Touch Grass - Amsterdam Edition

There are so many incredible things to do while travelling. You can explore cities, try new foods, and meet people from all over the world. Despite all these upsides, travel fatigue and homesickness can still occur. Especially if you’re an introvert who can be overwhelmed by constant crowds and stimulation like me.

For those who don’t know, ‘touch grass’ is an expression that means reconnecting with reality or just taking a moment to relax. For me, a walk through the greenery with a coffee or just some music playing can achieve that. Here are some convenient green spaces in Amsterdam that can help you reconnect and relax.

Vondelpark

A massive bonus to Vondelpark is its proximity to the Van Gogh Museum, Moco Museum and the Rijksmuseum. After a busy day of ticking these museums off your bucket list, you can easily wander into Vondelpark to enjoy its lush greenery and calming waterways. The park itself also has an open-air theatre nestled in its centre that’s famous for its seasonal programs of concerts, comedy and further performances. The Vondelpark Openlunchttheater is worth a look even if there is no event, the walk taking you through the heart of the park. Multiple cafes are also speckled through Vondelpark, allowing you to grab that coffee I mentioned or whatever your poison may be. Many establishments are also open for meals and drinks, making Vondelpark a fun area to meet with friends during a nice afternoon.  

Park Frankendael

I’m a little biased in saying that Park Frankendael is my favourite. The former estate-turned-park was around the corner from my apartment, so walking through its fields and visiting the historic buildings was easy to do when I had time to spare. The park, while not the biggest in Amsterdam, is still full of beautiful greenery and romantic vibes. Once a country estate, the park contains two historic gardens along with repurposed buildings. The main house of the once-wealthy estate, the Frankendeal House, regularly holds cultural events. The coach house and greenhouse were each transformed into unique restaurants, the Merkelbach and De Kas. And, of course, it’s always amusing to watch the ducks waddle around. 

Oosterpark Amsterdam

In the middle of a suburban area, Oosterpark offers more action with its tennis court, sports field and picnic spots. Along with a playground and skatepark, it isn’t uncommon to be surrounded by plenty of families while visiting the popular spot. Like Vondelpark, Oosterpark also has a spot for performances. The Oosterpark Music Dome hosts musicians in the summer and family events. It also allows dogs leash-free, so if you’re a fan of fuzzy friends then Oosterpark is recommended. 

Westerpark

Westerparkbuurt refers to a large area west of Joordan full of cafes, stores, clubs, a cinema and other entertaining spots. And, of course, the Westerpark itself that the suburb refers to. As soon as you step into the greenery you’ll find walking path options that take you through beautiful gardens. Massive in both size and options, the area is full of playgrounds, community gardens and eating venues. As a special treat, Westerpark also includes a petting zoo near its centre - Boerderij Westerpark, which translates simply to Westerpark Farm. When visiting you can both sign up for fun activities and enjoy the cafe service from 10 am to 4 pm on weekdays. What also makes Westerpark such an attractive park is the Fabrique des Lumières art centre, where you can enjoy immersive visual experiences. 

Park de Oeverlanden

Do you like beaches? Bikes? Barbecue? …Cows? Park de Oeverlanden has them all. The long stretch of green space offers relaxing swimming spots if you’re visiting Amsterdam in the warmer seasons. There are smaller barbecue areas in the park, playgrounds and a terrace cafe. You’re probably wondering about the last item on the list - the cows. Or, more specifically, the Scottish Highlander cattle. Park de Oeverlanden is one of the green spaces in Amsterdam that incorporate animals, so if you stumble upon them you can admire them from a distance. This is a park where it’s easy to lose yourself in nature.

These are only a few of the parks you can enjoy, speckled throughout the city. There’s no limit to all the amazing gardens this city has to offer, most of them filled with impressive waterways. A few other parks of mention are the Rembrandtpark, the Sloterplas, Beatrixpark, Amstelpark and the national forest Het Amsterdamse Bos. These last options are a little further out from the city centre, but no less worth a visit thanks to the efficient metro system. So if you’ve got a bit of the travelling blues in Amsterdam, go check out these amazing spots.