green hotspots amsterdam

Amsterdam

20 X green hotspots in Amsterdam: from hidden gems to secret green spots

4 April 2017

green walls, terrace by the water and more urban green

Are you also happier when you’re surrounded by green? Whether you’re at a new green hotspot in Amsterdam with a botanic theme or having a picknick in the park, personally it makes me very happy when I’m surrounded by green. Especially now it’s spring I love living in Amsterdam with all its parks. Last weekend I went to the Greenhouse Festival by Let it Grow where everything is dominated by urban green living. I went for a walk through the Westerpark afterwards and went home with some new green knowledge! Because there’s perhaps more green in Amsterdam than you might think I’ve put together my favourite green places in this blog. From green hotspots, to green stores and my favourites places in the Amsterdam nature.

© Wildernis Amsterdam

6 X Green food & drink hotspots in amsterdam

The Avocado Show: From the moment we set foot into The Avocado Show, we’d rather not leave anymore. A green wall and the most beautiful green on your plate! Without a doubt the most photographed hotspot of the moment.

Bar Botanique: One of my favourite places in the East of Amsterdam to meet up for a coffee or lunch is Bar Botanique. A colourful interior that’s filled with green plants. During the summer they also have a nice terrace!

Zoku: At the Weesperstraat the urban space Zoku has been open for a while now. A hotel, creative workspace, a shop, a restaurant and a rooftop terrace all in one. And that roofterrace is exactly one of those where you’d really want to take a look. In the glass house they grow vegetables that they use in their kitchen!

Restaurant Moer: The green wall at Restaurant Moer is a reference to the green character of the restaurant. Because at this new hotspots the starring of the menu goes to the vegetables and (almost) everything is from Dutch soil and is by all means biologic.

Blauwe Theehuis: Totally not undiscovered, but it remains a very nice spot in the Vondelpark. When I meet up here with friends for a coffee I completely feel at ease. A classic that definitely belongs in this list!

Park: Hotel Arena has been renovated completely last year and from restaurant Park you have a view of the green Oosterpark. A wonderful terrace where you can sitting under the lights and the birds while hearing the noises from the park around you.

© Bar Botanique

5 X green hidden gems in Amsterdam

Dak van NEMO: A place that’s probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you’re looking for an address where you can enjoy the beautiful weather. But did you know that the green roof of Nemo is one of the best roofterraces of Amsterdam? You also have an amazing view of the city from there!

Het dak van B. Amsterdam:  OK, probably not exactly around the corner for the most people in Amsterdam. But during the summer an evening full of drinks or a dinner on the roofterrace of B. Amsterdam at restaurant Bureau is definitely a recommendation! A green garden on the roof that almost feels unAmsterdam-like!

De Ceuvel: In the North of Amsterdam you can completely unwind at Café de Ceuvel. Not only is this place run ‘green’ with respect for nature and human. You’re also among the green with a view of the water. Recommended to go to this summer if you haven’t visited it already!

‘t Nieuwe Diep: An address that has surprised me a lot in Amsterdam is ‘t Nieuwe Diep in the Flevopark. A place where you won’t easily end up if you’re not familiar with it. A small distillery by the water with a nice tasting room where it’s very nice to have a drink among the green!

De Liefde: In the small Bilderdijkpark, De Liefde is a nice little cafe to have a drink with friends when the weather’s nice. A hidden gem!

© 't Nieuwe Diep

4 X green stores in Amsterdam

Wildernis: Coincidence or not? But the best stores where you can buy plants all seem to be situated in the West of Amsterdam. Wildernis is the right address for your dose of green inspiration. From cactuses to tools for taking care of your own plants. Extra fun: here you can also have a drink and eat some cake!

Stadstuinwinkel: Is it your dream to make your own kitchen garden? Perhaps on your balcony or even on the roofterrace? In that case, Mijn Stadstuin at the Overtoom is the way to go! Here they sell not only everything you’ll need, but they provide a butler service that prepares everything for you if you’re not in the possession of green fingers yet!

De Balkonie: Don’t have a garden, but you do have a balcony? Than De Balkonie is an address you’ll want to remember. Whether you have a large balcony or only a balustrade where you can hang a planter, De Balkonie is the place to go to for a balcony (or city garden!) customized for you.

X Bank: Nowhere in Amsterdam have I seen so many Pikaplanten together as I did here. I can hear you think “Pika what?!” These specially developed plant in a glass pot is in no need of water for over 30 months. Sounds ideal, doesn’t it?

5 X the most beautiful parks & gardens in Amsterdam

Amsterdam West tuin: Imagine this… a community garden in the West of Amsterdam, surrounded by apartments. With a picking garden, a silent cafe (from June 2017), a tea garden, workshops and more. A nice example of urban farming in Amsterdam!

Schellingwouderpark: Would you like to go to something else than the Amsterdamse Bos for a change? In the North of Amsterdam, at the edge of the IJ, is the Schellingwouderpark. It can be found between the Oranjesluizen and the Oranjewerf.

De Hortus Botanicus:  Close to the Waterloo square is the museum Hortus Botanicus. A place where every resident of Amsterdam has to have visited at least once. I personally love the cactus garden! But it’s also a lovely spot to enjoy a cup of coffee surrounded by the most beautiful plants, flowers and trees.

Fruittuin van West: De Fruittuin van West is not just your average garden, but an orchard where you can pick fruit of the season yourself or just enjoy the nature in Amsterdam New West.

Het Oosterpark: Last year the Oosterpark in Amsterdam has been completely renewed. It’s lovely sitting by the water or on the large field. It’s less crowded than the Vondelpark or the Westerpark and after a day in the park you can go and have a drink on the terrace of Louie Louie or Bukowski for example!

© De Hortus

Would you like to know more about urban green living? Than follow the platform Let it Grow! They’ll soon start with another new project to support green innovation!

Amsterdam Bucketlist
THINGS TO DO:
Canal Cruise by day or in the evening
A bike tour through Amsterdam OR Rent a bike by yourself
The best view over Amsterdam from the A’DAM Lookout
Visit Artis Royal Zoo
FAVOURITE MUSEUMS:
Rijksmuseum with the Dutch masters
Van Gogh Museum, a staple in Amsterdam
Stedelijk Museum for modern art lovers
MOCO Museum for street art
Photography museum FOAM
SEASONAL:
Amsterdam Light Festival (during winter months)
Cruise like a local with your own boat (great with good weather!)
ONE OF A KIND:
Discover the Instagrammable experience WONDR
Red Light District tour
Get out of town and into the Dutch country side of Giethoorn

| TIP: Buy an I amsterdam City Card. Save money on entrance fees to museums and attractions, public transport and profit from discounts on everything from restaurants to concerts. You can also skip some lines to make the most of your time in Amsterdam! You can buy a card for 24 hours up to 120 hours. Check the prices here >>

Our favourite hotels:
AFFORDABLE // €
Generator Hostel: the best poshtel of the city located in a park.
The Student Hotel: budget proof in trendy East.
Het Volkshotel: affordable and with a cool rooftop bar.
CitizenM: all you need is that XL bed (location near Amstel is great).
Motel One: budget design hotel with locations at
VERY VERY NICE // €€
Hotel V: with two locations and a great restaurant, in the city center and East.
Sir Adam: with the coolest view over Amsterdam.
Sweets: a unique stay in former bridge houses.
Park Plaza Vondelpark: located next to Vondelpark and beautifully renovated.
Hotel Dwars: small scale around the corner of the trendy Utrechtsestraat.
Pillows Anna van den Vondel: great hotel close to Vondelpark.
Hotel Mercier: new hotel in the cosy and historic Jordaan district.
INK Hotel: lifestyle hotel in the heart of the city.
The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel right on the canals.
Morgan & Mees: boutique hotel in Amsterdam West.
Conscious Hotel Westerpark: in a beautiful building at the industrial Westergas area.
QO Amsterdam: eco design hotel with a great skybar.
TOP LUXURY // €€€
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: if you have something to celebrate this is the one.
Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canals at the border of the Nine Streets and the Jordaan.
L’Europe: this hotel has the best spa with a view in Amsterdam.
Conservatorium Hotel: located in one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
W Amsterdam: with great restaurants and a rooftop bar with swimming pool.

More hotspots in Amsterdam

Let’s get social

I really hope you enjoy your time in Amsterdam! On my Instagram account @yourlbb you can find more recommendations and new hotspots in town.

Follow @yourlbb on Instagram

| PS: Traveling to Amsterdam with kids? My other website Travelkids.co & @travelkids.co is dedicated to family friendly travel. Check it out here >>

 

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Anne de Buck

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