Amsterdam’s Most Charming Neighbourhood
The Jordaan is a neighbourhood of narrow streets and quiet canals immediately west of the city centre — originally a working-class district built in the 17th century to house the labourers, artisans, and immigrants who could not afford the grand canal ring, now one of Amsterdam’s most desirable and atmospheric residential areas. The Jordaan’s character is defined by its scale (narrower streets, smaller houses, more intimate canals than the main Grachtengordel), its independent shops and galleries, its brown cafes (bruine kroegen — traditional Dutch pubs with dark wood interiors, stained by centuries of tobacco smoke), and its food (the Noordermarkt’s Saturday organic market, the apple pie at Winkel 43, and the diverse restaurants on the Haarlemmerdijk).
A Jordaan walking tour explores the neighbourhood’s layers — the 17th-century hofjes (hidden courtyard almshouses, originally built by wealthy merchants for elderly women and the poor — some are still accessible and their quiet gardens are among the Jordaan’s most peaceful spaces), the Anne Frank House (on the Prinsengracht at the Jordaan’s eastern edge), the Westerkerk (Amsterdam’s largest Protestant church, with Rembrandt’s unmarked grave), and the contemporary art galleries and boutiques that have colonised the former working-class buildings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Jordaan?
Immediately west of the Prinsengracht canal, north of the Leidsegracht. The district is a 10-minute walk from Centraal Station and a 5-minute walk from Dam Square. The Anne Frank House is on the Jordaan’s eastern boundary.
What should I do in the Jordaan?
Walk the narrow streets (particularly the Bloemgracht — the “Herengracht of the Jordaan”), visit the hofjes (the Karthuizerhof on the Karthuizerstraat is one of the most accessible), browse the independent shops, eat apple pie at Winkel 43 on the Noordermarkt, and have a beer at a brown cafe.
Is the Jordaan touristy?
The eastern edge (near the Anne Frank House) is busy. The interior streets and the northern Jordaan are quieter and more residential. A guided tour takes you into the authentic neighbourhood rather than the tourist-facing strip.