Secret Smoking Spots

Amsterdam's most famous park is massive, but the real secret is escaping the crowded main paths. Head towards the hidden rose garden or the quieter southern ponds, roll out a blanket under the weeping willows, and enjoy a perfectly peaceful session surrounded by lush greenery and the sound of birds.

Tucked away in the trendy De Pijp neighborhood, this English-style landscape park is the ultimate local hangout. Grab some munchies from the famous Albert Cuyp market just one street over, find a sunny patch of grass near the central pond, and soak in the vibrant, bohemian atmosphere away from the tourist crowds.

Where industrial grit meets sprawling green meadows. Westerpark is a sprawling cultural oasis built around an old gasworks. Whether you want to spark up on a quiet grassy hill or wander through the community allotment gardens, it offers a beautifully laid-back, creative vibe that feels completely different from the city center.

A lush, expansive park in the culturally diverse Amsterdam East. Known for its wide open lawns, monumental trees, and the serene pond featuring a small island. It's significantly less crowded than Vondelpark, making it incredibly easy to find a secluded bench or a quiet corner under the weeping willows for a discreet, relaxing smoke.

Step back in time at this historic 17th-century estate park. Hidden behind the grand Huize Frankendael, you'll discover romantic botanical gardens, wild foraging orchards, and winding, overgrown paths. It's a completely surreal, quiet escape where you can sit among wild herbs and ancient trees, forgetting you're even in a city.

A true local secret right on the banks of the Amstel River. This newly developed park features sweeping, unobstructed views of the water and boats passing by. There are stone steps leading right down into the river—making it the absolute perfect, sun-drenched spot for an evening session while watching a spectacular sunset.

Three times the size of New York's Central Park, this sprawling artificial forest is the ultimate nature escape. Rent a canoe, wander through the dense woodland trails, or find a completely isolated meadow. It's a massive, beautiful wilderness that's absolutely perfect for a long, undisturbed group session in nature.

Often called the 'best kept secret of Amsterdam West', this is a completely wild, overgrown garden hidden between modern apartment blocks. It feels like stepping into an enchanted forest, complete with marshlands and winding dirt paths. It's a rare, incredibly peaceful pocket of pure, untouched nature right in the urban jungle.

A beautiful, volunteer-run ecological project featuring four hedged orchards packed with fruit trees, wild garlic, and medicinal herbs. Walking the barefoot path or sitting quietly among the overgrown plants offers an incredibly grounding, earthy experience. A true hidden sanctuary for a quiet, contemplative smoke.

Get lost in a whimsical labyrinth of tiny, beautifully manicured allotment gardens connected by miniature canals and narrow walking paths. While you can't enter the private plots, wandering the peaceful, flower-lined alleys feels like exploring a miniature, secret village. It's incredibly serene and wonderfully surreal.

A breathtaking, ever-changing floral masterpiece created by visual artist Elspeth Diederix. Tucked away in Amsterdam West, this living artwork bursts with spectacular, rare blooms. Finding a quiet bench here to enjoy a smoke while surrounded by hyper-vibrant, meticulously curated flowers is a truly magical, sensory experience.

Often voted the most beautiful street in Amsterdam, this quiet northern edge of the Jordaan is lined with historic 17th-century warehouses and stunning houseboats. Grab a seat on one of the benches right on the water's edge. It offers all the romantic canal charm you came to Amsterdam for, but without the chaotic tourist crowds.

This is it—the exact view Claude Monet painted in 1874. Stand on the wooden drawbridge and look down the tree-lined canal toward the towering Zuiderkerk spire. It's undeniably one of the most photogenic, romantic spots in the entire city, yet miraculously, most tourists walk right past it. A magical place for an evening smoke.

A brilliant vantage point right in the heart of the UNESCO Canal Ring. Grab one of the three benches facing the intersection and watch the mesmerizing flow of canal tour boats, rowers, and private sloops navigating the tight turn. It's a surprisingly peaceful spot to people-watch and take in the classic Amsterdam architecture.

Deep in the Oud-West neighborhood, far off the tourist trail, lies this perfect waterside hangout. With multiple benches and a picnic table right on the Schinkel canal, it's a fantastic, low-key spot to sit back, spark up, and watch the heavy, fascinating boat traffic glide by in a completely authentic local setting.

A phenomenally secluded spot hidden in the affluent Amsterdam Zuid. Pass through an unmarked gate to find a private wooden dock jutting out over a quiet pond, completely surrounded by stately mansions and weeping willows. Facing west, it is arguably the most peaceful, picturesque location in the city for a sunset session.

Step onto these artificial islands and you'll feel like you've time-traveled back to the Golden Age. Connected by wooden drawbridges and lined with massive, converted ship-building warehouses, the islands have zero cafes, zero shops, and zero tourists. The only sounds are the water lapping against the houseboats and the cobblestones.

Take the free ferry across the river to this massive, post-industrial creative hub. Covered in spectacular street art, towering cranes, and raw concrete, it's a completely open, highly tolerant environment. Grab a spot by the water or near the Pllek beach bar and enjoy the gritty, vibrant, incredibly smoker-friendly atmosphere.

A bizarre and beautiful little oasis right on the water, easily identified by the bright yellow submarine moored permanently out front. Maintained entirely by local residents, this tiny green pocket features a perfect bench overlooking the water. It's an incredibly quiet, quirky, and beloved local hideout.

Don't let the name fool you—there are no animals here! This is a chaotic, surreal, and heavily overgrown hidden sculpture garden tucked away near Artis. Filled with bizarre metal art and winding paths, it’s a brilliant, slightly psychedelic treasure hunt to find, making it a highly rewarding and wonderfully weird spot for a smoke.

Why sit on a bench when you can smoke on the water? This unique canal cruise is explicitly designed and fully licensed for smoking weed. Bring your own supplies, buy a drink from the bar, connect to the Bluetooth speakers, and float through the UNESCO canals in total comfort. WARNING: Do not light up on the dock while waiting—wait until you board to avoid the Red Light District fines!