Maritime Trade walking route

Route

From 17th-century ships to warehouses turned creative spaces, this walk is a voyage through Amsterdam’s old-world trade and modern transformation, with a rewarding pint at the end.

• Time: 35 minutes – 1 hour (with stops)
• Distance: approx. 2.5 km
• Good to know: How to walk in Amsterdam (because bikes are everywhere).

• The National Maritime Museum & VOC Ship

1. National Maritime Museum & VOC Ship Amsterdam

• Begin at the Scheepvaartmuseum (National Maritime Museum), located in a former 17th-century naval storehouse. The museum presents a broad view of Dutch maritime history – from shipbuilding and navigation to life at sea, trade and conflict. I amsterdam City Card holders can enjoy included entrance, but the harbour setting, once part of the bustling Port of Amsterdam, offers an atmospheric start to the walk either way. 
• Moored just outside the museum is a striking full-scale replica of an 18th-century trading vessel once used by the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Ticket holders can climb aboard to explore the structure, from the captain’s quarters to the cargo hold, and consider the complex histories that such ships were part of.

2. Café de Druif

• Head west along the water and stop at Café de Druif, one of the city’s oldest and most atmospheric brown cafés. Dating back to the 17th century, this tavern was once a tasting room for sailors and dockworkers. With its wooden interiors, traditional jenever and relaxed charm, it’s a living piece of Amsterdam’s maritime culture and a worthy spot for a snack on the terrace.

3. Entrepotdok

• Continue under the archway toward the Entrepotdok, a quiet, canal-side stretch lined with monumental 19th-century pakhuizen (warehouses). These once-held goods, such as spices, sugar, and tobacco, were shipped overseas. Today, they’ve been transformed into apartments, studios and galleries – an elegant blend of past and present that reflects the Docklands' regeneration.

4. Czaar Peterstraat

• Cut through the character-rich Czaar Peterstraat, named after the Russian tsar who famously trained as a shipbuilder in the Netherlands. This street connects industrial heritage with modern creative life, dotted with cafés, design studios and hidden cultural spaces. Keep an eye out for murals, pottery shops and small galleries tucked into the corners.

5. Brouwerij 't IJ

• Cap off your walk with a cold, locally brewed beer at Brouwerij 't IJ, a beloved microbrewery set next to a traditional windmill. Sample one of their crisp IPAs, Belgian-style ales or seasonal specials on the sun-drenched terrace – a perfect toast to the city’s maritime spirit and the ever-evolving Docklands.

Follow the route on your phone

Keen to head out on this walk? Follow the route on Google Maps where you'll find all the stops condensed into one tidy package. If you're curious about other routes, we've got some for every neighbourhood.