- Amstelveen was historically a cluster of small villages including Amstelveen, Nes aan de Amstel, and Ouderkerk aan de Amstel before its expansion.
- The city has one of the highest concentrations of Japanese expatriates in the Netherlands, leading to a unique cultural influence on local culinary and social offerings.
- Much of the current city layout was shaped by the 'AUP' (Algemeen Uitbreidingsplan) of Amsterdam, intended to expand the urban footprint southward while prioritizing green corridors.
- Amstelveen consistently ranks as one of the most affluent and highly-educated municipalities in the Netherlands.
- The city maintains a distinct administrative separation from Amsterdam despite being geographically contiguous.
About Amstelveen
Amstelveen is a distinct Dutch municipality bordering Amsterdam, defined by its blend of modern urban planning and extensive green spaces like Het Amsterdamse Bos. The city is a major hub for international business and art, housing the renowned Museum Cobra which focuses on the influential COBRA avant-garde movement. Visitors can explore local glass art at Museum Jan or enjoy performances in the unique setting of the Amsterdam Bostheater. Strategically located near Schiphol Airport, the city serves as a quiet residential and cultural contrast to its dense northern neighbor.
Highlights of Amstelveen
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Parks
This massive park is three times the size of New York's Central Park and offers extensive rowing lakes and cycling paths.
Venues
Experience open-air theater performances in a forest setting during the summer months.
Museums
Explore the extensive collection of COBRA movement art, known for its experimental and spontaneous creative style.
Museums
View a world-class collection of contemporary glass art and local history exhibits.
Places of interest
Watch international flights land at close range from this dedicated aviation viewing area.
Parks
Walk through this meticulously landscaped neighborhood park known for its mature trees and water features.
Top things to do in Amstelveen
The 104 highest-rated places in Amstelveen, ranked by travellers.
1
Parks
Het Amsterdamse Bos is a massive 1,000-hectare park located on the southern edge of Amstelveen, three times the size of...
2
Venues
The Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam is a historic venue designed by architect Jan Wils for the 1928 Summer Olympics. It is...
3
Venues
Meervaart is a prominent cultural center and conference venue located on the banks of the Sloterplas lake in the Nieuw-W...
4
Venues
The Amsterdam Bostheater is an open-air amphitheater situated within the Amsterdamse Bos, the city's largest public park...
5
Parks
Sloterplas is a 43-hectare artificial lake created in the 1950s by dredging sand for the construction of the Amsterdam N...
6
Museums
Museum Cobra, located in Amstelveen, is the primary global institution dedicated to the CoBrA movement, an avant-garde g...
7
Museums
Museum Jan is a specialized art museum in Amstelveen, Netherlands, globally recognized for its extensive collection of c...
8
Museums
Museum Vrolik is an anatomical museum housed within the Amsterdam UMC, containing the preserved collection of 18th and 1...
9
Parks
Hortus Botanicus Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, also known as Botanische Tuin Zuidas, is a specialized botanical garden l...
10
Places of interest
Spottersplaats Buitenveldertbaan is a dedicated observation area located directly adjacent to one of Amsterdam Airport S...
11
Parks
Gijsbrecht Aemstelpark is a narrow, elongated park serving as a green corridor between Buitenveldert and Amstelveen. Des...
12
Parks
13
Temples
14
Parks
15
Venues
16
Parks
17
Beaches and ponds
18
Beaches and ponds
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Museums
20
Beaches and ponds
21
Temples
22
Parks
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Temples
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Parks
25
Temples
26
Beaches and ponds
27
Historical places
28
Temples
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Parks
30
Beaches and ponds
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Amstelveen on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Amstelveen
May to September, as this period offers the most pleasant weather for exploring the expansive parkland and outdoor theaters.
2 days, allowing enough time to explore the museums and major green spaces without rushing.
The city is highly accessible by tram lines connecting directly to Amsterdam, as well as an extensive network of local buses and bicycle paths.
The Stadshart area is the most convenient for proximity to shopping, museums, and transport links to Amsterdam.
Mid-range to expensive, reflecting its status as an affluent residential area near a global capital.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 104 curated attractions in and around Amstelveen, ranked by traveller ratings.
Het Amsterdamse Bos is the highest-rated place to visit in Amstelveen right now.
The largest category is temples, with 37 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague.
Explore more of Netherlands
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
