Fruittuin van West in Amsterdam is a pick-your-own farm where visitors can harvest over 30 varieties of fruit from June to mid-October. The orchard grows apples, pears, cherries, plums, berries (blackcurrants, redcurrants, whitecurrants, gooseberries, blueberries, jostaberries and kiwi berries), raspberries, blackberries, tayberries, loganberries, Japanese wineberries, grapes, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, almonds, walnuts, chestnuts, pecans and hazelnuts. Each variety ripens at different times, extending the season. The farm also cultivates mushrooms and witloof (Belgian endive) year-round in its underground growing space, though these are not available for picking.
Visitors receive bags or cardboard containers at the farm and pick only from rows marked with yellow flags. Fruit is weighed and paid for by the kilo at the checkout. Only ripe fruit may be picked, except for Conference pears and kiwi berries, which can be harvested unripe and will ripen at home. The farm charges for any fruit tasted while picking.
The farm is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30 to 18.00. Entry is free, and no reservation is needed unless visiting with a group of more than 10 people. The farm operates on organic and biodynamic principles, certified by Skal and Demeter.
In addition to the orchard, Fruittuin van West has a farm shop selling its own produce—fruit, eggs, mushrooms, witloof, chicken and beef—as well as groceries, bread, honey, preserves and plants. The on-site café serves homemade cakes, lunches and drinks, all made with organic ingredients. The farm also hosts private events, weddings and business meetings, and offers guided tours on themes such as fruit growing, chickens or sustainability. Dogs are not allowed, except for assistance dogs.
What visitors say
Fruittuin van West feels like a small farm just outside the city. You can pick your own fruit—apples, pears, plums and berries, depending on the season—and collect eggs from the free-roaming chickens. The website updates daily around 10:15 (closed Mondays) to show what’s ripe and where to find it. Yellow flags mark the picking spots, and staff will explain how it works if you ask. Most people find the fruit tasty, though a few say it can be small or not sweet enough. Prices are higher than the supermarket, but many don’t mind paying for the experience.
The farm is popular with families. Kids enjoy the animals, the space to run around, and the simple fun of picking. The café serves lunch and homemade cakes, and the small shop sells organic produce, though some find the service slow or disorganised. On busy weekends, the kitchen can close early. A few visitors complain about unfriendly staff or dogs, but most describe the people as warm and helpful. Opinions on the value differ: some call it a lovely day out, others feel it’s overpriced.