Meet The Jordaan

It doesn't take much venturing out of the city centre to find the cultural gem of The Jordaan. The district is well known and loved by all the locals. Back in the day, The Jordaan was one of the poorest areas in the city – it’s said that Rembrandt had to move here after he couldn’t afford his city centre crib. But now The Jordaan is one of the most sought after areas to live in by both locals and expats, and we understand why. Vibrancy runs through the neighbourhood. You can see it along the flower-lined canals, taste it in the culturally diverse foods, and see how lively the area is with markets and ongoing events. While The Jordaan is only a short walk from the city centre, it can still get overlooked because of the usual tourist traps. Don’t make the same mistake! Go off the main path and dive head first into this incredible area, showing the best of Dutch life.

Learn Something New

The Jordaan is an eclectic neighbourhood, and it’s got the museums to match that energy. If you’re looking to learn something new, there are a few stand out spots in the area. Electric Ladyland is one of our favourite museums in all of Amsterdam - it’s like a hidden technicoloured world you truly have to see to believe. If you’re curious about the UNESCO World Heritage canal sights, climb aboard for a closer look with the Boathouse Museum. Plus it wouldn’t be Holland without their famous flowers! Stop and smell the tulips at the Tulip Museum. Jordaan has you covered will all things Dutch.

Get Outdoors

The Jordaan has a lot going on when it comes to culture, culinary delights, and cocktails. While there isn’t a huge park, there’s still a few green spots around where you can relax outside. The younger crowd may enjoy Eeste Marnixplantsoen with a completed skatepark and skate bowl. Ask a local if you can give it a try! Or if you’ve got little ones with you, make a pit stop at De Nooderspeeltuin in the middle of the district. An outdoor playground is the perfect place to burn off all that energy. Plus, it’s not a far walk to reach Westerpark or Vondelpark.

Sip N Dine

If there’s one thing Jordaan thrives in, it’s culture. The neighbourhood has locals from all over the world, and luckily their food reflects that. Salmuera is a beloved Argentinian and Mexican spot with a cool aesthetic. Take food on the go with a whole new meaning - in a canal boat! That’s right, San Marco Pizza is a ‘sail in’ pizza spot right on the canals. Did someone say dinner with a view? If it’s tradition you’re after, look no further. Restaurant Moeders is about as Dutch as it comes. The name translates to “Mothers” and it’s meant to represent traditional meals a Dutch mother would make for her kids. The best part? People bring in pictures of their own moms to hang up on the wall!

For drinks and cocktails, Waterkant is a super trendy canal bar underneath a parking tower. They’ve got tropical vibes and live music and DJs - what more could you ask for? Het Papenieland is one of your standard ‘brown bars’ in the Netherlands, so you’ll likely find a lot of locals here. If alcohol isn’t your thing but you still want something special, you need to stop at Polaberry. Satisfy your sweet tooth with chocolate-covered fruits, cake pops, and yummy coffee drinks!

Shop Til You Drop

The Jordaan is no stranger to the market scene. In fact, they have THREE outdoor markets for you to choose from. Considering they’re all on different days of the week, what’s stopping you from hitting all of them? Start Mondays off right at the Westerstraatmarkt - they used to specialize in textiles, but over the past few years they’ve extended their stalls to include clothes, shoes, and accessories. Over the weekend you can stop at the organic farmer’s market at the Noordermarkt, or head over to arguably the best food market in town: the Lindengracht Market with fruits, veggies, fish, cheeses, as well as general goods. Choose one market or go to all three, but there’s no denying Jordaan is ready to fulfill all of your shopping needs.

Play

Looking for a fun activity after exploring the neighbourhood? Jordaan’s Glow Mini Golf is ready to be your next date night, group competition, or fun night out with the family. They’ve got 3D glow-in-the-dark mini golf courses filled with dinosaurs, polar bears, gorillas, and other fun decorations. There’s a stand with food and drinks if you’ve worked up an appetite. Think you can get a hole in one?

Stick Around For a While

There comes a time when you have to leave a city you’re visiting - or is there? Extend your trip to Jordaan and stay in an accommodation that is seriously cool. Right along the picturesque canals, there’s two houseboat suites under the name Amsterdam Prinsengracht. Yup, you can get the full Dutch experience by sleeping right along the canal! Plus it’s right between Jordaan and the city centre, so talk about a premium location.

Want to explore more of Amsterdam? Check out our other neighbourhood guides and make the most out of the city!