Amsterdam Noord: The Old, the New, and the Unknown Gems

Hello hello, my name is Ivar. I'm new on this site, but not new to tour guiding. I’m a Dutchman with an unusual connection to Amsterdam—I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, spent summers here in Amsterdam, and eventually moved back to the Netherlands for university. In the decade since I've moved home, I’ve made it my mission to discover my roots here and uncover the layers of history, culture, and contradictions that make this city so unique. By trade, I’m a journalist, researcher, filmmaker, and all-around storyteller. In my spare time, I'm deeply involved in the music and film scene. My work as a researcher for a crime drama series (WIP) has taken me deep into Amsterdam’s past, from its countercultural heyday in the ‘60s and ‘70s to the rise of its underworld up until the ‘90s. I’ve spent time interviewing old hippies, former police officers, some legendary criminals and longtime locals to piece together a perspective on Amsterdam that most visitors never hear. But I don’t just study history. As you'll find out, I'm not so shy. I love meeting people, exchanging stories, and sharing insights that shift perspectives. Having traveled to many obscure places like Georgia, Ghana , São Tomé and Príncipe, and Colombia (amongst others), I know that the best experiences happen away from the usual tourist spots. The most rewarding moments come from seeing a place through the eyes of someone who truly knows it and doesn't sugarcoat it. That’s the kind of tour I aim to offer. Not just facts, but the full story—the good, the bad, and the unexpected. If you’re looking for a local who can give you a real sense of what Amsterdam is and what it has been, I’d love to show you around and bring you to the spots you would probably find so quickly. I'm a photographer too, so I'll bring my camera along the tour and snap some pics for you, which I'll be happy to share. My style of tours is flexible. Want to stop to shop? Be my guest. Fancy a drink? I'll toast to that. Feel like taking a break and enjoying some music? The pleasure is all mine. Along the way, I'm sure I can give you a whole lot of fascinating information that'll change the way you see Amsterdam.