Anyone who thinks you have to leave the city for a beach day is wrong. Strand IJburg has been proving for years that the real summer feeling can simply be found in Amsterdam. During the festive opening on May 3, from 1 to 4 p.m., everything will come together that makes this place so unique: an energetic mix of sporting activities, creative workshops and local initiatives that give color to the neighborhood.
On the water, there is plenty of action. Visitors can participate in a rowing clinic or take to the water themselves with sailing, supping, surfing, windsurfing or even wingfoiling. On the beach, the pace doesn't slow down: from zumba and yoga to beach soccer, hyrox and a special kickboxing training for girls. This is how Strand IJburg emphatically positions itself as the place for sports and exercise in Amsterdam East.
There is also more than enough to do for families. Children can have fun with a puppet show at VrIJland, face painting, flying kites or playing in giant balls. Creativity will be given space with a beach photo shoot and the opportunity to paint your own “Dream Beach IJburg.” Meanwhile, a sustainable makers' market provides a stage for local entrepreneurs and second-hand initiatives - a reflection of IJburg's engaged community.
“Beach IJburg is not a place, but a feeling: where city and beach come together and summer begins by itself.”
What stands out is the strong emphasis on connection and sustainability. Initiatives such as IJburg Schoon and the playful Afvalbingo project make visitors aware of a clean beach, while neighborhood platforms show how active and involved the neighborhood is. As executive director Jan-Bert Vroege aptly puts it, IJburg is growing into a lively and multifaceted district where meeting each other is central.
And it's not just one day. Starting May 3, every Sunday will be dedicated to free sports activities and new initiatives. Add fresh fries and Surinamese delicacies and you have all the ingredients for a long, sunny summer in your own city.