Old Meets New walking route

Route

Stroll through the elegant streets of Oud-Zuid and Oud-West, where classic art institutions, modern sculptures, and surprising new cultural spaces invite you to see Amsterdam’s artistic spirit through the ages.

• Time: 40 minutes – 1.5 hours (with stops)
• Distance: approx. 3.5 km
• Good to know: How to walk in Amsterdam (because bikes are everywhere).

• Rijksmuseum
• Stedelijk Museum
• Moco Museum

1. Rijksmuseum

• Start your walk at the iconic Rijksmuseum (included in the I amsterdam City Card), home to the great Dutch masters. Even if you’re not heading inside, the building itself is a masterpiece, with its neo-Gothic facade, lush garden, and open underpass bustling with cyclists and musicians. Take a moment to peek through the arches or admire the sculptures in the museum gardens (free to enter) before continuing across Museumplein.

2. Museumplein

• Stroll through the vast, open space of Museumplein, a cultural heartland surrounded by Amsterdam’s major cultural institutions: Van Gogh Museum, the Royal Concertgebouw, Stedelijk Museum and Moco Museum. The green lawns are a favourite with picnickers and skaters alike, and the square often hosts temporary exhibitions, installations, or open-air events.

3. Concertgebouw

• Just across the street lies the stately Concertgebouw, one of the world’s most celebrated concert halls. It’s known for its exquisite acoustics and classical programmes, but it also hosts contemporary performances and jazz nights. Check out the schedule, including regular free lunchtime concerts – or just enjoy the buzz outside, where culture and elegance meet on the museum quarter’s edge.

4. ‘t Blauwe Theehuis

• Enter Vondelpark and follow the winding path to ‘t Blauwe Theehuis, a striking circular pavilion built in the 1930s in the Nieuwe Bouwen architectural style. Surrounded by greenery and frequented by locals and visitors alike, it’s an excellent spot for a coffee, lunch or beer with a view. In warmer months, the terrace comes alive with live music and relaxed summer vibes.

5. Vondelpark & Picasso Sculpture

• Continue deeper into Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s most beloved urban green space. As you walk beneath leafy canopies, make your way toward the southwest side of the park to find Pablo Picasso’s Figure Découpée, a playful white abstract sculpture gifted to the city in 1965. It’s a surprising slice of modernism in the middle of this classic park.

6. Orgelpark

• Exit the park and take a detour to the nearby Orgelpark, a beautifully restored former church turned concert space for experimental and classical organ music. This hidden cultural gem fuses historical grandeur with modern sound design and technology, often hosting avant-garde performances in a uniquely atmospheric setting.

7. Lab111

• A short walk away is Lab111, an independent cinema, art space and café tucked inside a former anatomical pathology lab. The building still carries echoes of its past with original tiles and quirky corridors, but today it screens arthouse movies and hosts film festivals and creative events. Grab a drink and explore the offbeat atmosphere.

8. De Hallen

• End your walk at De Hallen, a former tram depot turned cultural hub. Inside, you’ll find the Foodhallen (an indoor street food market), boutique shops, artist studios, a public library, and even a design hotel. It’s the perfect spot to relax after your walk – whether you’re in the mood for a bite, a film at the art-house cinema, or a browse through the local crafts stalls.

Follow the route on your phone

Keen to head out on this walk? Follow the route on Google Maps, where you'll find all the stops condensed into one tidy package. If you're curious about other routes, we've got some for every neighbourhood.