This park, which runs from the centre to the ring road between Zuid (The South) and West, can rightly be called the garden of Amsterdam. It’s not only very popular among Amsterdammers, as a place to walk, have a picnic, ride their bike or go for a healthy run, and tourists, it is also home to many animals that live in the city. In the trees, shrubs, under the ground and in the streams and pools, live hedgehogs, bats, mice, squirrels, blackbirds, wrens, pigeons, great tits, spects, frogs, salamanders, toads, 12 different types of fish, storks such as Hannah, and… green ring- necked parakeets.
A visit to Vondelpark is a wonderful distraction from the hustle and bustle of the city, although you also have to watch out for runners and cyclists in this park. With a size of almost 48 hectares (that’s about 70 football fields), there is a lot to discover in this wonderful park. The ‘Blue Tea House’ (Het Blauwe Theehuis) is a panoramic restaurant with a beautiful terrace, opposite you will find the classical music chapel. On the other side is the Vondelparkpaviljoen, a cultural centre and restaurant (Park Zuid). In the North-West of Vondelpark you will find a large playground with a toddler bat, climbing frames and a large sandbox: the cats alley (Kattenlaantje). Neirby Groot- Melkhuis, is a nice family bar with a great terrace.
