Over the past few decades, Amsterdam-Noord evolved from a district where nobody wanted to be seen into one of the hippest neighbourhoods in Amsterdam. Trot Op! crossed the IJ on the ferry and visited all of the coolest attractions in Amsterdam-Noord.
In recent years, Amsterdam became one of my favourite cities. It’s photogenic, exciting and innovative and there’s always something new to discover. Perfect material for a city trip, but unfortunately this isn’t exactly the world’s best-kept secret. The Dutch capital is an insanely popular destination, which at times can make the city centre quite annoyingly overcrowded. In practice, it’s usually not too bad. The majority of tourists in Amsterdam suffer from what I call the Bruges syndrome. This means there’s a whole lot of them, but for some reason they all just walk the same little tour. Step away from that circle for just a hundred meters and they disappear like snow in the sun. To spread the visitors out a bit more, efforts were made to push them out of the centre of Amsterdam towards a number of other destinations nearby. This way, I’ve already visited Haarlem and Hilversum, cycled through the Bijlmer and Zaanstreek, and even visited nearby Flevoland (and thus became the first tourist there in over a decade). Except for the Bijlmer, none of these places are part of Amsterdam. However, they all lie within the larger Amsterdam Area (a circle of about 50 kilometres around the city, sold as Amsterdam to attract some of the less literate tourists). Since I didn’t want to be led out four times in a row, I decided to stay in the city proper this weekend to explore Amsterdam-Noord on the other side of the IJ.
Amsterdam-Noord: 11 great tips for a visit to the trendiest neighbourhood in Amsterdam
Not too long ago, Amsterdam-Noord was a neighbourhood you wouldn’t visit unless you absolutely had to. It was a gloomy industrial area brimming with hangars and shipyards. They dubbed it “Noord Gestoord” (“Crazy North”) and there were probably some valid explanations for that name. Since then, things have changed quite a bit. Thanks to Amsterdam’s ever-growing popularity, many sought refuge on the other side of the water in search of affordable housing (you’re way too late for that now by the way). Consequently, Amsterdam-Noord expanded massively. Thousands of new homes were built, gradually surrounding old dike villages and neighbourhoods with the newly built city. Former warehouses and shipyards are now home to funky restaurants, while several top-notch museums have sprung up and traditional working-class areas lie in the shadow of modern high-rises. In the span of about twenty years, Amsterdam-Noord has morphed from a faded industrial zone into one of the trendiest hubs in the capital. The vibe here is different from the city centre. There’s less hustle and bustle and tourism around, more open space to relish, and a village atmosphere that’s never too far away.
“Not too long ago, Amsterdam-Noord was a neighbourhood you wouldn’t visit unless you absolutely had to. Today it’s one of Amsterdam’s trendiest hotspots.”
Planning to visit several different attractions on your weekend in Amsterdam-Noord? Better buy an I amsterdam City Card then. With one of these, you gain free or discounted entry to most sights, and you can use all public transport for free. You can purchase an I amsterdam City Card at the official shop in the main train station or download a digital version via the app. Also essential in Amsterdam-Noord: a bicycle. The distances aren’t insurmountable, but trying to cover everything on foot will eat up a lot of your time. Especially if you intend to visit these eleven attractions.
1. Bunk Hotel Amsterdam: sleeping in a refurbished church
For my stay in Amsterdam-Noord, I opted for Bunk Hotel Amsterdam as my base of operations. This is a unique venue housed in a repurposed church, centrally situated on Hagedoornplein. It’s a seamless combination of a hostel and a hotel, offering the choice between booking a pod in a dormitory separated by light-blocking curtains, or a standard hotel room. “Standard” is just a word in this case. All the rooms are individual units cleverly stacked atop each other beneath the wooden church vault like Lego blocks. Architecturally, this is quite pleasing, and the overall layout makes for an impressive view from the central atrium. The rooms are compact and minimalist but efficiently furnished and nearly soundproof. Beneath the raised bed, there’s ample storage space for your belongings, and the bathroom is adequately sized as well. Bunk Hotel Amsterdam boasts an outdoor terrace, a pretty little library and a great restaurant offering plenty of vegan options. This, in addition to the location, makes it the perfect place for exploring Amsterdam-Noord. Even the ferry to the city centre is close by. There’s another Bunk – also housed in an old church – in Utrecht. You can read all about that visit here.
2. A’DAM Toren: swinging with a view on Amsterdam
Just a short bike ride away from Bunk is the A’DAM Tower. This is a somewhat futuristic-looking office building boasting a spacious viewing platform on its roof. Built almost right next to the main ferry terminal for Amsterdam Central Station, it’s one of the most touristy excursions you can take on this side of the water. Ascend to the top floor in an elevator with a flashy lightshow, then either enjoy a drink at Amsterdam’s highest sky bar or step out onto the roof to visit The Lookout. From there, you’ll have a panoramic view of the entire city. For the more adventurous traveller, there’s even the option to take a ride on Europe’s highest swing set, offering a guaranteed adrenaline rush. Just be prepared for a bit of a wait. Beneath the sky bar lies Restaurant Moon: a fine dining establishment that rotates 360 degrees in about forty minutes, allowing diners to take in every corner of Amsterdam during the course of their meal.
Near the tower, there are some other attractions worth visiting: This is Holland (a 5D flight simulator offering virtual tours over the most scenic spots in the Netherlands); Shelter (an underground nightclub) and A-Lab (a creative hub for small businesses serving delicious coffee).
A’DAM Tower: Overhoeksplein 1. Price: The Lookout is free with the I Amsterdam City Card. Separate charges apply for the swing ride.
3. EYE Film Museum: movie history in an architectural gem
Also near the A’DAM Tower is the EYE Film Museum: one of several great museums in Amsterdam-Noord. Housed in a striking building reminiscent of the Antwerp Port House, it features a sunlit bistro overlooking the water. On the ground floor, you’ll find the museum’s permanent collection showcasing fascinating artifacts from early film history, some engaging visual tests, and a large dark room filled with monitors, where visitors can create their own mosaic from the museum’s extensive database of film scenes. Upstairs, there are four theatres primarily screening arthouse films, along with any temporary exhibitions. During my visit, there was an exhibition by documentary filmmakers Paraval & Castaing-Taylor, who actively incorporate the camera into the narrative in all of their projects. Their film Leviathan, shown in its entirety, provides impressions shot on an old American fishing vessel, at times pushing viewers beneath the waves, making them soar above the surf like seagulls, and even offering them glimpses from the perspective of fish caught in the nets. Not for claustrophobics.
EYE Film Museum, IJpromenade 1. Admission to the EYE Film Museum is complimentary with presentation of the I Amsterdam City Card.
4. The NDSM-site: a cultural melting pot in the world’s largest shipyard
One of the most well-known spots in Amsterdam-Noord is likely the NDSM site – possibly one of my favourite places in the capital. Formerly the world’s largest shipyard, it was transformed into a creative hub several years ago, housing a mishmash of colourful startups, artists, and associations. The vast warehouse hosts numerous exhibitions and events, while the site as a whole boasts several restaurants, an artisanal bakery, a theatre and a multitude of artist studios tucked away in stacked shipping containers. Every three weeks, the IJ-Hallen market is hosted here: Europe’s largest flea market. Surrounding the site, there’s been significant construction activity, with new residential properties, shops, and amenities cropping up. As a result, the NDSM site became one of the most sought-after residential neighbourhoods in Amsterdam. There’s plenty of dining options as well. Two locations stood out to me. IJver is a cosy restaurant situated in the large NDSM warehouse, complete with an extensive outdoor terrace. Pllek is another great place, located in a warehouse a bit further away. In summer, it opens a city beach overlooking the water.
5. STRAAT Amsterdam: a fantastic street art museum
Also situated on the NDSM site is STRAAT: a vast street art museum housed in a large, historic ship hangar – and one of my top picks among Amsterdam’s museums. On the facade is a striking portrait of Anne Frank, while inside visitors can marvel at over 150 monumental works by renowned artists spanning from the pioneers of old to today’s leading creatives. This curated collection offers a kaleidoscope of colours and a diverse array of masterpieces, making it a must-see destination for art enthusiasts. For a more in-depth exploration of STRAAT and twelve other unique and somewhat strange museums in Amsterdam, you can read my article here.
STRAAT Museum Amsterdam: NSDM-Plein 1. Price: €14.62 (25% discount with I amsterdam City Card).
6. NXT: a psychedelic multimedia museum
NXT is another museum located in Amsterdam-Noord, devoted entirely to what’s called New Media Art. Every exhibit showcased here embodies digital art in some form. Prepare for an immersive journey through the surreal realms of Japanese games pondering identity and material existence, alongside awe-inspiring LED projections that mirror your movements and entire rooms brimming with psychedelic creations. Quite a distinctive experience compared to most conventional museum visits. Word of caution: steer clear of any mind-altering substances before your visit. The boundary between psychedelic and unsettling can get blurry quite swiftly within these walls.
NXT Museum Amsterdam: Asterweg 22. Price: €18.75 with the I amsterdam City Card.
7. Café De Ceuvel: a sustainable restaurant in Amsterdam-Noord
Café De Ceuvel stands out as one of the more unique spots for an honest lunch in Amsterdam-Noord. Nestled within another quaint old shipyard, the restaurant exudes a charming DIY aesthetic. Offering a plant-based and locally sourced menu, accompanied by craft beer from a nearby brewery, the place is a testament to sustainability and community. Surrounding the restaurant are numerous old houseboats, meticulously restored and transformed into hotel accommodations. In some other boats pulled on land, several small businesses and creative spaces were housed, ranging from yoga studios to rehearsal rooms, all interconnected by a meandering boardwalk. Serene and inviting location to while away some time in peace.
8. Hamerkwartier: dining in an industrial setting
In the past, Hamerkwartier, located in the eastern part of Amsterdam-Noord, was primarily an industrial zone. It has since undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into a vibrant mix of residential and commercial spaces, offering ample leisure opportunities as well. Former industrial sites have been repurposed into lively hubs featuring an array of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. Here are some of the standout places:
–VerbroederIJ: unique blend of an urban farm, social project and restaurant, offering plenty of vegan options. There are two enormous pigs outside named Barry & Rosita, happily processing all of the restaurant’s leftover scraps.
–Hotel De Goudfazant: despite its name usually reserved for old-fashioned family inns, Hotel De Goudfazant is spacious and trendy place set within an old car garage. It was the first restaurant in Amsterdam to take up residence in a former industrial building and also boasts its own bakery.
–Hangar Amsterdam-Noord: trendy beach restaurant housed in what almost resembles an old army barracks, providing picturesque waterfront views on sunny days.
–Skatecafé: It’s – who would have thought – a combination of a skate park and a bar.
–FC Hyena: boutique cinema where you can have a bite to eat as well.
–Lowlander Botanica Bar & Restaurant: a bit further from the main Hamerkwartier hub, this is a huge vegan restaurant in a nicely furbished old warehouse.
9. Nature in Amsterdam-Noord: Noorderpark and Vliegenbos
Looking for a quick nature retreat in Amsterdam-Noord is quite easy. Noorderpark, located near Bunk, is a huge park where concerts and performances take place in summer. Want to walk through some woods instead? Vliegenbos is the oldest urban forest in Amsterdam. Named not after an insect infestation but a local politician, you might spot some falcons, woodpeckers and kingfishers here. Right next to Vliegenbos lies Nieuwendam: a quaint old dike village built around a lock, now fully enveloped by Amsterdam. There are plenty of traditional houses still standing (current rate: about a million euro) and in the middle of them you’ll find Café ‘t Sluisje – one of the oldest bars in this corner of Amsterdam. The building is almost 500 years old and the pub more than a century. They sell great apple pie as well.
10. WONDR Experience: a playground for adults
As a kid, I always got excited when my parents took me to McDonald’s. Not because of the shitty burgers, but rather because you’d get a toy with your Happy Meal and because they had a huge ball pit outside. I loved those, but jumping into one as an adult is sadly frowned upon. Not in WONDR Experience in Amsterdam-Noord. This is an indoor playground specifically aimed at grownups (although they also welcome the bigger kids). Here you can wander through an array of visual delights and Instagram-worthy backgrounds – all without any whiny little toddlers waddling about. There are halls of mirrors to explore, you can don your most vibrant outfit for a photoshoot, bounce around in a giant inflatable castle and to top it all off you can plunge into the largest ball pit you’ve ever seen. And you can dive straight into this one without fear of smothering some crying five-year-old sunk to the bottom. Awesome.
WONDR Experience Amsterdam. Meeuwenlaan 88. Price: €25.95.
11. Van der Pekstraat: alternative shopping in Amsterdam-Noord
Van der Pekstraat looks like any other residential area, but is actually the most fun shopping street in Amsterdam North. A plethora of independent little shops and businesses are tucked away here in buildings resembling regular family homes. These are my favourites:
–Colourful Goodies: this little store offers a unique selection of inclusive dolls, featuring dolls of all races and religions and even some with vitiligo or Down’s syndrome.
–Ferre Seksie: trendy barber shop where you can also enjoy a cup of coffee. The banana bread is ferre seksie too.
–Pek & Kleren: charming concept store offering locally sourced and sustainable fashion.
–Boekhandel Over Het Water: cozy bookshop where you can sip a coffee while browsing.
–Chateau Karlito: natural wine shop also selling crockery.
–Rookie The Recyclekid: quaint second-hand clothing store catering specifically to children’s fashion.
Amsterdam-Noord: extra information
For more information about Amsterdam as a tourist destination, visit www.iamsterdam.com.
Looking for some more travel inspiration for The Netherlands? Read my posts on Eindhoven, Brabant, South-Limburg, Friesland, the Wadden Islands, Noordwijk and Schouwen-Duiveland here.
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