Things to do in Nieuw-West

Visit a historical windmill

Entering the ancient village of Sloten feels like stepping back in time. Here, you’ll find the Sloten Windmill Museum – one of the few fully functioning polder mills in the Netherlands where you can learn all about milling techniques and how Rembrandt, the son of a miller, grew up. Need a pick-me-up afterwards? Head next door to Brouwerij de 7 Deugden, one of the city’s best microbreweries, for a craft beer. Craving something sweet? Pop over to IJshoeve Sloten for some artisanal ice cream.

Unwind in the Gardens of West

Spend a wholesome day outdoors exploring the farmland, greenhouses, stables and huge orchards of Fruittuin van West, an organic farm where you can pick your own fruit. When you’ve made your way out from the undergrowth, settle down at Het Rijk van de Keizer for a refuel. This stunning restaurant serves lavish lunches and refreshments from a concealed courtyard that's straight out of a fairytale. On the venue's events agenda, you’ll also find a range of dinner evenings and cooking workshops for groups.

Spend a day by the lake

At the end of Jan Evertsenstraat is Sloterplas, a massive lake and urban beach surrounded by lush Sloterpark. In addition to the joggers, fishers, swimmers and watersports fans, more people are finding their way to this picturesque spot for a quiet picnic, boat trip or a brisk dip. To really make it feel like a day at the beach, stop by LAWA for a delicious Turkish ice cream made from goat's milk.

Try not to fall in

For anyone seeking a bit more action and adventure, Nieuw West is a haven for watersports and sailing enthusiasts. De Duikelaar, located at the Northernmost tip of the Sloterplas lake and Watersport Centrum, offer all kinds of rentals and courses for water-side fun. Check out options to hire a canoe, kayak, windsurf, sailboat or SUP for the day or take part in one of the many sailing courses for children and adults.

Discover urban art and architecture

See Nieuw-West like never before with a guided walking tour by one of the experts from the Street Art Museum. Walk past large-scale murals as you hear the stories behind the works of art. Nearby, the Van Eesteren Museum, dedicated to the architect and urban planner Cornelis van Eesteren (a.k.a the man who made Nieuw-West so spacious and green in the post-war years), offers something different. The exhibits are spread between indoor and outdoor spaces; take a walk through the partially protected cityscape of Tuinstad Slotermeer, then head into one of the pavilions or accompanying museum houses to learn about design and fashion from the 1950s.

Head over to this guide to art and culture in Nieuw West for more.

Spot some wildlife

Whether you're on a stroll through Sloterplas and the surrounding Sloterpark, along De Nieuwe Meer or Rembrandtpark, you’ll quickly see how Nieuw West is one of the greenest and most spacious neighbourhoods in Amsterdam. Seeking an even wilder adventure? Venture into the Lange Bretten nature reserve - a vast green wilderness where you can spot buzzards, falcons and other wildlife species. As you stroll along the dykes and through the wetland areas, keep your eye out for goats and hairy Scottish Highlanders.

Eat in some unique locations

Dispersed amongst the former business parks of Nieuw West, you’ll find some cool restaurants, bars and event spaces that have set up shop in some pretty unusual buildings. The roof terraces at Bureau and Floor17 offer the rare (in Amsterdam) opportunity to tower high above the city, enjoying great food and exceptional views. Boothuis is perfect for lazy summer afternoons by the water. For more foodie hotspots, check out this round-up of restaurants and bars in Nieuw West.

Feel the festival vibes

Nieuw West’s expansive green spaces have long been fertile ground for the city’s event organisers, meaning that the neighbourhood hosts some of the best festivals in town. In the summer, head to the Sloterplas strand to catch a summer movie under the stars during the West Beach Film Festival - one of the best open-air cinema events on the cultural calendar. Meanwhile, Rembrandtpark regularly hosts some of the tastiest culinary events, including the West TAPT Beer Festival, Fête du Champagne and the Terrassenfestival. Keep an eye on our Weekend Guide and What’s On calendar for the latest happenings.

Experience the nightlife

For anyone who likes to dance, dance, dance, the repurposed office buildings and warehouses of Nieuw West have been transformed into some of the city’s most exciting spaces for electronic music. RADION boasts an eclectic agenda of club nights, parties and cultural events. Sustainable restaurant by day, intimate clubbing venue by night: the red shipping containers at BRET have witnessed some memorable parties in recent years. Around the corner, you'll find LoFi for weekend-long parties, intimate club nights and chill Sunday sessions. This is all not to mention Loveland and Mystic Garden Festival, two major dance music festivals which occur annually in Sloterpark.

Bargain hunt and taste the world

There’s no better way to get a feel for a neighbourhood than checking out where the locals shop. Ideal for fruit and veg, clothing and daily essentials, Markt Plein 40-45 is the largest and liveliest street market in the area. Awash with chatty vendors and bargain-hunters, the market square is a true meeting place, open from Tuesday - Saturday. Anyone looking to taste the world will do well exploring the Westmarket Food Court at Osdorpplein (open daily except Sunday). Get stuck into a range of cuisines from Surinamese roti and Turkish pizzas to noodles, paella, shoarma, and doner kebabs.

Feel the thrills

What better way to get your motor running than at the racetrack? At Bleekemolens Race Planet in Sloterdijk, children aged eight and up (minimum height: 1.35 metres) can drive a go-kart for their first laps on the asphalt during special kids' karting sessions. Parents can join them during the Family Heats! Alternatively, if racing is your thing but you'd rather not get on the physical race track, head to Molly's Arena; an arcade and ramen bar that has VR simulators and classic games to fulfil your thrills.