Jordaan district Amsterdam: Out and about in the most beautiful neighbourhood

The Jordaan neighbourhood in Amsterdam is a bit like lobster: it used to be thrown to the prisoners, but today it is considered a delicacy. The former working-class neighbourhood has really spruced itself up over the years and is now considered the most beautiful in the entire city. In the Jordaan, you will not only find the cutest canal houses, but also the most picturesque canals and impressive photo opportunities. The Jordanese (as the residents call themselves) take incredibly good care of their neighbourhood, have planted beautiful plants and look after it so that it stays that way for a long time to come.

Find out here what makes our Jordaan neighbourhood the most liveable in the city and which insider tips you shouldn’t miss!

Of labourers, widows and millionaires

Compared to Amsterdam’s city centre, which dates back to the 13th century, the Jordaan district is not that old. It was not until the 17th century that the city was expanded to the west after trade attracted huge waves of workers to the city who needed somewhere to live. The foundations of today’s Jordaan neighbourhood had been laid. However, several centuries were to pass before it became a fashionable neighbourhood, during which the Jordaan had to contend with enormous amounts of dirt, disease and overcrowding. This is also where you will find the characteristic widows’ courtyards, as it was not uncommon for seafaring husbands not to return from their adventures. To ensure that the women were provided for at home, the town had already set up a kind of welfare system at that time and the widows could then be accommodated in the courtyards with their children.

However, the neighbourhood only became as charming and affluent as it is today at the end of the 1980s. It was only then that the city invested in the large-scale refurbishment and renovation of the more than run-down houses. Fleas and cholera gave way to warm parquet floors, stucco and chic roof terraces. By the way, if you’re wondering where the Jordaan got its name from, it’s not derived from the river or the land! In fact, “Jordaan” is derived from the French “jardin” (= garden). The neighbourhood is the most popular in the city today because it has numerous hidden backyards. These hidden gardens are, of course, incredibly popular today as a way of escaping the stress of the bustling city centre. If you want to discover some of these mysterious backyards, you should definitely come on our Jordaant tour😉

On the trail of the most important Jordanian: Anne Frank

As you probably all know, the famous Anne Frank House is located in the Jordaan neighbourhood of Amsterdam. Important: The Frank family did not live there, but it was their father’s company house. However, as the family hid in the rear building for two years, Anne Frank is still considered the most important Jordanian. Among other things, a small statue is dedicated to her, which you can see during a visit. If you want to hear more about Anne’s captivating story, which goes beyond her time in hiding, you are welcome to join us on our Anne Frank Tour. 🙂

A neighbourhood for sweet tooths

Since the days of TikTok and Instagram, the whole world has probably realised that the Jordaan is Amsterdam’s number one location for the best food in the city! People here have realised that it is still best to concentrate fully on one thing and perfect it. That’s why you’ll not only find the tastiest chocolate biscuit in town here, but also the best fries! It doesn’t get any more Dutch than that 😉
Or have you ever tried a “cruffin”? That’s right, it’s a cross between a crossaint and a muffin – literally the best of both worlds! You can find the best ones at Saint-Jeans, including a pistachio filling (makes your mouth water, doesn’t it?). For the foodies and culture vultures among you, we have something very special…