A day of photography in Amsterdam - NDSM
If you are - or are planning to be - in Amsterdam, you can't miss this place. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city center, shops, cafés, coffee shops, canals, and the crowds of tourists, this spot is like stepping into a different world.
For me - someone who lives in a neat little town, surrounded with typically classic Dutch aesthetics - this place feels like a kind of exotic state of mind.
I’m talking about Amsterdam Noord, which is located across the water behind the central station, and specifically its industrial part - NDSM Werf.
I like coming back there from time to time with my camera, especially when I feel like changing the scenery to something more urban - but without stepping into a crowd.
If you shoot street photography but want a break from classic city scenes, I highly recommend heading to the other side of the IJ.
NDSM - alternative hub of Amsterdam
NDSM is a remnant of the old shipyard. Today, it’s a large-scale open-air hub of alternative culture - street art (not just graffiti on the shipyard buildings, but most notably the STRAAT museum), studios and workspaces of all kinds of artists and makers, and - of course - a few great bars and cafés. A part of NDSM is also turning into a residential neighborhood.
It’s perfect for a day out with your camera. You’ll find an entire district made up of a few streets, squares, lots of buildings, shipping containers, cranes, and more - plus a marina with houseboats, yachts, yellow submarine, and a fancy floating hotel.
How to get to NDSM
If you're arriving in Amsterdam by public transport and you don’t rent the car (which in this city is basically something you absolutely don’t need), there's really no other way than taking the free ferry from Central Station.
At the back of the station, you'll find the docks where you can hop on the right ferry. The F4 line to NDSM is located at the far left side of the terminal.
By the way, these ferries are an excellent way to get around between the southern and northern parts of the city. If your sightseeing plans involve crossing the IJ, the ferry is the best (and free) option.
What locals use as a daily means of transportation between home and work can be an attractive way for tourists to explore the city.
Sightseeing from the water perspective has a completely different — and super cool — vibe. You can take your rental bike with you (free of charge as well).
If you're coming to Amsterdam by car, you'll find several parking areas in NDSM at fairly reasonable rates (and some even free, for example on weekends until noon), including one in the heart of NDSM (NDSM Plein).
What to do in NDSM
There are no rules here, no set walking routes. Just make sure to give yourself enough time and explore freely.
If you're a fan of street art, set aside a lot of time. In NDSM, you’ll find plenty of graffiti, art installations, and other hidden artifacts. And if the light or weather isn’t cooperating, it’s definitely worth stepping into STRAAT.
It might just be the only museum of its kind dedicated to street art, showcasing nearly 200 large-scale works by over 150 artists from all around the world.
And if you're not a fan of street art, there’s a good chance you’ll become one.
Since this wasn’t my first time at STRAAT, this time I focused more on the building itself than the murals.
Lately, I’ve been having a bit of a fling with industrial aesthetics, so I really enjoyed diving into the details and textures of this old ship shed. The remnants of its original function turned out to be a perfect subject for a photo series on their own.
Eye Film Institute
If for any reason you feel like it’s time for a change of scenery, just hop back on the ferry to Central Station - from there, you’ve got quite a few destinations to choose from.
One worth recommending is Buiksloterweg (ferry F3, which runs literally every few minutes). There, you'll find the Eye Film Institute. The building itself - and its location - are likely to impress fans of modern architecture. Eye functions as both a cinema and a film museum.
It’s worth walking around the area, if only to enjoy the view of Central Station from across the IJ.
Next to Eye, you will find A’dam Lookout, a view point with one of the craziest elevators I’ve ever seen in my life (at least this is what I thought a few years ago). Nice to give it a go, but I wouldn’t say it’s a must.
If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam Noord, it’s worth setting aside a whole day - but it’s also doable in just a few hours. This time I spent there around 5 hours, including a brief visit to STRAAT, a stroll around Central Station (which also has a lot to offer visually), and Eye, plus a relaxed coffee and lunch break.
A nice change.
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