The Jordaan, Amsterdam: A Walking Guide

What the Jordaan is like

The streets run in a loose grid between the Prinsengracht and the Lijnbaansgracht, and the mood changes by the block. Around Westermarkt and the Prinsengracht you will meet visitors and queues; two streets further west, it is residential, quiet and mostly local. Galleries, small bakeries, vintage shops and cafés fill the ground floors, and most places are small enough that you notice the neighbourhood more than any single address.

Expect cobbles, bicycles on every bridge and very little traffic. Pavements are narrow, so step aside for cyclists and keep to the edge of the road when it is busy.

Who it suits

The Jordaan works well for couples, solo travellers and anyone on a second or third visit who wants to see how Amsterdam feels outside the museum circuit. It is less suited to travellers who want nightlife (it is calm after dinner) or a big-name attraction list. If mobility is limited, note that cobbles and humpback bridges are the rule.

What to see

There is no single sight to tick off. These are the anchors worth building a walk around:

• Prinsengracht and Westerkerk: the canal itself is the draw, with the Westerkerk tower marking the district's eastern edge.
• The Anne Frank House, on the Prinsengracht. It admits visitors by timed online ticket only; see our guide at /museums/anne-frank-house for how booking works.
• Egelantiersgracht and Bloemgracht: two of the quietest canals in the city, good for a slow stroll and photographs.
• Noordermarkt: a square with an organic farmers' market on Saturdays (typically 9:00 to 16:00) and a flea and antiques market on Monday mornings.
• The hofjes: small almshouse courtyards tucked behind ordinary doors. Some are private and open only at set times, so respect signs and keep voices down.

Where to eat and drink, by type

Naming only places we could confirm exist and are well established:

For a traditional brown café, Café 't Smalle on the Egelantiersgracht sits in a former distillery tasting room, and its canal-side terrace is one of the nicest in the district. Café Papeneiland, at the corner of Prinsengracht and Brouwersgracht, is another historic address in an old canal-corner building.

For a sweet stop, Winkel 43 on the Noordermarkt is known for its apple pie and is busy at weekends, so expect to wait or arrive early. For a casual meal, the streets around Westerstraat and the Noordermarkt have a good mix of small restaurants; read the menu and recent reviews rather than choosing by the size of the queue.

How to get there

The Jordaan is about 20 to 25 minutes on foot from Amsterdam Centraal, or a short tram ride; check the GVB journey planner or 9292.nl for today's routes. Tapping in and out with a contactless bank card or OVpay-compatible card works on GVB trams and buses, and you must tap out as well as in. Dam Square to the Anne Frank House is roughly a 10-minute walk. Cycling is possible but the streets are busy with local riders; walking is easier.

A half-day route (about 3 to 4 hours)

Start at the Westerkerk and the Anne Frank House at the eastern edge of the Jordaan. If you hold a timed ticket, visit first and allow about 1 to 1.5 hours; otherwise just pass by. Cross the Prinsengracht and walk west along Egelantiersgracht to Café 't Smalle for coffee. Continue to Bloemgracht, then turn north up to the Noordermarkt. On Saturday, browse the farmers' market; on Monday morning, the flea market. Finish with apple pie or lunch near the square, then walk the last stretch along the Prinsengracht toward Brouwersgracht for the classic canal view back toward the centre.

What to skip

Skip the souvenir shops along the busiest stretch of the Prinsengracht near Westerkerk; the better shops are a couple of blocks west. Do not try to see every hofje: one or two is plenty, and several are private homes. Avoid planning a late dinner on a Sunday or Monday without checking opening hours, since some small restaurants close.