Amsterdam Noord – The (just barely) hidden gem

By now, most people have realised that Amsterdam is divided into several districts worth visiting. These include the historic centre, the lively Jordaan district, the multicultural West and the trendy “de Pijp” district. However, one neighbourhood that has received remarkably little attention in travel guides is the northern part of the city: Amsterdam Noord.

This could have something to do with the history of Amsterdam Noord. Up to and including 1795, it was still full of gallows fields (creepy), but later industry moved in. If you’re now asking yourself: what are we supposed to do in an industrial area? Then we’ll give you the answer: street art. After the large NDSM shipyard was closed in 1984, artists took up residence there – and how! The northern part around the shipyard is the left-liberal part of the city and this is also reflected in the street art. Wherever you look, you will find colourful graffiti, each telling its own story.

What else is there to discover in Amsterdam Noord? Find out here!

Street art: alternative art (even for art lovers!)

The free-spirited, left-liberal character of the north can be felt everywhere in the western part of “NDSM”. And it has a very positive side effect for both locals and tourists: most of the street art is completely free for the public to marvel at!

As the founder of capitalism, Amsterdam is not normally known for its wide range of free services. But we all know that it’s not the quantity that counts, but the quality. And this is all the higher in Amsterdam Noord! You can walk around freely between the shipyards and look at the graffiti at your leisure. These go far beyond ordinary tags and often have great artistic value. So take an hour and interpret the street art for yourself.

The NDSM shipyard

In addition to the numerous works of art on the street, you can also visit the inside of the shipyard. Numerous artists have taken up residence in the rough industrial flair and converted the interior of the shipyard into offices and studios without further ado. The special thing about this is that the industrial character of the shipyard has been completely preserved. The artists have come up with a way to breathe new life into the building, which in other cases might have been demolished. Although the interior of the shipyard is considered a private area, it is open to the public. So take a look inside and visit the Amsterdam Expo if you can’t get enough of the alternative art scene!

Insider tip: The Ij-Hallen flea market, Amsterdam’s largest flea market, is also held here once a month at the weekend! So come along to browse and look for a treasure or two 😉

STRAAT

The only attraction in NDSM that is unfortunately not accessible free of charge is the STRAAT street art museum. However, the €20 entrance fee is really well invested here, as STRAAT is our insider tip for all those who have already seen the classics. The particularly skilfully crafted graffiti by world-famous artists is exhibited here, which is reflected in the attention to detail and the strong message behind the images. Especially on bad weather days, you can spend a wonderful 2 hours here!

Hipster cuisine in Amsterdam Noord

With so much alternative flair, great trendy bars and hipster restaurants are of course a must. We have put together our 3 absolute favourites for you here!

Container-Chique: PLLEK

You’ll find one of Amsterdam’s coolest restaurants right on the waterfront. Because instead of replacing the containers of the former harbour, the owners of PLLEK have upgraded them with a cool shabby look and transformed them into a trendy restaurant. Here, rough industrial flair and cosy couches (including an open fireplace in the middle of the room) come together to create a very “chilled” atmosphere. In summer, you can also soak up the sun on the paved city beach right outside the door. So get on the ferry and off to Noord!

Upcycling style: Noorderlicht Café

The upcycled Noorderlicht Café restaurant is at least as nice just a 5-minute walk away. The north of Amsterdam is also known for its focus on sustainability, which is reflected above all in its cuisine. Like Pllek, the Noorderlicht Café specialises in regional, seasonal cuisine. Vegetarians/vegans in particular get their money’s worth here. But meat lovers are not left empty-handed either: For example, try the delicious loaded fries with Dutch “stoofvlees” – a dream!

Chic industrial flair: Ijver

Ijver is the place for those who like things a little more chic, but still casual. In keeping with the rest of NDSM, the smart industrial-style restaurant was built directly into the shipyard. It impresses with typical European/Dutch cuisine, modern influences and a chic interior with great lighting. In addition, the Ijver is transformed into a dance bar on numerous weekends throughout the year, hosting one event or another. From disco to techno, all music genres are represented and a fun night is always guaranteed. Incidentally, unlike most other clubs in Amsterdam, entry here is often free, making it a real insider tip for those looking to save money!

Do you fancy a little trip to one of Amsterdam’s most beautiful neighbourhoods? Then have fun and discover for yourself what NDSM has to offer. ❤️