Things to do in the Jordaan

Cruise along the Prinsengracht

Canal tours in Amsterdam recently topped the list of the world’s best travel experiences, and no first-time visit to the Dutch capital could be complete without one. There are various companies you can book with, and most cruise routes pass through the flowery streets of De Jordaan along the Prinsengracht and Brouwersgracht—two of the city's most picturesque and historic canals. 

Step into the diary pages of Anne Frank

Opened in 1960, the Anne Frank House Museum preserves the annexe where a thoughtful teenager and her family hid for two years during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam. Diary quotes, film images, and original objects illustrate actual events – all brought together in a reflective exhibition about discrimination and the persecution of Jewish people. You can also see Anne’s original red-checked diary up close and the famous hinged bookcase leading to their concealed living quarters.

Shop for organic produce and trinkets

A flea market and farmers’ market in one, Noordermarkt's Saturday stalls are a haven for delicious, organic produce, including honey, cheese and homemade cakes. To avoid the weekend crowds, head there on Monday morning for a second flea market selling antiques, books and vintage fashion. And it’s worth stopping for a comforting slice of apple pie at the famous Winkel 43 cafe nearby.

Discover what makes an ‘authentic’ brown bar

Warm hospitality, sticky floorboards and reasonably-priced beers? You’ll find many of the city’s most authentic and more notorious drinking establishments in the Jordaan, where a bruin café (brown bar)-hopping tour never disappoints any night of the week. Café ‘t Smalle is a lovely old pub with wood panelling and a beautiful waterside terrace. Or for even more history, the beautifully restored Cafe 't Papeneiland, built in 1642, allegedly conceals a tunnel in the basement that Catholic priests were smuggled in and out from. Or, you won’t get away with not joining the merriment at Café de Twee Zwaantjes, which hosts regular karaoke evenings, Dutch sing-a-longs and Motown nights.

Catch a classical matinee concert

Situated on one of Amsterdam's oldest and most charming squares, Noorderkerk is an active Protestant church and an idyllic setting for a matinee classical concert. Concerts typically run on Saturday afternoons from September through May, regularly attracting an audience of classical experts and curious newcomers. Other events on the agenda include regular church services, neighbourhood dinners, fashion shows, product launches, and exhibitions.

Keep the laughs coming

If comedy is more your thing, head to Boom Chicago for exhilarating performances, sharp writing and quick wit—all catering to an English-speaking audience. The regular long-form improvisation session, Sunday Night Live, features one-off performances centred around a theme where scenes, stories and songs change weekly. The laughs don’t stop there; they also fuse funny stuff with music and politics, with international comedians taking the stage throughout the year.

Marvel at curious self-playing pianos

This 100-year-old museum houses a fascinating collection of pipe organs, gramophones and pianos that play themselves—with just a little assistance from music recorded on perforated paper rolls. Back in the day, these curious machines were considered hi-tech. The music library encompasses some 30,000 reels precariously stacked up to the rafters, including recordings of some of the most renowned pianists in history. Keep your eye on the agenda for special showcases and recitals by top pianists who drop in from the Conservatorium of Amsterdam.

Find out why the Dutch are obsessed with tulips

The Netherlands has long been associated with tulips, but who knew that these colourful blooms actually originated from the Himalayas? Find out everything you didn’t know about these national treasures at The Amsterdam Tulip Museum - including the history of Tulip Mania, their cultivation in the Netherlands, and modern hybridisation. Of course, there’s a brilliant shop with various tulip-related items and bulbs so you can start growing your own.

Hop around galleries and art spaces

The Jordaan is also one of the city’s hotspots for contemporary art, with various smaller independent galleries dispersed amongst the leafy streets. Galerie Ron Mandos boasts an impressive line-up of Dutch and international artists on the books, with a welcoming public programme encompassing screenings, talks and openings. Likewise, Galerie Fons Welters and a rose is a rose is a rose are great spaces to poke your head into. Or if you’re a camera buff, you’ll find several great galleries dotted along Hazenstraat that specialise in contemporary photography, including Galerie Caroline O’Breen, Bildhalle, and Galerie Wouter van Leeuwen.