Most travelers to Amsterdam will have heard about Vondelpark, the city’s answer to New York’s Central Park (on a much smaller scale, of course). We’ll revisit the pleasures of Vondelpark in a later post, but for now let’s fast forward to a lesser-known urban green space called Beatrix Park.
Located south of the city and nestled behind the RAI Conference Center, it’s an easy 15-minute ride from the city center along the Amstel River (or even quicker if you head down the center of the map along Ferdinand Bolstraat), Beatrixpark is an absolute gem. It is in direct contrast to the blanket-to-blanket crowd shoehorned into Vondelpark.
At Beatrixpark – named after the Dutch Queen Beatrix - you can park yourself on the grass along the canal, watching boaters on their sloops putter along, or head to the center of the park with more quiet corners, tree-lined trails and open space than you can imagine in this busy city. The park itself has quite a history, starting off in the 1930s and undergoing a brief identity change with the Nazi occupation before resuming its Beatrixness. It really feels like a neighbourhood playground, complete with the coolest swingset you or your kids have ever seen. It even has a group to ensure its heritage and beauty stay intact, the Friends of Beatrixpark: www.vriendenbeatrixpark.nl/html/nieuws/home.html.

Station-Zuid WTC, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Walk/Bike - 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 and you will see the park on your left. Metered parking in the street.
Google map: bit.ly/pmKgVv

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This is the biggest park in the city and has millions of visitors a year. That said, it always seems like a tranquil place to be with many people strolling through the various gardens. A number of people go to Amsterdam, and never get to the Vondelpark ... don't make this mistake!

Try to catch one of the outdoor plays, as they really are a magical experience. The park also houses a fascinating museum, The Filmmuseum which is well worth a visit.

Both the museum and the outdoor plays, have great facilities for children.

www.travelsavvy-amsterdam.com/offbeatsights.html

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Amsterdam is a 24 hour hedonist’s dream. However, tucked away in the south of the city is Vondel Park. This perfect urban paradise is where the average Amsterdamer comes to play and relax. It is so much part of the every day life of the city that many tourists miss out on it. So go – but be very careful of the cyclists on the way, they make London courier bikes look slow in comparison.

South of the city

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Avoid the red lights and smokey atmosphere and go for a leisurely stroll through the Vondelpark. Lovely, relaxing and a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle.

South Amsterdam

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Head down to Vondel Park, a beautiful place to relax where you can watch the wild green parrots flying.

www.amsterdam.info/parks/vondelpark/

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If the rough sides of Amsterdam are wearing you down, why not visit Vondelpark. Vondelpark is a public park within walking distance of the coffee shops and bars of the red-light district and will give you a chance to clear your mind and find a bit of tranquility before diving back into the hurly-burly that Amsterdam has on offer.

It's location is south of Leidseplein, near to the Rijksmuseum. In June, July and August there are free concerts and open-air theatre performances and on Wednesday afternoons in summer there are free children's performances.

www.amsterdam.info/parks/vondelpark/

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Huge park in the city centre (five minutes walk from Leidseplein). Lovely for walking/lazing/picnicking on warm spring/summer days. Bring your own food/drink or stop in one of the bars for snacks etc.

Amsterdam city centre

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Sarphati Park is in de Pijp, a part of Amsterdam happily neglected by tourists. The park is small but joyous and you can enjoy the environs with a stroopwafel, which you can purchase at the Albert Cuyp Markt. There’s plenty of snazzy bars and shops in which you can flaunt the splendid wares acquired at the market. Watch out for the bears though.

South of the Heineken brewery - turn left or right along the Ferdinand Bolstraat

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Amsterdam is made for bikes, it’s not only flat, but bikers have absolute right of way on the roads and bike paths. Cycle through the Vondel Park and check out the cafes, which often have live music. Bike City offers classic Dutch bikes for around €8.50 a day.

www.bikecity.nl

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Artis is Amsterdam's zoo. I'm not a big fan of zoos but if you're going to have one in a city you could do worse than this. It's amazing in spring - the breeding programme is phenomenal and there are loads of young animals. In general the animals seem happy and well cared for, and the architecture - both the modern buildings and what they have done with the 19th-century buildings - is pretty impressive. A good place to while away a few hours.

Plantage Kerklaan 38-40; tram 6, 9, 14; www.artis.nl/international/index.html

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