Amsterdam/Jordaan
Understand
Get in
By tram
The tram is the easiest way to get around central Amsterdam, and the Jordaan is no exception. From Central Station, tram lines 13 and 17 bring you to the stop Westermarkt at the beginning of the Jordaan-district. Two stops further of tram line 17 is Elandsgracht at the south side of the district.
No tram lines attend the Haarlemmerbuurt at the northern side of the district, but it's a walk of less than 5 minutes from Central Station.
See
BrouwersgrachtThis canal is sometimes cited as the "most beautiful street of Amsterdam". The name, "Brewer's Canal", refers to the many beer breweries along the canal in the 16th and 17th centuries. Nowadays, there's just one distillery left, De Ooievaar, that has been located here since 1782 and specializes in Dutch jenever and liquors. The warehouses here used to store goods such as coffee, spices and leather, but now serve a residential purpose. Traditional warehouses with the row of spout gables can be found at Brouwersgracht 196–188, and at 204, 206, 208 and 210. Also check out the wide-open red shutters at Groene Valk (192) and Grouwe Valk (194). Geloof, Brouwersgracht 218, shows the typical "neck" gable designed by Philips Vingboons.
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phone: +31 20 626-6436address: Noordermarkt 48
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phone: +31 20 627-9624address: Westerstraat 106A museum about Pianolas from the early 1900s. About a dozen are displayed at any one time, and every month a piano concert is held.
Do
The Jordaan is a great place to just stroll through taking in the beautiful architecture. The canal houses are always a pleasure, but also don't miss out on the backstreets.
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phone: +31 20 530 7300address: Rozengracht 117The Amsterdam comedy institution since 1993. English language sketch and improv comedy show with extensive use of video, music and the internet. The troupe is sharp and skewers current events, trends and life and local events in Amsterdam. Perhaps the best comedy show in any city. Good food is served before the show and drink service continues all night.
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phone: +31-6-15053174address: Rozengracht 234Offers a quality massage.
Buy
The main three shopping streets in the Jordaan are, from north to south, Westerstraat, Rozengracht and Elandsgracht. These offer a mix of clothing stores, design, art galleries, bars and restaurants. In the side-streets (Tweede Anjeliersdwarsstraat/Tweede Tuindwarsstraat/Tweede Egelantiersdwarsstraat), you'll find more nice restaurants. And in another side-street, Hazenstraat, there's a lot of galleries and quirky stores. On Saturday there is a (pricey) biological market on Noordermarkt and a (cheaper) normal market around the corner on Lindengracht. It's great to stroll around on both these markets. On Monday there is a (second hand) clothing market on Noordermarkt and Westerstraat.
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Lapjesmarkt
address: WesterstraatA specialist market concentrating on selling cloth and material for making clothes, curtains etc. Mondays only. LindengrachtSelling a wide range of goods, fruit and vegetables, fish and various household items. Saturday only.
NoordermarktOn Monday morning the Noordermarkt is a flea market selling fabrics, records, second-hand clothing etc., and forms part of the Lapjesmarkt mentioned above. On Saturday, the Noordermarkt is a biological food market, selling a wide range of ecological products like organic fruits and vegetables, herbs, cheese, mushrooms etc. There is also a small flea market.
Eat
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phone: +31 20 627 71 53address: 1e Anjeliersdwarsstraat 14Amazing Thai food. Good atmosphere, good service despite being quite busy, but the food is why you would come here. Highly recommended.
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Mazzo
address: Rozengracht 114This used to be a famous techno club but they turned it into an Italian restaurant with a nice modern look. You can have breakfast, lunch or dinner here. On the weekends it's smart to make a reservation as it can get pretty busy -
phone: +31 20 6238950address: Rozengracht 46-48Indonesian food, try the rice table.
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address: Elandsgracht 130Yes, they serve burgers here. But don't expect a McDonalds wannabe. They are quality meat, fish or vegetarian burgers. The place is so popular that they opened 2 more branches in the city. Great if you want to have a quick and inexpensive bite. Order the 'mini trio' so you can taste three different small sized burgers.
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Barney's
address: Haarlemerstraat 98A gorgeous brasserie owned by the well known coffeeshop with outside seating which has the best breakfasts in Amsterdam for very reasonable prices. Their strawberry milkshakes are to die for. -
address: Haarlemmerdijk 8De Korte Prins is a lunchroom café on the Haarlemmerdijk 8, in the heart of the Jordaan area in Amsterdam. The friendly staff serves great bagels, rolls and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. In the afternoon the café is filled with coffee lovers who enjoy a rich coffee with a delicious brownie or cheesecake. Regulars often drop by for cookies and muffins takeaway as well.
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Proust
phone: +31 20 623 91 45address: Noordermarkt 4Proust is a little off the beaten path, near the intersection of Brouwersgracht and Prinsengracht, but it's worth a visit for the inexpensive and satisfying meals as well as the company: it's a favourite with locals. -
phone: +31 20 616 36 64address: Haarlemmerstraat 73Nice and modern bar/cafe/restaurant with young people as customers and mattresses on the terrace.
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Vliegende Schotel
address: Nieuwe Leliestraat 162Since Green Planet is closing, you better look for alternative vegetarian hang-outs. Believe it or not, but Vliegende Schotel is even better than its Australia-moving competitor. It has big portions of unbelievably good vegetarian food, in an unpretentious but authentic atmosphere. Minimalistic service and a little walk from the centre, but seriously worth it. Small selection of organic and fair trade wines and a non-smoking room.
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
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Proeverij 274
phone: +31 20 421 18 48address: Prinsengracht 274Small, cosy restaurant at one of the main canals. Business but also romantic dinner. Small menu, new Dutch cuisine with classic French influences. The menu features mainly organic regional produce. Personal service, nice wine advice and fresh seasonal food in a relaxed environment. -
phone: +31 20 624 3899address: Noordermarkt 7, 1015 MV AmsterdamHigh end French restaurant with funky interior. Popular among locals for special occasions. English menu available.
Drink
Unlike the mainstream bars and clubs in the Canal District, the Jordaan offers a different atmosphere with obscure rock, metal and alternative music. But there's also plenty of old fashioned neighbourhood bars and 'hip' places.
Bars and pubs
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address: Lijnbaansgracht 163Small blues bar which is separated in two parts: a free part in the front, €5 entrance fee in the back where blues or rock 'n' roll bands play live every night of the week.
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phone: +31 20 623 96 17address: Egelantiersgracht 12Some say this place has the most beautiful terrace in Amsterdam. It's not big but you sit right beside the canal. And if it's too cold to sit outside check out the beautifully restored interior in this laid-back place.
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phone: +31 20 622 18 64address: Prinsengracht 96Great character at this pub, lovely outdoor terrace on a houseboat makes for a nice evening or afternoon. Good selection of Dutch and Belgian beers.
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phone: +31 20 620 28 53address: Marnixstraat 166Top metal/grungy/punky pub, most relaxed drinking atmosphere in town. Really nice, secluded terrace for drinking beer in the sun. can smoke, but not buy, puff.
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phone: +31 20-4220813address: Marnixstraat 357, corner with RozengrachtRelatively new bar with a big and often busy terrace. Gets absolutely crowded on Friday after work hours
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Bar Struik
phone: +31 20-6254863address: Rozengracht 160Hangout for the urban 20 and 30-somethings. Every day except Friday they serve 1 dish for €7,50. Gets really crowded in the weekends. -
Cafe Chaos
address: Looriegracht 144Typical Amsterdam brown bar. Throw your peanuts shells on the floor while looking at the furniture.
Nightclubs
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phone: +31 20 625 78 54address: Lijnbaansgracht 161A more alternative, run-down but cheap place that often has live music. Alternative nightspot for fans of metal, industrial, goth, and techno. Some live music and popular club nights. A bit off the beaten path but worth it.
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phone: +31 20 420 45 92address: Lijnbaansgracht 163Live 50s rockabilly bar. Drinks are cheap and the crowd are mostly Dutch rockers, but the music is good.
Coffeeshops
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phone: +31 20 6123987address: Haarlemmerstraat 98Multiple Cannabis Cup winner known for its internationally-acclaimed marijuana strains.
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phone: +31 20 639 1058address: Binnen Oranjestraat 9Cozy little coffeeshop with a homely relaxed atmospheres.
Sleep
Budget
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phone: +31 20 624 47 17address: Bloemstraat 179An alcohol and drug-free Christian youth hostel. Single-sex dormitories (including breakfast, bed linen).
Mid-range
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phone: +31 20 622 55 87address: Marnixstraat 372The hotel has 48 rooms, and is located near the Waterlooplein flee market. Average to good online ratings.
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phone: +31 20 625 18 55address: 3e Looiersdwarsstraat 75The hotel is a 3 star hotel located near many of the main Museums of Amsterdam. Hotel De Looier Amsterdam was built as a diamond factory in 1886.
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Marnix Hotel
phone: +31 20 664 6111address: Marnixstraat 3822 star hotel with dorm beds.