and drinks.

Vondelpark Open Air Theatre

The Vondelpark Openluchttheater (NL), close to Het Blauwe Theehuis, is the podium for free performances of classical music, pop music, world music, dance, musical theatre, and cabaret in June, July and August. Other months of the year it is the domain of skaters, bikers and other youngsters, letting out their energy.

Vondelpark Amsterdam’s City Park

Address: Vondelpark, 1071 AA Amsterdam, Nederland
Website: Vondelpark Amsterdam’s City Park (NL)