Amsterdam – NDSM Wharf

Amsterdam’s NDSM Wharf is where street art meets urban culture in one of the city’s most vibrant creative hubs. Once a shipyard, this area has transformed into a haven for graffiti artists, creators, and free spirits. Join me as we explore the raw, colorful murals and the underground energy that make NDSM Wharf a must-visit spot for anyone into street art and the unique vibe of Amsterdam.

Arrival at NDSM Wharf: The Anne Frank Mural

The moment I hopped off the ferry from Amsterdam Centraal and set foot on NDSM Wharf, the first thing that grabbed my attention was a larger-than-life mural of Anne Frank. Standing tall, her face looked down, surrounded by bursts of color and emotion. This spot, known for its raw, unpolished vibe, became instantly personal with Anne’s portrait gazing across the wharf.

This mural, painted by the famous Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra, carries a powerful message of hope, survival, and resilience. Kobra, known for his vibrant colors and geometric patterns, creates a stark contrast between the grim reality Anne Frank lived through and the lively atmosphere of NDSM Wharf today. The mural seems to remind everyone of the weight of history while standing in the middle of a buzzing creative space. It’s a perfect introduction to the art and stories this place holds.

NDSM – Amsterdam 2024

Straat Museum at NDSM: Smurf and Sticker Bombed Street Art

On the walls of the Straat Museum at NDSM, street art takes over with a playful Smurf character, grinning mischievously under layers of stickers and tags. This mural captures the raw, unfiltered creativity that defines the Wharf. The stickers, plastered in every corner, are a mix of local and international artists leaving their mark. It’s like the wall itself is alive, constantly changing and evolving with new additions each time you pass by.

NDSM – Amsterdam 2024

Graffiti Meets Stickers: A Wild Mix at NDSM Wharf

This wall at NDSM Wharf is a perfect example of how graffiti and stickers collide to create something raw and chaotic. The cartoonish characters, layered over with tags and sticker bombs, give the space a kind of organized disorder that makes street art so alive. Each piece adds another layer to the story, from the bold graffiti letters to the quirky stickers—it’s like a visual conversation between artists. The longer you stare, the more you notice.

NDSM – Amsterdam 2024

Stepping into NDSM’s Open-Air Art Yard

As you step into the massive yard of NDSM Wharf, you’re greeted by towering murals like this one—a bear and human face watching over the chaos below. The rainbow arch adds a playful contrast to the gritty urban vibe. This space is a living, breathing canvas where every inch is claimed by street art, giving you that pure, unfiltered creativity. It’s like the city’s most vibrant art gallery, but without any rules.

NDSM – Amsterdam 2024

Another Corner of the NDSM Yard

In the heart of the NDSM Yard, more walls come to life. Graffiti tags and characters blend effortlessly, from abstract letterforms to a chill, turquoise figure reclining as if guarding the space. Every inch of this yard is a testament to the endless creativity found in the raw streets of Amsterdam. This spot? Just one more example of how NDSM takes graffiti to a whole new level.

This mural on Platanenweg is an impressive piece of street art that blends futuristic vibes with traditional elements, drawing inspiration from both anime and cyberpunk aesthetics. The bold colors, sharp lines, and intense contrast create a sense of movement, while the intricate details in the figure’s clothing and surrounding environment pull you deeper into the work. It’s part of a larger transformation in this neighborhood where walls have become canvases, making the area an outdoor art gallery.

The artist’s use of neon lights and cityscape in the background suggests a blend of technology and humanity, a common theme in urban street art today. It’s a perfect example of how Amsterdam continues to embrace creativity, not just in museums but right on the streets.

NDSM – Amsterdam 2024

Artists in Action at NDSM

Catching an artist mid-creation is always a vibe. Here at NDSM, you’ll find containers covered in layers of past and present graffiti, with new pieces being born right in front of you. The energy here is chill, with people hanging out, soaking up the creativity, and adding their own mark to the walls. This is NDSM in its purest form—raw, alive, and constantly evolving.

NDSM – Amsterdam 2024

Peeking into the Straat Museum

Sometimes the street and the gallery just merge, and this shot shows exactly that. The door to the Straat Museum was wide open, giving me a sneak peek into what was happening inside, all while the walls outside were dripping with graffiti and murals. It’s like the lines between “official” art and street art don’t even exist here at NDSM Wharf. You’re just soaking it all in, whether you’re outside or inside. That’s what makes this place so dope—it’s a living, breathing canvas.

NDSM – Amsterdam 2024

Graffiti Vibes on the Yard

This one hits different. Taken on the yard at NDSM Wharf, you can feel the raw energy in this piece. The character with the spray can, rocking that bucket hat, just screams classic graffiti vibes. And look up—”Yes, You Can Paint Here” is scribbled on the windows, making it clear that this spot is for the real ones. Every wall, every corner is a canvas waiting to be claimed. This is what makes NDSM such a wild and inspiring place to be, a constant flow of creativity around every turn.

NDSM – Amsterdam 2024

Closing Out the Yard with Classic Street Icons

This last shot from the yard at NDSM Wharf is a real gem. You’ve got everything from Skeletor flexing to iconic tags and throw-ups filling the wall. The layering of graffiti tells a story—like a timeline of artists coming through and leaving their mark. You can’t miss the contrast between characters and lettering, each piece blending but still holding its own. It’s a chaotic but beautiful scene, and that’s what makes the NDSM yard so special. Every corner is like this—full of life, full of art.

NDSM – Amsterdam 2024

Exploring the Abandoned Corners

As you continue through the NDSM Wharf, you stumble upon this dope abandoned building. Covered from top to bottom in graffiti and street art, this spot is like a canvas for the bold and the creative. The building may have been forgotten, but its walls are alive—telling stories through every tag, character, and slap of paint. You can feel the underground vibe here, a space where artists can really express themselves freely. This is raw, unfiltered street culture at its best.

NDSM – Amsterdam 2024

NDSM – Amsterdam 2024

NDSM – Amsterdam 2024

Wrapping it Up at NDSM Wharf

NDSM Wharf is one of those places that pulls you into a whole different world. What used to be an industrial shipyard is now an open-air gallery full of some of the most raw and authentic street art you’ll find in Amsterdam. From massive murals to layered graffiti tags and colorful containers, this spot breathes creativity. Whether you’re strolling through the yards, catching a glimpse of artists in action, or exploring the hidden corners filled with stickers and paste-ups, NDSM is a place that stays with you. It’s a playground for artists and a must-visit for anyone into urban culture.

What’s your favorite spot for street art hunting?