Visit the Delightful City Parks and Open Spaces of Amsterdam

A city’s public parks and green spaces say a lot about the place and the people who live there. The city parks of the Dutch capital are no exception, and are usually conveniently located near many of the central Amsterdam hostels. When travelling on a budget, spending time in one of the public parks is an ideal activity to pass the time on a relaxing day. People watching, beautiful scenery and great atmosphere – this lovely city's parks have it all.

A Few Not-To-Be-Missed Parks

Top of the list of the city's best and most popular parks is Vondelpark. This 120-acre park was designed and built in the 1800s by the famed designer of the world’s largest tulip field, Keukenhof. Today the park is an oasis in the city, away from the tourist path and full of serene paths, feature ponds, fountains, playgrounds and even a rose garden. A very popular Amsterdam hostel is, in fact, located in the middle of the park. On the weekend, and especially during warmer weather, the locals and tourists descend on this lovely open green space for rollerblading, strolling or sunbathing. There are live music concerts and theatre productions held in the park on the weekends too.

A Lively Crowd

Travelling music lovers should head over to Westerpark, located just outside the city centre. The park grounds and buildings used to be an old gas plant, which has now become home to an eclectic array of shops, bars, coffee shops and boutiques. Any local Amsterdam hostel staff will be able to provide advice and directions on how to get to this unique park, which is not only an excellent location for a day of picnicking, walking or sunbathing but is also a popular music venue for some fairly major performers. Lenny Kravitz, Radiohead and Madness have all played at this venue.

A Little Further Afield

For a complete change of scenery (and only a short train ride from any centrally located Amsterdam hostel) the beaches of Zandvoort are the place to go. The famous sand dunes help offer natural protection for the city (which actually lies below sea level) against the elements and natural erosion. Zandvoort is a small village that was mostly destroyed during WWII but has since consistently grown and become a favourite beach holiday destination. Sandy shores, tiki bars, surfers and sunbathers will greet visitors who arrive for a perfect day at the beach. The waters of the North Sea are not the warmest, however, although a brisk swim is possible in the summer months.

This city is a budget-travellers dream, with a huge number of free or inexpensive indoor and outdoor activities to keep you entertained. The city takes great pride and pleasure in their public parks, which is made apparent by their pristine condition and the crowds of visitors that flock to them at every given chance. So if you're looking for a pleasant and free activity whilst here, simply take a walk in a park!

Looking for your dream travelling experience? Jason H. Cunningham works for Hostelling International, a company with more than 4,000 hostels worldwide in fantastic locations. For the best Amsterdam hostel, or anywhere else, join our global community and say hi to the world. From quality, affordable accommodation and backpacker tips, to meaningful volunteer opportunities and enriching our eco footprint, we are the world’s local hostelling hub.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.