NDSM-wharf (NDSM-werf) is a former shipping area in north-west Amsterdam which is used as a space for artists, exhibitions and festivals but also includes offices and housing. It has a much different vibe compared to the bustle of the old city centre.
The north of Amsterdam (Amsterdam Noord) has continued to undergo a surge of redevelopment and transformation over the last few years.
NDSM-wharf Amsterdam in a nutshell
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NDSM-wharf – brief history
The Nederlandsche Scheepsbouw Maatschappij (NSM, Netherlands Shipbuilding Company) started life in the late 19th century. It moved to the location on the north bank of the IJ having outgrown its original shipyard in the east of Amsterdam.
The large sheds and slipways on site were constructed in 1920. The name NDSM was born in 1946 with the merger of NSM with the Nederlandsche Dok Maatschappij (NDM, Netherlands Dock Company) – making the Nederlandsche Dok en Scheepsbouw Maatschappij (NDSM, Netherlands Dock and Shipbuilding Company).
For much of the 20th century, NDSM was a modern and cutting edge shipbuilding facility employing 6,000 workers. It assembled tankers, freighters and passenger ships for customers worldwide.
The industry started to decline in the 1970s following the oil crisis and international competition. In 1984 the facility went bankrupt and closed its doors for good – like many other European shipyards at the time.
During the late 1990s however, it became something of a haven for artists, squatters and skaters – with approval from the city municipality. Over time the area started to regenerate and became noted and successful.
Today, NDSM is one of Amsterdam’s prime spaces for creativity and development.
STRAAT Museum
To reach the old shipyard area from the ferry terminal, you can walk straight up the Ms.van Riemsdijkweg road. You will find the large Anne Frank mural (Let Me Be Myself painted in 2016 by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra) on the Lasloods wharf building.
This houses the unique and spectacular STRAAT Museum opened in 2020 – an absolute must-visit for any street art and graffiti lovers. It exhibits some 180 artworks all made on-site plus temporary gallery exhibitions. It now attracts up to 200,000 visitors per year.
We highly recommend a visit – book your STRAAT tickets here
NDSM Loods
Just further on from the Lasloods building is the main NDSM shipbuilding shed known as NDSM Loods. This 8,500m² listed building is used an artistic space and hosts the Kunststad (Art City) project. There are around 70 studios where some 200 people work.
There are also regular contemporary art exhibitions under the NDSM FUSE banner (open 1200-1800 Thu-Sun).
NDSM Loods is freely open to the public but not all studios are open to visitors.
For football fans the Blood In Blood Out studio (149) makes bespoke hybrid football shirts.
Exploring NDSM-wharf
Have a wander around the terrain. You can explore the slipway and have a look at the large 50m high Faralda crane. It is now used as a small boutique hotel with 3 luxury suites and fabulous views.
At about €1,000 per night it’s not cheap but certainly could be a unique experience. Book the Faralda Crane hotel here
The Treehouse at T.T. Neveritaweg 55-57 is a communal space at NDSM-wharf which has over 100 studios for artists. It hosts a variety of events from different genres – cooking, arts and crafts, concerts, exhibitions and workshops.
An interesting project at NDSM Plein 104 is the geWoonboot – an environmentally friendly houseboat that generates its own power and produces its own drinking water. It is used to be available for tours, however it has been converted into a meeting place for 2-25 people.
On the very western edge of the NDSM-wharf area you will see the elevated 270m long Kranspoor office building, another striking example of modern Dutch architecture. Completed in 2007, the office was built on top of a concrete craneway.
IJ Hallen flea market
The monthly IJ-Hallen flea market runs over a weekend at NDSM-wharf. In the summer season it has 750 outdoor stalls whilst in winter it is held inside NDSM Loods with 400-500 stalls. It is the largest regular flea market in the Netherlands and one of the biggest in Europe. You can find a lot of vintage gear.
Eating/Drinking at NDSM wharf
There are a number of places to eat and drink in the area.
Next to the geWoonboot is the Noorderlicht (“Northern light”) café-restaurant with grass terrace. It’s a great spot for a drink and snack and it often has live music in the evenings at weekends. Note, the menu has become more vegetarian/vegan these days with some “non-industrial fish and meat dishes”.
Noorderlicht at NDSM plein 102 is open Wed-Sun 1000-2200. Club nights 2300-0400 Fri/Sat.
Pllek is a café-restaurant on the wharf built using industrial materials. It has a large terrace and city beach with great views over the water. It also has regular live music and DJs. Like Noorderlicht, the menu is mainly veggie.
PLLEK at TT Neveritaweg 59 is open 0930-0100 (Sun-Thu), 0930-0300 (Fri-Sat), kitchen closes at 2200.
NEXT is a restaurant-lounge near the ferry wharf opened by the founders of Pllek. It has a higher-end offering with a monthly tasting menu and a cocktail bar.
NEXT at NDSM-Kade 2 is open 1000-0000 (Mon-Thu), 1000-0100 (Fri-Sat) and 1000-2300 (Sun).
The IJKantine brasserie just to the west of the ferry wharf also has a fine south-facing terrace. It has a quality menu with a good balance of meat, fish and veggie options.
IJKantine at NDSM-Kade 5 is open daily from 0900, kitchen closes at 2200.
Cannibale Royale Du Nord at mt. Ondinaweg 32 offers a meat-themed menu. It is open 1715-0000 (Mon-Thu), 1700-0200 (Fri), 1200-0100 (Sat) and 1200-0000 (Sun).
IJver is a terrace bar at NDSM Loods which offers fusion cooking with a local twist. One of its signature dishes is the coq a la biere (roasted chicken).
Location is Scheepsbouwkade 72 and it is open 1000-0000 (Mon-Wed), 1000-0100 (Thu & Sat), 1000-0200 (Fri) and 1000-2200 (Sun).
Festivals at NDSM-wharf
Due to the spacious terrain, the NDSM-wharf area holds a number of annual festivals. These are:
DGTL Festival – A Global electronic music festival with mix of art installations and sustainability projects. Runs 18-20 Apr 2025.
Over het IJ Festival – A 10 day summer theatre festival held on the waterfront of the IJ river and around Amsterdam Noord. It also includes live bands, DJs and plenty of good food and drink. Runs 12-21 Jul 2024.
Ambacht in Beeld Festival – Festival offering workshops, masterclasses and documentary films covering a wide range of craft skills. Runs 21-22 Sep 2024.
Hotels at NDSM-wharf
It is possible to stay at NDSM-wharf and base yourself there. There are a couple of options:
The DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam NDSM Wharf at Plein 28 is a 4-star boutique hotel with sleek, modern rooms and some good views of the area.
The 3-star Botel near the wharf offers rooms on a large boat.
NDSM Wharf – Getting There
Take the free GVB Amsterdam ferry from behind Central Station to NDSM-werf. These run approximately 2-4x per hour and the trip takes about 15 minutes. The last ferry back to Central is at 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.
The pleasant journey will give you an insight into how Amsterdam’s waterside is changing.
If you are seeking something a little bit different in Amsterdam then you should check out the post-industrial NDSM wharf.
Last updated 10 July 2024. This article was first published in 2010 and has been regularly updated.
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