Why you should visit Jordaan in Amsterdam.
There’s a neighborhood in Amsterdam that feels less like a destination and more like an embrace. Jordaan is a labyrinth of canals and crooked houses, flower boxes spilling color over bridges, and bicycles leaning casually against timeworn railings. It’s a district that seduces not with spectacle but with atmosphere — a living postcard where every corner feels effortless.
Here, the charm is in the wandering. Duck into a brown café where the wood smells of centuries, linger over a glass of jenever, or lose yourself in a hidden courtyard that suddenly silences the city. Jordaan is proof that travel’s finest treasures are not planned but stumbled upon.
What you didn’t know about Jordaan.
Jordaan began as the heartbeat of Amsterdam’s working class — a patchwork of immigrants, artists, and revolutionaries. The district once echoed with protest songs and street markets, and while the sheen of gentrification is undeniable, its spirit remains alive in the hofjes — secret courtyards tucked behind historic facades.
This isn’t just a pretty backdrop. Jordaan has long been a cradle of creativity, where Dutch masters lived and dreamers carved out their place. To walk its streets today is to trace the same cobblestones that carried centuries of hidden rebellions and whispered stories.
How to fold Jordaan into your Amsterdam trip.
Jordaan doesn’t ask for a schedule — it rewards curiosity. Start with Noordermarkt on a Saturday, where antiques and fresh flowers fight for your attention, then let yourself drift into side streets without worrying where they lead. Buy cheese you didn’t mean to, pastries you can’t pronounce, and art you weren’t looking for.
As night falls, grab a table by the canal, order a glass of red, and let the city’s glow reflect off the water. Jordaan doesn’t just fit into your Amsterdam trip — it steals the spotlight and convinces you to stay just a little longer.
Hear it from the Foresyte community.
“You swear you’re just out for a walk then suddenly you’re two beers deep buying tulips and cheese you don’t even need.”
Where meaningful travel begins.
Start your journey with Foresyte, where the planning is part of the magic.
Discover the experiences that matter most.
