Nestled in the historic heart of Amsterdam, the NDSM site beckons visitors to explore its rich industrial legacy and burgeoning creative spirit. This captivating tour invites you to stroll through the area’s vibrant street art-adorned landscapes, uncovering the stories that have shaped this once-bustling shipbuilding hub. As you embark on a scenic ferry journey and learn about the lively IJ Hallen flea market, you’ll uncover a side of Amsterdam that few travelers ever get to experience. But what secrets lie hidden within the NDSM site’s winding paths and towering structures? To uncover the answers, you’ll have to join the tour and discover for yourself.
Key Points
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The 2-hour walking tour explores the NDSM site, a former shipbuilding area, and includes a ferry trip to Pontsteiger to see graffiti art and the IJ Hallen flea market.
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The tour starts at Hall 99 with refreshments and visits Damen Shiprepair, Kraanspoor, and NDSM wharf, showcasing the area’s industrial heritage and vibrant graffiti art.
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The Kraanspoor office building offers panoramic views of the industrial landscape, while the NDSM wharf features cultural hubs like the Shipbuilding Shed and Welding Shed.
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The tour does not provide access to the interior of the Damen Shiprepair, Pontsteiger, or Kraanspoor buildings, but visitors can explore the Street Museum by purchasing a separate ticket.
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After the tour, visitors can explore the graffiti and street art museum, Straat, and sample locally crafted beers at the IJver brewery before returning to the city center by ferry.
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Contents
- Key Points
- Activity Overview
- Itinerary and Highlights
- Tour Details
- Booking Information
- Post-Tour Options
- Damen Shiprepair
- Kraanspoor
- NDSM Wharf
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Are There Any Restrooms Available During the Tour?
- Can We Take Photos During the Tour?
- Is the Tour Wheelchair Accessible?
- Can We Bring Our Own Food and Drinks?
- What Should We Wear for the Tour?
- Recap
- Our Top Picks in Amsterdam
- More Walking Tours in Amsterdam
- More Tour Reviews in Amsterdam
- Not for you? Here's more things to do in Amsterdam we have recnetly reviewed
Activity Overview
This walking tour provides visitors with an opportunity to explore the NDSM site, a former shipbuilding area transformed into a vibrant cultural hub.
The 2-hour tour takes guests on a journey through the area, showcasing its highlights. For $53.49 per person, participants can join a small group of up to 10 people and experience the site in Dutch, English, or German.
With free cancellation available up to 24 hours in advance, travelers can book with confidence. The tour includes a ferry trip to the Pontsteiger and allows visitors to witness the area’s thriving graffiti art scene and largest flea market at the IJ Hallen.
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Itinerary and Highlights
The tour begins at Hall 99 on Tt. Vasumweg, where participants are welcomed with coffee, tea, or water before embarking on the guided walking exploration of the NDSM site.
The highlights of the itinerary include:
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Visiting the Damen Shiprepair, Kraanspoor (a 16-meter high office building), and the NDSM wharf, which features the Shipbuilding Shed, welding shed, carpentry shed, and the Faralda Crane Hotel.
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Experiencing the vibrant graffiti art in the former breeding ground of the NDSM area.
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Exploring the Pontsteiger, an impressive skyline building, and the IJ Hallen, home to Amsterdam’s largest flea market and various festivals.
The tour also includes a ferry trip to the Pontsteiger, providing participants with a unique perspective of the NDSM site.
Tour Details
The tour begins with a reception in Hall 99, where participants are welcomed with coffee, tea, or water before embarking on the guided walking exploration of the NDSM site.
A knowledgeable live tour guide leads the group, taking them on a journey through the former shipbuilding areas. The tour includes a ferry trip to the impressive Pontsteiger building, allowing participants to admire the skyline.
However, visitors won’t have access to the Damen Shiprepair, Pontsteiger, and Kraanspoor. Plus, entry to the Street Museum requires a separate paid ticket.
After the tour, visitors can explore the graffiti and street art museum or grab a specialty beer at IJver before catching the ferry back to the city center.
Booking Information
Visitors can reserve the NDSM site tour online and take advantage of the ‘reserve now & pay later’ option. Alternatively, they can check the tour’s availability to determine the starting times that best suit their schedule.
The meeting point for the tour is Hall 99 on Tt. Vasumweg, where ample but limited free parking is provided.
The booking process offers several advantages:
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Flexible payment options with the ‘reserve now & pay later’ feature.
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Ability to check tour availability and select convenient start times.
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Convenient meeting point with free, though limited, parking at Hall 99.
Post-Tour Options
After the NDSM site tour, visitors can explore several nearby post-tour options.
They can visit the graffiti and street art museum called Straat, which showcases vibrant local artwork. Alternatively, they may choose to sample specialty beers at the nearby IJver brewery.
Plus, a ferry ride to the city center provides a convenient way to continue sightseeing in Amsterdam.
Those interested in delving deeper into the site’s artistic side can stop by the Straat museum to view the impressive collection of graffiti and street art.
For a more refreshing end to the tour, visitors can head to IJver and indulge in some locally crafted beers before catching the ferry back to the city center.
Damen Shiprepair
Damen Shiprepair is a key highlight of the NDSM site tour, offering visitors a glimpse into the site’s industrial heritage as a former shipbuilding hub. Though visitors can’t enter the active shiprepair facility, they can admire it from the outside and learn about its impressive scale and capabilities:
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Damen Shiprepair is one of the largest shipyards in the Netherlands, with multiple dry docks and cranes capable of lifting vessels up to 6,000 tons.
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The facility specializes in the repair, conversion, and maintenance of a wide range of commercial and naval vessels, from cargo ships to offshore platforms.
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Damen’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its efforts to reduce emissions and waste, making it an integral part of the NDSM site’s transformation into an eco-conscious hub.
Kraanspoor
The Kraanspoor, a 16-meter high office building, stands as an impressive architectural landmark on the NDSM site. Designed by Studio Roelof Mulder, it features a unique structure that hovers over the former shipbuilding grounds, offering panoramic views of the surrounding industrial landscape.
The building’s distinctive form and elevated position create a striking contrast with the gritty, utilitarian character of the NDSM wharf. Visitors aren’t granted access to the interior of the Kraanspoor during the tour, but they can admire its striking silhouette and appreciate its role in transforming the NDSM site into a vibrant hub of creativity and innovation.
The Kraanspoor serves as a testament to the site’s ongoing evolution, blending industrial heritage with contemporary design.
NDSM Wharf
Situated at the heart of the NDSM site, the NDSM wharf stands as a testament to the area’s rich industrial heritage, offering visitors a glimpse into its storied past as a thriving shipbuilding hub.
This expansive complex comprises several key structures, including:
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The Shipbuilding Shed, where ships were once constructed and repaired, now serving as a unique event space and cultural hub.
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The Welding Shed, a testament to the skilled craftsmanship that once defined the site, now transformed into a vibrant creative space.
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The Carpentry Shed, where wooden components were meticulously crafted, now playing host to diverse artistic endeavors.
Alongside these historic structures, the NDSM wharf also features the Faralda Crane Hotel, a captivating accommodation option offering unparalleled views of the surrounding landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Restrooms Available During the Tour?
According to the activity overview, there are no specific details provided about restroom availability during the tour. However, participants can likely access restrooms at the starting location, Hall 99, before or after the guided walking tour.
Can We Take Photos During the Tour?
Yes, participants are generally allowed to take photos during the tour. However, access to certain buildings and areas may be restricted. It’s best to check with the tour guide for any specific photography guidelines or limitations.
Is the Tour Wheelchair Accessible?
The tour does not appear to be fully wheelchair accessible. While the main sites can be viewed from the ferry and outside, access to some buildings like the Kraanspoor may be limited for those with mobility challenges.
Can We Bring Our Own Food and Drinks?
Yes, participants can bring their own food and drinks on the NDSM site tour. The tour does not provide any meals or refreshments, so guests are welcome to bring their own snacks and beverages to enjoy during the 2-hour walking exploration.
What Should We Wear for the Tour?
For the tour, visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Layers are recommended, as the outdoor portions of the tour may be subject to wind or rain. Bringing a water bottle is also advised.
Walk on and Around the NDSM Site
Recap
The ‘Walk on and Around the NDSM Site’ tour offers a unique opportunity to explore Amsterdam’s industrial heritage and vibrant street art.
Blending history, creativity, and scenic views, the tour takes visitors on a 2-hour journey through the former shipbuilding area, including a ferry trip to the bustling IJ Hallen flea market.
This immersive experience captures the essence of the city’s thriving artistic spirit and provides a glimpse into its industrial past.
You can check availability for your dates here:
