IJburg

IJburg lies in the Oost district, on a group of man-made islands in the IJmeer: Steigereiland, Haveneiland, the three Rieteilanden, Centrumeiland, Strandeiland and the planned Buiteneiland. On 1 January 2026 its three statistical areas (IJburg-West, IJburg-Zuid and IJburg-Oost) had 26,309 residents.

Construction began in 1999. The islands were made by building up layers of sand under water before pumping sand above the waterline, and the first residents moved into homes on Haveneiland-West and the Grote Rieteiland in November 2002. The city's long-term target is about 20,000 homes for around 50,000 people. On Strandeiland, about 8,000 permanent homes are planned, with 40% social rent, 25% mid-rent or mid-priced purchase and 35% private rent or purchase.

IJburg feels new, open and close to the water. Buildings are modern, streets are wide, and the islands are surrounded by the IJmeer.

• Haveneiland and the Rieteilanden received the first residents in 2002 and are the most established parts.
• Steigereiland and Centrumeiland have been developed alongside them.
• Strandeiland is still being built, and Buiteneiland is planned.

A city beach opened in 2003, and Strand IJburg has been open for swimming and water sports since 2019. The Diemerpark, with walking and cycling routes, lies alongside the islands.

• Tram 26 (opened 28 May 2005) runs from Centraal Station along the Piet Heinkade and through the Piet Hein tunnel via Zeeburgereiland to IJburg, with stops including Steigereiland and Centrumeiland. The extension to Strandeiland opened in August 2026. At peak times the line has run about every six minutes, with coupled trams for extra capacity.
• Buses provide additional connections.
• Ferry F9 links the Sluisbuurt on Zeeburgereiland with the Ertskade in the Eastern Docklands on weekdays.
• By bike, the centre is reachable via Zeeburgereiland and the Eastern Docklands.

Tram 26 is the only rail link, so check your route if you commute to the south or west of the city.

Almost all housing is new-build, from apartment blocks to single-family houses, all built since 2002. The city's plans for the later islands combine social rent, mid-rent and private homes, as the Strandeiland split shows.

There is no official rent figure for IJburg alone. According to I amsterdam, Amsterdam rents are among the highest in the Netherlands and social housing has waiting times of typically 8 to 18 years, so newcomers usually rent privately. Check whether a rent falls under the points system before you sign (see our tenant rights guide).

Primary schools have opened as the islands filled up (including on Centrumeiland in 2023), and secondary education includes the Montessori Lyceum Terra Nova. The beach, the Diemerpark and the water around the islands offer plenty of outdoor space.

Register in good time for primary school, as schools in growing neighbourhoods can fill quickly; I amsterdam recommends Scholen op de Kaart to compare schools near your address.