Vondel Park covers an area of 47 hectares in the heart of Amsterdam. The park was designed by Jan David Zocher and opened in 1865. 10 million people visit the park each year. It is easy to see why.
It was a beautiful afternoon the day I walked through the park and even though it was full of people enjoying a sunny spring day, there were lots of quiet places.
There are walking paths and cycling paths, all put to very good use.
People, walk, ride, lie, play and even party in the park.
There is plenty of wildllife about.
This bird was making the most of a warm afternoon to preen his feathers.
This one was building a nest.
This gorgeous bird was also sorting out its feathers.
I came upon a little family.
There is also a water park for people. Children were the only ones brave enough to enter the water.
There are some beautiful homes circling the park.
Vondel Park is a great place to spend a few hours.
On another visit I found more water birds.
And some beautiful rhododendrons and bluebells.
There are several restaurants and great places to have a picnic.
Don’t miss Vondel Park if you go to Amsterdam.
To see more of lovely Amsterdam through the eyes of a local, take a look at Richard Tulloch’s Life on the Road.
Beautiful! I’m a sucker for these kind of places, I’ll make sure I’ll visit this green oasis on my next trip to Amsterdam.
By: viva on July 19, 2012
at 9:11 am
The park is gorgeous, you will love it.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 19, 2012
at 9:44 am
Vondel park is one my favourite parks in the world! I’ve been several times. The birds are beautiful to watch as are the tourists that come though.
By: Jennifer Avventura on July 19, 2012
at 9:15 am
It is a beautiful park. We stayed quite close to the park and went several times.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 19, 2012
at 9:45 am
I meant to ask: One photo I think I saw a heron. Is it? They are lovely creatures. A blue heron used to visit my fathers pond when I was a child. We would wait for it every morning and without fail the heron would show up at the pond, but always a safe distance from us.
By: Jennifer Avventura on July 19, 2012
at 11:08 am
I think it was a type of heron. We have a different type in the river in Bagni di Lucca and there is a nest in a tree high above my apartment.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 19, 2012
at 12:38 pm
Those birds all look very well-fed! Did any of them ask you for breadcrumbs? I’ll have to make a note of this park if I ever stop by Amsterdam.
By: James on July 19, 2012
at 9:57 am
The birds were all quite used to people, but didn’t come looking for food. They preferred to keep a distance.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 19, 2012
at 12:37 pm
Parks within city centers can be such a treat. Thanks for this one!
By: aFrankAngle on July 19, 2012
at 11:21 am
Vondel Park is clearly well loved by Amsterdam residents.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 19, 2012
at 12:39 pm
Thanks for the link to Richard’s blog Debra. Remember how it made us laugh? The gardens look incredibly lush. And here was I thinking Melbourne was green!
By: janinevasta on July 19, 2012
at 1:21 pm
Richard’s blog is great fun, he has a wonderful sense of humor.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 19, 2012
at 9:03 pm
A wonderful park, so lush, green and full of life.
By: sheof108names on July 19, 2012
at 2:25 pm
It is great to see a city park so well used.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 19, 2012
at 9:03 pm
Oh, I love this post. I have never seen what I assume are ducks with the brown ring around the eye. And how precious to see the babies swimming with mama. Looks like a beautiful park. Hope your week is going well.
Hugs,
Kathy
By: Kathryn McCullough on July 19, 2012
at 5:48 pm
It is lovely to see wildlife living so close to the city.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 19, 2012
at 9:05 pm
What a stunning park. I kept thinking of Central Park in New York as I looked through your photos! So peaceful, so relaxing…what a great way to spend the day!
By: jenny@atasteoftravel on July 20, 2012
at 2:27 am
I love Central Park too. It is wonderful to have so much green space in the city.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 20, 2012
at 12:43 pm
I wish we had more time in Amsterdam. It’s such a pretty city! 🙂
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on July 20, 2012
at 11:06 am
We were there for a week and I would love to go back.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 20, 2012
at 12:44 pm
Beautiful, Deb! Reminds me a bit of Centennial Park in Sydney, only even more glorious!
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on July 20, 2012
at 7:45 pm
It is a beautiful park…Amsterdam is a lovely city.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 21, 2012
at 6:23 am
We loved Vondel Park, too, but only explored part of it – the pool where the children frolicked. So, with your beautiful pictures, you’ve whetted my desire to return and explore the rest of the park, Deb! I love Mother Coot with her downy baby. Your lens captured intricately the chick’s fluffiness. What a beautiful bird picture! Yes, parks are essential in any city space. Amsterdam is no exception. I also love the family-friendly bikes. More of these are appearing in Adelaide, hooray!
By: Sandra H on July 21, 2012
at 12:18 am
Those bikes can be a bit scary, they are everywhere. No doubt you would get used to them eventually.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 21, 2012
at 6:24 am
Debra, your photos are stunning as always. I have been enjoying your blog now for about 9 months. You have inspired me to create my own blog about my travels, especially my trips to Italy Thank you Lyn (Brisbane)
By: aussiegirl0905 on July 21, 2012
at 1:44 am
I had the opportunity to go to Vondel Park when I was in Amsterdam in April. I thought it was a wonderful city park – a nice green space in the middle of the city. You seemed to catch a lot more of the wildlife than I did. Love the baby ducks.!
By: Jackie Cangro on July 23, 2012
at 1:21 am
I think I was lucky to be there just in time for the baby birds.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 23, 2012
at 7:38 am
Wow! its so much of greenery over there looks fabulous park, great place to have fun with the family and the natural structure of the park bring it close to nature.
By: Green Water Park on July 23, 2012
at 3:47 am
It is a beautiful park.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 23, 2012
at 7:38 am