Ringing in Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary with a special edition of SAIL, this Dutch maritime festival is officially back with a bang! 🥳
Featuring over 10,000 rigged sailing vessels and boats, SAIL is a free-to-attend event held every five years for fans of nautical history — or just those of us who want to see some cool ships up close!
Can’t get off work or make it to Amsterdam? Geen stress, because these TikToks are here to immerse you in the action. 🙌
Good to know: The SAIL app is available for iPhone and Android, offering a handy overview of where and when all the events are happening. 🤳
Hop aboard from the comfort of your couch
Let’s just say that the first day, with hundreds of vessels surging down the IJ, is always a sight to behold:
⛵️ It’s finally here, the event we’ve been excitingly waiting for the past 10 years: SAIL! The first majestic ships have arrived in Amsterdam, filling the IJ with a truly spectacular view. 📍 @A’DAM LOOKOUT 📅 Until Sunday, you can admire the large ships in the IJhaven and enjoy a wide range of activities all across the city. 📲 Curious about the full programme? Download the SAIL app! #iamsterdam#amsterdam#SAIL2025#MakeAWave#amsterdam750 @SAIL 2025
Most activities take place around the IJ in Amsterdam, just a stone’s throw from Amsterdam Centraal train station, perfect for commuters. And, as seen in this TikTok, the stands are well and truly PACKED.
According to the NOS, Israeli weapons companies have been banned from a major Rotterdam trade fair.
The outlet also reports that Foreign Minister Veldkamp is preparing to discuss additional measures against Israel in tomorrow’s cabinet meeting.
Israeli defence firms blocked from Dutch weapons exhibition
Four Israeli companies that applied for stand space at this year’s NEDS weapons fair in Rotterdam have been told they’re not welcome.
Hans Huigen, director of the Dutch Defence and Security Industry (NIDV), confirmed the decision to the press following reports in Israeli media.
“The situation in Gaza has deteriorated to such an extent that social unrest worldwide, in Europe, and in the Netherlands continues to increase. We told them we’re concerned about being able to organise the fair safely if they participate,” Huigen explains to the NOS.
The NIDV director emphasised he’s not “prejudiced against” Israeli companies, but pointed to practical security concerns.
Previous years saw Israeli participation at the Ahoy Rotterdam venue lead to protests and unrest, with demonstrators clashing with police, windows being vandalised, and multiple arrests made in 2024.
“We already had to massively scale up security in 2024. That would only increase this year if Israeli companies had a stand,” Huigen says.
The trade organisation made the decision independently, without government consultation, though officials were informed.
Interestingly, while Israeli companies are banned from promoting their wares at Dutch trade fairs, the Dutch cabinet continues purchasing Israeli weapons, citing urgent military modernisation needs and a lack of alternatives for certain systems.
Veldkamp prepares new Israel measures for cabinet discussion
Meanwhile, outgoing Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp (NSC) has announced he will propose “new measures” against Israel in tomorrow’s cabinet meeting, specifically mentioning a “trade ban on products from illegal settlements,” as reported by the NOS.
Whether this would be a unilateral Dutch action or part of broader international efforts remains unclear. Veldkamp suggested “it has been investigated,” implying the Netherlands could act independently if needed.
The minister has additional measures in mind but declined to “present his entire contribution to the cabinet just yet.”
Political pressure mounts with no-confidence motion
Veldkamp faces immediate political pressure, with left-wing opposition parties planning a no-confidence motion against him in today’s extra Gaza debate.
The SP-initiated motion has support from Volt and Denk, while GroenLinks-PvdA, Party for the Animals, and D66 will back it if Veldkamp doesn’t announce additional measures today.
Opposition parties want national sanctions like arms embargos or boycotts of settlement products. They consider the Netherlands’ current measures, including a temporary weapons embargo and entry bans for two Israeli ministers, insufficient and too late.
However, the motion’s success depends largely on whether the PVV will support it, as the party holds a majority in parliament.
The political divide reflects broader Dutch society’s growing concerns about Gaza.
The Netherlands has already pushed for EU investigations into Israel and advocated for suspending EU-Israel trade ties, showing mounting pressure from multiple directions.
Multiple Dutch municipalities have now formally recognised the situation in Gaza as genocide, while recent protests continue to put pressure on the government for stronger action.
Police in Duivendrecht are investigating the violent death of a 17-year-old girl who was attacked while cycling home from Amsterdam on Tuesday night.
According to police, the teenager had been out with friends near Leidseplein and left them at around 3:30 AM to cycle home to Abcoude.
She was riding a light grey men’s electric Cowboy bicycle. However, her exact route is not yet known.
Body found near Ziggo Dome
At around 4 AM, officers responding to reports discovered her body along the water near Holterbergweg, close to the Ziggo Dome.
Police believe one perpetrator was involved and that the suspect may also have been on a bicycle. They are calling for witnesses who may have seen the girl or suspicious activity in the area at that time.
At the time of her death, she had medium-length blonde hair and was wearing a light grey hoodie with matching pants, black Adidas sneakers and was carrying a red handbag hanging from her handlebars.
A call for witnesses
Police urge anyone with information, camera footage, or who was near or driving along the Holterbergweg around 4 AM to come forward.
They also call on people to report if they saw someone acting suspiciously in the area at any point during the night.
You can call 0800-6070, use the online tip form, or remain anonymous via 0800-7000. Confidential tips can also be shared with the National Intelligence Team at 088-6617734.
Police have now released images and video footage of a man they believe could have been involved in a serious sexual assault in Utrecht town of Zeist last Friday.
A woman suffered what police have described as a “serious sexual assault” while walking in the woods near Prinses Mariannelaan on the outskirts of Zeist.
The man fled into the woods following the attack.
Do you recognise him?
Along with images, the police have released this footage of the suspect.
He is described as being:
Approximately 1.80 metres tall
Between 30 and 50 years old
Bald or with thinning hair
Speaks English with an Eastern European accent
He may have worn two different outfits on the same day. Police speculate he could have switched the above black tank top for a short-sleeved pink shirt, possibly with white lettering.
Police ask that if you see the man, call 112 immediately.
Have you seen him? You can call the tip line at 0800-6070, or report anonymously at 0800-7000. You can also use this tip form.
About 30 minutes into any food-related movie, the inevitable starts to happen: All those beautiful, delicious meals on the screen start making you hungry.
While you usually have to satisfy your cravings with whatever overpriced snack your cinema offers, Cinema Culinair makes it possible to eat exactly what you see.
They curate menus that correspond to some of the tastiest movies out there, making sure you never leave the cinema hungry again.
Welkom to Cinema Culinair
Cinema Culinair started in Rotterdam in 2008 and has since expanded to five locations across the Netherlands (and two in Belgium):
Amsterdam,
The Hague,
Utrecht,
Rotterdam,
Nijmegen,
Gent (Belgium),
Antwerp (Belgium),
Eindhoven (coming soon!)
The concept is simple and delicious: They organise screenings, prepare the food you see on screen, and serve it exactly the second it appears in the movie — if you’ve ever wanted to have dinner with Meryl Streep, this is probably as close as you’ll get.
Looking for a fun night out? Look no further! Image: Cinema Culinair/Supplied
There’s a large variety of movies to choose from; the only thing they have in common is they’re all centred around amazing food.
You can go for suspense with “Estômago” or “The Menu,” keep it family-friendly with “Ratatouille” or “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs,” or get a good cry (and a good meal!) with “No Reservations.”
You won’t leave the cinema hungry
We headed over to the Werkspoorkathedraal in Utrecht to give Cinema Culinair a try ourselves.
Former factory, current cultural centre. Image: Dreamstime
When you enter the screening hall, you see the former factory has been transformed into a beautifully lit room with a spacious bar and long tables facing movie screens on both sides.
Doors opened an hour before the movie, so we got the chance to get some drinks and a movie essential — popcorn — before it was time to get the show started.
Once we sat down at the table, we got a quick explanation of how Cinema Culinair works, and voilà — it was time to enjoy the film and some food that’s much better than popcorn.
Enjoy a drink before the show starts. Image: DutchReview
As the movie was playing, we could see a countdown on the screen, marking the exact moment when we (and the actors) were supposed to start eating.
You’re not able to get new drinks until the first break about an hour into the movie, so make sure you stack up. 🍾
A night of French cuisine
We enjoyed an evening of French cooking with the movie Julie & Julia, which follows the stories of the iconic Julia Child and an American blogger, Julie, who attempts to recreate all of Julia’s French recipes.
We loved both Julie and Julia’s cooking. Image: DutchReview
No, there weren’t any snails — but we did enjoy rich French cheeses, delicious chicken and fish for the meat-eaters and mushrooms drowned in butter for the vegetarians. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a movie about Julia Child without a classic beef bourguignon.
Overall, we got seven small courses to go along with the movie. Most of the movie scenes are short, so make sure you come hungry enough to eat at a fast pace! ✨
Once the film was over, we weren’t quite ready to say “au revoir” to French cuisine — luckily, we got to take home some of the recipes we’d just enjoyed.
We can now challenge our inner Julia (or Julie) at home. Image: DutchReview
Sounds delicious? Go eat your film-loving heart out
But no need to be jealous, everyone. 😉
You can catch the next Cinema Culinair screening in Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Utrecht, Rotterdam, The Hague (and soon Eindhoven!), or even hop over the border to Ghent or Antwerp.
If you’re single and hoping to buy a house in the Netherlands, brace yourself: your chances are about the same as finding a table at a popular café without a reservation.
According to De Hypotheker, singles can currently afford just 2.1% of the homes on the market. Last year it was 1.7%, so technically things have improved… but only by a whisker.
An uneven playing field
Meanwhile, dual earners are swiping right on success. Their share of affordable homes has jumped from 29.1% four years ago to almost 36% today.
Speaking with NU.nl, Mark de Rijke, commercial director of De Hypotheker, a mortgage broker in the Netherlands, says that “The results mainly show that something needs to be done in the Dutch housing market”.
For singles earning €46,500 a year, the borrowing limit is €215,000, which is not nearly enough for most Dutch listings.
Meanwhile, with combined incomes stretching mortgage potential to €400,000, couples are leaving singles in the housing dust.
So, what’s left for singles? Hope, savings, and maybe some parental generosity.
Your odds of finding something decent climb to between 6 and 7% in places like Limburg, Zeeland and Groningen. But if your heart is set on Utrecht, North Holland or Flevoland… Well, prepare for heartbreak.
“Instead of living smaller, it might be better to enlarge your search area,” advises de Rijke.
Maybe not the piece of advice singles were hoping for, but perhaps the only realistic one.
There’s been a brief glimmer of hope thanks to landlords selling off properties after rental rules tightened, releasing more affordable homes onto the market. But experts warn this is a temporary effect.
If you’re single and house-hunting, maybe treat it like dating: be flexible, expand your horizons and don’t get too attached too soon.
After all, the perfect match might just be hiding in Zeeland.
Struggling with these problems yourself? Or do you work in finance, have a trust fund, and stand at 6’5″ with blue eyes? Tell us in the comments.
Amsterdam students are now paying an average of €945 per month for a room in 2025, up from €900 last year. New data from Kamernet shows the national average student room costs €601 monthly, rising just 0.5% from 2024.
The numbers are enough to make anyone’s eyes water, especially when you consider that, according to AD, most of these “rooms” are between 12 and 18 square metres.
That’s roughly the size of a decent garden shed — but with presumably better Wi-Fi.
We’re talking about nearly €1,000 for a space the size of a large walk-in wardrobe. At 14 square metres (the typical room size), that works out to about €67.50 per square metre.
Amsterdam is, of course, the most expensive
Amsterdam remains the undisputed champion of wallet-crushing student accommodation costs. The €945 monthly average represents a €45 increase from last year’s already painful €900.
To put that in perspective, you’re essentially paying luxury hotel prices for what’s often a glorified cupboard with a window.
But this national average of €601 masks some seriously dramatic regional variations that’ll make your head spin.
The winners, losers, and “what on earth happened here?” category
Some cities have gone a bit mental with their price increases. Nijmegen takes the crown for the most shocking jump, with the average rent for a room rocketing up by 24.3% to €635 per month.
Students in Tilburg aren’t faring much better, facing a 23% increase to €535 per month. Leiden rounds out the top three with a 16.4% spike, bringing average rents to €610.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Some cities are actually becoming more affordable — shocking, we know.
Eindhoven won this trend with rents dropping 7.4% to €440 for a room, while Breda saw a 2.7% decrease to €535.
Where your money goes furthest (and where it disappears fastest)
If you’re looking for a bargain, head to Enschede, where the average student room costs just €351 per month.
It’s practically a steal by Dutch standards — though “bargain” is relative when you’re still paying €351 for a space smaller than some people’s bathrooms.
Other relatively affordable options include Wageningen at €395, and both Leeuwarden and Ede at €425 each.
And what about apartments?
If you thought student rooms were pricey, wait until you see apartment prices. Amsterdam apartments now average €2,000 per month — that’s roughly €32 per square metre.
For comparison, Maastricht apartments cost €888 monthly at €20.80 per square metre, making them look positively reasonable.
Rotterdam and Tilburg apartment prices have surged by 14.3% (€1,600) and 10.6% (€1,225) respectively.
However, some cities like Eindhoven (-11.1%) and Groningen (-4.6%) are seeing decreases, bringing the average rent to €1,200 and €1,050.
Have you been hit by these shocking rent increases, or have you found a miracle affordable room somewhere? Share your housing horror stories (or success stories) in the comments below.
There are many weird and wacky sports in the Netherlands that will make you raise your eyebrows and question Dutch sanity.
We all know that Dutchies are obsessed with football,hockey, and ice skating, but many other countries enjoy these sports too. However, if you are bold enough to venture out into the Dutch provinces, you’ll run into a bunch of weird sports that are unique to the Netherlands.
Brace yourselves, because we’re about to count down the 11 weirdest sports in the Netherlands.
1. ‘Paalzitten’: the sport of sitting
Are you a fan of sitting? Well, the Dutch actually have a sport for that! This sport involves Dutchies sitting on a pole for as long as they possibly can (sometimes for over 90 hours!).
The poles do come with a board to sit on and short toilet breaks are allowed — but my word, this can’t be much of a spectator’s sport. 😅
2. ‘Fierljeppen’: canal jumping in the Netherlands
With the number of canals in the Netherlands, making a sport out of them was bound to happen. Fierljeppen is a traditional sport originating from Friesland in the north of the Netherlands.
In fierljeppen(Frisian for far jumping), there is a pole of around eight to thirteen metres in the canal.
The technique is to run towards the pole, jump onto it, and climb it as high and as quickly as possible while trying to control the direction of the fall. Then, if they do it right, they land on a sand bed on the other side of the canal.
3. ‘Korfbal’: a Dutch blend of basketball, netball, and handball
In korfbal, two teams play against each other, each team with four women and four men.
The objective of the game is to get what looks like a football into a hoop, which sits atop a 3.5-metre pole. This fast-paced game has the same intensity and passion you’ll find in NBA basketball.
Although korfbal was invented by the Dutch, over 70 countries from around the world currently compete in this sport at the World Games. 🌏
4. ‘Sjoelen’: Dutch shuffleboard
Don’t let appearances fool you, this is a competitive game. Image: Depositphotos
Sjoelen is a popular game that has similarities to shuffleboard. In fact, many Dutch families have a sjoeltafel hiding away in an attic somewhere. The aim is to slide 30 wooden pucks down the longboard and through small wooden arches to score points.
The game is surprisingly competitive, as players compete to get the top score out of a possible 148 points. 💯
5. ‘Kaatsen’: tennis with no rackets?
Kaatsen, or Frisian handball, is believed to be one of the oldest ball games in the world. As the name suggests, players hit a ball with their hands to each other across a field.
Scoring works similarly to tennis; the first team to win six games wins the match. Hitting such a tiny ball across an entire field with only your hand is truly an impressive skill to watch in action!
6. ‘Beugelen’: a stone ball and a wooden bat
Beugelen was favoured by Holland’s upper classes back in the 1400s but has since become a popular sport right across the Netherlands.
In this sport, participants push a heavy ball with a wooden shovel with the aim of getting the ball through the ring in the centre of the floor. Ultimately, it’s kind of like a cross between croquet and boules. 🤷♀️
7. ‘Skûtsjesilen’: manure boat racing
A Skûtsjesilen team preparing to sail. Image: @ebelewijbenga/Instagram
Skûtsjesilen is a sailing competition in which competitors race historic flat-bottom boats called skûtsjes. ⛵
The boats were originally used for transporting peat and manure to farms over shallow waters, but their manoeuvrability makes them ideal for a good race. Many of those who compete are direct descendants of the ancient Frisian skipper families.
The championship takes place every summer in Friesland and is a serious matter of honour for the villages and towns that enter the competition.
8. ‘Klootschieten’: chuck it as far as you can!
Humanity’s obsession with throwing balls is fully embodied in the game of klootschieten. Participants use speed, power, and technique to throw the kloot as far as they can — the world record is 106.2 metres!
A kloot is a wooden or plastic ball filled with lead that weighs anywhere from 200-800 grams. The winning team is that which can throw the kloot across the five-kilometre rural course in the fewest number of throws.
The game is said to have originated from a weapon that the Frisian people used to throw at their enemies. Yikes!🤾♂️
9. ‘Elfstedentocht’: skating on the canals
This is more of an unusual event than a weird sport in itself. Elfstedentochtis a long-distance skating tour over the frozen canals, rivers, and lakes of Frisian cities.
The route changes every year according to where there are condensed patches of frozen water but is usually around 200 kilometres in length.
10. ‘Marathonschaatsen’: the ultimate skating marathon
The Elfstedentocht’s indoor cousin is just as competitive! Image: Emiel Ketelaar/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0
Since Elfstedentocht has become increasingly rare since about the 70s, the Dutch have instead organised the indoor marathonschaatsen (marathon skating), which takes place every year.
Competitors speed around the three-kilometre-long ice rink in Biddinghuizen for a whopping 125 laps in the men’s division, and 80 laps in the women’s division.
With strategics and team tactics, this sport is so much more than just a bunch of Dutchies skating in circles!
11. ‘Tegenwindfietsen’: cycling into a storm
You have to be slightly crazy to do this one. Tegenwindfietsen is essentially cycling straight into a headwind, which sounds like absolute torture (but sometimes unavoidable in the Netherlands.) Some Dutchies CHOOSE to cycle in the middle of a storm.
The Dutch Headwind Cycling Championships take place on the Oosterscheldekering storm barrier and is announced three days before a storm is due to hit, usually in autumn or winter.
The course is 8.5 kilometres long and is biked in the midst of storms which can reach as high as wind force nine! Do you see what we mean by torture?
The Dutch have been renowned for their innovative spirit for centuries, and they’re not about to change anytime soon! Why would they, when it gives them infinite amounts of (global) street cred?
Distinctive architectural styles, orange carrots, the first modern atlas of the world, and Bluetooth — Dutch history is full of cool innovations!
And their proud tradition continues in modern times, with new solutions and inventions seeming to pop up every other day. 🌱
They’ve been discovering things (*cue inappropriate colonialism joke*) since forever, and constantly look for new solutions to old as well as new problems.
The Dutch are also extremely proud of their innovative history and adventurous spirits. So don’t expect the tall people in the tiny country of great inventions to be humble about it.
Why do they do it?
Why do Dutch people innovate so much compared to other countries? We’ve got a few ideas.
Some say the favourable work conditions existing in (countries like) the Netherlands facilitate just the sort of free thinking necessary to grow as an innovative nation. 💪🏽
Being good at innovation is not in itself particularly quirky. What is, however, is the attitude Dutch people have toward their own skills.
If you’ve been in the Netherlands for more than an hour or two, you must have picked up on the fact that Dutch people are not exactly known for being shy. 👀
And it’s no wonder the Dutch are so openly proud of their skills when they’re some of the best innovators in the game.
Should you join in?
Innovation brings the world forward, so that’s definitely a Dutch characteristic worth adopting.
As if the world doesn’t talk about summer enough, we’re going to talk about it some more! Today, we’ll be answering all the questions that you are dying to ask if you’re in and around Rotterdam.
Are there outdoor pools in Rotterdam? What are the best parks to visit? Can I take a boat trip around the city? Where are the best places to drink? Is there a beach near Rotterdam?
We’ve got you covered!
So, without further ado, here are 6 things to do in Rotterdam in the summer. Your park-beach-swimmin’-drinkin’-cruisin’ prayers have all been answered:
1. Head to Hoek van Holland to go beaching
Hoek van Holland in Rotterdam during the summertime! Image: Mark Ahsmann/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0
Ok, so technically, this isn’t INSIDE of Rotterdam. It’s considered Rotterdam-territory, and it’s pretty damn close if you’re looking to soak up some of that Dutch sun by the sea.
Hoek van Holland is only a 30-minute drive away from the centre, and you can catch a train straight to the beach from Centraal Station. Super handig! (Super convenient!) 😉
It has a beautiful sandy beach with restaurants, bars, shops, and nature — basically everything you could want from a beach. It also doesn’t get quite as busy as some of the other popular beaches in the Netherlands, such as Scheveningen, so that’s always a bonus!
2. Take a cruise around the port and go boating
The Spido boat rocking Rotterdam waters! Image: Guilhem Vellut/Wikimedia Commons/CC2.0
Since Rotterdam is surrounded by water, there’s only one thing to do: BOAT TRIP! Not quite the same as a quiet, slow cruise along the canals, but unique in its own way.
If you’re on the lookout for a bit of a different tour in the city, there’s also a thing called the Splash Tours bus, which is literally a bus on land that can float in the water. 👇
While it’s definitely fascinating, it does look incredibly weird from the outside when you see it in the water. So, you can expect a few head-turns riding around in that thing. 😬
3. Go picnicking in the park
Het Park in Rotterdam during the summer is a sight for sore eyes! Image: Jan Geerling/Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0
Rotterdam has tons of beautiful parks with a relaxing vibe — and what’s synonymous with parks? Picnics, of course! 😊
One of the more popular parks is ‘Het Park’, which is located on the edge of the city’s centre near the Euromast.
It has lots of green space, lakes, and nature, and it’s reasonably quiet in the sense that you can grab a nice spot on the grass and enjoy a good picnic under the sun without being overcrowded by people.
After work, expect to find folks stripping down into their bikinis to grab the last bit of evening sunshine at the park.
If you’re looking to explore other great parks in the area, then these are essential to know: Zuiderpark, Kralingse Bos, Vroesenpark and Museumpark. 👌
4. Go swimming in an outside pool… on a cruise ship!
While Rotterdam isn’t exactly a city known for having outdoor swimming pools, it does possess a place where you can get your feet wet or bring your kids to have a splash about. What are we talking about here? Oh, right, the SS Rotterdam!
There’s a small pool on the outside deck at the end of the ship. Of course, this won’t be the place to practice for the Olympics, but it’s better than nothing, I suppose. (If you don’t mind sitting in your bikini with a horde of people drinking beer around you.)
5. Go drinking on a rooftop bar
Rotterdam certainly is a skyscraper city… Image: Depositphotos
Rotterdam has lots of outside space to grab some delicious food or have a couple of cocktails — but the most popular one is Witte de Withstraat (dang, talk about a tongue twister 😜). Here’s where you can sit outside and indulge in the many different bars and restaurants all along the street.
However, Rotterdam also has a variety of amazing rooftop bars. You know, with it being the skyscraper city and all that.
Rooftop bars let you enjoy your summer evenings of literally feeling on top of the world. The best part is that they are so easily accessible and usually a stone’s throw away from a station or metro.
So, if you’re looking for somewhere to wind down after a stressful day at work, or want to impress a few guests, then you know where to go!
Well, there you have it! Five very summery things to do in Rotterdam during the sunny holiday period. The perfect way to get your summer fix!
(Personally, I vote number five because I turn into a raging alcoholic the minute the sun comes out. It’s the Brit in me.)
Do you have any other suggestions onthings to do in Rotterdam in the summer? Let us know in the comments below!
