Parks & Gardens Page 2
Greater Amsterdam's parks offer a calming retreat from the city bustle, and often a perfect picnic spot, some space to run and offerig endless hours of people-watching. Realistically, you're not going to see them all in one park so use this humble guide of Amsterdam's best parks to find one or more that suits your idea of fun in the fresh air.
Especially in sunny or warm weather, these green spaces turn into outdoor living and dining rooms for us locals and visitors alike, while performers, musicians and kids add to the enjoyment value. And even in cooler temperatures, a stroll through any of Amsterdam's parks is sure to refresh our heads as well as those of the weariest of travelers.
On the official list there are about 30 parks in Amsterdam, ranging from Wertheimpark which covers one hectare, to the fabulous Vondelpark which covers 48 hectares. In the number of parks makes Amsterdam a peaceful oasis even on a busiest day - except for Queensday, of course.
Amsterdamse Bos
This woodland park is the largest recreational area in Amsterdam. Lying about 4 meters below sea level and laid out in 1930s in a project to reduce unemployment. Today, the marshy areas around Nieuwe Meer are nature reserves. 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, there are also temporary exhibitions. The Amsterdamse Bos is a home to about 150 variants of foreign and native trees and colorful collection of birds. Entertainment includes shallow swimming pools, a pancake house, a goat farm. If you want to hire a canoe or pedal boat, heat for the large lake called Grote Vijver.
The park is near to Amstelveenseweg.
Sarphatipark
Located in the heart of the peaceful district de Pijp, the park is naturally surrounded by variety of cafes and snack bars what makes them an ideal place after jogging refreshment. The park has been recently renovated and is a popular meeting place, not only for dog-walkers.
The park is near to Ceintuurbaan.
Beatrixpark
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. A group of 1100 persons united in a society of the park’s friends, protects the Beatrixpark against neglect and bureaucratic lack of common sense. The society constantly observes changes in the park, keeping it in a nice, friendly shape. The park is near to Diepenbrockstraat.
Frankendael
During the early 18th century, many wealthy Amsterdammers used to build country retreats to spend their summer vacation on reclaimed land called Watergraafsmeer, south of Plantage Middelaan. Frankendael with its ornamented facade is the last of them that survived. The rare park is open to public and covers 7 hectares. One part of the park is a botanical garden that boasts some 500 varieties of wild plants and trees, of which some rarely can be seen elsewhere.
The park is near to Middenweg.
Beaches in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has four beaches which provide joy to both residents and tourists. The beaches are great for lounging, enjoying the sunshine and culinary delights. Nemo Beach (Oosterdok 2), Citybeach "Het stenen hoofd" (Silodam), Blijburg and another beach in Amsterdam Noord, Amsterdam Noord Beach welcome you on a sunny day.
Green & Beautiful Places
The city is one of the greenest in Europe, featuring 28 parks that provide different facilities for children, refreshment during summer time and sport activities. And the authorities keep reinforcing this profile, with funds being constantly destined to the expansion and renovation of parks and gardens.
Amsterdamse Bos - The BIG Park
Amsterdam Forest, because this is the name in English of the big park just outside Amsterdam, is a marvelous place where you may relax walking, taking a bicycle ride, having a picnic, rowing a canoe or in winter when it snows, skiing down the gentile slopes.
Amsterdamse Bos is a large park – it is comparable in its size to Bois de Boulogne in Paris, the difference being that it is totally artificially created, on unused turf lands and wetlands just out of the city. As some of the trees have grown for seventy years, Amsterdamse Bos is today a real forest, and because it has been planned and arranged, it has many facilities created for sports and leisure. It has among others, several large water areas – a long artificial rowing lake, several other lakes, a number of swimming pools, some of them small - ideal for children and multiple sports facilities. The big attraction is De Heuvel (The Hill) - an artificial mountain with one slope free for all kinds of winter sports.
History
Amsterdamse Bos has been designed under the influence of the English landscape park – seemingly free, giving its visitors an open view of the landscape with a wide perspective. It is located south-west of Amsterdam, between Amsterdam and Amstelveen, on the especially created polder 13 feet (4 meters) below the sea level. The first part of the park was opened in 1937, the initial plan was completed in 1964. The park has been constantly improved throughout the years.
Visiting the park
You may enter the park from several places, but when you go through the main entry, you will see two big bunker like constructions on both sides of the road. Do not get scared – the right one is a nice, big café with a huge terrace, great to sit in the summer. The left building is a visitors centre, with a reception and a souvenirs shop and a small permanent exhibit about the park history (in Dutch, free entry; open everyday 12 a.m. – 5 p.m.).
You will have a big choice of activities, but in Amsterdamse Bos which is a combination of the wild natural area (a new part called Schinkelbos), traditional park and many permanent sports facilities, this choice is wider than in any other park.
Walking and running
You may walk in the Bos as in any other park, also on grass, except for the bushes areas. For the joggers the park has a special trim route with the 14 simple sports facilities as fences, horizontal bars, rings, balance beams for different exercises.
Picnic grounds
Amsterdamse Bos is a perfect picnic area. While an open fire is forbidden, a barbecue grill is allowed, provided it is placed on the stand higher that 50cm and not in the direct contact with the area of trees or bushes (at least 5 meters distance). You may not enter the park lanes with your car, but in exceptional situations (like having a lot of picnic equipment to transport for a big party), you may ask for a special permission at the visitors centre. Without this permit, you should stay on one of the main roads leading through the park (free parking on many locations).
Camping
While it is forbidden to camp in the forest, located at the Bosrandweg Camping Amsterdam is open the whole year. It has also some bungalows for rent. (telephone: 020 641 68 68; it also has good sanitary facilities, a shop, a restaurant and a café).
Biking There is a bicycle rental, just after you have crossed the tram rails at the main entry to the Bos, in the small white kiosk on your right. It is open only in summer. Many small roads in the Bos have a hard surface – they are perfect for biking. You my also train your mountain bike skills on small terrain paths.
Horse riding
Two riding schools (Dutch: Manege) are located in the park, on both ends of Nieuw Kalfjeslaan: Manege Nieuw Amsterdam (telephone: 020 643 24 68; website: www.nieuwamsterdam.nl) and De Amsterdamse Manege (telephone: 020 643 13 42; website: www.amsterdamse-manege.com). At both stables, you may hire a horse for a pleasure riding in the park, under the condition that you are a good rider.
Watersports
You may spend a great day rowing along the canals amid the forests, or on an open space on one of the lakes. To rent a canoe or a pedal boat you should go to the Grote Vijver lake.(Open April 1 – October 1, all days of the week, from 10.30 a.m. until 7.30 p.m. telephone:020 645 78 31; website: www.kanoverhuur-adam.nl). Please note that painted in different colors poles at the water, indicate your way through the canals in the Bos.
Open Air Theater
In summer of 1985, a group of actors and theater makers created an open-air theater in Amsterdamse Bos. The shows are held mainly in the summer, and they are very popular. There is nothing better for a theater lover than to see Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a theater in the middle of the forest, with hundreds of other spectators. We advise to take with you a blanket, a bottle of wine and a bite of food – Shakespeare’s play may be long especially when the full text is staged, while it might be cold at night. 1700 seats, tickets € 5,- on Tuesday and Wednesday; € 10,- on other days; more information from 6 p.m. on the day of the show - telephone:020 643 32 86; for the show titles, dates and the location - check their website: www.bostheater.nl
Naturists Area
There is a special area in Amsterdamse Bos set apart for the sunbathing without any clothes on. It has been located on the covered by tree grass land called Zonneweide located not far from De Amstelveense Poel lake.
Cheese farms
There are two farms in the park: Boerderij Meerzicht is today more a popular pancake restaurant serving also soup and sandwiches, but it keeps some animals for the fun of children visitors. Drive along the rowing lake Bosbaan and park your car behind it. Walk through the park following the signs. (open March - October; 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. each day except Monday; in winter open only during the weekend; play ground for children, telephone:020 679 27 44; website: www.boerderijmeerzicht.nl).
Geitenboerderij "De Ridammerhoeve" is an authentic cheese farm. It is located in the middle of the Bos. You may visit it, drink milk, eat a sandwich.(telephone: 020 645 50 34; free entry, closed on Tuesdays and in winter on Mondays; website: www.geitenboerderij.nl).
Historical tram
De Electrische Museumtramlijn – the old electric tram line between Harlemmermeestation in Amsterdam and Amstelveen/Bovenkerk is serviced by the historical trams. Great atmosphere, good attraction for children. The tram has several stops – one is at the main entry to the Bos. (from the Ist Eastern Day until the end of October, only on Sundays, telephone:0900 423 11 00; website: www.museumtram.nl)
Low flying planes
If you like to observe low flying jumbo jets, take a walk from the visitors centre along the wide alley into the park. Each minute you will see low flying huge planes from the nearby Amsterdam Schiphol airport, one of the biggest in Europe. They do not make much noise as they have to fly very slowly and the view is great.
Dachaumonument
It is typical of the Dutch, that even in the moments of leisure they tend not to forget about those who had suffered. If you go along the left bank of the rowing lake (Bosbaan) or drive you car up to the first small car park also on the same side, you will be able to see there a small but impressive Dachaumonument – the Monument of the Dachau Concentration Camp memorizing victims of the German death camps during the World War II. The monument lists names of the places where millions of people were deported by the Nazis and murdered.
Special events
Each year a number of special events is organized in the Bos. For more information, please inquire at the Visitors Center – Bezoekerscentrum “De Mol” telephone:020 545 61 00, at the main entry left building, Bosbaanweg 5, Amstelveen; open everyday 12 a.m. – 5 p.m.).
Do not cross fences around the Schinkelbos. Scottish Highlander cows, which are fed there, are not aggressive, but respect their peace.
How to get there:
Bicycle: De Amsterdamse Bos is less than 4km from Amsterdam. There are convenient bicycle lanes created on both sides of the road. You should go there via Amstelveenseweg, in the southwest of the city and on the first big crossing in Amstelveen turn right to the park.
Bus: from the Central Station lines 170 and 172, from the RAI station – lines 66 and 199.
Car: Driving from Amsterdam take southwest to the Amstelveenseweg. Drive away from the city. From the ring exit the ring A10 at S103 and turn left into the Amstelveenseweg. After about 2 miles, Amstelveenseweg enters the municipality of Amstelveen – then turn right to the park (third crossing from the ring A10). There will be a small blue sign marking the turn. You may park your car on one of the 30 car parks. Parking in the Bos is free.
Website: www.amsterdamsebos.nl
Sarphatipark - Best Park near a Market
- Location: De Pijp (The Pipe) neighborhood.
- Tram line: 3
- Features:
- Dog-free grassy area separated by water from a virtual doggie playground; basketball courts; table-tennis facilities; enclosed playground for children; beautiful monument (pictured above).
- Dozens of restaurants and cafés nearby.
- Attracts visitors and locals, including students and young professionals that have migrated to the up-and-coming Pijp area.
- Ideal for a quick stroll or for picnicking with your goodies from the nearby Albert Cuyp Market This park's smaller size makes playing soccer or throwing frisbee a challange.
Named after the Jewish doctor and philanthropist Samuel Sarphati (1813-1866) whose marvelous 19th century monument dominates the park. Samuel Sarphati (1813-1866) was a Sephardi Jew, a gifted and socially active doctor who contributed greatly to the general improvement of the city of Amsterdam.
He initiated various projects of a very different nature including the collection of garbage (stage one in municipal sanitation) and setting up modern bread factories. He was also behind large-scale urban construction projects such as building the People’s Industrial Palace on today’s Frederiksplein (built of glass, it burned down in 1929).
Sarphati envisaged a magnificent improvement for this neighbourhood, including building the Amstel Hotel, as well as housing for the middle- and working-class, and laying out the Sarphati Park. His plans were only partly implemented. Sarphati dreamed of an Amstel Hotel (designed by Cornelis Outshoorn, like the People’s Industrial Palace) twice the size of what it eventually became. The Sarphati Park wasn’t completed until 1885. One year later, the monument to Sarphati was unveiled.
This small park stretches for only two blocks and is a rectangle of green in the middle of trendy De Pijp area, is one of the nicest escape spots in Amsterdam.
History of Sarphatipark
In the 60's of the 19th century, Amsterdam chief architect J.G. van Niftrik had ambitious plans for the city development. He subsequently believed, that city centre will move the South West, and that Central Station (at that time not yet constructed) had to be placed just where the Sarphatipark is located today. The whole area around has not been yet urbanized, it was a rather damp space full of windmills and small country estates. When these grand plans failed, the same architect drafted first plans for the future park, in a free English landscape park style. Its name was to be Prins Hendrikpark. In 1870, because of the signature collection among the inhabitants of Amsterdam, the park was named the late Dr. Sarphati.
As the houses were built around the park, so grew the opposition against it. Much lower than the rest of the neighborhood, the park has been accused of destroying a flow of ground waters in the area by pumping the water to its lake, and subsequently causing construction faults of the houses around, and even worse - to be a source of malaria. However, the park survived, a special pump system to regulate the level of the ground waters was built, parts of the park were raised higher (in 1908), and since then, the Sarphatipark has served the neighborhood very well.
During the World II, the bust of S.Sarphati was removed from the monument, because of the doctor’s non-Aryan origins, and the park has been renamed after the Dutch philosopher Gerardus Bolland (1854-1922), who suitably was under the influence of the German philosopher Hegel, and seemed to the Nazis racially more appropriate. Only 12 days Amsterdam has been liberated, on May 18, 1945, these changes were overturned.
In 1972, some restorations and renovations were done to the park, and in 2004, during a major renovation, the park was rearranged, its lake got a new water suplier, two of its three small bridges were remade, and modern gym and playground created.
Sarphatipark today
While it may feel empty in some of its parts, because of the loss of big trees through the severe winters and diseases, it is still one of nicest parks in town. Many people come here with their dogs, but the public is friendly, atmosphere relaxed and the park very clean. The monument of Dr. Sarphati erected in1886, and designed by J.R.Kruyff, is an attraction on its own – it symbolizes the 19th century in the Netherlands. If you are in the area - do visit.
Address: Sarphatipark; 1073 CZ Amsterdam
How to get there:
Walking 20 minutes walk from the Rijksmuseum.
Tram: 3, 25; exit on a stop Tweede van der Helstraat.
Beatrixpark - Amsterdam's Cleanest Park
- Location: Zuider Amstel neighborhood (south of Museum Quarter/Oud Zuid).
- Tram line: 5
- Features:
- Spacious, grassy field; shaded paths; blooming gardens surrounding a water-lilied pond with fountain; manicured hedge garden; wading pool for children; canals clean enough that children (and dogs) swim in them.
- Significantly less populated, cleaner and quieter than more centrally located parks.
- Attracts almost exclusively locals -- families, children, responsible dog owners and anyone seeking real peace and quiet.
- Ideal for picnicking, walking, throwing frisbee, playing soccer, sunbathing and generally lounging in a calm atmosphere.
- Named for (current) Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
One of the nicest parks in Amsterdam, Beatrixpark was created in the years 1936-1938 following the design by Jakoba (Ko) Mulder, a leading Dutch landscape architect, who was also involved in the Amsterdamse Bos project. Originally a romantic park, after the WWII Beatrixpark has been redesigned into the more modern, style of functionalism. During the German occupation, the park has been called Diepenbrockpark, after the composer Alphons Diepenbrock, who was under the influence of the music of Richard Wagner and who in his compositions used often German romantic poetry. The street along the park remained named after the composer – Diepenbrockstraat.
As after the war, the style of the park changed and so changed its name. Today, the Beatrixpark is a green space behind the RAI congress centre, which took a large chunk of the land away from the park for the construction of one of it biggest exhibition halls, called later Parkhal. Another piece of land, directly at the freeway has been added at that time (1993), to compensate the loss.
Beatrixpark is a local park - nice, clean and quiet. Small pavilions standing in the park are leftovers from the Floriade exhibition in 1972. The oldest part of the park is the nicest, as it kept its original romantic character influenced by English parks - with a small lake and open landscape. Just this part of the Beatrixpark, has received the status of the city monument in 2005.
How to get there: walking - from the RAI congress centre, facing the main entry to the right and turn left direction the Amstelhal of the RAI. Pass in front of this building and behind the canal you will see the park - it is located at the rear all exhibit halls.
Tram: line 5, exit on the Beethovenstraat - stop Stadionweg; walk left along Stadionweg, turn right into the Diepenbrockstraat. Cross the bridge. There will be two small passages into the park on your right – they are located at the number 15 and the number 9 of the street. It is about 5 minutes walking from the tram stop.
Car: exit the A10 ring on the RAI exit. Drive into the city in front of the RAI congress centre, turn left direction the Diepenbrockstraat; continue for 200m.; will you see the park on your left. Metered parking in the street.
Friends of the Beatrixpark - Website (in Dutch): www.vriendenbeatrixpark.nl
Frankendael Park
As Amsterdam rapidly grew in the sixteen and the beginning of eighteen century, the real estate in the city became so expensive, that rich people who wanted to enjoy a bigger property had to move further from the capital. The Park Frankendael (7 acres) in East Amsterdam, was originally one of these wealthy estates. The entrance to the park with an old ornamented gate is at the Middenweg, less than one mile (1300m) from the Tropenmuseum, driving out of the city. The beautiful old land house Frankendael (built in 1659) is visible from the street – it is one of the few of these estates remaining in Amsterdam Landscape gardens
Frankendael Park contains two historical gardens, both carefully restored at the expense of the municipality and opened in summer of 2004 for the public – the Style and the Landscape gardens.
The Style Garden located directly behind the land house, has been created in the Regency style around 1730. It has been carefully restored following old prints and more recent drawings made in 1942 for his book about the Amsterdam gardens, by the landscape architect J.T.P. Bijhouwer.
The Landscape Garden adjoining to the estate presents diverse Dutch landscapes, from different provinces, recreated here with a great care.
The rest op the park also differs in its character. There is a part in an English free style, with a small ruin on the island, and there is a newly created part, more spacious and empty.
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Huize Frankendael – the landhouse Frankendael
Still under intensive renovation and scheduled to open in August of 2008, the historical Huize Frankendael has been rebuilt into the cultural and business complex. It will include a restaurant, an exhibition rooms and a music space. Behind the house, the terrace opening to the Style Garden will be created. The Huize Frankendael will host art shows, seminars, small theater shows as well as workshops for kids.
The land house itself is worthy a visit to the Frankendael Park. Although modernized inside, from the outside it retained its historical character. Two sculptures dating from 1714 representing Roman gods - Bacchus (symbolizing autumn) en Ceres (symbolizing summer) by a sculptor Ignatius van Logteren stand in front of the house, another smaller sculpture stands in the garden. |
Address: Middenweg 72; 1097 BS Amsterdam (Oost/Watergraafsmeer quarter)
Telephone: +31 20 423 39 30
How to get there:
Tram: - 9; by bus - line 41, exit on a stop Hogeweg.
Car: Drive away from the city along the Middenweg from the Tropenmuseum. The Frankendael Park will be on your left (metered parking). Driving from the ring, take an exit S113 and drive direction the city centre. The first green space at the Middenweg is a cemetery; the estate and the park will visible a moment later on your left hand side.
Website: www.park-frankendael.nl
Natura Artis Magistra - yes it's a Park too
Natura Artis Magistra (Latin for "Nature is the teacher of art"), commonly known simply as Artis, is a zoo in the centre of Amsterdam. It is the oldest zoo of the Netherlands, founded in 1838 by G.F. Westerman, J.W.H. Werlemann and J.J. Wijsmuller.
In addition to the zoo artis has a planetarium, a geological museum and a zoological museum. It is commonly referred to as just Artis, because the zoo has three gates with Artis Natura Magistra written above them (as shown on the picture).
Usually only the first gate was open, so people who walked through that gate, looked what was written above it and saw 'Artis', thinking that the zoo was just called Artis. Soon few still knew it as Artis Natura Magistra and so it became known as Artis.
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City Beaches
Blijburg aan Zee ..."the only true beach in Amsterdam."
This is the only true beach in Amsterdam. The beach is 250 meters long and 40 meters wide and is a popular sandy beach, with a palatable bohemian vibe. People actually swim off the sandy oasis, as it sits in the deep water (cleaner than the canals) known as the IJsselmeer east of the city. There's always something going on, from DJs and live bands to Sunday brunch and kids' events, so check the program on the website. The food gets a thumbs-up for vegetarian and organic fare. You'll surely feel transported to another place on a visit to Blijburg!
Location: Bert Haanstrakade 2004 (Strandpaviljoen on IJburg) Situated on the eastern side of the modern IJburg island complex.
Summer hours until September; Wednesday - Saturday from 12 noon, Sunday from 10 a.m. Closing times vary
How to Get There: Tram 26 from Centraal Station to the end point, IJburg, then walk toward the water (look for the flags)
Website: http://www.blijburg.nl/
"Strand West" 
Amsterdam’s latest city beach is Strand West on the left side of Cetral Station is a wide sandy area with a panoramic view of the River IJ. Here you can laze in a hammock, beach blanket or even a beanbag, ...sip cool cocktails, snack on some tapas or play beach volleyball.
Children can play on the giant slide or enjoy the view from the mini big wheel. There's a bustling beach cafe with a bar and DJs playing nightly sets, and you can even dance by a roaring campfire.
Excerpts from http://www.dailymail.co.uk
"Beach South"
In an unlikely locale behind a convention center hides a hot spot for summer lounging in Amsterdam. Strand Zuid ("Beach South") could be called the South Beach of this city, and not just because of the similar name. Beautiful people are common here; this is the Old South neighborhood, widely considered Amsterdam's most affluent. Part restaurant and part sandy strip on a canal (no swimming), you'll see sun-worshippers sipping cocktails in bathing suits and after-work locals eating lunch in business suits.
Location: Europaplein 22
Open in 2009: Summer hours until September; Sunday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. Friday & Saturday until 12 midnight
How to Get There: Tram 4 to Europaplein (located on the water behind the RAI convention center)
Green & Beautiful Places (summery / addendum) |
Play - Relax - Enjoy... ~ |
Spending an afternoon outdoors enjoying nature is also an option that any tourist visiting Amsterdam should take into consideration. The city is one of the greenest in Europe, featuring 28 parks that provide different facilities for children, refreshment during summer time and sport activities. And the authorities keep reinforcing this profile, with funds being constantly destined to the expansion and renovation of parks and gardens. Pools, sandpits, playgrounds and open-air theatres are only some of the attractions besides the grass and proliferation of trees.
Vondelpark can be the ideal place to rest after a visit to the Museum Quarter: at a walking distance from the Van Gogh and the Stedelijk Museums, it is the largest green area in the city. This ample park with a playground and bar offers a summer programme that is pretty famous among children in Amsterdam: free entertainment is provided during the afternoon, with activities going from theatre plays and concerts to performances by mime artists and acrobats.
At Amstelpark, located in Buitenveldert`s suburbs, children can play minigolf, ride ponies or enjoy the playground; in summer, a miniature train becomes part of the offer too. If you are looking for solitude and wilderness, check out Flevopark, ideal for picnics or walking around: this place also comes in handy on summer days, because at the adjacent Flevoparkbad there are two outdoor swimming pools, complimented by a toddlers' paddling pool.
However, most of Amsterdam's better parks are a bit farther from the city, nearly at the edge of it. The Amsterdamse Bos is a woodland park with ample playgrounds and the Bosbaan, a lake for boating and rowing competitions. The site also features the Bosmuseum (where tourists can get maps of the park with detailed walking routes), and Bio Dyn Geitenkaasboerderij, a goat farm with more than one hundred milk goats. Last but not least, Gaasperplas Park provides the best facilities for sports practise and the entertainment of children: therefore, the minor tourists can enjoy the playground while parents exercise, and during summer all members of the family can go for a dive, either at the paddling pool or the lake.
The Jordaan
Amsterdam has a whole neighbourhood dedicated to flowers and plants: the Jordaan district was named after the French word for garden, "jardin". In order to honour this curious origin, the quarter`s streets also received the name of wilderness leading actors, such as Rozengracht (Rose), Goudbloemstraat (Marigold) and Tuinstraat (Garden). Around these paths, different scenarios respond to the general atmosphere: ample gardens, like the ones at Willet-Holthuysen and Van Loon museums, compliment smaller front ones with lovely pots of flowers adding their colours and enchanting parfum to the district.
Museum Willet-Holthuysen
In 1895, Willet-Holthuysen's widow decided to donate her spectacular canal house to Amsterdam, providing it was turned into a museum. The building, from the 17th century, is surrounded by a canal garden that was set a hundred years later in French baroque style and is one of the ample gardens in the city. A visit to the Museum Willet-Holthuysen, which now belongs to Amsterdam`s Historic Museum, enables visitors to know a real canal house as well as the lifestyle of a wealthy family: kept in its original style, the mansion boasts magnificent rooms in the ground floor, among which you should not miss the ballroom, garden room and hall.
Museum van Loon
Another baroque garden set in the Jordaan district is the one located at Van Loon Museum. The house features a garden room where the best views are guaranteed, and a garden house with a prolific decoration of pillars, sculptures and tympanums on the façade. Acquired by the Van Loon family in 1884, the building dates as far back as the 1672, though it received some luxurious ornaments in the 18th century: mirrors, panels and plasterwork were the only additions to the original structure set on the Keizersgracht.
Hortus Botanicus
Plantage Middenlaan 2a
The Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam is one of the oldest in the world, with thousands of plants as well as closed spaces that share their charm with the overwhelming nature. Founded originally as a medicinal herb in 1638, it features three buildings that are worth visiting, once you have admired the greenery and foliage. An orangery from the 19th century works nowadays as the museum café, after years of housing citrus trees; at the ample Palm house you will find an amazing collection of cycads palm; and the climate glasshouse, a recent creation from 1993, will surely surprise you with its different sections dedicated to subtropical, tropical and desert habitats, each of these with its particular assortment of plants and flowers.
The Rijksmuseum Garden
The best concealed secret at the most famous museum in Amsterdam is its beautiful garden, that not many tourists know of. The Rijksmuseum Garden guarantees a pleasing walk under the sunshine after the tour along its halls and corridors: a variety of flowers, sculptures, water fountains and summerhouses decorate the garden, which was designed by the same architect that constructed the museum, P. Cuypers. The main attraction at the Rijksmuseum Garden goes, however, way beyond the surrounding greenery. Ruins from all over Holland, dating from different eras in history, were put together in a special part of the garden, in a fascinating "summary" that shows details from the local culture and the evolution of architecture along five centuries. This original setting was incorporated to the Rijksmuseum in the 19th century, with fragments of gothic style and town gates, just to name a few items.
Vondelpark
The largest park in Amsterdam and the favourite among its inhabitants is Vondelpark, located near the Leidseplein and the Museum quarter. This relevant place in Holland's capital was planned by the architect L.D. Zocher, and by 1865 it had opened its doors for the people to enjoy the ponds and stroll around the 8 original hectares of land. A committee was formed in 1864 with the prospect of creating a public park and the design was established by Zocher and his son, who chose the English style. Vistas and pathways were some of the elements incorporated to create an illusion of a natural landscape, which at first received the name of Nieuwe Park. It was not until 1867 that the word Vondelpark was used, due to a statue of the Dutch poet Joost van den Vondel placed in the garden. Nowadays, a varied range of activities from walking to skating can be practised at this spot in Amsterdam, way apart form the bustle of the city centre.
Sarphatipark
If you are looking for a place to relax below the shadows of trees, away from traffic and busy downtown in Amsterdam, plan a day at Sarphatipark, a small green area located in Oud Zuid. Designed in English landscape style, the beauty of the grounds is complimented by that of the grand houses surrounding the park. The Sarphatipark owes its name to its creator, doctor Samuel Sarphati, who noticed that the centre of Amsterdam was getting far too crowded and small for the increasing population the second half of the 19th century was experiencing: one of the main problems of this growth was the scarce accommodation for workers. Therefore, he began to build a suburb to attract these people, and made big spaces the landmark of the new area, including a park in the middle of the houses. Sarphati`s work was continued by the city engineer Van Niftrik, who followed the principles of English landscape style.
Frankendael
Many of the parks anyone can enjoy today in Amsterdam used to be the backyards of grand houses and summer retreats of the wealthy: the Frankendael park is no exception. Created in the 18th century besides the homonymous house, it has its main entrance at Middenweg 172. There is a botanical garden with dozens of wild plants and trees, as well as a natural garden, where many rare species can be found as you stroll along narrow paths hidden in the shrubbery. Once you have visited these attractions, don't miss the secret garden. As regards the house, it was founded by Nicolaas van Liebergen in 1660 and a complete renovation took place in 1733, ordered by the new owner, Izaak Balde Van Frankendael, who gave the property its actual name and also expanded the garden.
Amsterdam Canals
The beauty of Amsterdam's many waterways doesn't always relate to the pleasing "mini cruises" on local boats: the canal gardens have a charm of their own, as they usually present a quietness never to be found at the city centre. They are mainly located around the Keizersgracht and the Herengracht and their layout is pretty varied. Among the gardens you can find, be sure to check the floating gardens on the houseboats` roofs, where these two attractions of waterways are guaranteed (sailing and relaxing on the grass at the same time). Meanwhile, behind the amazing canal houses there is always a marvellous garden to discover.
Restaurant Gardens
Once you have toured along the canals, visited the gardens and enjoyed the luxury of canal houses, delicious meals of even a soft drink are available at the restaurants and bars overlooking the water. Placed mainly in the Reguliersdwarsstraat and the Herengracht, the experience can be pretty unique, for example at the former coach house that serves dinner right beside the canal. If you are planning your stay for summer season and don't want to miss this lifetime outing, book in advance for they are really popular.
Amsterdamse Bos
Placed within the municipalities of Amsterdam, Amstelveen and Aalsmeer, the Amsterdamse Bos (which stands for "Amsterdam Wood") is an ideal destiny to spend a whole day surrounded by nature. Rabbits, squirrels, frogs and woodpeckers are just some of the species you will find enjoying the variety of exotic plants, as well as small lakes and the rowing-coarse Bosbaan. For tea time, Meerzicht, a pancake restaurant, is the right choice, which you will find by the end of the Bosbaan. And when the sun sets, at the Bosmuseum there are permanent exhibitions showing the process of planting and maintenance of the wood.
Hofjes 
If there is a classic in Amsterdam, it is without any doubt the "Hofjes", these inner courtyards in beautiful little houses that used to be occupied by women who were Dutch reformed, either belonging to the Mennonite, Lutheran or Catholic churches. The "Hofjes" were quite typical in the 14th and 15th centuries, and 47 of them still remain to this day, guaranteeing a travel back in time for any visitor. The wealthy, often childless inhabitants were mainly the ones who chose this construction style, which was also know as "guesthouse" or "widow's house".
Begijnhof
Spui / Begijnensloot
The Begijnhof was the first inner court to be founded during the Middle Ages: therefore it was entirely surrounded by canals, and its street level is one metre below the rest of the old downtown. Originally it was created as a sort of convent and traditional town houses were built around it. Among these, you should not miss the "Houten Huys", one of the two wooden houses that are still preserved from the 15th century. Beautiful and inviting even in Winter.
Raepenhofje
Palmgracht 28-38
The Raepenhofje is one of the "hofjes" in Amsterdam, where Protestant ladies used to live. Nowadays it accommodates young people, but it also attracts tourists: this gatehouse features a charming commemorative stone with the building's date, 1648, when Pieter Adriaensz constructed it.
Looyershofje
Nieuwe Looyersstraat 20-40
Another "hofje" that went from accommodating single old women to students in the 21st century is Looyershofje, founded in 1828/29 by Lady Anna Maria Elisabeth Elias.
Nieuwe Suykerhofje
Prinsengracht 385-393
On the Prinsengracht you will find another "hofje", in this case built in 1755 by Gerrit ten Sanden and his wife. Though at first it accommodated young people, it was closed for a complete renovation.
Van Brants-Rushofje
Nieuwe Keizersgracht 28-44
One of the strictest "hofjes" in Amsterdam was the Vab Brants-Rushofje, founded by Christoffel Brants on 20 May 1732. It only allowed the accommodation of "needy poor women, older than 50 years and of Lutheran conviction", as it used to announce publicly. Built by the architect Daniël Marot, it also features some decorative attractions, such as a façade in Louis XIV style and Christoffel Brants' coat of arms. Nowadays, this "hofje" has been turned into modernized cottages where nurses live.
