Amstelveen offers a range of themes for a stay: theatre and art, historic churches and houses, parkland and polder trails, as well as local produce. If you’re looking for a hotel, you can start by asking what you want your visit to focus on. The places and activities offer some concrete ideas—from summer theatre to birdwatching.
Art, Theatre and Local History
Schouwburg Amstelveen has two theatre halls and a cinema, and is one of the larger regional theatres in the Netherlands. If a performance is central to your visit, it’s best to check the current programme: programmes and packages may change. Bostheater has a special connection with summer. For more than 35 years, a new production has been staged there every year, running throughout the summer on the main stage in Amsterdamse Bos.
The town’s history is also reflected in specific buildings. Dorpskerk on Dorpsplein has had several forms, as shown by its succession of towers. The older church fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1866; a new church building with a slender roof turret was built on the same site. Museumhuis dates from 1799 and is considered a heritage site. Visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee in Jan’s living room. Sint-Urbanuskerk is a 19th-century church on the edge of De Poel in Amstelveen.
For art lovers, two other places offer different perspectives: Museum Cobra focuses on the art and ideas of the Cobra movement. The Buitenkunstroute Centrum leads past outstanding and unique artworks in the centre and old village of Amstelveen. You can make art the focus of your visit, whether in an exhibition or on a route through these two parts of Amstelveen.
Trails, Water and Polder Landscapes
Designed by Chris Broerse in 1938, De Braak became the first true heempark—a park featuring native flora—in the Netherlands. Amsterdamse Bos has 200 kilometres of cycling, walking and horse-riding trails. It also has a designated swimming area in the natural waters of Grote Vijver, as well as two children’s pools. The different types of trails and the swimming area offer various ways to spend time outdoors; Bostheater is also located in Amsterdamse Bos.
Middelpolder offers something different: good walking trails and several muddy paths through the polder landscape. The area is also suitable for birdwatching, as many birds stay and settle there. If you prefer firm ground when walking, take the muddy paths mentioned above into account when planning. The trails and birdwatching therefore appeal to different interests, without requiring you to set aside a specific amount of walking time.
Vineyard and Goat Farm
Local agriculture is also part of Amstelveen’s character. The Amsteltuin vineyard covers more than one hectare and has over 3,500 vines of five varieties: Solaris, Johanniter, Souvignier Gris, Pinotin and Cabernet Cortis. The names of these varieties give wine enthusiasts a concrete insight into local cultivation.
Geitenboerderij Ridammerhoeve in Amsterdamse Bos is home to almost 100 dairy goats, around 60 lambs, laying hens and chicks, pigs, cows and a calf, a horse and a pony. Children can feed the animals and bottle-feed the young goats. The farm shop sells fresh raw goat’s milk, cheese, yoghurt, quark, buttermilk, butter and goat’s milk ice cream. The farm offers a focus on both the animals and the products made from them—a different kind of visit from one centred on theatre, art or trails through the landscape.
For the overall travel overview: Amstelveen.
