How many parks does Amsterdam have and how many of them have you seen?
The first answer is cirka forty and the second answer then becomes not enough. I am encouraging you to go to Beatrixpark because it has become my favorite in Amsterdam – yes I think it beats Vondelpark, but it’s quite different. A lot of people have sadly missed out on because it is located in the south of Amsterdam. But this brings forth the possibility of a very nice bike ride! And for lazy people, or people who just have too much stuff to bring for a nice picnic (I’m guilty of both), the metros and trams stop just right next to Beatrixpark at the station Zuid or Stadionweg. Tram 5 stops the closest to the park entrance, at Pr. Irenestraat.
To be honest I haven’t even seen all of Beatrixpark yet, because it took such a short while before I was extremely pleased with the surroundings and just wanted to sit down. They have big plains, ponds, canals and bridges, huge trees, small pavilions and flowers (it was designed in the romantic style of the 30’s though it has been renewed several times since); basically it’s just the most relaxing urban park I’ve ever been to (even more than the Amsterdamse Bos) and I spent hours there with my boyfriend on a saturday evening a couple of weeks ago. While Vondelpark becomes a crowded sort of festival area on sunny days and especially on summer weekends, Beatrixpark is left in silence.
For the four hours we sat there, there were only a few people walking their dogs, some parents with their kids and a few single people reading or getting a sun tan – it was so nice and quiet (because I never minded the sound of airplanes, which is completely unavoidable in all part of Amsterdam, I find it soothing). All the elements really gather in a refreshing, spiritual cocktail here, and the experience makes you think about the fact that it is named after the Dutch Queen, and that it is also the cleanest park of Amsterdam.
Two thumbs up, 5/5 stars or just full score anyway. Go there. Don’t miss out on this gem.
PS: You will probably have to go pee in the bushes, as public toilets are hard to find. But that can be really nice too.
The Dutch use many vowels, I use many G's 