Gardens in Amsterdam, can be related to expression in abbey and monastery gardens of the Middle Ages where vegetables, fruit and herbs were cultivated. The layout of a medieval garden usually consisted of a square or slightly elongated rectangle. Cloister gardens usually consisted of a more or less square space divided by a cross-shaped path. A feature like water or a tree generally marked the centre of the cross.



Amsterdam has a wide variety of parks within the city limits. The parks offer respite from the hustle and bustle of the city and range from small green areas planted with trees and flowers, to large parks with amusements picnic areas, sports facilities, water features, hiking trails and paths for cyclists.

While touring Amsterdam discover the hidden beauty of the gardens along the canals as there are around 25 gardens between Brouwersgracht and the Amstel River. These gardens are open to the public for the weekend during the annual Open Garden Days. During this event the gardens of private houses usually closed to the public are open for viewing. Classically designed and contemporary gardens, stately old trees and rare plants lie hidden behind the 17th and 18th-century merchants' houses along Amsterdam's three main canals - the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht.

All the gardens are marked by a blue sign and are within walking distance of each other. Each participating garden can also provide a map of the full tour.

Hortus Botanicus was established here originally as an herb garden for doctors and pharmacists over three hundred years ago. Anyone who loves spring flowers, especially tulips, should visit the Keukenhof flower gardens near Amsterdam. The beauty of these gardens and the brilliant bulb flowers just cannot be adequately captured in pictures. Since Keukenhof is only open for about two months in the spring, this entire splendor is crammed into a few short weeks.