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Amsterdam Noord in The Guardian

Posted by (London) on

I thought I'd link to an article from today's Guardian about the Noord neighbourhood of Amsterdam. It sounds really nice.

I've camped at Vliegenbos, a little forest campsite on that side of the Ij river. Nieuwendam is a charming little village near there. It's fun to take the free ferry across the Ij from Centraal Station.

As well as camping there a very long time ago, I visited Amsterdam Noord to go to parties. There's one abandoned factory I visited at least 20 years ago that is now a legit music and entertainments venue since the neighbourhood has gentrified.

I see from Google Maps there's a couple of hotels in the Nieuwendam area. It seems like a nice place if you could score an apartment or houseboat rental too.

Anyone been to Amsterdam Noord?

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/aug/14/laid-back-noord-antidote-to-amsterdam-crowds-netherlands

Posted by
10070 posts

I loved spending the day in Amsterdam Noord back in 2018. I took the free ferry over, went to an incredible street market, ate lunch there and basically just wandered around. I really enjoyed the area, and it was blessedly much less crowded than the city center of Amsterdam (although there was a bit of a crowd at the market—but that was just fun). :-)

Thanks for posting the article, Gerry!

Posted by
1905 posts

I'd certainly consider staying there on a trip to Amsterdam. I didn't mind being a bit further out. I'd probably rent a bike if I was staying out there. There's bound to be good trips north out of Amsterdam and it would make it quick to get to central Amsterdam.

I stayed at Vliegenbos a couple of times on the one trip once. I'd bought a Eurorail ticket with a couple of friends. Started out in Amsterdam for a few days, camped in Bayonne, south west France for a few days, Paris, then back to Amsterdam because Vliegenbos was so cool.

We met a guy there in the next tent. A Dutch guy named Koon. He was living in his tent for the summer and selling flowers in Amsterdam. He insisted on cooking "steak" for us one night. He wanted the money for meat upfront. We had a pretty good idea it was just a ruse to pocket a few guilders, but went along with it anyway. Wasn't the best :)

Sail Amsterdam was on one time I was there too, with all the tall ships by the side of The Ij (pronounced "eye" btw).

Posted by
10070 posts

I actually did consider staying there, Gerry, but ultimately decided on the De Pijp neighborhood, which I really enjoyed as well. However, if I went back, I would really think about staying in Noird.

Posted by
1905 posts

De Pijp is a favourite of mine too and I've spent quite a bit of time there.

Posted by
10070 posts

Kim, how fun! It's such a wonderful neighborhood! When I was there in 2018, I rented a room from a couple who had a house near Sarphatipark. The husband was an architect and the wife was a stage manager in theatre. Since I had also worked in theatre, we found we had a lot in common, so the three of us spent several afternoons in their garden in the back, drinking wine and chatting. It was really a wonderful experience. And their house was amazingly cool, with very interesting pieces of furniture that the husband had designed and built.

I miss those days of staying in someone else's house. There are disadvantages, but it can be a very good experience if you don't mind sharing. :-)

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