Amsterdam North by bike: a hotspot cycle tour
A bike tour to Amsterdam North was on my bucket list for almost 10 years! Ever since I moved to Amsterdam I thought it would be fun to take the ferry and explore the North banks of the IJ. Since I now have my new Johnny Loco urban bike it was time to make the trip with this vintage green lady! I live in Amsterdam East, a neighbourhood that is becoming more trendy every year. At the Amstel Station you can rent a bike for only € 3,50 a day. The best way to discover much of Amsterdam in just a limited time is by bike. I created a tour to cycle from Amsterdam East to Amsterdam North. A long the way I listed my favourite hotspots for you to visit!
From Amsterdam East to Amsterdam North by bike weergeven op een grotere kaart
From Amsterdam East to Amsterdam North for foodies!
Start for Amsterdam visitors: if you don’t have a bike rent a bike at Amstelstation and go up the Wibautstraat to Beter & Leuk at the Eerste Oosterparkstraat 91 in Amsterdam East to start the tour.
Start for Amsterdam locals: if you do have a bike start the bike tour at Beter & Leuk at the Eerste Oosterparkstraat 91 in Amsterdam East.
1) Beter & Leuk
Beter & Leuk is a cosy coffee cafe perfect for a cappuccino, breakfast or lunch. Start the bike tour here with a coffee or a fresh juice.
On the way to Landmarkt you pass Zeeburg and cross the IJ. I’m always surprised how Amsterdam can feel like a little village! The water and nature, love it :-).
2) Landmarkt
Landmarkt is an organic supermarket in Amsterdam North. It’s a foodie candy store! I also like to go here for a coffee, lunch or organic dinner while grocery shopping.
From Landmarkt to Amsterdam North is a beautiful tour through small villages with cute little cottages. Yes… this is Amsterdam too!
3) Hotel De Goudfazant
Hotel De Goudfazant is not actually a hotel! It’s a very cool restaurant in a former car garage. Yummy food for fair prices! Around € 30,- for a 3 course dinner.
4) STORK
For the most delicious Au Fruits de Mer I like to go to Stork. One of the best seafood restaurants in Amsterdam. It’s located on a former industrial area and has a lovely terrace right on the waterfront!
5) Al Ponte
Amsterdam North is all about expecting the unexpected! Al Ponte is a true Italian coffee truck serving great coffee on the banks of the IJ.
6) Cafe Modern aka Jacques Jour
Cafe Modern is a very good restaurant in Amsterdam North. It’s located in a former banking building and one of the newest hotspots in Amsterdam North. During the day Jacques Jour is located in Cafe Modern and a great option for lunch!
7) The Tolhuistuin
The Tolhuistuin is located in the garden of a fromer Shell complex. It’s beautiful! The lights in the evening are magical. Check out the website for the agenda!
8) EYE Film museum and restaurant
Eye is a museum slash restaurant slash movie theater! I LOVE it! Lots of good cult movies and great food. When it’s not windy the terrace is very nice and has an amazing view!
9) Van Dijk & Co
Van Dijk & Co is a cool home and living store located at the same address as Neef Louis. Here you find antiques and vintage furniture. This is also a great address for retro and vintage accessories for your home!
10) Neef Louis
Looking for industrial furniture? Neef Louis is just the right address for that! Browse around in the old warehouse to find that one unique gem!
11) PLLEK
PLLEK NDSM is by far the coolest urban beach in Amsterdam North. Enjoy the very relaxed vibe and live music on Sunday afternoon. You can lay out at the beach or take a swim at the IJ!
12) IJ-hallen Flea Market
Every first Saturday and Sunday of the month the IJ-hallen at the NDSM warf in Amsterdam North turn into the biggest flea market of The Netherlands. LOVE this place to treasure hunt and find some unique pieces!
13) IJscuypje
Enjoy a refreshing ice-cream before hopping on the ferry to Amsterdam Central Station. The homemade ice-cream of Ijscuypje is always yummy!
14) Ferry to Amsterdam Central Station
The ferries are free and you can take your bike with you. It’s just a 10 minute ferry ride from the NDSM warf to Amsterdam Central Station.
15) Hannekes Boom
Hannekes Boom is an unique restaurant at the Oosterdok in Amsterdam. Perfect for drinks or an easy meal. Experience a beach club feeling and forget that you’re in the heart of a crowded city.
16) BAUT
End the tour to Amsterdam North with a dinner at BAUT back again in Amsterdam East. Baut is a hotspot located in a former newspaper building at the Wibautstraat. A great terrace and delicious food!
I hope you have a great day cycling this tour! Use the google map I created for you as a guideline for the directions. But don’t forget to bring your smartphone… I experienced that sometimes it comes in handy to look at a detailed map ;-). If you want to do this tour budget proof bring a picnic basket with homemade sandwiches. Along the way you pass a few cool spots that are perfect for a picnic!
Let me know how it was! Love to hear all about it :-). Or tag me in your picture on Instagram via @yourlbb when you visit one of the hotspots!
Because I get so many questions about my trendy green bike… here’s the link with the exact model
Amsterdam Bucketlist
THINGS TO DO:
⋙ Canal Cruise by day or in the evening
⋙ A bike tour through Amsterdam OR Rent a bike by yourself
⋙ The best view over Amsterdam from the A’DAM Lookout
⋙ Visit Artis Royal Zoo
FAVOURITE MUSEUMS:
⋙ Rijksmuseum with the Dutch masters
⋙ Van Gogh Museum, a staple in Amsterdam
⋙ Stedelijk Museum for modern art lovers
⋙ MOCO Museum for street art
⋙ Photography museum FOAM
SEASONAL:
⋙ Amsterdam Light Festival (during winter months)
⋙ Cruise like a local with your own boat (great with good weather!)
ONE OF A KIND:
⋙ Discover the Instagrammable experience WONDR
⋙ Red Light District tour
⋙ Get out of town and into the Dutch country side of Giethoorn
| TIP: Buy an I amsterdam City Card. Save money on entrance fees to museums and attractions, public transport and profit from discounts on everything from restaurants to concerts. You can also skip some lines to make the most of your time in Amsterdam! You can buy a card for 24 hours up to 120 hours. Check the prices here >>
Our favourite hotels:
AFFORDABLE // €
☾ Generator Hostel: the best poshtel of the city located in a park.
☾ The Student Hotel: budget proof in trendy East.
☾ Het Volkshotel: affordable and with a cool rooftop bar.
☾ CitizenM: all you need is that XL bed (location near Amstel is great).
☾ Motel One: budget design hotel with locations at
VERY VERY NICE // €€
☾ Hotel V: with two locations and a great restaurant, in the city center and East.
☾ Sir Adam: with the coolest view over Amsterdam.
☾ Sweets: a unique stay in former bridge houses.
☾ Park Plaza Vondelpark: located next to Vondelpark and beautifully renovated.
☾ Hotel Dwars: small scale around the corner of the trendy Utrechtsestraat.
☾ Pillows Anna van den Vondel: great hotel close to Vondelpark.
☾ Hotel Mercier: new hotel in the cosy and historic Jordaan district.
☾ INK Hotel: lifestyle hotel in the heart of the city.
☾ The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel right on the canals.
☾ Morgan & Mees: boutique hotel in Amsterdam West.
☾ Conscious Hotel Westerpark: in a beautiful building at the industrial Westergas area.
☾ QO Amsterdam: eco design hotel with a great skybar.
TOP LUXURY // €€€
☾ Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam: if you have something to celebrate this is the one.
☾ Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canals at the border of the Nine Streets and the Jordaan.
☾ L’Europe: this hotel has the best spa with a view in Amsterdam.
☾ Conservatorium Hotel: located in one of the most beautiful buildings in town.
☾ W Amsterdam: with great restaurants and a rooftop bar with swimming pool.
Let’s get social
I really hope you enjoy your time in Amsterdam! On my Instagram account @yourlbb you can find more recommendations and new hotspots in town.
Follow @yourlbb on Instagram
| PS: Traveling to Amsterdam with kids? My other website Travelkids.co & @travelkids.co is dedicated to family friendly travel. Check it out here >>
