The Jordaan is a historic neighborhood in western Amsterdam, built in the early 17th century as a working-class district alongside the Grachtengordel canal ring. Its grid of narrow streets, tree-lined canals, and preserved canal houses has made it one of Amsterdam’s most visited residential areas. Today it blends independent boutiques, brown cafes, and contemporary galleries with everyday Amsterdam life.
What is the Jordaan known for?
The Jordaan is known for its dense concentration of 17th-century canal houses along streets such as the Bloemgracht and Egelantiersgracht, its role as a historic working-class neighborhood that became one of Amsterdam’s most desirable addresses, and its thriving independent arts and gallery scene centered on the Elandsgracht and Rozengracht corridors. The neighborhood also contains the Anne Frank House on Prinsengracht, one of the most visited museums in the Netherlands, and a high density of so-called brown cafes, traditional Dutch pubs with dark wood interiors.
Best things to do in the Jordaan
Visiting the Anne Frank House on Prinsengracht 263-267, browsing the Noordermarkt on Saturdays and the Boerenmarkt organic farmers market on the same square on Saturdays, and walking the Bloemgracht canal are the top activities. The neighborhood’s small private galleries along the Elandsgracht and around Jordaan’s nine-streets area display contemporary Dutch and international art.
- Tour the Anne Frank House on Prinsengracht
- Walk the Bloemgracht, known as the Herengracht of the Jordaan
- Browse Noordermarkt flea market on Monday mornings
- Visit the Westerkerk, the largest Dutch Reformed church in Amsterdam
- Explore the Nine Streets shopping area bordering the Jordaan
- Stop in a traditional brown cafe such as Cafe ‘t Smalle on Egelantiersgracht
Where to eat and drink in the Jordaan
The Jordaan offers a range of Dutch and international dining options, from traditional brown cafes serving bitterballen and jenever to contemporary restaurants along the Rozengracht and Westerstraat. Cafe ‘t Smalle on Egelantiersgracht, established in 1786 as a jenever distillery, is one of the neighborhood’s most historically significant drinking spots. The Westerstraat hosts several bakeries, cheese shops, and casual lunch spots popular with local residents.
- Cafe ‘t Smalle on Egelantiersgracht for Dutch jenever and bitterballen
- Restaurants and cafes along Rozengracht for varied international menus
- Local cheese and bread vendors at Noordermarkt on Saturdays
- Bakeries and lunchrooms along Westerstraat
Where to walk in the Jordaan
The most rewarding walk in the Jordaan runs from the Westerkerk on Prinsengracht north along the canal to Noordermarkt, then west along the Westerstraat before turning south down the Bloemgracht to the Rozengracht, covering the neighborhood’s key canals, markets, and courtyard gardens known as hofjes. A second rewarding route follows the Egelantiersgracht from Prinsengracht westward, passing the entrance to the Claes Claeszhofje, one of several historic almshouse courtyards open to the public.
How to get to the Jordaan
The Jordaan is accessible on foot from Amsterdam Centraal Station in approximately 15 to 20 minutes via the Haarlemmerstraat or Prinsengracht, and is served by tram lines 13 and 17, which stop at Westermarkt and along the Rozengracht. Bus lines also connect the neighborhood to the rest of the city via Marnixstraat on its western edge.
- Tram 13 and 17 stop at Westermarkt near Prinsengracht
- 15-20 minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal via Haarlemmerstraat
- Marnixstraat bus stops on the western boundary
Best time to visit the Jordaan
The Jordaan is most enjoyable from April through October when canal-side terraces are open, the Jordaan Festival takes place in September, and daylight hours allow extended evening walks along the Bloemgracht and Egelantiersgracht. Saturday mornings are ideal for combining the Noordermarkt flea market with the adjacent organic Boerenmarkt.
