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Vondelpark - Amsterdam's best public park
Vondelpark is the green heart of Amsterdam, a large public park that is very popular with both locals and visitors, especially in the summer - attracting over 10 million visitors per annum. It's a great place for relaxing and chilling out, walking, cycling, roller blading, playing sport, having a picnic or just people watching. |
The park was opened in 1865 and is named after Dutch poet and author Joost van den Vondel (1587 - 1679) - you will see a large statue of Vondel in the eastern part of the park. The park is 47 hectares (116 acres) including 8 hectares of lakes and ponds. The main outer loop of the park is 3.3km long - quite convenient for those wanting to jog 10km or 3 laps.
Things To Do / See in Vondelpark
Filmmuseum - Cinematography museum and cinema containing the country's largest film library. Set in the pavillion building dating from 1878 the Filmmuseum will be moving to new premises on the Ij river in 2011.
Cafes - There are 4 large cafes with outside terraces in Vondelpark. The hip Cafe Vertigo at the Filmmuseum. Cafe 't Blauwe Theehuis (Blue Tea House) on the eastern side. Cafe Het Groot Melkhuis (Large Milk House) in the central park area which is good for kids and serves pancakes, "poffertjes" and chips etc. Cafe De Vondeltuin at the western entrance where it is also possible to rent inline skates.
There is a large children's paddling pool garden (waterspeeltuin) in the centre of the park. There are 5 children's playgrounds including at the Vondeltuin and Groot Melkhuis cafes.
There are a number of artwork sculptures, 18 specially noted "monumental" trees and a large rose garden in the park. There is a tennis club on the northern side.
Muziekkoepel - Bandstand built in 1878 where music performances are also held in the summer.
Openluchttheater - This is a large open air theatre which holds regular concerts and performances (free) during the weekends of the summer months.
At the western entrance there is a Hostelling International "Stay Okay" youth hostel. Note, camping is not permitted in the park.
The main entry to Vondelpark is from either Stadhouderskade (near Leidseplein) and van Baerlestraat (near Museumplein) on the eastern side. The other access points come from various side roads connected to Overtoom to the north, Amstelveenseweg in the west, and van Eeghenstraat in the south. The park is free and open all year round.
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