The Jordaan: Amsterdam's Prettiest Neighbourhood

Built in the 17th century to house workers and immigrants, the Jordaan was long considered a modest, even poor, part of the city. That has completely reversed; it is now one of the more expensive and sought-after areas to live in, full of renovated townhouses, galleries and boutique shops, while still keeping its human scale. For how it compares with other parts of town, see our Amsterdam neighbourhoods guide.

The streets are named after flowers and trees (Anjeliersstraat, Rozengracht, Lindengracht) which gives you a clue to the atmosphere: green, quiet, and built for walking rather than driving.

Hofjes: the hidden courtyards

Scattered through the Jordaan are hofjes, small almshouse courtyards originally built to house elderly women or widows, arranged around a shared garden. Many are still residential and only open during the day, with a request to keep noise down.

• Claes Claeszhofje, tucked just off Egelantiersstraat, is one of the most atmospheric.
• Andrieshofje on Egelantiersgracht has a peaceful inner garden visible through the entrance.
• Look for unmarked doors with a small plaque; many hofjes are easy to walk past without noticing.

Noordermarkt and Westerkerk

Noordermarkt square hosts a Saturday farmers' market (Boerenmarkt) and a Monday morning flea and fabric market, and is ringed by cafés that are worth a slow coffee stop.

A short walk away, Westerkerk's tower is one of the tallest in the city and gives good views if you climb it (tickets and tours are limited, so check ahead). The church stands near the Anne Frank House, and its bells feature in Anne Frank's diary.

Brown cafés and where to drink

The Jordaan is arguably the best neighbourhood in Amsterdam for a proper bruin café: dark wood, low lighting, well-worn furniture and a mostly local crowd. These are not cocktail bars; expect beer, jenever and simple bar snacks.

Galleries and shops

Runstraat, Berenstraat and De 9 Straatjes (Nine Streets, technically bordering the canal ring rather than the Jordaan proper) are packed with independent boutiques, vintage clothing and small galleries. The Jordaan itself has quieter art galleries along Elandsgracht and Looiersgracht.

What to skip if you're short on time

The Jordaan has no single must-see attraction, which makes it easy to over-plan. If you only have an hour, skip trying to find every hofje and instead pick two, walk Prinsengracht and Egelantiersgracht, and leave the deeper side streets for a longer visit. There is also little point queuing for a canal boat departure point inside the Jordaan itself; the main boarding points are on the wider canal ring closer to Centraal Station or Museumplein.

A short walking route

This loop takes around 90 minutes at a relaxed pace, longer with café stops.

1. Start at Westerkerk and walk north along Prinsengracht.
2. Turn into Egelantiersgracht and look for the Claes Claeszhofje entrance.
3. Continue to Noordermarkt for a coffee or market browse.
4. Head south down Lindengracht, then cut through to Anjeliersstraat for shops.
5. Finish on Elandsgracht or Rozengracht for a drink at a brown café.

When to visit

Weekday mornings are quietest. Saturday is the liveliest day because of the Noordermarkt market, but also the busiest with visitors. Evenings are calm and pleasant for a canal walk, since the Jordaan has relatively little nightlife compared with Centrum. On wet days, the area's cafés and small galleries make a decent shelter; see what to do when it rains for more options nearby.

Combining the Jordaan with nearby stops

The Jordaan sits within easy walking distance of several other guides worth folding into the same day. The Anne Frank House is a five-minute walk from Westerkerk, so booking an afternoon slot there and walking the Jordaan loop beforehand works well; just remember that museum has its own timed entry, so build in a buffer. Heading the other way, the Nine Streets blend almost seamlessly into the Jordaan's eastern edge, making a single extended shopping-and-canals walk realistic without doubling back.

Staying in the Jordaan

Accommodation here tends to be smaller, older buildings converted into apartments or boutique-style stays, generally priced a little above similar options further out, reflecting the location, and this can shift with the season. It suits travellers who want charm and quiet over nightlife, and who do not mind steep, narrow staircases that are typical of the area's historic houses. Note that Amsterdam's tourist tax applies to overnight stays here as elsewhere in the city; check current rates on amsterdam.nl before booking. For a wider comparison of areas, see where to stay in Amsterdam.