Is Amsterdamse Bos worth it?
Worth itUnderrated · +19Free 1,000-hectare man-made forest on Amsterdam's southern edge, best explored by bike
Worth it. 4.6 across nearly 19,000 Google reviews; visitors consistently describe a peaceful, clean escape. It isn't spectacular scenery, which nobody claims it is.
Hype52How famous and hyped it is
Reality71Evidence-based, votes take over as they come in
4.6 ★ Google · 18,947 reviews— hypegap votes · be one of the first
Been to Amsterdamse Bos? Was it worth it?
One tap. No account. Your vote moves the Reality score.Is it worth it for you?
Worth itEditorial verdict until 5 families with kids vote
Goat farm, play meadows, paddling pools and boat hire make it one of the city's best free family outings.
Why Reality is 71
Lives up to its fame4/54.6 across nearly 19,000 Google reviews; visitors consistently describe a peaceful, clean escape. It isn't spectacular scenery, which nobody claims it is.
Value for money5/5Free, 24 hours, and genuinely large and well kept; costs are only transport or bike hire.
Can’t get it elsewhere3/5The city's biggest forest by far, but flat parkland exists in Vondelpark and the dunes at Zuid-Kennemerland are more distinctive nature.
Easy to do3/5Outside the centre in Amstelveen, best with a bike; buses and the seasonal tram work but are slower, and it's easy to get lost inside.
What people loved
Huge, quiet and green: a real escape from the city with few people away from the main entrancesExcellent for cycling, with a dense network of separate bike pathsLots for families: goat farm, play meadows, paddling pools, boat hire and picnic/BBQ spotsWell maintained and clean, with shaded paths that stay comfortable on sunny daysWhat wore them down
It's a planted 20th-century recreation forest — pleasant, but not wild or dramatic sceneryToo big to see well on foot; without a bike you'll only scratch one cornerPlanes from nearby Schiphol fly low overhead on the western sideEasy to get lost among the many branching paths; download an offline mapParking & getting there
Driving is possibleDriving works here: the forest has many car parks along Nieuwe Meerlaan and Bosbaanweg. The Geitenboerderij car park suits the goat farm and western side; the Bosbaanweg lot suits the rowing course and visitor area. A bike is still the easiest way to arrive and get around.
- Geitenboerderij parkeerplaatslot · about 14 min walk · ★ 4.7 (42)Price not publishedMap
- Het Amsterdamse Bos (Bosbaanweg car park)lot · about 19 min walk · ★ 4.4 (11)Price not publishedMap
- Parkeerplaats Dagrecreatielot · about 23 min walk · ★ 4.3 (43)Price not publishedMap
- The 2020 Bosplan said car parking in the forest would become paid-only; check the signs and pay machines when you arrive nhnieuws.nl
Without a car: Cycle from the centre (30–45 min), or take a bus from Amstelveen bus station or Schiphol Plaza to Nieuwe Meerlaan; there is also a seasonal heritage tram from Haarlemmermeerstation
Driving rules in Amsterdam
Don't drive into central Amsterdam: the streets are narrow, cyclists have priority, and parking costs €8+ per hour or €45–65 a day. If you arrive by car, leave it at a P+R (€6–13 per day) and take the tram or metro in. For day trips (Keukenhof, Giethoorn, Zaanse Schans), a car is optional and only worth it outside peak hours.
- Paid street parking (very expensive in the centre). Almost all of Amsterdam is paid parking. The inner centre (canal ring, Dam, De Wallen) costs about €8.05 per hour on the street in 2026, with lower rates further out. There are no paper tickets: you pay at a meter or by app by entering your number plate (card only). Not paying risks a fine of about €82 plus the parking charge, and clamping or towing for repeat offenders. amsterdamtips.com
- Garages: book ahead or pay day rates of €45–65. Central garages (Q-Park Centraal, Bijenkorf, Oosterdok, Europarking) charge roughly €5–14 per hour with day rates of €45–65. Booking online in advance is much cheaper (from about €10–37.50 per day). A lost ticket can cost three times the day rate. amsterdamtips.com
- P+R (Park and Ride): the cheap way to bring a car. Ten P+R car parks around the A10 ring (Bos en Lommer, Boven 't Y, Johan Cruijff ArenA, Noord, Olympisch Stadion, RAI, Sloterdijk, Zeeburg II and III, VUmc at weekends). Arrive before 10:00 on a weekday: €13 for the first 24 hours, then €6 per day. Arrive after 10:00 or at the weekend: €6 per 24 hours. Maximum stay is 96 hours (24 at RAI). You only get the rate if you travel to the centre by public transport with an OV-chipkaart, paper GVB ticket or P+R GVB ticket; tapping a bank card (OVpay) does not count. P+Rs at ArenA, Olympisch Stadion and RAI close during big events. amsterdam.nl
- Low emission zone (milieuzone). Older diesel cars are banned from the low emission zone inside the A10 ring, and enforcement is by camera, including foreign-registered cars. Several P+Rs also refuse diesels of emission class 4 or lower. Check your vehicle on the city's page before driving in. amsterdam.nl
Know before you go
See something out of date? Fix it right here.Booking: No booking for the forest; book activities such as the climbing park or Bostheater shows separately
EntryFree, open 24 hours; boat hire, the climbing park and other activities are paid separatelySource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
SizeAbout 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres), planted between 1934 and 1970Source · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Getting thereBus from Amstelveen bus station or Schiphol Plaza to stop Nieuwe Meerlaan (goat farm side); seasonal heritage tram from Haarlemmermeerstation along the eastern edge; seasonal ferries across the Nieuwe Meer. Roughly 30–45 min from Dam Square by public transport, or about the same by bikeSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
TrailNo single trail: a large network of flat walking, cycling and bridle paths around lakes, meadows and the 2 km Bosbaan rowing course; reviewers say covering it on foot takes most of a daySource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
DifficultyEasy: completely flat and mostly shaded, but paths branch constantly and it is easy to get lostSource: Google reviews · Checked Oct 17, 2026
HighlightsRidammerhoeve goat farm, the Bostheater open-air theatre, Grote Vijver play/swim area, the Bosbaan (World Rowing Championships 1977, 2014 and scheduled 2026)Source · Checked Oct 17, 2026
SeasonYear-round; summer brings boat rental, swimming spots and bonfire/BBQ areas, spring and autumn are quietestSource: Google reviews · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Time needed2–3 hours by bike; half a day or more on footSource: Google reviews · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Opening hours (Google)
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
In their words
“There’s loads of trails (it’s easy to get lost), and you can just enjoy the quiet, scenery.”
“Better go on bike because on feet it will take most of the day to walk.”
“Almost zero litter, except some cigarette ends by the benches.”
“I only ran into a few other people so it never felt crowded.”
Tips from people who went
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Questions people ask
Is the Amsterdamse Bos free?
Yes. The forest is free to enter and open 24 hours; activities such as boat hire or the climbing park are paid.
How big is the Amsterdamse Bos?
About 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres).
How do I get to the Amsterdamse Bos without a car?
Cycle (about as quick as public transport), take a bus from Amstelveen bus station or Schiphol Plaza to Nieuwe Meerlaan, or ride the seasonal heritage tram from Haarlemmermeerstation.
Should I walk or bike the Amsterdamse Bos?
Bike. Reviewers say exploring it on foot takes most of a day; on a bike you can see the Bosbaan, lakes and goat farm in 2–3 hours.
Better fits, according to people who went
Sources
- Wikipedia – Amsterdamse Bos
- Amsterdamse Bos – directions to the management office (bus, P-Geitenboerderij)
- NH Nieuws – Amsterdamse Bos to get paid-only parking (June 2020)
- Google Maps – Amsterdam Forest