Vondelpark and Old West Neighbourhood: Amsterdam's Green Heart

Amsterdam’s largest park is the backyard for one of the city’s most authentic neighborhoods, where locals picnic among parakeets and shop at century-old markets. On this walking tour, you’ll find the places where Amsterdammers actually live, shop, and relax – far from the tourist crowds of the Red Light District and Dam Square.

The tour starts at the park’s grand entrance, where 19th-century architecture meets modern Amsterdam life. As you weave down the peaceful, tree-lined paths of the Vondelpark, I’ll share personal stories and neighborhood secrets. You’ll also walk past Gothic revival churches designed by the architect behind Central Station, and through multicultural markets where vendors still shout their daily deals.

You’ll hear stories of how the city evolved from being a stop on medieval pilgrimage routes into contemporary urban neighborhoods. You’ll stroll through former working-class districts that later became some of Amsterdam’s most sought-after addresses, where artists, young professionals, and longtime residents live side by side. The tour ends at the bustling De Hallen food market, a converted 1900s tram depot that’s now home to food markets, cinemas, and local hangouts.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

• Stroll through Vondelpark’s English landscape design, home to rose-ringed parakeets and over 70 types of roses
• Visit Hollandsche Manege, the Netherlands’ oldest horse-riding school hidden behind an unassuming facade
• See Pierre Cuypers’ architectural legacy, from the soaring Vondelchurch to his residence on Vondelstraat
• Cross the Jacob van Lennep canal, part of Amsterdam’s 100 kilometers of waterways and 1,500 bridges
• Browse the authentic Ten Kate Market, where locals shop for everything from fresh produce to bicycle accessories
• Discover the WG-terrain, a former royal hospital complex now housing artists’ studios and the trendy LAB111 cultural center
• Experience the Western Mosque, the largest in the Netherlands, reflecting Amsterdam’s multicultural character

By the end of this hour-long tour, you’ll have firsthand experience of why locals consider this corner of the city their urban village.