Jordaan Travel Guide

Canals, markets and cosy neighbourhood cafés within easy walking distance of central Amsterdam.

• Best for: Relaxed, local stays and café culture
• Vibe: Quaint, bohemian and low-key
• Nearest station: Amsterdam Centraal (short walk or tram)
• Price level: Mostly mid-range with cheap cafés
• To the main sights: Easy walk or short tram to Dam and Museumplein
• Safety: Generally safe; watch for bikes and pickpockets

Great for:

• Couples who want a quiet, charming base
• Travellers who like cafés, local markets and walking
• Anyone wanting easy access to central museums while avoiding tourist crowds

Maybe skip it if:

• You want late-night clubbing and late-hours bars
• You need a metropolitan high-rise business hotel
• You dislike narrow, cobbled streets and cyclists

The Jordaan is west of Dam Square, bounded by the Prinsengracht and Westerstraat; walkable to Amsterdam Centraal and Museumplein.

• Book ahead: Reserve Anne Frank House tickets well before your trip.
• Market timing: Visit Noordermarkt on Saturday morning for the best produce and antiques.
• Watch for bikes: Stay alert to cyclists on narrow streets and canal bridges.
• Cash and card: Most places accept cards but small market stalls may prefer cash.
• Quiet at night: Evenings are calm, expect early closing times for cafés and shops.

• Anne Frank House: Visit the moving wartime hiding place on Prinsengracht; prebook tickets well in advance.
• Noordermarkt: Saturday farmers’ market and weekday antiques stalls beside the Noorderkerk.
• Westerkerk: 17th-century church whose tower offers a local viewpoint over the Jordaan.
• Canal walks: Stroll the narrow canals and cross the small bridges, especially around Egelantiersgracht.

• Schiphol Airport (AMS): Train (NS) to Amsterdam Centraal, about 15-20 minutes, then a 10-20 minute walk or short tram ride to Jordaan; single fare roughly €4-€6. Taxi or ride-hail takes about 20-30 minutes depending on traffic, roughly €35-€50.
• From the main sights: From Museumplein or Dam Square you can walk in 15-25 minutes or take a short tram/bus ride; public-transport journeys are typically under 15 minutes and cost about €3-€4 single trip.

• On foot: The Jordaan is compact and best explored on foot, narrow streets and canals mean walking is usually faster than driving.
• By bike: Cycling is common; hire a bike for short trips but be alert for tram tracks and pedestrians.
• Public transport: Trams and buses run on the edges; expect to walk a few minutes from stops into the quieter canalside lanes.

Accommodation in the Jordaan ranges from boutique 5-star canal hotels to inexpensive B&Bs and hostels. Expect mostly mid-range prices; canal-front rooms are pricier and book up fast. Pick a place near Prinsengracht or Westerstraat for the best access to cafés and markets.

Luxury

• Pulitzer: High-end canal hotel set across historic houses; a short walk to the heart of the Jordaan.
• The Dylan: Elegant luxury hotel on a quiet canal; a short tram ride or 15-20 minute walk into the Jordaan.
• Room Mate Aitana Hotel: Stylish 4-star option on the IJ docks; walkable to the Jordaan in under 20 minutes.
• Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht, by Hyatt: Comfortable, design-led hotel along the Prinsengracht; a short ride or a 15-25 minute walk to the neighbourhood centre.

Mid-range

• Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel: Reliable 4-star option within easy walking distance of the canals and cafés.
• Ibis Styles - Amsterdam Central Station: Budget-friendly chain hotel near Centraal station; convenient for trains and a short walk to Jordaan.
• Arrive: Compact hotel a few minutes’ walk from canal streets and the Noordermarkt.
• WestCord City Center: Practical mid-range choice close to transport and within easy reach of the Jordaan.

Budget

• Bed & Breakfast of Art: Canal-side B&B offering a local, affordable stay close to the neighbourhood’s cafés.
• The Blue Sheep B&B: Small guest house within the Jordaan; good for travellers who want a quiet base.
• Aivengo Youth Hostel: Hostel option a short walk from the canals; basic, social and wallet-friendly.
• Groenendael: Simple budget accommodation a short cycle or walk from the Jordaan’s main streets.

Eating in the Jordaan centres on cosy cafés, Dutch bistros and small international restaurants. Streets to try include Prinsengracht, Noordermarkt and Westerstraat. Most places are inexpensive to mid-range and busy at weekend brunch times.

• Winkel 43: Local café famed for its apple pie; casual and budget-friendly ($).
• Pancakes Amsterdam: Specialist pancake house popular for breakfast and brunch; affordable ($).
• MADRE: Mexican restaurant in the area serving casual plates; mid-price ($$).
• Omelegg: Breakfast-focused spot known for egg dishes and quick morning meals; budget-friendly ($).
• Hinata: Compact ramen spot close to the canals; inexpensive and informal ($).
• Piqniq: Casual deli/café for sandwiches and light bites; good value ($).
• La Reinita Empanadas: Argentinian empanada shop for quick, tasty snacks; budget-friendly ($).

Nightlife in the Jordaan is quiet and local, focused on brown cafés, small bars and the occasional live-music venue. Head for side streets around Noordermarkt and Egelantiersgracht for the friendliest spots. Expect mostly casual pubs and early-evening socialising rather than late-night clubs.

• Café ‘t Papeneiland: Traditional brown café on a canal corner; a cosy spot for a beer.
• Café de Poort: Small, atmospheric pub frequented by locals; good for low-key drinks.
• Café Thijssen: Neighbourhood bar close to the canals with a friendly crowd.
• Twee Prinsen: Historic pub popular with locals, right in the heart of the Jordaan.
• Café ‘t Smalle: Canal-side bar with a pleasant terrace for summer evenings.
• Bitterzoet: Small live-music and club venue a short walk away for later nights.

Shopping in the Jordaan is best for independent boutiques, vintage and weekly markets. Haarlemmerstraat and the narrow side-sois have local designers, while market stalls sell food, antiques and textiles. Most shopping is small-scale rather than big malls.

• Noordermarkt: Saturday farmers’ market and weekday antiques stalls beside Noorderkerk.
• Lindenmarkt: Small market with local stalls held along the Lindengracht.
• Lapjesmarkt: Fabric and craft market close to the Jordaan’s southern edge.
• HEMA: Dutch department-store chain for basics and souvenirs within walking distance.