When in Amsterdam, do the following. Take the ferry behind central station. Choose the one that says NDSM-Werf. Enjoy the free 10 minute commute and the view over the river Ij (technically it's a canal, but who cares). Arrive at the wharf. If upon walking a few meters you see a sign stating "Sexyland", you're at the right place.
NDSM stands for the unpronounceable Nederlandsche Dok en Sheepsgebouw Matschappij; in English, Dutch Shipbuilding Company. As the name suggests, this is a former shipbuilding site, an industrial area which was abandoned after 1984, following the bankruptcy of the NDSM. The massive site, where you still can see a huge slipway that led the tankers to the water, got populated by artists and squatters in the 90s. This was the original movement that turned a desolate area into a free haven of creativity, in which MTV Benelux settled their headquarters in 2007.
The huge ship warehouse became a breeding ground for artists, the Kunststad or Art City, which can be visited daily. This community repurposed the space, building ateliers, and a sustainable energy and water system, self-managing the enterprise all the way.
The NDSM ground is fruitful in street art, including an enormous homage to Anne Frank by the renowned graffiti artist Cobra. Home to cool cafes, restaurants, markets and festivals, this is surely the best place for a sunny afternoon spent marvelling at the great wide open and the banks of the Ij. As for conceptual club Sexyland, oh well, go see for yourself.
Find your way with 153 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Cafe de Tuin has such a nice atmosphere. The interior is classic and the customers are diverse, which makes it the perfect mix between modern and dated.
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"Pension Homeland" at Marine Terrain in Amsterdam is a great restaurant that also has its own brewery! It's also a vintage hotel. So cool@
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Parks in Amsterdam are packed with people, especially in summer. So my recommendation for a nice spot where you can also swim is "Marine Terrain!"
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The "American Book Centre" in Amsterdam is a trustworthy bookstore to call home, with plenty of English books, a spiraling staircase and even a cozy cafe!
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"Latei" is the rare breed of neighborhood Amsterdam cafe that's so hard to find these days! It's in the touristy part but still has an authentic charm...
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"A. van Wees" in Amsterdam has its own jenever distillery, the Ooievaar, the only one left in the city. Come here for a jenever tasting under the stairs!
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"Scandinavian Embassy" in Amsterdam is a pretty small and cute coffee shop. You may have to queue up, but their coffee is 100% worth your while...
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"SUE" in Amsterdam is a vegan, sugar- and gluten-free pastry shop. Their specialty are their 'bites', square-shaped delights in about 20 different flavors!
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"Carla Palermo" in Amsterdam is a living room that's been turned into a second-hand vintage clothing shop! The best store in the Jordaan if you ask me...
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"Yusu" in Amsterdam is what the perfect coffee company a-la twenty-first century should look like. Also, if you're a lover of matcha, it's the place to be.
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"Bar Botanique" in Amsterdam East makes you feel as if you've stepped inside a jungle! You should really see it from both the inside and out...
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153 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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