Planning a trip to the Venice of the North? Find out everything you need to know about Jordaan, the city’s must-see district!
Amsterdam’s vintage, bohemian bourgeois and artistic district, Jordaan is located in the northwest of Amsterdam. It is bounded by a number of charming and well-known canals: the Leidsegracht to the south, the Lijnbaansgracht to the west, the Prinsengracht to the east and the Bouwersgracht to the north. Five canals also cross it, all of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. As well as being one of the capital’s most beautiful and charming districts, Jordaan boasts a number of must-see monuments, including the Anne Frank House and the Westerkerk church. You’ll also find some of the city’s coolest coffee shops, as well as exceptional brown cafés, restaurants and clubs.
Coming to Amsterdam soon? Then you can’t miss Jordaan! To help you on your adventures, here’s everything you need to know about this beautiful and fascinating district of Amsterdam.
The Jordaan district in a nutshell
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Dennis van de Water
The Jordaan district was originally built by the municipality of Amsterdam in 1609, to house the working classes, workers and small craftsmen. Later, it became home to many Huguenot refugees fleeing France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. One theory is that the name Jordaan derives from the French word for garden. Another theory is that the word Jordaan is a distortion of Jourdain, the river of the Holy Land mentioned in the Bible. As many of the district’s alleyways are named after flowers, the first hypothesis is the most widely accepted.
Due to its popular history, this district is traditionally left-wing. It is also a symbol of Amsterdam’s tolerance. A statue of Anne Frank and the Homomonument, a tribute to the homosexual victims of Nazism, perpetuate this tradition of tolerance. Although the district was almost razed to the ground after the Second World War, conservation efforts have enabled it to be rehabilitated. Today, it has almost lost its popular aspect and has become almost bourgeois.
What to see and do in Amsterdam’s Jordaan district?
During your stay in Amsterdam, be sure to visit Jordaan. As mentioned above, the district is home to some of the Dutch capital’s most famous landmarks. But in addition to its historical heritage, it’s also home to a wealth of cultural treasures. The district is a must-see, with its unique atmosphere, lively artistic vibrancy and charming scenery.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll discover during your visit to Jordaan.
The canals of Jordaan
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Ivo Antonie de Rooij
The first step in visiting Jordaan is, of course, to get lost along its canals. As mentioned in the introduction, Jordaan is bounded by four canals, and five more cross it. Listed as Unesco World Heritage sites, they are part of the district’s beauty.
The northern part is a tourist and shopping area par excellence. Here you’ll find a wide range of stores, especially vintage. The southern part of Jordaan is more picturesque, with its small boutiques and medieval-style houses. All its streets and spaces are dotted here and there with trees, offering refreshing shade in summer. In short, don’t hesitate to get lost as you visit.
Anne Frank House
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Dennis van de Water
A must-see in the Jordaan district is the Anne Frank House. This museum is dedicated to the memory of the famous and courageous young girl, known worldwide for her moving and inspiring diary. A visit here will enable you to learn more about life in Amsterdam under the Nazi occupation, and the story of Anne Frank and her family.
The Westerkerk
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Alexander Tolstykh
After the Anne Frank Museum, be sure to visit Westerkerk, Amsterdam’s largest Protestant church. Built in the 17th century by architect Hendrick de Keyser, the illustrious painter Rembrandt is buried in the church. However, the exact location of his grave is not known. During your visit, we recommend you climb to the top of the church’s belfry. Up there, you’ll enjoy one of the best views of the capital!
The Noorderkerk
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Artur Bogacki
The Noorderkerk is another 17th-century church by architect Hendrick de Keyser. Opposite the church is Amsterdam’s most attractive market square. On Mondays, it hosts a flea market. Here you’ll find antiques, clothes, vintage and local designer fashion accessories, old photos, postcards and many other nuggets. On Saturdays, an organic market is held here. Local producers offer fruit and vegetables, nuts and honey, cheeses and breads, as well as fish. The market square is also lined with cafés and restaurants.
The square also features a commemorative plaque. It commemorates the first strike against the deportation of Jews in 1941.
Brown cafés and coffee shops in the Jordaan district
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Two of the district’s other must-see attractions are, of course, its brown cafés and coffee shops. While travelers flock to the latter, the former are a Dutch institution.
Brown cafés (« bruine kroeg ») are well known for their strong, delicious beers, sometimes brown, for their warm, local atmosphere, and also for their bric-a-brac decor. To discover this world, we particularly recommend Café Hegeraad, located on Noordemarkt.
A visit to Jordaan also means discovering its coffee shops, which are among the capital’s friendliest and most authentic. Among the best are Paradox, Tertulia, Grey Area and Siberie.
Other visits to Jordaan
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Pamela Loreto Perez
In the neighborhood, you can also visit the Cheese Museum and the neighboring Tulip Museum. These establishments have a few surprises in store, both tasty and olfactory.
Guided tours of the Jordaan district
To visit Jordaan, you can also hire a guide. He or she will guide you through the district and help you learn much more about its monuments, history and inhabitants. To help you, we’ve put together a selection of guided tours of the Jordaan district.
Walking tour of the Jordaan district
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Harry Beugelink
There’s nothing better than a two-hour or more guided walking tour of Jordaan. You’ll discover some of the best-known and most historic sites, as well as some lesser-known places. You’ll also learn more about Jordaan’s working-class history.
Guided bike tour of Jordaan
Photo credit: Shutterstock – P. Kamput
Amsterdam is best visited by bike, and Jordaan is no exception! To discover this district and its neighbors, you can of course opt for a guided bike tour. Accompanied by a passionate and professional guide, you’ll discover the most famous monuments and historical and cultural sites, ride along the canals and learn more about this fascinating district. Lasting an average of 3 hours, these tours generally cost between €25 and €40 per person.
Guided tour of Jordaan on the theme of Anne Frank
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Mikhail Markovskiy
Anne Frank and her family have left their mark on the history of the Jordaan district. If you’d like to learn more about Anne Frank, you can opt for a guided tour on this theme. Your professional guide will introduce you to the city’s centuries-old Jewish quarter, and tell you a few anecdotes about Anne Frank’s life and the Second World War. These tours usually last between 2 and 3 hours and cost between €25 and €40.
Gourmet tour
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Because you can’t visit a city without tasting its specialties, consider the Jordaan gastronomic tour. Accompanied by an epicurean guide, you’ll explore the district and discover its flavors! For almost 4 hours, you’ll get to know the culinary highlights and taste a variety of Dutch dishes. A walk like no other for a gourmet experience.
The best hotels to stay in Jordaan
To visit Jordaan easily and enjoy its unique atmosphere, we recommend that you stay here during your stay in Amsterdam! You’ll find plenty of charming, comfortable hotels.
Among them, we can only recommend the Canal House boutique hotel. This 4-star boutique hotel overlooks the Keizersgracht canal and occupies former 17th-century merchant houses. Its comfortable rooms are beautifully decorated with unique works of art and exposed wooden beams. A night at this establishment costs an average of €250 for two people.
The Amsterdam Wiechmann Hotel is also a charming option for accommodation in Jordaan. Picturesque, it offers a superb view of the Prinsengracht canal. Rooms are comfortable and relaxed in style. An average night costs €160 for two people.
For smaller budgets, we recommend the Shelter Jordan Hostel. This hostel is ideal for visiting Jordaan and the capital in general. It boasts clean and pleasant common areas, as well as a leafy outdoor courtyard. The hostel offers free breakfast and even bike rental for the day. Expect to pay an average of €35 per night per person.
Where to eat in Amsterdam’s Jordaan district?
Jordaan is certainly not lacking in dining options! You’ll find a wide range of restaurants in this district, with a variety of inspirations and cuisines. After all, the district was originally a working-class area that welcomed various waves of immigration, notably French, before acquiring its arty, bohemian hue. Among the best are
- SLA: a charming restaurant and salad bar that aims to be as eco-friendly as possible. All dishes are prepared with fresh, local and seasonal produce.
- Restaurant Daalder: an establishment, indeed an institution, offering refined, traditional cuisine.
- Tijger & de Vis: an excellent restaurant for seafood and traditional, popular dishes!
There are, of course, many other exceptional restaurants and cafés in the area. Don’t hesitate to try several during your stay!
How to get to the Jordaan district
Streetcars are the most convenient way to get around Amsterdam. We recommend using them to get to and around Jordaan. Line 5, for example, runs along the entire eastern side of the district. Lines 13 and 17 run right through it, with a stop just a stone’s throw from Maison Anne Frank. You can also cycle to Jordaan from neighboring districts.
Map of hotels and accommodation – Amsterdam,nl