Amsterdam City Card

Geitenboerderij Ridammerhoeve Amsterdam review 2026: worth it?

Geitenboerderij Ridammerhoeve is a public goat farm in Amstelveen that works well for families, animal lovers and anyone looking for a relaxed outing just outside Amsterdam. The useful takeaway is simple: it is a hands-on farm visit with food, animals and space to wander, and the available visitor feedback suggests that people generally leave happy with the experience.

About Geitenboerderij Ridammerhoeve

This is an organic goat farm in the Amsterdamse Bos that opened on 6 October 1988. It is designed as more than a place to look at goats: visitors can see farm life up close, eat at the restaurant, browse the farm shop and learn more about biological agriculture in a setting that feels open and approachable.

What makes it distinctive is the mix of animal care, food and education. The farm keeps around one hundred milk goats, along with other animals such as chickens, pigs, cows, a horse and a pony. It also produces its own goat dairy products, which gives the visit a clearer farm-to-table identity than many casual petting zoos or city-edge attractions.

At a glance

Detailed review

The strongest reason to visit is the atmosphere. This is the kind of place where children can enjoy the animals, adults can sit down for a meal or coffee, and everyone can spend time outdoors without needing a complicated plan. The setting in the Amsterdamse Bos also helps, because it makes the farm feel like part of a bigger nature day out instead of an isolated stop.

The visitor-facing offer is broad for a farm of this size. In addition to farm visits and open stables, there is a restaurant, terrace seating, a shop with dairy products and farm goods, cheese-making workshops, goat yoga, care-related day activities, company outings and a children's play area. That mix makes it flexible enough for different types of visits, from a quick coffee stop to a planned group activity.

Food is another practical plus. The restaurant serves breakfast, pastries, lunch, snacks, appetizers and hot dishes, while the shop sells items such as raw goat milk, cheese, yogurt, buttermilk, butter, kvark and goat ice cream. For many visitors, that makes the outing feel more complete, because it is not just about seeing animals and leaving.

Public review signals are also encouraging. Tripadvisor lists a 4.4 out of 5 rating from 208 reviews, which is a solid score for a visitor attraction of this type. A recent comment mentions petting and feeding goats and other animals, which matches the kind of experience people usually come for. In plain terms, the attraction seems to deliver what most visitors expect from it.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Easy family outing: The combination of animals, food and open space makes it convenient for a relaxed visit with children.
• Clear farm identity: Because it is an active organic goat farm, the experience feels more authentic than a simple petting stop.
• Useful extras: Restaurant, terrace, shop and workshops give you more to do if you want to stay longer.
• Good public feedback: The Tripadvisor score suggests that many visitors leave satisfied, which matters when choosing a day trip.

Cons

• Best as a short outing: It is enjoyable, but it is not a large all-day attraction, so some travelers may want to pair it with another stop nearby.
• Can feel simple if you expect a big tourist site: The appeal is in the farm experience, not in major spectacle or entertainment.
• Rules and limits are part of the setting: Visitors cannot bring their own food and drinks, which may matter for families planning around snacks.

Who it suits best

This place is a good match for families with younger children, animal lovers, and Amsterdam visitors who want something calmer than the usual museum or city-center stop. It also suits people who like straightforward, low-pressure outings where the main goal is to enjoy the setting, have a meal and spend time around animals.

Practical information

The farm is in Amstelveen in the Amsterdamse Bos, near Nieuwe Meer and the Schiphol airport area. It is open daily except Tuesday, with opening hours from 10:00 to 17:00. There is no entrance fee. Dogs are allowed if kept short on a leash and under control, and visitors may not bring their own food or drinks.

If you are planning a visit, a few simple tips help: go earlier in the day if you want a calmer atmosphere, check whether you are visiting mainly for the animals or for lunch, and allow enough time to sit down rather than rushing through. If you are traveling with children, the play area and open-stable setup make it easier to turn the visit into a full family stop.

Where to buy tickets

There is no entrance fee for the farm itself. If you are planning a special activity, group event or workshop, check the booking options before you go.

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Comparison with nearby alternatives

It is also worth comparing with Clara Maria Cheese & Clog Farm and Speelboerderij Elsenhove.

If you are deciding between similar outings, two named alternatives are worth knowing about. Clara Maria Cheese & Clog Farm is the better pick if you want a more cheese-and-tradition-oriented farm visit in the Amsterdam area. Speelboerderij Elsenhove is the more play-focused choice if your main priority is a child-centered farm stop in Amstelveen. Ridammerhoeve sits in the middle: it feels more like a working goat farm with food and activities than a pure play farm or a cheese-only stop.

Final verdict

Verdict: 8.6/10. Geitenboerderij Ridammerhoeve looks worth it if you want a relaxed, family-friendly farm outing with animals, food and a clear local character. The public feedback is strong, and the mix of farm visit, restaurant and shop makes it more useful than a basic animal stop. It is a provisional score only in the sense that it reflects the currently available public review picture, which is helpful but still limited to a single main ratings source.

FAQ

Is Geitenboerderij Ridammerhoeve good for children?

Yes. The farm setup, open stables, play area and animal contact make it especially suitable for families with children.

Can you eat there?

Yes. The restaurant offers breakfast, coffee and pastries, lunch, snacks, appetizers and hot dishes, and there is also a terrace.

Do you need to pay entry?

No entrance fee is listed for the farm visit itself.

What makes this farm different from a normal petting zoo?

It is an active organic goat farm with its own dairy products, a restaurant, a shop and educational or care-related activities, so it feels broader than a simple petting area.

Can you visit as part of a group or company outing?

Yes. The farm offers group bookings, workshops and company outings.