Amsterdam Forest

It is achingly hard to believe that such a lush retreat exists slap-bang in the heart of Amsterdam, but it’s the truth. The Amsterdamse Bos is three times the size of New York’s Central Park, covering a whopping 1000 hectares. It’s no wonder you’ll need a bike to get around – you can rent one at the gate or bring your own. Entering the Forest is quite like stepping into a quaint fairytale– it’s got lakes, woods, meadows, even a goat farm. We’d recommend spending an entire day here because there’s so much to do, from horse-riding and kayaking to climbing trees or staying put on your picnic blanket. It’s a great way to experience what Dutch families get up to during the summers.