Relaxing & parks – All our local tips

Great place to loosen the aching muscles! In this wet country, it is a treat to give yourself this present, the Corpus Rub.

In this cozy and warm studio in Oud-Zuid you can enjoy a relaxing massage. They offer a width range of massages from Classic Therapeutic Massage to Hot Stone Massage and even a pregnancy massage.

I enjoy the place very much and afterwards I am always mentally refreshed and physical relaxed and a bit tired. The couple that runs this Corpus Rub, recently opened a second place at the Leliegracht in the old centre.

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Corpus Rub Massage Studio | Relaxing | Per hour € 62.50
Van Breestraat 72 hs | Oud-Zuid | +31204165055
Mon 09:00 – 17:00, Tue – Sun 11:00 – 22:00

After moving my home, I found out some new spots and this is one of them!

This park, I think is one of the most spacious parks in Amsterdam. Because most of the tourists and local people go to the Vondelpark (check the Vondelpark article) or parks in the centre, this one is not so crowded.

The summer is my favourite time to be here. There is a lane next to the water, where you can sit and watch ducks and of course boats pass by. Because of the trees, there is a lot of shadow and you can quietly read a book here.

Last week we saved some bread crums for the ducks, after feeding then, small rabbits appeared. It is like province in the city centre. Just try it some time!

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Erasmuspark | Relaxing | Free
Erasmuspark | Oud-West
Daily

I can’t remember the last time I was there. It must have been when I was a kid. But today I was there again, and it was great fun!

Skating is a typical Dutch sport so really you should give it a try. Most Dutch people have grown up with skating during the winter time. It is the best when the canals are frozen and you can skate underneath the beautifully lighted bridges.

But I can’t remember when the last time was I did that. Nowadays if it gets cold enough to freeze the canals they usually break them up to let the canal boats get through. This really is a shame. But luckily the Jaap Eden Baan is a great alternative.

The track is nice and big enough for everyone to do as they please. You will see professionals going really fast( these will be on the inside of the track so stay away from there unless you are really good!), little kids going really fast and falling a lot, and lots of other people some quite good and others quite bad. Don’t be afraid if you’ve never ice-skated before. You won’t be the only one. And it’s all part of the fun.

If you get very cold you can take a break at the side of the track and enjoy a warm cup of coffee or some French fries. It can also be very amusing to take a rest and watch the other skaters. If you don’t own skates you can rent or buy them there. Renting them will cost you about five euros. So that’s not bad.

I must say even though I used to do a lot of skating when I was a kid, I really had to practice for a while until I felt confident moving on my skates. In the beginning I felt all wobbly and insecure, but I persevered and in the end I really enjoyed myself.

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Jaap Eden Baan | Relaxing | Entrance adults € 5.80
Radioweg 64 | Plantage/Oost | +31206949652
check the website

The Museumplein is literally in the centre of Amsterdam. From here, anything is nearby. Great meeting point, perfect place to chill out, great view, and the 3 most famous museums just located on the quarter; The Stedelijk museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museum (see the Van Gogh museum article). Of these three, only the Van Gogh Museum is open,due to renovation.

For a reason, the Museumplein is one of my favorite places in Amsterdam. In summer you can lie down on the field, watching people play football or tennis, walk your dog, or just enjoy the lunch you just bought from the Albert Heijn supermarket with the sun on your face (if you’re lucky..).

The skateboard park and basketball field are very popular among students and tourists.

In winter, the magical vibe appears: morning fogs covering the field, the I ‘Amsterdam sign’ , the ice skating rink filled with children and young people, with the majestic Rijksmuseum on the background.

You can also go for a cup of hot chocolate and try the typically Dutch ´poffertjes´ at the Old Dutch Poffertjeskraam at the side! Or go for a drink at the Cobra Cafe, inspired by the famous Cobra artists from the 1940’s.

By night, a blue ray of light on the ground illuminates the field, going all the way from the wading pool to the Concertgebouw (orchestra concerts). The Monument dedicated to the woman of Ravensbrück (WW2, concentration camp) on the left side, plays a particular odd sound, making it breathtaking to watch and listen to.

During the whole year, mostly in summer, concerts / events are held on the Museumplein; for example on Queens Day, Soccer trophies, the famous Uitmarkt (annual cultural program) and charity events.

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Museumplein | Art & culture, Relaxing
Van Baerlestraat | Oud-Zuid
24 hours daily

The Oosterpark is a really nice park in the Eastern part of the city. This part of the city is up and coming and so is the park. It used to be a bit dodgy but its getting used more and more by the people that live in the area and habitatants of Amsterdam in general.

In the summertime its the perfect place for festivals and events like Roots Open Air Festival and Appelsap. Also during the summertime the place is buzzing with people and musicians.

But at the moment the park is more of a peaceful place where you can give your mind some rest. Especially when it has been snowing the park is beautiful. I’m sad that this hasn’t happened yet this winter but there are many more winter months to come and it’s already getting colder and colder!

I live really close by so i often cycle or walk through it on the way to for instance the Dappermarkt(check the Dappermarkt article). Many love to pass through the park- it’s a great feeling of peacefulness in the middle of a busy city.

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Oosterpark | Relaxing | Free
Oosterpark | Plantage/Oost
24 hours daily

The winter season in The Netherlands is rainy, but when the weather is nice, cold and sunny, this is the perfect spot to relax. The sun is breaking through more often, so now would be the best time to go.

You can walk along the Amstel, starting at the Waterlooplein. If you walk on the left side of the Amstel, you pass:

- the Hermitage, a cultural and historical museum that opened June 20, 2009.
- Carre (see Carre article), the most beautiful theater in the Netherlands,
- the Amstel Hotel (see the Amstel Hotel article), the most prestigious hotel of the World,
- after that a long boulevard with bridges, trees, people jogging, restaurants and bycicles,
- and after a long walk, you just walk out of Amsterdam right into the small village of Oudekerk aan de Amstel. This is really a picture perfect village and a must go to.

If you really want to have a nice dinner, make a reservation at “Restaurant Groot Paardenburg” of chef Herman den Blijker or restaurant “Ron Blaauw” in Oudekerk aan de Amstel. Both of these chefs are top chefs in Holland. Do not forget to bring your wallet!

Personally, I love to walk along the Amstel when there is nobody in the early morning on Sunday. I will bring my book, sit, relax, read and watch people passing by. After that, just go in and drink a coffee. This is my perfect Sunday morning!!!

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Walking down the Amstel | Relaxing | Free
Amstel | Old center
24 hours daily

Last weekend it was very cold, but sunny and I thought: let’s go out to walk in the park and drink a cup of coffee.

I parked my bike at the start and walked ahead the petting farm. A lot of children over there and a small playground. Nice spots for a picnic in the summer and jog in the winter.

I walked along the stream and since the coffee place was overcrowded, I headed back to my bike. A lane with trees on both sides made me feel like I was not in Amsterdam. At the end I thought, just go left into the field. I should have worn my booths, but it was really nice. See the children play above, this speaks for itself…

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Westerpark | Relaxing | Free
Westerpark | Westerpark
24 hours daily