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Amsterdam Noord: How to explore the city’s coolest suburb

Julia de Oliveira Moritz
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Amsterdam Noord: How to explore the city’s coolest suburb

Amsterdam Noord has something for everyone: film, art, beer, or even just laying in the park.

We would say you can make a whole day of visiting the area, but it has so much to offer that one day won’t be enough.

Here’s what you need to know about visiting Amsterdam Noord! ✨

Where is Amsterdam Noord?

As the name suggests, this neighbourhood is in the north of Amsterdam. Despite being separated from the city’s main hub by the river IJ, it’s just one short (and free) ferry ride away from Amsterdam Centraal.

It’s quite an underrated part of Amsterdam, despite it being almost one-quarter of the entire city (49km2, to be exact). 

How to get to and from Amsterdam Noord

You can get to Amsterdam Noord by ferry, bike, metro, or car — but note that only the first two options are free. 😉

Ferry

photo-of-ferry-on-amsterdams-river-ij-travelling-to-and-from-amsterdam-noord
If you see this, you’re in the right place! Image: Depositphotos

Let’s start with the most popular, cheapest, and easiest option: the ferry. 

The easiest way to get to Amsterdam Noord is to take the free ferry from behind Amsterdam Centraal over to Buiksloterweg (the name will be on the ferry signage). 

Simply wait for the ferry to arrive and become empty, then walk on board while the traffic light is still green. After a few minutes, the ferry will sail across the river and deposit you in Amsterdam Noord. 

You can follow the same steps in reverse to return to Amsterdam Centraal.

There are also ferry points on the Amsterdam Centraal side of the river at Pontsteiger, Azartplein, IJplein, and Zeeburgereiland.

On the Amsterdam Noord side, you can take the ferry from NDSM, Buiksloterveer, or IJplein (yes, it has the same name as the other side!).

Depending on the terminal, ferries run approximately every 10 to 20 minutes. And yes, you can bring your bike on the ferry for free!

Bike

photo-of-couple-cycling-in-the-netherlands-on-cycle-path
Despite it being possible, this might be one of the few times the Dutchies avoid biking. Image: Depositphotos

If it’s the dead of night and the ferry isn’t running anymore, it is possible to get to and from Amsterdam Noord by bike.

But be wary; this path is a long one. Only one bike path connects the main part of Amsterdam with its edgy sibling from the north: the Zuiderzeeweg. This detour can quickly become an hour-long trek. Plan ahead!

Metro

amsterdam-metro-sign-on-a-sunny-day-with-blue-sky-in-the-background
Sit back, relax, and let the metro zoom all the way across the IJ. Image: Depositphotos

The metro line M52 runs all day from Amsterdam Zuid to Amsterdam Noord and back. Depending on the time of day, this metro runs between every five and every 10 minutes.

Note that this metro line does stop running shortly after midnight, so if you’re planning a trip to or from Noord between 00:28 and 05:34 (ah, Dutch precision), you might as well call an Uber.

Car

cars-on-the-highway-going-towards-amsterdam-noord-on-a-cloudy-day
Keep an eye out for that “RING-Noord” sign. Image: Depositphotos

If you want to get to Amsterdam Noord by car, geen probleem. There is a quick and easy 20-minute path that cars can drive to and from Noord via the A10. 

(Note that this 20-minute trip can, of course, vary depending on your exact points within the city. This is just an estimate; the important part is to know how to cross the famous IJ). 

Things to do in Amsterdam Noord

🎞️ Visit the Eye Film Museum

Amsterdam’s Eye Film Museum is the perfect place for all film enthusiasts. There, you can learn about the first cameras ever used and even make your own flip book or animated film. 

Want to mix it up? You can also find a changing roster of films, talks, and events all centred around one cinematic theme. 

photo-of-amsterdam-noords-eye-film-museum-from-the-water-on-a-sunny-day
It looks like a supervillain’s lair, but we promise it’s filled with film-related fun. Image: Wikimedia Commons/Jvhertum/CC2.0

For example, catch a collection of films all by the same director or from the same decade. Or watch some of the old classics in their ongoing “Eye Classics” series. 

🛼 Get creative in the immersive art museum WONDR Experience

Being true experts in the art of play, WONDR has stacks of exhibitions. Visit an incredibly aesthetic playground for adults (ball pit, anyone?), a glittery cocktail, or an 80s-themed roller rink.

roller-dreams-amsterdam-skate-experience
You can groove your way right back to the 80s! Image: Roller Dreams/Supplied

Their exhibitions are fit for people of all ages, so bring your mom, dad, kid, grandparents, or partner!

🍺 Check out the art of craft beers with Oedipus Brewing

Beer enthusiasts, this one’s for you! Amsterdam’s very own local, colourful, lively brewery makes delicious beers and gives you their Galaxy Brewery Tour. This tour will teach you how their beer is made — of course, with a tasting!

Group-of-hipster-friends-enjoying-drink-at–bar-terrace
Welcome to your new favourite bar! Image: Depositphotos

You can learn about how their beer is made, grab some food in their restaurant, Taproom, or go to one of their live music events (they even have a radio station)!

🖼️ Enjoy the graffiti art at the STRAAT Museum

So you’ve learned about movies, you’ve taken a biertje break, and now you’re ready to get in touch with some art. The STRAAT Museum is the best place to go! The museum lives in a reworked warehouse right where you exit the NDSM ferry. 

The warehouse is truly a playground for artists. It shows mind-bending works from respected, established names and exciting up-and-coming artists.

@polabur Street art museum in Amsterdam Noord #noord #amsterdamnoord #amsterdam #straatmuseum #fypシ ♬ original sound – Ian Asher

And get this: many of the artworks were made there, on-site! You can easily spend a whole day there just looking at these art pieces.

🏙️ Get a view of the city from A’DAM Lookout

Want to float above the clouds with a 360-degree view of the historic city of Amsterdam, from church peaks to skyscrapers? Dat kan, at A’DAM lookout — and you can even enjoy a drink while you’re at it!

Young-couple-on-the-swing-on-the-roof-of-tower-A'dam-at-sunset-time
It’s a swing for adrenaline seekers. Image: Depositphotos

The view from the top is enough, but if you want some extra adrenaline, hop on the swing and fly above the city. You’ll either experience newfound peace and bliss, or your life will flash before your eyes—hopefully, the former.

🪗 Watch a concert at Tolhuistuin

Food! Drinks! Music! Exhibitions! Debates! Markets! Artists! You name it, Tolhuistuin has it. A self-described “creative workshop for the future”, it’ll leave you with an urge to create something — anything.

Nestled between all the urban vibes of Amsterdam Noord, Tolhuistuin lives in an idyllic garden. If you need that creative stimulation, this is the place to go. Tolhuistuin has events every day. Some paid, some free, but all inspiring.

🏘️ Visit the historic village of Durgerdam

Maybe after so much creative stimulus, you need some peace and quiet to put your art into action. No better place for that than Durgerdam, the minuscule village in Amsterdam Noord with just 430 inhabitants.

photo-of-houses-in-Dutch-village-Durgerdam-in-Amsterdam-Noord
Look at the water, take a deep breath, and just sit. Image: Wikimedia Commons/Smiley.toerist/CC4.0

Sure, there are not many activities there, but that’s the point. It’s secluded, it’s calm, it’s relaxing. It’ll put your life on pause and give you a break from the endless scrolling and content we’re all so used to consuming.

🌳 Take a stroll through Noorderpark

This wouldn’t be a list of things to do in Amsterdam without mentioning at least one park. Amsterdam’s Noorderpark is huge, with a big river running right through it. Let your mind wander while you stroll through the trees and experience some urban nature. 

You may ask, “OK, what’s special about this park?” We see your question and raise you: a rotating roster of fun activities.

It’s the perfect place to cap off your big, action-packed Amsterdam Noord day. 

The history of Amsterdam Noord

Despite it being inviting today, Amsterdam Noord has quite a dark past. Up until 1795, it was a place where the corpses of convicts were hung in order to intimidate other civilians. Luckily, times have calmed down since the 1700s. 

old-photo-of-street-in-amsterdam-noord-in-the-1800s
Even though this photo is from the late 1800s, it doesn’t look too different from today! Image: Wikimedia Commons/Sleding, J./Public domain

But it came a long way, even by 1876, when the area became accessible to steamboats. This was also when the NDSM, a shipbuilding and repair company, established a shipyard in the area.

Until today, the NDSM has the same name. It stands for Nederlandsche Dok en Scheepsbouw Maatschappij (or Netherlands Dock and Shipbuilding Company in English). That’s why the STRAAT Museum is such a big warehouse!

Amsterdam Noord is an often under-explored half of Amsterdam. But clearly, it has so much to offer, so go on and explore. Go on, git! 

What’s your favourite part of Amsterdam Noord? Tell us in the comments!

Dutch sharks are… on cocaine? Here’s why

Julia de Oliveira Moritz
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0
Dutch sharks are… on cocaine? Here’s why

Last weekend, several mysterious packages washed up on the coast of the Dutch North Sea. Their contents were somewhat unorthodox: they were drugs.

The North Holland police unit tells RTL Nieuws that, although weird things wash up on the coast regularly, this is their first time seeing something like this.

A spokesperson says that packages of drugs are being found across “the entire width of the coast”. 😳

And there’s another problem: the drugs are not just on the coast, but also in the sea. And sea creatures are consuming them.

Sharks on cocaine

Often, smugglers dump drugs into the sea, either as a method of smuggling or to avoid being caught by authorities. The result? Sea creatures can ingest them. And get high.

Cocaine, for example, dissolves very easily in water, so a small tear in a pack is enough to make the drugs consumable by sea creatures.

This can make the animals confused, disoriented, and aggressive — and more dangerous to people.

It’s kind of a lose-lose for everyone, and we doubt sharks have underwater Narcotics Anonymous support groups. 🦈

New methods of drug dealing

Why exactly are drugs washing up along the Dutch coast? Well, it’s all part of a new drug-dealing method.

Since it’s becoming harder to smuggle packages of drugs in sea containers, many smugglers now hide drugs under torpedoes that are bolted under boats.

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #56: have a liberal attitude towards party drugs 

Another method involves dumping packages at sea with GPS trackers. This way, boats can find the packages and get them to where they need to be.

The police urge anyone who finds a suspicious package not to open it and to call 112 immediately. (In other words: this is not the time to start a questionable side hustle. 😉)

Have you ever heard of something like this happening? Tell us in the comments!

This travel agency is cancelling all trips from the Netherlands to Israel until 2024

Julia de Oliveira Moritz
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0
This travel agency is cancelling all trips from the Netherlands to Israel until 2024

When Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, a group of 37 Dutch tourists was about to leave for Israel with travel agency TUI. Luckily, they were able to cancel the trip in time, and now TUI has cancelled all travels to Israel for the remainder of the year.

If you were planning to travel with TUI in that time period, you will get your money reimbursed. Otherwise, you can reschedule your trip free of charge, according to RTL Nieuws. 

Getting your money back

The reimbursement for trips to Israel doesn’t just apply to trips with TUI, but to all travel agencies affiliated with the General Dutch Association of Travel Companies (ANVR).

Anyone who booked a trip with the agencies that fall within the association will get their money back. 

READ MORE | The Netherlands will evacuate almost 200 Dutch citizens from Israel 

In cases like these, travel agencies make use of the so-called “disaster fund”. This fund allows them to be insured in the event of an emergency.

Code orange: only travel if necessary

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued code orange travel advice. This urges people to avoid travelling to Israel as much as possible and to only go there if it’s really necessary.

READ MORE | Dutch Prime Minister expresses support for Israel, the Netherlands reacts in shock

Because of the code orange, it’s not in the hands of travel agencies to determine whether they can travel or not — and the ANVR can’t say when trips to Israel can take place again.

That being said, both the ANVR and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs do provide regular updates on their social media.

If the advice changes from code orange to code yellow, agencies will be able to decide for themselves whether or not they choose to travel.

Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup 📮

Buying groceries in the Netherlands is actually CHEAPER than the European average

Julia de Oliveira Moritz
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0
Buying groceries in the Netherlands is actually CHEAPER than the European average

Leave it to the Dutch to know how to save their money. According to Het Parool, Dutchies spend 2% less on groceries than the rest of Europe. 

Prices vary quite a bit depending on the product. Bread and grains are on average a whopping 14% cheaper in the Netherlands (lucky for all those Dutchies who have a broodje for lunch).

Buying fish in the Netherlands is 12.5% cheaper than the European average, while ready-made meals, and eggs and dairy trail behind at 3.5% and 2.5%. 

The Dutchies don’t feel this way

In contrast, Dutch people don’t feel like their groceries are so cheap after all — to the point that people living near Germany will cross the border to shop there for cheaper options. 

Dutchies will truly do anything to save money, and we respect it.

READ MORE | Best supermarkets in the Netherlands: the international’s guide

This strategy is actually quite logical, as the basic prices in Germany are indeed lower. The prices of specific products also vary depending on regions and store types, so the German Lidl is most likely cheaper than your average Albert Heijn.

That being said, the Netherlands runs deals and discounts more often. It’s the land of Bonus cards, limited-time offers, and buy one, get one free deals.

@dutchreview Nothing like saving €0,32 #CapCut #fyp #dutchreview #albertheijnbonus #korting #liveinthenetherlands ♬ original sound – DutchReview

In fact, ABN AMRO’s food market analyst Rob Morren says that more than a quarter of the groceries that Dutch people do are on promotion.

Do you think the grocery store prices in the Netherlands are cheap? Tell us in the comments!

Problem solved? Eurostar’s Amsterdam-London line will be closed down for less than a year

Julia de Oliveira Moritz
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0
Problem solved? Eurostar’s Amsterdam-London line will be closed down for less than a year

Back in June, Eurostar announced that their Amsterdam-London train line wouldn’t run for more than a year due to construction. But there is hope: the line might be up and running again sooner than we thought.

Since the heated reception of the news earlier this year, ProRail, NS and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management are trying to find workarounds for this controversy, according to Treinreiziger.

READ MORE | Eurostar announces no trains between Amsterdam and London for up to one year

There is hope

With these new solutions, the Amsterdam Centraal renovations may start later and finish earlier, says Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave. So, our chances of drinking beer in another type of gloomy weather will not be (completely) crushed.

@siennainthesun Did you know you can catch the train all the way from Amsterdam to London? Here’s everything you need to know about travelling on the @Eurostar with @Eurail (PR pass) #eurostar #eurostartrain #chunnel #underwatertrain #eurail #eurailglobalpass #goonestopfurther #eurosummertips #traveltips #amsterdamtolondon #internationaltravel #travelblogger #traveldiaries ♬ original sound – Sienna | Colourful Creator 🌈

The three organisations will send their findings to the Dutch House of Representatives in early November to see how realistic their solution is. Until then, we’re in the clear, and the trains will run normally.

The juicy backstory

This whole situation began due to renovations in Amsterdam Central Station. It’s not safe to have this train running during the construction — not to mention that it wouldn’t be possible to do security or luggage checks at the station.

Since there was quite a bit of commotion about this decision, ProRail, NS, and the Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management had to look for another solution.

Nothing is guaranteed yet, but there is hope that this train route will be less chaotic than we thought.

Do you think there will be a solution, or do you think we’ll be left train-less for 11 months? Tell us in the comments!

Leiden University shuts down building due to “increased safety risks”

Ellen Ranebo
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Leiden University shuts down building due to “increased safety risks”

Friday the 13th brings somewhat unsettling news: Leiden University has abruptly shut the doors of its Wijnhaven building located in The Hague due to an unnamed safety risk.

This means that for the foreseeable future, no student or member of staff is permitted to access the Wijnhaven building, according to the Leiden University website.

What exactly is the cause of the so-called “increased safety risk”? Nobody knows.

Leiden University, which is also home to several campuses based in The Hague, has decided to keep its reasons for this announcement on the down low.

Closed for the foreseeable future

One thing we do know is that the university has promised to notify everyone via the website about when the building can be accessed again.

Translation: “We keep all our employees and students informed as best as possible via the website for employees and students. There, you will find a notice about the closure. We will let you know via this website as soon as possible when Wijnhaven will reopen.”

The building normally serves as a study space for approximately 3,500 students, NU.nl reports. It also hosts researchers from six of the seven different faculties Leiden University has to offer.

These frequenters of Wijnhaven will just have to hang tight and wait it out. In the meantime, all we can do is speculate.

Do you have an opinion about the Wijnhaven building shutting down? Let us know in the comments below.

Strip down for Schiphol! Here’s why Amsterdam Airport is asking travellers to dress scarcely

Ellen Ranebo
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0
Strip down for Schiphol! Here’s why Amsterdam Airport is asking travellers to dress scarcely

Why is it that Schiphol has instructed passengers to arrive at their airport wearing as little clothes as possible? Because there are too many people.

That’s right — the next two weeks are predicted to be jam-packed since the autumn holidays will have people jet-setting every which way.

The estimated amount of passengers is a considerable 3.3 million — that’s 25% more than it was this time last year, RTL Nieuws reports.

Airport style tips

In order to bustle people through the security process faster, Schiphol has advised travellers to cut down on their clothes.

Yup. A page with their clothing tips suggests steering clear of high shoes and hoodies in spite of the current sweater weather since both of those articles need to be removed before security.

If you don’t want to hold up the queue, the airport also suggests scrapping the belt, asking whether it really is “an essential part of your look”. 🤔

Instead, they would rather we opt for some loose-fitted, “thin” clothing, like sweatpants or leggings, paired with “a nice shirt”. 🎽

Almost as busy as last summer

Remember that infamous summer of 2022, which featured airport queues so big people were piled outside of the doors?

READ MORE | Here’s why flying from Schiphol may soon become EVEN MORE expensive

Apparently, the peak travel days during this holiday season will garner similar numbers, with more than 70,000 passengers expected to depart on Schiphol’s busiest days.

In light of this, the personnel ask that travellers arrive “not too early” but also “not too late” and that we do our best to check in online in advance.

What is your style advice for airport goers? Let us know in the comments below!

15-year-old Dutch girl sentenced to one year after stabbing snackbar owner to death

Ellen Ranebo
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15-year-old Dutch girl sentenced to one year after stabbing snackbar owner to death

Upon hearing her verdict, the 15-year-old girl who stabbed a man to death in January was reportedly callous, “remorseless”, and “laughing”.

Not only that, but a secret recording of the convicted girl and her friend speaking about the murder victim with “contempt” left the court appalled and disgusted, the AD reports.

A long-held grudge

Apparently, the teenager responsible already had a longstanding history of animosity towards the man and his wife, who were owners of a snackbar in The Hague.

For instance, during the pandemic, when asked to show their Corona passes, the girl and her friends refused and then went on to throw food as well as beat up the couple.

Then again, in the summer of 2022, the girl was physically removed from the premises after she had tossed a bottle of water near the deep fryer.

Murder for no reason

In late January of this year, the pre-existing tensions escalated to full-blown murder.

Video footage recorded by the perpetrator’s 17-year-old friend shows snackbar owners Wei and Xiao Chen making their way home after closing up shop for the night.

READ MORE | Three women stabbed on the same Utrecht street within a week

After a verbal confrontation, which prompted the couple to be pushed, punched, and kicked by the group of teenagers, 39-year-old Wei Chen was stabbed to death by the 15-year-old girl for no discernible reason.

Sentenced to 12 months

The same girl, who was previously convicted of stabbing her own brother in the leg, was sentenced to 12 months in juvenile detention and psychiatric treatment for the murder.

Her 17-year-old brother, who assisted in the assault of Chen, has also been sentenced to juvenile detention and 6 months in prison. Together, the siblings owe €96,000 worth of damages.

READ MORE | Here’s what we know so far about Rotterdam’s university hospital shooter

In justifying the sentence, the court referred to the girl and her brother’s troubled upbringing. Familial neglect from an early age apparently caused the children to develop “antisocial and narcissistic traits”, which have only escalated over the years.

Stay up to date with the latest news and updates on DutchReview.

Autumn is here! Cold temperatures to hit the Netherlands in the coming days

Julia de Oliveira Moritz
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0
Autumn is here! Cold temperatures to hit the Netherlands in the coming days

Autumn lovers, now is your time to shine. Temperatures will be colder than 15 degrees Celsius during the day for the first time in FIVE months. At night, temperatures may even drop to freezing. 

It’s officially time to bring out the coats and the fluffy socks. And an ice scraper to defrost your car in the morning if you live in the east of the Netherlands. 

The maximum temperature should stay just below a chilly 15 degrees. Next week, temperatures are expected to be even colder, at around 12 degrees Celsius during the day and near freezing at night, according to AD.nl.

It’s been unusually tropical

Even though this change feels quite sudden, these temperatures are actually pretty normal for October. We mean, pumpkins and scary movies don’t really go along with shorts and t-shirts.

Usually, October has temperatures between  7 degrees and 15 degrees throughout the day. So, really, we’re getting the expected temperatures now.

READ MORE | 7 ways to make the best of autumn in the Netherlands in 2023 

The first 10 days of the month were much warmer than usual. October’s usual temperature hangs around 12 degrees Celsius — but this month’s average was a breezy 17. 

So why is it getting chilly now? As Weerplaza weatherman Wouter van Bernebeek tells the AD, a north wind from the Arctic Circle is coming to cool us down for the first time in a while.

Are you looking forward to these frostier temperatures? Tell us in the comments!

This Dutch company invented sushi krokets (and we’re not sure how to feel about it)

Ellen Ranebo
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1
This Dutch company invented sushi krokets (and we’re not sure how to feel about it)

This revolutionary sushi-meets-kroket snack could be the answer to your munchie prayers which leaves your taste buds tingling — or have you reaching for the barf bag.

Imagine you close your eyes and bite down into a good ole crunchy kroket, expecting the taste of that mysterious meat filling to follow.

But instead, you are met with…a mouthful of sushi 🙀. Yup, Crushi is a new kind of kroket with contents consisting of sushi.

Not just any sushi, but “fresh sushi taste, quick & easy to prepare, crispy, vegan variant and zero waste” at that — according to the Crushi website.

Panko is the new seaweed

Founded in Utrecht, the Crushi company is hoping to achieve world domination with this formidable snack, the AD reports.

You’ve probably had seaweed-wrapped sushi (that’s so last year), but have you had sushi coated with a crispy layer of Panko — that is, Japanese-style flaky breadcrumbs?

By now, you might be recoiling in horror or asking, “Where can I get my hands on this juicy feast?” 🤤

READ MORE | What your favourite Dutch FEBO snack says about you

Apparently, these products are mainly being targeted at wholesalers. So, while you probably won’t catch Crushi at Jumbo, you can try your luck at sellers like Bidfood and Sligro.

Crushi rolls are…on a roll

Currently, Crushi is available in a number of countries.

Aside from the Netherlands, they’re selling it in Belgium, Germany, Austria, Greece, Ireland and Switzerland. Soon, Crushi might even take the US by storm. (Quick, claim it before the Americans do!)

READ MORE | 11 best places for the munchies in Amsterdam

Some of the flavours include “Salmon Supreme”, “Veggie Vegan”, and “Classic California”. If those names don’t get your mouth watering, we don’t know what will.

The good thing about Crushi is that you can freeze it, according to Crushi’s operational manager Hiroshi Tsujimaru. However, the question is whether people or not are “‘ready for crispy sushi”. 🤔

Do you feel adventurous enough to try sushi krokets? Let us know in the comments below!

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