Amsterdam Street Art Bike Tour: Hidden Gems and NDSM Wharf

NDSM Wharf Amsterdam tour: explore shipbuilding cranes, street art, and vibrant bars

A three-hour guided bike tour of Amsterdam's lesser-known districts, street art, and industrial heritage, starting at A Bike Vondelpark and crossing by ferry to Amsterdam North. You ride through Oud-West and Westerpark, visit the converted gas factory Culture Park, pedal past the NDSM wharf's historic cranes and graffiti, see the EYE Film Institute, and return via Central Station. The tour includes a professional guide, bike, helmet and rain jacket. A moderate fitness level and basic bike skills are required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Amsterdam's hidden gems by bike

• Get bikes at A Bike Vondelpark
• Cycle through Amsterdam Oud-West
• Visit old gas factory Culture Park
• Ride through Westerpark city park
• Cycle to Houthavens and see pontsteiger
• Take ferry across the river
• Explore NDSM wharf and street art
• See Hotel Faraldo in old crane
• Cycle bikepaths in Amsterdam North
• Pass Eye filmtheater building
• Take ferry near Amsterdam Central Station
• Learn about Amsterdam cycling culture

The experience

The tour starts at A Bike Vondelpark, where you get a bike and helmet, then heads into Amsterdam Oud-West: a laid-back neighborhood with wide streets lined with trendy bars, restaurants and concert venues. From there you'll ride through Westerpark, a quieter 19th-century park with notable street art, and stop at the old gas factory that became a Culture Park in 2003. The pace is steady but not rushed. The guide sets it around the group's comfort level and the route's natural flow.

The ferry crossing to Amsterdam North marks the shift from familiar Amsterdam to its industrial edge. You'll cycle onto the NDSM wharf, a sprawling early-20th-century shipyard where massive vessels were built until the 1980s. The terrain is dotted with enormous ship-building halls, concrete ramps and a towering old crane, now converted into Hotel Faraldo, and the walls are covered in street art and graffiti. This is where the tour's alternative character becomes visible: the bars and creative spaces scattered across the wharf reflect how Amsterdam has repurposed its industrial past. The guide will point out the architectural and cultural shifts as you ride.

After the wharf, you cycle through the newer parts of Amsterdam North, passing the EYE Film Institute's modern structure, then take the ferry back across the river to finish near Amsterdam Central Station. The guide shares stories about Amsterdam's cycling culture and how the city has transformed its waterfront. The whole loop takes three hours and covers ground without feeling rushed: the ferry rides break up the pedaling and give your legs a rest.

What’s included

• Professional guide leading the route.
• bike and helmet for the full three hours.
• rain jacket.
• a graffiti experience woven into the NDSM wharf stop.
• ferry rides to and from Amsterdam North.
• local taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 25 Sep 2027

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (19 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 80 years) · Youth (16 to 18 years) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Mike's Tours Amsterdam

Is this one for you?The tour moves at a steady pace for three hours on flat terrain, so it suits riders with moderate fitness and basic bike skills who want to see Amsterdam's street art and industrial heritage without a grueling ride. If you're new to biking or prefer a slower exploration, this pace may feel brisk. If you're looking for a casual pedal through the city center, the industrial focus and ferry crossings make this a different kind of Amsterdam tour.

Traveler reviews

4.96★★★★★★★★★★

114 verified traveler reviews

5 ★109

4 ★5

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 18 years). Children under 16 can't be included in the booking.

What's the NDSM wharf and why is it on this tour?

The NDSM wharf is a historic shipyard in Amsterdam North where large ships were built until the 1980s. It's now an arts and culture hub filled with street art, graffiti, creative bars, and industrial architecture (including a crane that's been converted into a hotel) making it the centerpiece of the tour's focus on Amsterdam's alternative side.

Do I need to be an experienced cyclist to join this tour?

You need a moderate level of fitness and basic bike skills. The guide will assess whether your abilities are suitable for the route before you start. The tour covers flat terrain with bike paths, but you'll be riding for three hours with some ferry transitions, so comfort on a bike matters.

What happens if it rains?

The tour operates in all weather conditions. A rain jacket is included, and you should dress appropriately for the forecast. The guide will decide if conditions are safe for riding. If they're not, they'll let you know before the tour begins.

Will we stop for food or drinks during the tour?

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. You'll pass bars and cafes, including some on the NDSM wharf, where you can buy beverages if you'd like, but there's no scheduled meal stop built into the itinerary.

How do we get to and from the starting point?

The tour starts at A Bike Vondelpark and ends near Amsterdam Central Station. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you'll need to arrange your own transport to the starting location.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a professional English-speaking guide, a bike, helmet, rain jacket and a graffiti experience. Local taxes are covered. Gratuities are not.