The Vondelpark in Amsterdam is a public urban park located in the Old South. Opened in 1865 as Nieuwe Park, it was renamed Vondelpark to honor the 17th century playwright Joost van den Vondel.
Loved by both locals and visitors to Amsterdam, Vondelpark contains a host of cafes and restaurants, as well as indoor and outdoor activities, making it enjoyable during any time of the year.
For those unfamiliar with the park, choosing what to see and do can be overwhelming, so here’s a comprehensive visitor’s guide to the Vondelpark.
Things to do
Some of the most popular activities and performances in the park are open to the public, are free, or have a nominal fee.
- EYE Vondelpark – The location on the park side of the popular film institute. EYE screens films from the Netherlands and abroad on a daily basis; schedules can be found on their website.
- Vondeltuin : Inclined athletes can rent inline skates and protective gear at Vondeltuin, located on the southernmost terrace of the Vondelpark. After burning a few calories from skating, you can also enjoy a casual meal on the rink.
- Hollandsche Manege : Equine enthusiasts, don’t miss this spin-off from Vienna’s famous Spanish Riding School, where you can catch a glimpse of the horses and their trainers from the cafe upstairs.
- Orgelpark : An old church converted into a venue for jazz and classical music concerts, this unique place should not be missed. Check their website for a concert schedule and ticket information.
- Open Air Theater : Amsterdammers flock for free outdoor theater performances every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the summer.
Where to eat
The Vondelpark has a handful of cafes and terraces, but for a more substantial meal you’ll have to head just outside the park boundaries.
- Blauwe Theehuis – This Vondelpark classic serves moderately priced meals in a monumental ‘teahouse’, but occasionally suffers from its own popularity with too few servers to appease the crowds.
- Hap-Hmm : Traditional Dutch cuisine at its best, Hap Hmm produces no-frills dishes at rock-bottom prices.
- Blauw Amsterdam – Not to be confused with Blauw aan de Wal, Ron Blaauw or any other popular restaurant with ‘Bla (a) uw’ in its title, Blauw Amsterdam is one of the best Indonesian restaurants in town, known for its rijsttafels meals.
- Pasta Tricolore – Located on the elegant PC Hoofdstraat, this Italian espresso bar and trattoria serves decadent sandwiches, antipasti (appetizers), and take-in or take-out.
For children
The Vondelpark is a true children’s paradise, where visitors are rarely far from the nearest sandbox. Here are some special attractions for children in the park:
- Kinderkookkafé – The Kinderkookkafé has become a phenomenon with its simple but unique premise: children hone their skills in the kitchen (under supervision of course!) While parents can kick their heels and relax.
- Klein Melkhuis : Stop for a bite to eat at the Groot Melkhuis Cafe. The café has a fantastic children’s menu, as well as a fabulous playground, the Klein Melkhuis, to entertain your little ones.
