Amsterdam is pretty awesome right?  I’d probably rank it up there under one of my “favourite places I’ve visited” (but I can assure you, that list isn’t exhaustive by any means).  It’s picturesque, the people are bloody friendly, it’s full of history and museums if that’s your bag and of course, there’s the cheeky red light district and the coffee shops that don’t serve a skinny-double-shot-with-cream-to-go.  Yep, that’s right, Amsterdam is as much for your culture seekers as it is for the stag do’s and those who have a few extra euros to drop with the ladies of the night.

The pretty much untapped but up and coming area of Amsterdam is Noord.

The pretty much untapped but up and coming area of Amsterdam is Noord.  Noord is dutch for North and you guessed it, it’s in the north of Amsterdam just a boat ride across the river behind Centraal Station.  Amsterdam Noord is the former industrial district of the city and the villages that still stand were home to industrial workers and boarding schools for the city’s poor youth.  Nowadays, there’s a thriving student (& hipster!) population and it’s this crowd that Noord seems to lend itself to best.

If you’re looking to discover what else Amsterdam has to offer, I’ve got five places for you to discover in Amsterdam Noord.  

Clink NOORD

 

First things first, you’ll need to find somewhere to lay your head and Clink NOORD, the  latest addition to the Clink Hostels portfolio is the perfect base to explore the north of the city as well as central Amsterdam. From Amsterdam Centraal station, simply follow the signs for the ferry at the back of the station and take the one for ‘Buiksloterwegveer’ towards NOORD.  From where the ferry docks, Clink is only a five minute walk and is actually closer to Centraal Station than Dam Square, so don’t let the fact that you have to cross the river put you off.  The ferry is also free and runs 24/7, so you don’t have to worry about catching the last ferry home if you’ve been partying in the centre. 

From where the ferry docks, Clink is only a five minute walk and is actually closer to Centraal Station than Dam Square.

Clink NOORD make really innovative use of a former laboratory and the common spaces, bar and beautiful indoor atrium give the hostel a very open plan, colourful and modern vibe.  Clink has a range of mixed bed and female/male only dorms as well as private rooms (with ensuite) with bed prices varying dependent on the bed type chosen and when you choose to stay.  As with anywhere, weekends are significantly more expensive and have less availability and I’ve come to find that city breaks at the weekend can sometimes be a nightmare down to just how many people have the same to idea to make the most of their time off work.

  Booking midweek = cheaper and cheap = more drinks you can buy in Clink’s very own hub of activity, the Zinc Bar.  Grab a beer, something to eat, partake in a the regular pub quiz or even get to know like minded travellers or pick up some tips from the super friendly and helpful staff who know the city inside out.

Tip Amsterdam Bike Hire

 

Riding a bike whilst in Amsterdam is certainly an experience, its the most common way to get from A to B, but the roads are busy and if you’ve even walked around the city as a newbie, you’ll know how easy it is somehow be in a cyclists path.

Riding a bike for those of us like myself who are a little rusty, just like riding a bike. It may seem daunting, but once you’re on one of the brightly coloured Dutch-style city bikes and have got the wobbly stops and starts out the way, those childhood memories of freewheeling down a hill with the wind in your hair comes flooding back. Luckily, Amsterdam is pretty much flat as a pancake (or poffertjes) so there’s no big hills to climb, it’s so much more convenient than trying to cover such a large space on foot and it’s actually super fun and worth the ass pain the following day.

Clink actually arrange biking tours of Noord which means you get yourself some local knowledge and foodie recommendations along the way.

For €13 you can hire a city bike for 24 hours from the TIP Amsterdam store underneath the Tolhuis (by the ferry stop). As for your cycle route, it’s pretty much up to you. Use Google maps to navigate to your points of interest, check out a cycle route online or alternatively, the likes of Clink actually arrange biking tours of Noord which means you get yourself some local knowledge and foodie recommendations along the way.

If you’re feeling brave there’s no need to stick to Noord. Bikes are allowed on the cities ferries as they’re an everyday way of transport. Hop on the ferry towards central Amsterdam to get your monies worth and explore the lesser visited spots outside of Dam Square, the Jordaan district.

 

A’DAM Tower

 

If you’re looking for an amazing sights of the city atop of a 22 story skyscraper, then A’DAM tower, which is the former Shell headquarters, is the place for you.  A’DAM Tower is just a short walk from the ferry dock and is home to a stunning hotel, quirky restaurants, an interactive museum all about the cities history and 360 degree restaurant and viewing platform.   Perhaps not the best place to head to during the winter, but during a clear bright day, it’s amazing to see the difference between “central” and Amsterdam Noord from 22 stories high. 

In to your heights?  Test your nerve and give the adrenaline junkie in you a hit by taking on the highest swing in Europe.  Strap yourself in and take on the ‘Over the Edge’  experience that swings you back and forth over the edge of A’DAM Tower a whopping 100m off the ground. 

De Ceuval

 

De Ceuvel is a sustainable planned workplace for creative and social enterprises on a former shipyard just off the river IJ in Amsterdam Noord. In 2012, the land was secured for a 10-year lease and is now home to is a thriving community of entrepreneurs and artists, who have helped to build Amsterdam’s first circular office park.  De Ceuval hosts workspaces, a podium, a sustainable café, spaces to rent, and in the near future – a floating bed & breakfast.

Café de Ceuvel compliments the innovation and creativity of the surrounding area and are on the hunt for truly good food and drink that goes beyond a label that says organic.   As well as growing their own vegetables they’re careful to source produce be it table wear, beer or food that make a positive impact elsewhere which means you can over indulge in a Cafe de Ceuvel twist on Bitterball (a dutch delicacy) made with oyster mushrooms for a guilt free feast.   If you’re after something to quench your thirst after a particularly long bike ride, the home made sodas using Leslie Dronkers syrups are delicious and can even be boozed up by adding a dash of elderflower syrup to a beer.

 

NDSM

 

After the long gone era of Dutch shipbuilding was over, the empty buildings in Amsterdam Noord were squatted throughout 1980s and have since become stunning hangouts and showcases for creative talent thanks to city nomads, craftsmen and local artist. The giant NDSM ship-yard are are many shipping containers/warehouse spaces that house the work spaces of over 80 ambitious artists and craftmen and women.   Large murals, graffiti and art work adorn the walls and sides of the shipping containers and provide an open space for you to walk or bike around.

One of my favourite pieces at NDSM is the Anne Frank Mural by Eduardo Kobra. Standing at 240 square metres, this colourful piece brings a beautiful wall of colour to an otherwise grey area of Noord.

 

Boutique Boat Tour 

 

A boat trip in Amsterdam is an absolute must, with over 1550 monumental buildings lining the grachten (canals), more than one hundred kilometers of canals, around 90 islands and upwards of 1,500 bridges seeing the city from the water is one of the best ways to learn about the history of the city. The three main canals (Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht), were dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, and form concentric belts around the city, known as the Grachtengordel.   

Pure Boats Amsterdam offer intimate boutique cruises to show you the city from water over 90 minutes in a luxury vessel.

Pure Boats Amsterdam certainly ain’t an overcrowded tourist boat with cheap headphones and terrible quality audio.  They offer intimate boutique cruises to show you the city from water over 90 minutes in a luxury vessel.  You’ll have a super knowledgeable captain on board to answer any of your questions and you can choose to make your trip super special by sampling the on board bar which stocks a selection of locally sourced beers, spirts and snacks direct from the Dam.

 A shared all inclusive cruise works out at €50pp or you can book in for a private cruise for you plus friends for up to 11 people for €250.  Bring 10 friends and you’re essentially paying €25 each for some super strength gins plus a personal tour guide.  Heading to Amsterdam on the winter months?  No worries.  The boats are fully heated and equipped with a convertible roof for those colder evenings (BYO super snuggly cardigan).