Hop on a free ferry from behind Central Station and in 15 minutes you’ll find yourself at NDSM Wharf – a former shipyard turned creative haven on the banks of the IJ.

NDSM Wharf is a post-industrial landscape of cranes, warehouses and shipping containers. Some years ago the artists started to move in, and the area is now a thriving community of creative studios, cultural events, festivals, and some excellent bars and restaurants like Pllek and Noorderlicht. Oh, and see that big crane looming over the whole place? That’s a boutique hotel. There’s apparently even a hot tub at the top of it.

Events at NDSM

Once a month there’s a huge flea market (the biggest in Europe, apparently) at the cavernous IJ-Hallen warehouse, and during the summer there’s a different music or food festival happening practically every weekend.

How to get there

Take the ‘NDSM’ ferry from behind Central Station, which departs roughly every half an hour. It’s totally free – just rock up, walk on, and hop off at the other side.

Posted by: Jayne