The Ruijtergaard is a community food-forest garden behind Amsterdam Centraal, on the De Ruijterkade. Neighbourhood volunteers created it and keep it going as part of Stichting Amstergaard.
What is the Ruijtergaard?
The Ruijtergaard is a small edible green space along the quay east of Amsterdam Centraal. In 2018, Nieuwmarkt-area residents and businesses joined forces to turn a strip of pavement into a “food forest”, with herbs, shrubs and trees growing in artistic containers.
It’s part of Stichting Amstergaard, which creates edible green spaces across the city.
What to expect
- Edible mini food-forests in planted containers
- Herbs, shrubs and fruiting plants tended by locals
- A green, volunteer-run pocket near the waterfront
- Worm-composting that recycles neighbourhood food waste
How to get there
The garden runs along the De Ruijterkade, on the east side of Amsterdam Centraal. It’s an easy walk from the station and the canals around Dam Square.
Good to know
- Address: De Ruijterkade 105-153, 1011 AB Amsterdam
- Phone: +31 20 760 0310
- Website: amstergaard.nl
- Cost: free — a public neighbourhood garden
Frequently asked questions
What is the Ruijtergaard? It’s a community food-forest garden behind Amsterdam Centraal, run as part of Stichting Amstergaard.
Who looks after it? Local residents and businesses from the Nieuwmarkt area tend the garden.
Where is it? Along the De Ruijterkade, on the east side of Amsterdam Centraal.
Is it free to visit? Yes, it’s a public green space.
