Bickerseiland, Prinseneiland and Realeneiland make up the Westelijke Eilanden, three artificial islands built in the early 1600s specifically to house shipyards and warehouses for the Dutch East India Company's booming shipbuilding industry. Unlike the grand merchant houses of the canal ring, this was working-class industrial territory — and that history is still visible in the smaller-scale warehouses and simpler architecture that survive today.
Why it feels so different from the rest of the center
Despite sitting just north of the Jordaan, within easy walking distance of the busiest parts of the city, these islands remain genuinely quiet — narrow streets, converted warehouses now used as artist studios and houses, and noticeably fewer visitors than almost anywhere else this close to the center.
Realeneiland's Zandhoek, a small quay lined with historic warehouse facades, is one of the most atmospheric and least-photographed spots in the entire city center — genuinely worth the short detour.
What to actually look for
- Converted warehouses — many former shipbuilding and storage buildings are now artist studios, some with small open-house events worth checking for.
- Zandhoek — the small quay on Realeneiland mentioned above, genuinely one of the prettiest, quietest corners of Amsterdam.
- The bridges connecting the islands — small and simple compared to the canal ring's grander crossings, but genuinely charming in their own right.
Is it worth a dedicated visit?
This is a quiet-wander destination rather than a checklist of sights — genuinely worth 30–45 minutes if you want a break from crowds, particularly as an add-on to a Jordaan walk rather than a separate trip.
Getting there
A short walk north from the Jordaan, easily combined into the same outing covered in our Jordaan neighborhood guide.
This guide is reviewed and updated as part of our weekly refresh.