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Urban Beaches in Amsterdam

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Urban Beaches in Amsterdam

Throughout the whole year, Amsterdam offers plenty of attractions – world-class museums, vibrant nightlife, and canals with flower-covered bridges. But in summer, there’s something extra special: Urban Beaches in Amsterdam! These city beaches bring a real holiday vibe with festivals, food, drinks, music, and relaxing spots by the water.

1.Roest

Roest, located in the east near Brouwerij ’t IJ, is one of the most popular Urban Beaches in Amsterdam. Set in an old industrial area, it combines a café, bar, and restaurant with a sandy beach and lively events – from parties to cultural gatherings.

2.Strand Zuid

Strand Zuid, just a short metro ride or scenic cycle away, feels cozy and fresh with lanterns and greenery. You’ll find terrace tables by the water, sandy spots for barefoot lounging, and a relaxed vibe perfect for summer days.

3.Dok

Only 13 minutes cycling from Teleport, Dok is another favorite. With palm trees, beach volleyball, and a laid-back atmosphere, it truly feels like a holiday. Events like food festivals make it even more fun.

4.Sloterplas

For swimming, kayaking, yoga, or just relaxing on the grass, Sloterplas is a great option. This lake combines nature, sports, and a sandy beach just 9 minutes from Teleport.

5.Het Stenen Hoofd

Just 5 minutes from Central Station, this small city beach has a casual charm. Order a refreshing lemonade at the café and enjoy the view towards the A’dam Tower and NDSM.

As a non-local I definitely recommend these places for the people who are interested in doing something a bit different on their holiday to Amsterdam. After visiting some museums, I can’t think of anything better than relaxing on an urban beach with good music, tasty food and cold drinks or even enjoying a festival!

On this map you can check out all the places I mentioned and find the most convenient one![:]

The Street Art of Amsterdam

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Discover Amsterdam’s Street Art

Now that the Banksy exhibition has left Amsterdam, it’s the perfect time to explore the city’s street art, available year-round and for free. At first glance, Amsterdam might seem to have only a few murals, graffiti, stencils, and stickers. But don’t be fooled — the city is full of hidden treasures. You just need to pay attention, know the hotspots, and keep your eyes open. Let us guide you to the best spots.

Even the Amsterdam Teleport Hotel is a kind of street art object itself, featuring colorful murals and creative details for visitors to enjoy.

The NDSM Wharf

The northern part of Amsterdam is bursting with creative energy. Walk around the NDSM Wharf, and you’ll see stunning graffiti, stencils, old cranes, trams turned into art, metal containers, and huge ship halls. The colors of street art pop against the rusty background. Artists often work right in front of visitors, bringing old walls to life.

Take the free ferry behind Central Station to reach NDSM. On arrival, you’ll be amazed by a gigantic mural of Anne Frank (240 m²), painted by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra. The waterfront and street art here are unforgettable.

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Space Invaders in the Jordaan

The Jordaan may seem historic and quiet, but it hides countless charming street art pieces. Look for murals by the London Police, spreading love with their joyful LADS characters.

You can also find Space Invaders mosaics scattered across the neighborhood. Now, you can collect them through the Flash Invaders app, similar to Pokémon. For constantly updated colorful graffiti, don’t miss Marnixstraat.

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Spuistraat — Past Glory

Not long ago, Spuistraat hosted countless artworks on squatted buildings in the city center. Creativity felt limitless, and the rebellious vibe filled the air. After the municipality took over De Slang, much of the iconic art disappeared.

However, you can still find brightly painted garage doors, squatted bars with graffiti, and millions of small stencils and stickers along the street. Spuistraat remains worth exploring, but you need to look closely and check side streets.

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Schellingwoudebrug — Roots of Street Art

To trace the roots of Amsterdam’s street art, head to Schellingwoudebrug, under the bridge near Flevopark. Take tram 14, and you’ll reach a graffiti paradise at the end of the line. The bridge overlooks the IJ and witnessed the crazy 90s, when street artists from around the world showcased their work in Amsterdam.

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Downtown Street Art Map

How about turning your day in Amsterdam into a street art quest? Just use this map to locate the best pieces in town, see how many invaders you can detect and what gallery turns out to be your favorite. Amsterdam’s street art goes way beyond some cool graffiti in the hidden spots, it becomes a trend of the city, worth exhibiting in museums and galleries. Even the local municipality realizes the importance of alternative art for the cultural life, providing the street artists with legal opportunities to create and present their pieces to all the guests to enjoy.