Get ready to explore our lovely Amsterdam East! We have selected some of our favourite spots for you to explore. 

For an extra wintery touch we have selected a couple of bars and restaurants that serve Glühwein during the winter months. 

First stop: Park Frankendael

Click for route (1 km / 14 minutes)

Hot drink suggestion: EAST

Got your warm coat, gloves and hat? Great! Your very first stop is Park Frankendael. One of our favourite parks in Amsterdam. 

Park Frankendael is named after the next door manor Huize Frankendael, built in 1731. This country house is one of the last country houses in the neighbourhood Watergraafsmeer. After World War II a city garden was built around Frankendael and in 1998 the city garden was transformed into Park Frankendael. A beautiful and romantic park, surrounded by water and a very popular destination for Oost neighbourhood strollers. You also find two amazing restaurants that are located in the park. Restaurant Merkelbach -in the old carriage house- or De Kas, situated in the beautiful greenhouse that dates from 1926.

Our favourite spot? The swan bench. It’s your task to find it and once you do make sure sit down, relax and take a sip of your warm glühwein! 

 

Second stop: Flevopark

Click route (2 km / 25 minutes)

Glühwein suggestion: Poesiat & Kater

Now that your feeling already more warm after your first glühwein you can continue your way to a bigger park, Flevopark! This beautiful large and lush green park is the perfect place to relax, go for a jog, play some sports or enjoy a picnic. During the summer months, you can visit the large outdoor swimming area. 

Our personal favourite of Flevopark is the statue ‘Angstig Konijn’ by graphic designer Piet Parra. The story behind the artwork started back in February 2017 when the organizers of Appelsap festival took the initiative to start a petition about placing a permanent artwork inside Flevopark. With the belief that not enough artworks by young Dutch artists were represented on the streets of Amsterdam, they started a project that got a great response and eventually received over 1,600 signatures. Luckily, more than enough to make it a permanent feature in the park. 

TIP! This park has public bathrooms. 

 

Third stop: Oosterpark

Click for route  (2.5 km / 33 minutes)

Glühwein suggestion: Milo and Knus

Let’s go for a longer walk now! But don’t worry, you’ll find two places there that serve glühwein.

You continue your way to Oosterpark via Javastraat. Javastraat is the most important commercial street in the Amsterdam district of the Indische Buurt. The street used to be home for the working class, until those people started to move to the suburbs in the 1970’s. Instead, immigrants from Morocco and Turkey moved into the vacated apartments. Javastraat has changed a lot over the past years, and lots of new, hip places have been popping up left and right. So make sure to keep your eyes open! Have some extra time on your hands? Check out the most diverse market you find in Amsterdam, the Dappermarkt. 

So, finally reached Oosterpark? Great! This medium-sized park is just one of those hidden gems, offering a breath of fresh air amongst humongous trees and a break from the busy city life. When walking around, it’s clear that this park is very rich in culture and art. It contains 19 sculptures all in different styles and some even dating all the way back to 1836. In the south west corner you find the Nationaal Monument Slavernijverleden (national monument to slavery) made by the Surinamese artist Erwin de Vries. This monument was erected in 2002 in commemoration of the abolition of slavery in the Netherlands on 1 July 1863. Don’t miss it! 

 

 

Last stop: Amstel River

Click route (1.6 km / 20 minutes)

Food suggestion: Amstelhaven and Côte Wispe  

Also checked Oosterpark off the list? Great! Now move on to the beautiful Amstel River. Before you continue here’s a short history lesson about Amsterdam: Did you know that Amsterdam actually took its name from the Amstel river? Back in the 13th century, the city developed from a small fishing village built next to a dam on the Amstel river. This was called ‘Amstelredam’, later it became ‘Amsteldam’ and finally stuck to its name Amsterdam. Find a bench with a lovely view drink your last cup of glühwein!

After all this walking we can imagine your legs are quite sore at this point. The only thing we would suggest right now is to go back to your hotel room and take that much deserved rest! 

Click route (650 m / 8 minutes)