Category: Water

The River IJ, Amsterdam’s Waterfront

The river IJ is the lifeblood of Amsterdam. It allowed traders to grow a small settlement in the delta of the river Amstel into a world-renowned trading city that brought about Holland’s Golden Age.

Today the river connects the Port of Amsterdam — and the North Sea beyond — with the rest of the continent.

Over the past few decades shipyards and other industrial business have closed or moved further west, giving way to a countless exciting developments and projects along the banks of the river.

Free ferries, parks, cultural hot spots, harbor cruises, and a constant parade of ships — from dinghies and sail yachts to cargo vessels and cruise ships — make the IJ a must-see attraction in Amsterdam.