The green length of Vondelpark, with its 116 acres of well-kept lawns, ponds, quaint cafes, attractive footbridges, and meandering walkways, is Amsterdam’s favorite playground, drawing over 12 million visitors annually.
1. Vondelpark: The most famous city park in the Netherlands
It is a lush, verdant, egalitarian environment where people from all walks of life congregate, holding a special place in the city’s heart. An outdoor party atmosphere develops on a bright day as tourists, couples, cyclists, inline skaters, parents pushing strollers, kids doing cartwheels, teenagers playing footballs, buddies sharing joints, and picnickers sipping champagne all come out to play.
It is close to the affluent Old South area and is situated southwest of the city center. It offers a variety of activities and events, from open-air theater to cycling.
2. History of the park
The Vondelpark was created by landscape architect Jan David Zocher and debuted in 1865 as a chic recreation area for Amsterdam’s middle class. The park was initially known as “Nieuwe Park,” roughly “New Park,” but it was changed to Vondelpark in 1880 to honor the statue of Joost van den Vondel, a 17th-century Dutch poet, who had been unveiled there 13 years previously.
In order to create the appearance of an idealized natural landscape, Zocher created rolling panoramas of roads, lakes, and woodlands for the Vondelpark in the popular English landscape design.
The bandstand and Pavilion structure was built in the 1870s, and the park kept growing throughout the final decades of the 19th century. In 1953, the park was given to the city of Amsterdam.
3. What activities are available at Vondelpark?
Events and theater
From May to September, the park is home to the spectacular Openluchttheater, an outdoor theater that presents plays, stand-up comedy, and concerts of classical music.
Check out the events in Vondelbunker, a subterranean venue located beneath the 1e Constantjin Huygensstraat bridge, for something a little more unconventional. This 1947-built former fallout shelter became Amsterdam’s first youth center in 1968 and served as a hub for the hippy movement and creativity. For future events, including poetry readings, film nights, and concerts, visit the website.
Outdoor art
The park is filled with artwork totaling 69 sculptures. Picasso gave the enormous abstract piece Figure découpée l’Oiseau (The Bird; 1965), also referred to as The Fish locally, for the park’s centennial.
Flower garden
Take in the magnificent rose garden’s entrancing aroma. Here, there are over 70 different species that were added to the park in 1935. It is in the center of the park, and directions are posted.
Rental bikes
Get on a bike and ride the park’s twisting paths with the locals. MacBike is conveniently located at the park’s main entrance, where you may rent bicycles. They rent out a variety of bikes, including e-bikes and bikes for children. Prices begin at approximately €5 per hour.
Running
In the park, joggers can frequently be seen tearing around while perspiring heavily. The 2-mile-long paved outside walkway is a wonderful path to go (3.2 km).
4. Opening hour at Vondelpark
The entire year, Vondelpark is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The entrance is free.
5. Nearby Attractions to Vondelpark
South-west of Leidseplein and north-west of Museumplein are the park’s two nearest locations. Therefore, there is a lot going on in the park. Near Vondelpark, some of the more well-liked attractions include:
- Rijksmuseum
- Stedelijk Museum
- Van Gogh Museum
- De Hollandsche Manege
