recreation
Amsterdam has many parks and a forest where you and your buddy can walk, run and enjoy the natural surrounding. There are large areas where dogs are allowed to run free, however look out for any boards marking restricted areas. Find here our map with a detailed overview.
PARKS
VONDELPARK
A walk in the green heart of Amsterdam should be on the top of your list. Dogs are allowed to run free almost everywhere. Beware of the speedy bicycles and other vehicles riding on the asphalt ways. Check out the large grass fields where dogs and owners meet or have a drink and bite at one of the four restaurant-cafes in the park: VondelCS, Het Blauwe Teehuis, Groot Melkhuis, De Tuinen. Vondelpark also has an open air theater featuring music or cultural acts in the summer months.
WESTERPARK
Westerpark is a mix of green areas and a lively cultural scene. The former municipal gas supply factory houses individual stores, restaurants and a movie theatre. The old red brick buildings has the status of an industrial monument. The big green area around it offers a lot of space for walks. Dogs are only allowed in certain areas marked by specific signs. Settle down at Restaurant Pacific for lunch or dinner.
BEATRIXPARK
Beautiful park in the South of Amsterdam where dogs and dog owners can meet and socialize. The park is not so big but dogs are allowed to run free all year long. Restaurant As is located in the park, so you can take a break and enjoy a tasty mediteranian dish for lunch or dinner.
REMBRANDTPARK
Big park in the west part of Amsterdam with nearly the size of the Vondelpark. Broad walkways, benches to sit down and wide grassfields for shooting a ball. Dogs are allowed to run free almost everywhere from October to March. As of April 1 dogs have to be leashed in some parts. There are many bike paths so have an extra eye on your dog. Located right at the park are Huiskamer van Rembrandt and Restaurant Bartack, both ideal for combining your walk with a nice lunch or dinner.
OOSTERPARK
This large public park in the East of Amsterdam resembles a free English landscape, with grass fields, trees, water ponds so your dog will feel perfectly comfortable. Worth seeing are several monuments like the National Monument of the Slavery or the 4,5 m high modern sculpture “The Scream”. “It is a memorial of film director Theo van Gogh, a distant cousin of the painter, who had been assassined in 2004 nearby the park. The Park Café-Restaurant is a great place to rest and have a bite and a drink. More info
FOrest
AMSTERDAMSE BOS
The Amsterdamse Bos is a gem for dog owners and a paradise for dogs. The 1000-hectare forest offers grass fields, ponds en watercourses Dogs are allowed to move around unleashed in most places, these areas are indicated with boards. However you should always be in control of your dog to prevent him from hunting, straying or molesting bikers and joggers. Check out the latest blogpost by Pim Dog-guide Amsterdamse Bos.
Beaches
There is a ‘city beach’ at the waterfront of the IJ however, the wide and endless beaches closest to Amsterdam you will find on the West side of the Netherlands. The North Sea has beautiful beaches and sand dunes about an hour away from Amsterdam. Each location handles different regulations in terms of allowing dogs and the use of leashes. Make sure to always bring own bags to clean up if necessary.
HET STENEN HOOFT, AMSTERDAM
A very unique dog beach is located within walking distance from Amsterdam Central Station: Het Stenen Hooft which means stone head. The areal is an old, forfeited pier at the Westerdoksdijk. Located next to it is Silodam, an appartment and office building designed in the style of a container ship. The pier is framed by Amsterdam’s waterfront Het IJ. A very cool place to get a drink and bite is Meneer Nieges which is nearby at the Westerdoksdijk.
ZANDVOORT AAN ZEE
Long stretch of sand, dunes and waves where you can literally walk for hours. During the period from October 1 to April 15, dogs are allowed on the beach all day. From April 15 to October 1, dogs are not allowed on the beach between 9 h and 19 h. Outside of these hours, dogs are welcome. There are fantastic cafes and restaurants along the beach, however only a few stay open during off-season. A train ride from Amsterdam Central will take 30 minutes, plus a 15 minute walk to the beach. More info
PARNASSIA AAN ZEE, BLOEMENDAAL
About 6 kilometers north of Zandvoort, located in Bloemendaal is the real cool beach pavillion Parnassia aan Zee where you can get breakfast, lunch and snacks. The pavillion exists since 1958 and is surrounded with the dunes of the national park Kennemerduinen. The beautiful beach starting at the entrance Parnassia until IJmuiderslag is a paradise for dogs. They are allowed to run unleashed throughout the whole year. Important: You must bring own poop bags with you and clean up after your dog. Open daily from 9 h – 17 h. More info
BUBBLES BEACH, NOORDWIJK AAN ZEE
South of Zandvoort is Noordwijk Beach which has four zones in terms of dog regulations. The blue zone indicates that dogs are welcome all year round and can have unlimited fun moving around unleashed. The dog beach is a 2,5 km strip reaching from the end of Koningin Astrid Boulevard until the city board of the next town Katwijk. At restaurant Bubbles Beach you can rent beach tents, chairs and towels so there’s nothing left to stand in the way of a pure fun day. More info
