Amsterdam: parks and gardens

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Rijksmuseum and I Amsterdam sign from Museumplein

Amsterdam might be most famous for its canals, but it also has some very attractive parks, gardens and other open spaces.

Museumplein

At the head of Museumplein lies the Rijksmusuem and the iconic I Amsterdam sign which everyone wants to be photographed with – except us,  we didn’t bother waiting! Down the side are Amsterdam’s other top art museums (Van Gogh Museum and Stedlijk Musuem) with the Concertgebouw at the far end of its grassy expanse.

Concertgebouw
On Museumplein with Val and Kenn

When we visited, there was also an exhibition of model canal houses. One of the examples below is the KLM building, significant because that airline gives out small blue and white china houses filled with Dutch gin to its business class passengers. As John often uses KLM to fly to China we have an excellent collection at home. The other example is Coster Diamonds, the only model where the real building can be seen behind it (on the right).

Canal House Parade
Canal House Parade

Vondelpark

Vondelpark is very close to Museumplein, and is a great place to relax by its ponds, have a meal on a pretty terrace, or admire this proud Mama Duck and her brood of eight.

Hortus Botanicus

The Botanical Garden dates from 1638 and is the only space in this post that you have to pay to get into (9.50 Euros). NB, the flamingos are not in the garden but on the nearby Artisplein.

Begijnhof

Begijnhof

Begijnhof is  an enclosed 14th century courtyard of tiny houses and gardens. It was originally home to the Beguines, a Roman Catholic order of unmarried or widowed women who lived a religious vows without taking monastic vows. The last one died in 1971.

Westerpark

Westerpark is slightly out of the centre so might be more popular with locals than tourists. We enjoyed a wander round – it has some quirky sculptures.

This is the second of four thematic posts about Amsterdam – see also Canals, Decorative Buildings and Museums.

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71 Comments »

  1. Pingback: Amsterdam: museums – The Glasgow Gallivanter
  4. Pingback: Amsterdam: decorative buildings – The Glasgow Gallivanter

  12. China gin houses! Wow, business class is even fancier than I was imagining! I don’t think I’m ever going to move beyond the last row of economy, right by the toilets, which is always where I seem to get stuck. Looks like a fun exhibition though!

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  14. I am guilty of thinking only of canals when I think of Amsterdam. Thanks for showing how much else the city has to offer its visitors! And what does that sign in the first photo say? I couldn’t quite tell.

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  15. Such a shame KLM don’t give out small blue and white china houses filled with diamonds!!
    Love the Hortus Botanicus. I have never really considered Amsterdam as a place to visit for green spaces, but then I have only ever been there in autumn. You should link your thematic posts to Cathy’s site, she would love them!

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  16. Like Karen, I was really taken with the model houses. I didn’t know about KLM’s practice of giving away porcelain houses filled with gin. Obviously I don’t fly 1st class 😉 I’m curious though – is each house that KLM uses the same, or is there a random variety?

    I haven’t been to Amsterdam since I was a teenager and even then it was only for a few hours. That’s the problem with travelling with a parent. SHE didn’t want to visit Amsterdam 😕 I keep telling myself that I need to correct that omission one day.

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  17. Perfect timing as we are in Amsterdam right now for the next ten days and always enjoy parks and green spaces. Especially with the current heat wave….. We have visited Vondelpark already, and have as well on other trips to Amsterdam, but thanks for reminding us of others and of the large park right next to the Rijksmuseum which is near to where we are staying. Lovely photos and post.

    Peta

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  22. Hi Anabel,
    So something I’ve never told you or anyone is that I absolutely love models of homes, or really miniatures of any kind. Wonderful, Anabel – with or without Dutch gin.

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  23. Pingback: Amsterdam: the canals – The Glasgow Gallivanter

  24. Hi Anabel – it looks wonderful … Mama duck is so pretty … while the flamangoes – always flamingo colour wise. I’d love to see all those museums and the parks … the Botanical one looks to be amazing … but a lovely collection for us to be aware of, should we (I) visit … thank you – cheers Hilary

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  27. That is an absolutely stunning opening photo! Did John take that?
    I have just had another good friend return from Amsterdam, so hearing her story and reading yours, has definitely given me the urge to visit there. I look forward to your posts on its buildings and museums.
    BTW – I adore those blue and white china houses filled with Dutch gin! I don’t own any myself, but I have deeply coveted the ones owned by friends!

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  28. Amsterdam is such a beautiful and clean city. I love all these pictures including the momma duck and her brood. The gardens are lovely and that place for women..actually, when times were tough it must have been a great refuge for women when they had no ability to support themselves.

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  30. Ah, memories of Amsterdam. When my wife Sandy and me were there in 2016, we wandered through Begijnhof. A piano recital was scheduled for a couple of days later in the chapel there. We heard music coming from the chapel, went in and took a seat. A pianist was playing very beautiful music. Half and hour later, when she was done, she looked up and was very surprised that anybody was there listening to her. She explained that she had been absorbed in the music, hadn’t been aware of anybody else in the room, and was practicing for her upcoming recital.

    You never know when you’ll come upon beautiful things or events.

    Neil S.

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  32. Lovely post Anabel. You’re bringing Amsterdam back up my list of places to re-visit. Love the sculptures in Waterpark — especially the empty crinoline.

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