Things to do in the Jordaan

Cruise along the Prinsengracht

The verdict is in, and it's unanimous: there's no better way to see Amsterdam than from the water. 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. 

Absorb the heartbreaking story 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 the actual events that took place right here – all brought together in a reflective exhibition about the horrors of Jewish persecution during the Second World War, as well as an illuminating story of one girl's boundless hope and curiosity.

Shop for organic produce and trinkets

When Saturday morning rolls around, there's no better place to be than at the Noordermarkt. 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. On Mondays, you'll find a second flea market selling antiques, books and vintage fashion. Pro tip: it's worth stopping for a comforting slice of apple pie at the famous Winkel 43 cafe nearby or its quaint neighbour, Cafe 't Papeneiland.

Visit a typical brown bar

Warm hospitality, sticky wooden 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 an eye on the cultural agenda for more.

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

The 100-year-old Pianola 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 an 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.

Discover a wealth of hips restaurants and cafes

The culinary scene in the Jordaan is booming and diverse. Take your pick from some of the city's best: from R. de Rosa, a cosy queer-run cafe and bar with a beautiful interior, to Toscanini, a refined Italian restaurant that's been serving quality fare since 1985, or try plant-based deli and bakery Saint-Jean that has locals and visitors alike queuing out the door. In turns decadent and down-to-earth, the Jordaan truly is the gastronimic gift that keeps on giving.