Amsterdam North ranges from Industrial buildings to green areas and cute charming typical Dutch villages. Sjef has lived in the North for a few years now and enjoys the natural barrier which separates North from the rest of the city: “Once you cross the water it becomes more spacious and free”.
![pont noord](http://www.volkshotel.nl/wordpress/../media/uploads/2015/08/pont-noord-1024x519.jpg)
People say Amsterdam North is ‘up and coming’, but maybe it’s already ‘up and come’ because there are plenty of hotspots to visit. Sjef suggests renting a bike and cycling up there, so he shares a few places to make it worthwhile.
To get to know the Noorderlingen:
Van der Pek Market – Van der Pekstraat 1
The market of Noord. Mingle with the people who live here. (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday).
A literature fix:
Boekhandel over het water – Van der Pekstraat 59
Nice little bookshop.
For some rest:
Tuin van de Tolhuistuin – Tolhuisweg 3
The garden of the Tolhuistuin, to sit in peace and contemplate. This place hosts various festivals.
![tolhusituin](http://www.volkshotel.nl/wordpress/../media/uploads/2015/08/tolhusituin-1024x683.jpg)
To see green pastures:
Durgerdam, ‘t Twiske, Broek in Waterland
Go to these little villages just outside of Amsterdam for green views, barbecuing and outdoor swimming
To drink beer and wiggle:
Oedipus Brouwerij – Gedempt Hamerkanaal 85
Amsterdam’s finest brewery. They have just opened their shed for you to go and hang out. Try the Mama and Thai Thai beer.
![oedipus-brewing-beers-1](http://www.volkshotel.nl/wordpress/../media/uploads/2015/08/oedipus-brewing-beers-1-1024x518.jpg)
And of course… some Cafes:
Cafe de Ruimte – Buiksloterdijk 270
For small gigs, vegetarian food and idealism.
Cafe de Ceuvel – Korte Papaverweg 4
Tranquil place which became one of the cities new hotspots last summer.
![de ceuvel](http://www.volkshotel.nl/wordpress/../media/uploads/2015/08/de-ceuvel.jpg)
How to get there from Volkshotel?
As Sjef recommends, rent a bike, take a map and cycle on over. You can take the (free!) ferry from Central Station across the IJ to NDSM, IJplein or Buikslotermeerplein – depending on where you want to go.
Who’s Sjef?
Sjef is one of our receptionists, originally from Rotterdam. He is a straight-forward kind of guy. Midfielder of TEDO3 and right winger in his band ‘Kleinindustrie’: “We play kind of guitar, noisy, electro things.” His ambition is to be a full time musician.
![FullSizeRender](http://www.volkshotel.nl/wordpress/../media/uploads/2015/08/FullSizeRender-1024x768.jpg)
Find out more:
www.pekmarkt.nl
www.boekhandeloverhetwater.nl
www.tolhuistuin.nl
www.oedipusbrewing.com
www.cafederuimte.nl
www.cafedeceuvel.nl