Amsterdam's Former Shipyard Is A Fun, Playful Neighborhood Bursting With Art, Food, And Entertainment

Most people associate postcard-perfect canals with Amsterdam, but just a short ferry ride from the city center, you'll find paint-splashed shipping containers that sit alongside waterfront cafés, massive industrial cranes that have been turned into boutique hotels, and warehouses that are now art galleries. Welcome to Nederlandsche Dok en Scheepsbouw Maatschappij, better known as the NDSM Wharf, and the city's most unexpected cultural hotspot.

NDSM was once one of Europe's largest shipyards. Today, the Dutch have transformed it into an artistic playground: Spot artworks sprawling across walls, hidden in alleyways, and even painted on abandoned trams. The neighborhood is home to one of the largest outdoor graffiti exhibitions in the world, and many of the best works, some of which reach the ceiling, are available for viewing at the STRAAT Museum. Then, there's the NDSM Loods: a massive warehouse at the heart of the district. It houses artist studios, start-ups, performance spaces, and galleries. One corner might host an avant-garde dance rehearsal, while another features a vintage market.

Walking down such a colorful neighborhood full of eccentric photo-ops is one of the best experiences you can only have in Amsterdam. However, to get to the NDSM Wharf from the city center, you'll have to catch the F4 ferry from Amsterdam Central Station, which will take around 15 minutes. The best part? It's a free ride!

NDSM isn't just for art lovers. The range of activities available suits all types of personalities. For instance, the Padel indoor court caters to racket-sports enthusiasts. For cheap shopping lovers, NDSM offers the largest flea market in Europe, held every four weeks on weekends. If you're looking to relax, wind down at the unique urban beach with a beer or coffee. This is where you'll find Pllek, a beach restaurant constructed from shipping containers and decorated with bohemian flair. Enjoy its drinks and plant-based dishes while lounging on bean bags. On Sunday mornings, yoga classes are offered on the sand. 

Make sure to also stop by Café de Ceuvel, the ultimate sustainable restaurant in Amsterdam: Besides its hydroponics greenhouse and composters, it uses the waste from its kitchen as fertilizer for its own garden and is completely vegan. Finally, for some old-school fun, visit Blast Galaxy, an arcade bar where you can enjoy everything from karaoke to Mario Kart. 

Locals especially flock to the festivals that the NDSM Wharf offers. They showcase music, dance, and other performances. In September, for example, over 90 international artisans and craftsmen offer workshops for the Ambacht in Beeld Festival. Pop-up clubs and parties also make NDSM come to life, especially during the popular Amsterdam Dance Event. Or if you're too tired to party after a long day of sightseeing, why not catch one of the neighborhood's open-air movie screenings?

It's hard to choose the best hotels in Amsterdam, given how eccentric and luxurious these can be, and NDSM doesn't disappoint. For starters, you can spend the night in a crane. Literally. The Faralda Crane Hotel, perched high above the docks, offers luxurious suites with stunning panoramic views, and even a rooftop hot tub. The price isn't cheap, though! Suites don't usually go for under $1,000 per night, at the time of writing, but if you can afford such a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it may be well worth it.

Prefer something a little more down-to-earth? The Botel, a floating hotel moored just along the quay, has some surprisingly plush rooms and even letters on the roof you can sleep inside (yes, actual giant letters). The average price for a two-person room is $300 per night. For those looking for cheaper options, youth hostels are widely available around Amsterdam, even if there aren't many in the NDSM Wharf specifically. You can pay as little as $60 if you're willing to sleep in a shared hostel dorm. If privacy is your priority, we recommend the sites Airbnb or Vrbo for a full apartment or a typical Dutch canal house, known in the Netherlands as grachtenpanden. These start at around $200 per night. 

The best time to visit the NDSM Wharf is the summer, given the number of festivals offered this season, but spring will always be the best time for visiting the Netherlands, as its signature flowers, the tulips, are in peak bloom throughout the country. To get to Amsterdam from overseas, fly to the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, which is only a 20-minute train ride from Amsterdam Central Station. However, if you're in a neighboring European country, a Eurostar train or Flixbus might be your cheapest options.