Location
Netherlands
Status
Officially Designated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Grass / lawn
Best season
May to September
About Zonneweide Amsterdamse Bos
The Zonneweide (sun meadow) is a nude sunbathing lawn in the eastern part of the Amsterdamse Bos, the large 1930s park-forest on the southern edge of Amsterdam that lies mostly within Amstelveen, just north of the A9 motorway. It is not a beach: there is no swimming water, only an open grassy clearing of roughly 1.6 to 2 hectares enclosed by woodland and reached by a single path, which makes it sheltered and private. The forest edges give shade, and part of the lawn around free-standing oak trees is left unmown as a wildflower zone that visitors are asked not to enter. Facilities are minimal: a drinking-water tap and waste bins, with no toilets, showers or catering; the ground was regraded in 2020 to improve drainage. The Amsterdamse Bos describes it as one of the few city parks in the Netherlands where nude recreation is officially allowed. Aircraft from Schiphol and traffic on the A9 can be heard. In 2014 the meadow was threatened with closure because of sexual nuisance; after talks with the NFN it stayed open, and visitors are asked to challenge unwanted behaviour.
Getting there
Cycling is easiest: the Amsterdamse Bos is laced with cycle paths and there is bicycle parking at the entrance path. Free car parking is about 350 m away (for example at Oude Karselaan); the usual parking near the Bleekerskade underpass has been closed for works at times, so check before travelling. Buses stop in Amstelveen at Raadhuis/Dorpsstraat, about 1 km walk. The access path is level and the meadow is described as suitable for visitors with limited mobility.
What visitors say
Visitors value the quiet, shelter and space for sunbathing close to Amsterdam, and many find the atmosphere relaxed, with couples and women as well as men. The lack of toilets, showers and food is the most common complaint, along with overflowing bins and the noise of planes and the motorway. Several reviewers report men seeking sexual contact in the surrounding bushes, especially in the evening, and some advise against bringing children; others say they have never had problems.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Nude sunbathing on the Zonneweide is officially permitted. The Amsterdamse Bos website gives the season as 1 April to 30 September, while the designation decree under the Amstelveen local bye-laws cited by naaktstrandje.nl gives 1 May to 30 September. Dogs are not allowed during the summer season.
Naturism at Zonneweide Amsterdamse Bos sits under Netherlands's rules for officially designated nude beaches — explicit protection inside the marked area.
Full country law: Netherlands public nudity guide.
Naturist status confirmed against an official source on 24 October 2026.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 52.3075, 4.8380
Visitor tips
- 1 Official designation: nudity is protected inside the marked area.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Netherlands
Frequently asked questions
Is nudity officially allowed here?
Yes. The Amsterdamse Bos lists the Zonneweide as an area where nude recreation is officially allowed during the summer season.
Can I swim?
No. The Zonneweide is a sunbathing meadow with no swimming water.
Are there toilets?
No. There is only a water tap and bins, so plan accordingly.
When is it open for nude use?
From spring to 30 September; the park website says from 1 April, the local decree from 1 May.
How do I get there?
By bike through the Amsterdamse Bos, or park free about 350 m away; buses stop in central Amstelveen about 1 km away.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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