10 Best Natural Sights Around Amsterdam

Vondelpark is a massive park encompassing 120 acres of land with plenty of green space and activities that the whole family can enjoy. You'll find quite a few walking paths along with serene ponds that are perfect for strolls and bike rides.

This park is also home to an outdoor open-air theatre and a playground for your little ones to run around in. Additionally, you'll find some intricately crafted statues here along with several food service facilities, so you won't even have to leave the park to find a bite to eat.

The Amsterdam canals are among the most iconic aspects of the entire city being classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When you visit, you can enjoy the well-maintained walking paths along the sides, or you can venture directly through the water with a chartered boat tour.

The canals have a lot of history dating back to the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age. This history is maintained today, as you'll find a variety of historical buildings along their sides. Additionally, you may want to check out the numerous bridges that cross them for scenic views without having to enter the water in a boat.

Hortus Botanicus is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world offering a rich history and vibrant greenery within the Plantage District. This garden was first established all the way back in 1638 as an herb garden, and it has since opened to everyone interested in vibrant flora.

When you visit these gardens, you'll find a variety of native plants in addition to more exotic species. Some are endangered and rare, like the fascinating Persian Ironwood tree, which is listed as critically endangered.

Amstelpark is a lovely park most widely known for its fascinating labyrinth, serene atmosphere, lush greenery and calm waters. The labyrinth inside can be compelling for adults and children alike to explore, but that's just the beginning of what this park has to offer.

When you visit, you can explore a wide variety of other attractions as well including a mini-golf park and the iconic rhododendron valley. In this section of the park, you'll find about 139 species of rhododendrons in bloom during the springtime.

Rijksmuseum Gardens are a collection of several different garden styles that are well-maintained and arranged to maximise their aesthetic appeal. The flora here consists of vibrant greenery and colourful blooming flowers depending on the time of year you visit.

In addition to the plants here, you'll also find several walking paths and the fully restored van Logteren gazebo where you can grab a drink. Don't forget to check out the water maze as well, which is a must-visit if you have children with you.

Amsterdamse Bos is a popular landscape park that spans 1,000 hectares of space making it massive in scope and packed full of fun things to do. The park's aesthetic beauty is easy enough to appreciate thanks to the wide-open spaces and well-maintained walking and cycling paths.

When you visit this park, you'll find several activities available including several sports areas. The ponds and streams are open for swimmers, and you can even find a sand beach within the park. Don't forget to check out the open-air theatre as well.

Westerpark is a popular park named after the neighbourhood it's located in that was integrated into the verdant space around Westergasfabriek gasworks. With the former gas facility in the area, you'll find quite a few special attractions here like avant-garde businesses and restaurants.

The park itself is packed with stunning beauty including a massive central water feature with vibrant green fields around it. Several impressive works of art have been implemented into the park as well including some that are only visible during certain seasons.

The Keukenhof Gardens are home to a wide array of tulips that showcase vibrant colours with 800 different kinds of tulips in the spring. Keep in mind that this is a seasonal garden, so you'll have to visit between the end of March and mid-May to see it in all its glory.

More than 7 million bulbs are planted here each autumn to ensure they're blooming by the time spring comes. In addition to the flowers themselves, you'll see several inspirational gardens and flower shows too.

Amstelland Green Area is a popular destination for travellers looking to relax by the river among vibrant greenery and quiet quaint surroundings. While the Amstelland area is quite large, the green area is the area that juts into Amsterdam's south side.

Visiting this area will make you feel as if you've crossed over into rural countryside, but you're never more than a 15-minute cycle from the city centre. You'll find plenty of walking paths and quiet serenity within making it a popular escape from the city's hustle and bustle.