Serviced Apartments in Jordaan

Where to Stay in Jordaan

The canal belt is comprised of the area around the city’s four main canals: the Singel, the Herengracht, the Keizersgracht, and the Prinsengracht. Most visitors will find little discernible difference between these areas within Jordaan and the entire area is easily walkable - meaning any accommodation within the canal belt will be highly desirable. That being said, the area around Noordstraat is popular due to its central location and proximity to several of the city’s famous sights and landmarks. Similarly, the De Negen Straatjes is one of the most famous locations in the city - however, it is also one of the busiest, so those staying in the vicinity should be aware that it could be a little noisier than other areas of Jordaan. 

Facts About Jordaan

Jordaan’s diversity and origins as a vibrant residential area have furnished it with a unique character and fascinating history. The neighbourhood has grown from one of the poorest areas in the city to one of the most affluent and one that espouses everything that makes the Dutch capital so enchanting. Below are a few interesting facts about Jordaan:

• Jordaan was founded in 1612 and named “The New Work” as a residential area built for the city’s working classes. 
• The area was originally one of poverty, with many inhabitants packed into tiny houses.
• Amsterdam has 1700 bridges, three times as many as Venice, and Jordaan features several of note. 
• The name Jordaan is believed to be derived from the French word for garden, in keeping with Amsterdam’s tradition of naming areas after flowers and natural wonders.
• Jordaan was where Rembrandt chose to spend his final years.

Things to Do in Jordaan

The famously laid-back neighbourhood of Jordaan offers visitors the chance to experience the best of Amsterdam. The area is central enough that all of the famous landmarks and attractions of the Dutch capital are within easy reach, yet maintains its own unique atmosphere compared to the more touristy areas of Grachtengordel and De Wallen. 

What are the best things to do in Jordaan?

The best thing to do in Jordaan is to simply experience the neighbourhood’s famously laid-back atmosphere by visiting one of the many traditional cafes or bistros. There are also several famous landmarks in the neighbourhood, including the house of Anne Frank and the famous Houseboat Museum. There are also plenty of opportunities to experience other traditional sights, such as historic markets and artist galleries. 

Is Jordaan a good place for nightlife?

Jordaan is the place to go to experience the more upscale side of Amsterdam nightlife. Whilst De Wallen is known for its vibrant clubs and bars, Jordaan offers more relaxing places to enjoy an evening drink - with traditional cafes that morph into stylish pubs once the sun goes down. There are also plenty of fantastic restaurants in the area. Of course, those wanting something a little more lively always have the option of taking the short walk into the famous De Wallen.

Are there many romantic things to do in Jordaan?

Jordaan, with its picturesque, tree-lined streets and iconic bridges, is often seen as the most romantic location in the whole of Amsterdam. Here couples can enjoy a candlelit meal, and evening boat ride or even a late-night tour of a prestigious art gallery. For the daytime, Jordaan’s charming independent stores and cafes are the perfect way to enjoy an afternoon soaking up the neighbourhood’s uniquely romantic atmosphere. 

Places to Visit in Jordaan

Anyone staying in Jordaan will find many of Amsterdam’s most famous landmarks are right on their doorstep. The neighbourhood’s central location makes it the ideal place from which to explore the Dutch capital and visitors will find that there are also plenty of hidden gems to be discovered around the neighbourhood. Below is a collection of the top places to visit in Jordaan and its surrounding area:

• The Rijksmuseum - the Dutch national museum housing numerous works of art and historical artefacts. 
  
• Anne Frank’s House - an important landmark that details the persecution of the city’s Jewish residents during World War 2. 
  
• Amsterdam Museum - a former orphanage with artwork, artefacts & interactive exhibitions tracing the city's history.
  
• De Negen Straatjes - the Nine Streets are Amsterdam’s premier destination for quirky shopping and some of the city’s best artisan coffee houses.
• Houseboat Museum - museum on a 1914 freighter converted to become a houseboat, exploring life on Amsterdam's canals.
  
• Bloemenmarkt - Amsterdam’s famous floating flower market, which offers a colourful walk along the Singel River. Many of the stalls now sell souvenirs as well as the country’s iconic tulips.

Places to Eat in Jordaan

Jordaan has arguably more restaurants and bistros per street than any other neighbourhood in Amsterdam. From high-end fine dining to pop-up takeaways, every cuisine imaginable is on offer within Jordaan’s historic streets. Of particular note is the area’s superb range of fine dining establishment, all of which offer innovative menus in sophisticated surroundings. Some highlights include:

• Brasserie Ambassade.
• Spectrum.
• Bord'Eau Restaurant Gastronomique.
• Restaurant De Utrechtsedwarstafel.
• Jansz.

However, Jordaan is also known for its cosy, social eateries with plenty of cafes and bistros offering excellent options for lunch and dinner. Some popular venues are:

• Bistro Bij Ons.
• Café Restaurant De Reiger.
• Eetcafe De Jordaan.
• De Zagerij.

Finally, Jordaan also offers plenty of international cuisine:

• Restaurant Kinnaree.
• Shah Jahan Indian Restaurant.
• Taste of Culture.
• Sefa Restaurant BBQ & Grill-Room.

Street Food Jordaan

Street food is a big deal in Amsterdam and Jordaan is one of the best places to find it. The neighbourhood’s streets are dotted with independent vendors and pop-up takeaways offering everything from local specialties to international cuisine. Below are some of the more popular vendors with established reputations:

• Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx.
• Van Puffelen.
• Ben Cohen Tel-Aviv Streetfood.
• Smoked Crispy Bacon Sandwich House.

Shopping in Jordaan

As a shopping destination, Jordaan is known for its intriguing range of boutiques and independent stores. The neighbourhood is home to the famous Negen Straatjes - or Nine Streets - an area famous across the Netherlands for its curiosity shops, artisan souvenirs and flea markets. Jordaan is also ideally located for those who wish to explore the more modern shopping facilities across Amsterdam Centrum. 

 A few other key shopping locations in and around Jordaan include:

• Westerstraat Neighbourhood.
• Antiekcentrum Amsterdam.
• De Hallen Amsterdam.
• Royal Streets.

Transportation in Jordaan

Amsterdam has plenty of options when it comes to getting from A to B. The city’s extensive public transport network consists of metro, trams, trains, buses and ferries, which combine to give visitors access to every corner of the city as well as to the surrounding countryside. Jordaan is served by several bus and tram stations. These include:

• Rozengracht.
• Elandsgracht.
• Amsterdam, Bloemgracht.
• Amsterdam, Westermarkt.

Trams and buses provide the best way of getting around the central areas and can be paid for with the OV-chipkaart system, which operates in a similar way to London’s Oyster. Of course, Amsterdam is also famous for another kind of transport - the bicycle. The city boasts an extensive network of cycle paths and bikes can be hired from numerous vendors across the city - particularly around train stations and transport hubs. 

Weather in Jordaan

Amsterdam has a typical climate for northern Europe - meaning it experiences warm summers and cold winters. The springtime is a particularly desirable time to visit Amsterdam, as the famous tulips begin to bloom from March onwards, yet the main tourist crowds are yet to descend upon the city. The summer months of July and August are peak tourist season when the temperature typically hovers between 25 and 30 degrees celsius. However, it should be noted that Amsterdam does experience regular rainfall - even in summer, so it’s important to pack accordingly. Winters can see temperatures plummet below freezing, however, the city offers plenty of respite with its huge amount of cosy cafes and bars.