Sarphatipark is certainly one of the most beautiful of Amsterdam’s parks. It was designed to reflect formal English gardens. Enjoy its interesting follies, from little bridges over duck-filled ponds to the heritage pump station and gardener’s shed complete with flower-topped roof.
The park was named after the doctor and philanthropist, Samuel Sarphati. Its centerpiece is an ornate 19th-century monument erected in his memory. The bust of the Jewish doctor, who was at the forefront of health innovations and city planning in Amsterdam, was removed during Nazi occupation of the city. When Amsterdam was liberated, Dr. Sarphati’s bust returned to its place overlooking the weeping willows, lakes and brilliant flowerbeds of the park. Look for this lasting symbol of the resilience of the community despite the ravages of war.
The houses overlooking the park date from around Dr. Sarphati’s era and are notable for having housed the studios of several famous artists, including Piet Mondrian. Find his modernist works of striking colors and strong brush strokes in the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague. Look around the area to identify what he might have found as inspiration for his art.
The park’s location near some of the best coffee spots in Amsterdam and the food stalls of Albert Cuyp Market makes it a popular place for an impromptu picnic. Gather coffee, a round of truffle edam cheese, an assortment of fruit and some fresh baked goods from the market and enjoy a picnic on the green grass. In summer the lawns are dotted with local residents soaking up the sun’s warmth or whiling away the warm evenings. There are even plastic groundsheets available in the park if you’ve forgotten your picnic blanket.
Families traveling with children will appreciate the park’s fenced playground. Bars and restaurants encircle the area along Ceintuurbaan. Use Trams 3, 4 or 25 to reach Sarphatipark easily from throughout the city.
