Vondelpark Amsterdam: the city's big park, what to see and do

Updated on October 1, 2026

Opened in 1865 and a national monument since 1996, the Vondelpark stretches over 47 hectares, about 2 km long, between Leidseplein and the Amsterdam-Zuid district, a stone's throw from Museumplein. Laid out in the English landscape style, with ponds, lawns and tall trees, it is named after the poet Joost van den Vondel. Entry is free and open day and night. Walkers, joggers and cyclists share it all year round; in summer the lawns fill with picnickers and the Openluchttheater puts on free shows.

Highlights

The ponds and lawns

The ponds, lined with willows and wide lawns, form the heart of the park. In fine weather, locals settle here to picnic or read. Barbecues have been banned throughout the park since 2017.

The Openluchttheater

This open-air theatre stages free shows from May to September, mostly at weekends: dance on Friday evenings, children's theatre on Saturday afternoons, comedy on Saturday evenings, classical music on Sunday mornings and pop on Sunday afternoons. Entry is free; a voluntary contribution is requested to fund the programme.

The Blauwe Theehuis

This round modernist pavilion was built in 1937 by the Baanders brothers, after the previous tea house burned down in 1936. Today it houses a bar of the Amsterdam brewery Brouwerij 't IJ, with a large terrace under the trees.

The pavilion and cafés

The Vondelpark Paviljoen, a 19th-century pavilion that long housed the Filmmuseum (now the EYE Filmmuseum, on the IJ), is home to the Vondelpark3 restaurant. Other cafés dot the park, including the Groot Melkhuis, and the park also has a rose garden.

Infos pratiques

Tips

The main paths are shared with many cyclists: keep to the edges and look before crossing. Barbecues are banned; take your rubbish with you. The Openluchttheater programme is published on its official website; shows are free, and the voluntary contribution helps the theatre keep them that way. A walk here combines easily with the museums on nearby Museumplein.

How to get there

Vondelpark, 1071 AA Amsterdam; main entrance on Stadhouderskade, near Leidseplein. Trams 1, 2, 5, 7, 19 and 24: Leidseplein stop, about 5 minutes on foot from the main entrance. Trams 2 and 12: Van Baerlestraat stop, near the bridge that crosses the park, with entrances on both sides. By bike, cycle paths run right through the park.