Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest)
Mostly lying within Amstelveen's municipal boundaries, the Amsterdamse Bos is a staggering 1,000-hectare man-made forest where you can canoe, cycle, climb treetops, watch kingfishers and still be back in Amsterdam for dinner. It is one of the largest city parks in all of Europe, and it costs nothing to enter.
A Forest Built by Hand
The Amsterdamse Bos was planted from the early 1930s onwards as a Great Depression relief programme, giving work to thousands of unemployed Amsterdammers. Construction was interrupted by World War II and the final tree was not planted until the 1970s — meaning the forest took four decades to complete.
Today it attracts nearly 4.5 million visitors a year and shelters marsh harriers, kingfishers, squirrels, grass snakes and even highland cattle along its quieter fringes. The mix of dense woodland, open meadows and broad waterways means every season looks completely different.
What to Do Inside
Cycling is the most natural way to explore: the lush grounds span 1,000 hectares and a rental bike from Fietsverhuur Amsterdamse Bos de Boshalte gets you moving within minutes. On the water, Kanoverhuur Amsterdamse Bos rents canoes for up to three people, while Sup & Meer offers stand-up paddleboard lessons right in the heart of the forest.
For something more vertical, the Klimbos Fun Forest high-rope adventure park sends visitors through the trees on ropes, ladders, bridges and zip lines across more than ten routes ranging from 2.5 to 15 metres high — open to children from age six upwards.
Seasons & Hidden Corners
Spring is magical: the Kersenbloesempark (Cherry Blossom Park) inside the forest erupts in pink in late March and April, drawing picnickers and photographers in equal numbers. Summer brings outdoor swimming at the Grote Speelweide lido areas and open-air performances at the Amsterdamse Bostheater, a woodland theatre that has been delighting audiences every summer since 1985.
The travelling Pure Markt artisan farmers' market pops up regularly in the forest, where passionate producers sell hand-made goods, organic food and craft drinks in a gorgeous green setting.
Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest) on video
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