Things to do in Zuidoost
Discover a colourful creative community
Enjoy the homely atmosphere and changing local art exhibitions in the colourful Heesterveld Creative Community. This former apartment block was once in a developing area but has since transformed into a cultural breeding ground, with ateliers in the former basement storage rooms and the artists' homes above. Painters, filmmakers, rappers and artists from all corners of the world regularly organise exhibitions and networking events here. We’d recommend checking out GLLRY ZOH, an art platform and project space with its own Bed & Breakfast. And, when you’re feeling peckish, head over to Oma Ietje for a coffee and a sarnie.
Looking for more cultural tips? Read this dedicated guide to culture in Zuidoost.
Be part of something big on ArenA Boulevard
If you want to go big, ArenA Boulevard is the place to be. There, you’ll find some of the largest entertainment spaces in the city, including Ziggo Dome, Pathé ArenA and AFAS Live. This is where you’ll want to be if you’re looking for IMAX screenings, mega concerts or a Star Trek marathon, and schedules are always full. The surrounding area has a lot of cafes, eateries and a large shopping mall. It’s also a popular area for overnight stays, especially for event attendees, so if you haven’t got your sleeping arrangements sorted, be sure to check out the nearby hotels.
Sample local beers and spend a day at the farm
Quiet, green and smelling faintly of manure, Bijlmerweide is a beautiful, family-friendly farm and cafe. It has a playground and gorgeous animals you can pet, and a menu that’s straight from the land with fresh eggs and homemade honey. On the agenda, you’ll also find a handful of events every year, usually aimed at kids. A scenic walk away in the Diemerbos lies House of Bird Brewery, where you can sample speciality beers in the tasting room. The owners take pride in their sustainable, seasonal menu of locally sourced products, and the nearby forest is perfect for a decompressing walk. Don't miss our guide to nature and active in Zuidoost for more green adventures.
Explore the shops and eateries at Amsterdamse Poort
In addition to the usual suspects – popular Dutch chains like C&A, HEMA and Hunkemöller – there’s an exciting mix of retailers at this shopping centre, conveniently located near the Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA metro stop. You’ll find modern hand-dyed Ghanese fashion at JEKKAH, colourful wax print fabrics at Africa Beauty Couture and Suzie’s Stoffen, Surinamese jewellery at A Seti, local flowers at Amsterdamse Bloemenpoort and a fantastic selection of books at Athenaeum bookstore, as well as a wide variety of eateries including Antillean and Indonesian. There’s also an outdoor market on the adjacent Anton de Komplein on Mondays and Thursdays.
Eat your way through Reigersbos
Another hub of activity with plenty of shops and cafes is the Reigersbos. Every Wednesday, you will find a local market bursting with fresh fruits, vegetables and food stalls, with many Surinamese street foods, such as spiced bara bread rolls, sold on the spot. If you have a sweet tooth, stop by Chocolaterie en noten Pitto: a sweets and nuts shop filled with artisanal bonbons and chocolate. Fresh Leaves is a great local lunch spot with a broad vegan menu. For pastries, stop by the Bakker Jongejans bakery.
Peek at extraordinary medical collections
On weekdays, visitors have access to the Vrolik Museum at the University of Amsterdam (UVA), which can quite rightly be called one of the most unusual experiences in the city. The museum houses a collection of extraordinary medical items collected by the 19th-century medical professor Gerardus Vrolik and his son Willem. A visit here is certainly not for the faint of heart, as the exhibition includes anatomical models, skeletons, skulls and examples of babies with congenital disabilities, such as conjoined twins.
Marvel at the supersized street art
Adorning the walls of colossal apartment blocks, alleyways and residential complexes, Zuidoost is teeming with beautiful street art. To see it all, we’d recommend hopping off the metro at Bullewijk to explore the H-neighbourhood. First, check out the vibrant mural at the intersection of Heesterveld and Hakvoort - you can’t miss it. Continue to the Hakfort flat, where Egyptian artist Ammar Abo Bakr painted the side in splashing colours. You can then head through the abstract Haagse Huis passage toward Nelson Mandela Park to spot a kaleidoscopic mural by Ramon Martins.
Catch an Ajax match
Sporting the name of the greatest Dutch football player of all time, the massive Johan Cruijff ArenA is now the home turf of Amsterdam’s beloved football team, Ajax. On match days, the stadium roars with red and white-clad fans, and a game is well worth experiencing if you’re in town. Diehard sports buffs can also book a 75-minute behind-the-scenes tour to see parts of the arena that are usually reserved for officials and players. Step inside the team’s dressing room and check your hair in the mirror like a real professional football star. Other highlights include the VR experience, the Hall of Fame and an exclusive peek at the pitch up close.
Relax at an urban wellness centre
Take a breather at Soak Wellness, hidden just around the corner from IKEA. Situated inside shipping containers, the facility offers access to an array of private saunas, such as a dry Finnish wood sauna or an infrared sauna, massage services, and an open-air patio to relax in the open air. Two steps away, you will find De Proefzaak, a brewery tasting room that is the perfect place to ease back into city life. Check out this round-up of restaurants and bars in Zuidoost for more foodie recommendations in the area.
Shop as the locals do
The best way to get an authentic flavour of a neighbourhood is to head down to the daily street market to see where the locals shop. Reigersbos Market outside the Bijlmer metro station has over 140 stalls stacked with colourful fruit and veg or sizzling street food. Elsewhere in Zuidoost, Markt Anton de Komplein (open Mondays and Thursdays) is ideal for groceries, fish, household items and music, whilst both Markt Kraaiennest (Tuesdays) and Markt Ganzenhoef Bijlmer (Saturdays) are general markets where the aromas of multicultural cuisine and fresh produce waft through the air.
