Colorful flowers, grass, ponds, fountains, parks – you can’t miss the fresh and green surroundings when exploring the stunning city of Amsterdam. When the sun is shining, many of the green parks attract locals, tourists, couples, friends and families. The city has around 30 parks and those are bases for all kinds of activities and attractions: food & music festivals, BBQs, art, picnics and whatever you decide to do there yourself. I visited a few of the parks myself and here are some of my experiences!

1. Vondelpark

Vondelpark is probably the most popular park in Amsterdam and known all around the Netherlands. I really like how pretty the park is, and its central location. Throughout the summer the park is filled with people, music and art. When you cycle through you will notice that the park has a lot of green areas, ponds, cafes, restaurants and creative sculptures – lot of things to see and experience!

What I found really interesting was that Vondelpark has open-air theatre every weekend during the summer, where it is possible to enjoy free concerts. I was there on a sunny Sunday afternoon and they had live Dutch music on stage, surrounded by a bunch of little stalls selling refreshments and snacks.

Vondelpark is definitely big enough for everyone to find something to do!

2. Rembrandtpark

Rembrandtpark, named by the famous painter in the Netherlands, is a calm green oasis in the Old-West of Amsterdam.

Even though this park is just around the corner from Vondelpark, it is noticeably way less hectic. Rembrandtpark is the first park I visited in Amsterdam and I immediately liked the easygoing atmosphere. It was filled with people getting together with their BBQ and picnic blankets, people carrying their own chairs to the park to read a book in, people walking dogs or just laying in the grass tanning.

It is a perfect place for a chilled afternoon on a sunny day.

3. Amsterdamse Bos

This park actually translates to Amsterdam Forest. When you cycle through it, it actually seems like a small national park. The sandy and quiet forest routes surrounded by leafy trees creates a nice contrast to the hectic city life in Amsterdam.

I did a little tour around the forest (there are so many routes you can take!), discovering cool spots and activities there: a cool piece of grass maze, possibility to kayak on the small rivers of the forest, zip-lines, stand-up paddling a goat farm, rowing and plenty of swimming possibilities!

You can experience some culture in the park too! When I was visiting the forest-theatre had a play for kids but throughout the summer they have a lot of well-known concerts there and the venue couldn’t be better.

If you want to be a bit closer to nature, this is 100% the right place to visit.

4. Westerpark

From Teleport, Westerpark is not only a gateway to the center of Amsterdam. It is also a great place to spend an afternoon! A great tanning spot that I found when cycling through the park was this big grass area by a long narrow pond – people barbequing, listening to music and just enjoying the sunny day in Westerpark.

There are also interesting art pieces in Westerpark, like for example a headless woman floating on a little pond in the middle of the park – definitely not something you find in every place.

Westergasfabriek (that was added later to the park to remodel it) gives an urban and cultural touch to the park, and also hosts events.  You can also enjoy a drink in the Troost Brewery or eat a seafood lunch in Mossel & Gin.

5. Amstelpark

This park is one of the rare places in Amsterdam – no bicycles allowed! When you enter the park, you are obligated to leave your bike outside. The atmosphere in Amstelpark feels calm and relaxed when you take all the bicycles out of the picture.

Amstelpark is also a great venue for festivals. I visited the food truck festival TREK, which was amazing (especially because you didn’t have to be aware of bicycles) and it was a great fit for the parks atmosphere. They had tasty street food from all over the world, music, a fantastic view, and lots of people to enjoy it!

What makes Amstelpark even more special is that you can see kangaroos there!

All of the parks were really nice places for tanning and picnics, but still all of them had something unique – animals, kayaking, concerts, calm atmosphere and urban elements. Another good reason to visit a park in Amsterdam is that there is never a cost to enjoy the fresh surroundings!

With this map you can navigate your way to the green gems in the city!

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When the sun is shining it is really popular among the Dutch to pick up their cycle and go to the parks or go to have a drink on Amsterdam’s many terraces; rooftop, canal, waterside, historical or just a terrace by a restaurant who put some chairs outside for the summer. So when traveling to Amsterdam, between all the activities and attractions, to get a little extra piece of the lifestyle in the city, you definitely need to stop by a terrace – that’s what I did!

1.Pllek – an amazing place to end a tour around the Noord

This popular restaurant really ticks off quite a few boxes on my list of what makes a good place to spend a sunny summer day: spacious (seats by the beach, terrace, two floors inside!), great service (the waiter recommended me a beer and I must say it actually might be my favorite beer of all time now) and views (what could be better than having a drink by the water and watching the sunset).  There are tons of things I could tell about this place but last but definitely not least the overall atmosphere was extraordinary; groups having drinks, couples eating dinner and also people alone just enjoying the day.

Address: Tt. Neveritaweg 59

Opening times: Sun – Thu; 9.30am – 01am, Fri – Sat; 9.30am – 3am

Busiest times: 7pm – 9.30pm

2. Hannekes Boom – just around the corner from central station

Like Pllek, Hannekes Boom also has a pretty nice view over the water. You can arrive easily from central station by bike or walking or alternatively with your boat! When arriving to the place, it felt kind of a brief getaway from the packed streets of Amsterdam. Instead of the rushing people, you would be spotting the slowly passing boats. Even though there wasn’t any place to sit at the tables when I was there, you could just find your seat by the water and enjoy the view while having a taste of beer for example from the local brewery Brouwerij ‘t IJ.

Address: Dijksgeracht 4

Opening times: Mon – Thu; 10am – 01am, Fri – Sun; 10am – 3am

Busiest times: 5pm – 9pm

3. Café Zurich – exploring the West

By cycling only 13 minutes from Teleport, you’ll find Café Zurich! The terrace looks really inviting from outside –  like a secret garden in the middle of Mercatoplein. While the terrace isn’t the biggest on this list, it didn’t seem as busy as some of the other bars in centrum. The stylish and fresh decoration of the place gives a cozy touch to it and at the same time the atmosphere is less touristic than some other places. Either having lunch, dinner, a draft beer or a gin tonic, you will definitely get enough sunshine here!

Address: Mercatoplein 2b

Opening times: Mon – Thu; 9am – 01am, Fri – Sun; 9am – 3am

Busiest times: 6pm – 8pm

4. Haven van Texel – canal view with the taste of an island

I was walking in the city and came across this spot. What could be better than having a drink or lunch and enjoying the Amsterdam’s architecture and the canals? The view is stunning from this place and even better, they offer a taste of beers from the island Texel, which is located 100km to the north from Amsterdam. Various of these beers from Texel have actually won national prizes! Overall Haven van Texel is a pleasant and convenient place to stop by between all the hectic sightseeing in Amsterdam.

Address: Sint Olofssteeg 11

Opening times: Mon – Thu; 4pm – 00, Fri – Sun; 2pm – 01pm

Busiest times: 7pm – 9pm

5. Schreierstoren – “From here women waved goodbye for the husbands who went overseas”

A friend of mine recommended this hidden gem in the heart of Amsterdam. It can’t be found on the most popular “best terraces in Amsterdam” – lists, what makes it interesting place to visit. Schreierstoren has a significant role in Amsterdam’s history – it is one of the oldest buildings in Amsterdam and was once part of a medieval wall around Amsterdam. You can certainly feel the medieval atmosphere throughout the premises and you can have a beer at the same spot where the women waved to their husbands when they were going to the war.

Address: Prins Hendrikkade

Opening times: Mon-Thu; 10am – 01am, Fri-Sun; 10am – 03am

Busiest times: 6pm – 9pm

So where are they located?

To make your life a little easier I made a small map for you of Amsterdam with the terraces of this article. Just look up the number of your favorite terrace and you know how to get there!

So in conclusion Amsterdam has something to offer for everyone: good beer by the water at Pllek, boat spotting in Hannekes Boom, relaxed atmosphere away from the busy centrum in Café Zurich, canal views with special beers at Haven van Texel and a bit of Dutch history in Schreierstoren.

Besides these examples, there a lot of other places to choose from as well like: Nemo, A’dam Tower, Lion Noir… When walking on the streets of Amsterdam, you’ll see that almost every restaurant has built a terrace for the summer – just pick the one you like and have a taste of Dutch summer![:]

These days when the temperatures are unusually high in Amsterdam, regular sightseeing might get more tiresome and maybe even somewhat boring. This nice sunny weather (that won’t last long by the way, since it’s the Netherlands!) make you want to spend some time chilling, catching a suntan and having a drink next to the water. If you’re still wondering how locals enjoy themselves during the summer in Amsterdam, then continue reading to discover cool hang out spots and urban beaches.

Of course, you might think that we will be recommending you the easiest ways to get to Zandvoort or Bloemendaal beaches, which are great for a swim in the Northern see or observing the Dutch turning red. And even though they are perfect for some sand and nature explorations, we will draw your attention to a different kind of beaches that Amsterdam has to offer even within a shorter distance.

Pllek

Hop on a free ferry behind the Central Station and find yourself at the NDSM wharf on the other side of the IJ that turn outs to be all cool and hip. Industrial Pllek will greet you with its creative vibe, live music or DJs playing and cold beers. Just relax on giant bean bags, try some good food and admire a spectacular view of Amsterdam on the other side.

Amsterdam Plage

In case you don’t fancy crossing the water and want to stick to the area next to the Central Station, no problem as a small city beach is only a 15 minute walk away. It’s known as the Stenen Hoofd, open for lively crowd till 15 August. The best part is that it features a free open-air film festival called Pluk de Nacht, which will be a great way to spend your evenings from 3 to 13 August.

Blijburg aan Zee

One of the biggest city beaches, this one is situated on Ijburg, which is a man-made island to the east of Amsterdam. It’s pretty much the only urban spot where you can swim and enjoy evening camp fires. Blijburg is even more alternative than other beaches and proud to have a hippie atmosphere with the feeling of freedom and bohemian spirit. Taste some of the delicious food here to the tunes of live music. If you’re lucky, you’re might be right on time for dance or music festivals that happen here quite often.

NEMO’s Rooftop Beach

For those of you who want to experience a very original beach type in Amsterdam, NEMO’s rooftop can be the right spot to spend a relaxed afternoon. This science museum in the shape of a cruise ship will surprise you with deckchairs, decking, an amazing cascade with 4 000 liters of water, olive trees and sand pits. Just have a break, eat your Amsterdam ice-cream and breath in the magnificent view across the city’s roofs. It’s the largest terrace in town, which is ideal for kids as they will have a great entertainment time at Splashing Water Wonder playground.

Strand Zuid

As the name suggests, this lovely beach is located in the south of Amsterdam very close to RAI Convention Centre. It attracts an upper class crowd that come to relax here, sipping their cocktails, having luxurious food and laying in hammocks or lounge chairs. The area of Strand Zuid is huge with about 2000m2 of property here, but don’t expect any swimming facilities. Play some volleyball and mingle with the richies instead.

Amsterdam Roest

With the opposite vibe from Strand Zuid, this beach is more for hipsters and trendy young people who like good music, post-industrial architecture, indoor and outdoor bars with an artsy vibe. Roest’s sandy waterside is great for sun tanning, while its alternative markets and film screenings can serve as an interesting entertainment for kids and adults alike.

Strand West

This beach is more of a modern lounge spot where locals come for afternoon tapas and a drink, beach volleyball and hammock lazing. Although swimming isn’t allowed here, you still have plenty of opportunities of having a nice beach day here all year round.