Jewish Cultural Quarter walking route

At the beginning of the last century, the neighbourhood between the Waterlooplein and De Plantage was still known as the Jodenbuurt; the district where many Jewish Amsterdammers once lived. The Jewish history of Amsterdam, Mokum in Yiddish, is still visible here. Today, it is referred to as the Jewish Cultural Quarter: where the Jewish Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue, the Hollandsche Schouwburg and the National Holocaust Museum are just a couple steps away from each other. 

Bijvoet shares the must-sees during your visit to the Jewish Cultural Quarter.

• Start at Nieuwmarkt and walk down Sint Antoniesbreestraat.

1. Huis de Pinto

Huis de Pinto is a former residence of a Portuguese-Jewish family. From 1975 to 2012, a branch of the Public Library was located here. Today, it is a literary and cultural gathering place. In addition to an exchange library, events are also organised here. "What’s great is that residents are fighting hard for this place. For example, they saved the building from demolition in the 1970s, and they wrote a plan about the zoning of the building in 2012. That plan has been approved, and Huis de Pinto is the result."

• Cross Sint Antoniesbreestraat on exiting.

2. Pantheon Bookstore

A little further on is the Pantheon Bookstore. It stocks books on various subjects, but since 2018, its first floor has been home to A la Carte, the most specialised travel bookstore in the city. "During the coronavirus crisis, we all started reading more. Because the bookstores had difficulty, they called on people to buy mainly locally. That's how I discovered Pantheon, a beautiful bookstore that is definitely worth a visit."

• Walk south down Sint Antoniesbreestraat, which turns into Jodenbreestraat. Follow this road until you come to an intersection. Turn left here into Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat.

3. Uilenburgersjoel

"The Uilenburgersjoel is one of the few remaining buildings from the once lively Jewish working-class neighbourhood. It is a beautiful building where not only concerts take place, but also weddings and other events." From 1766 to 1943, the building functioned as a synagogue, but it fell into disrepair after the war. It has now been transferred to the Uilenburgersjoel Foundation, eager to restore the Jewish character of the building.”

• Walk back in the direction of Jodenbreestraat and turn left at the intersection. 

4. Tony’s NY City Bagels

For over twenty years, the classic bagel has been sold here as it is loved in New York. The owner knows as he is from that city himself. Bijvoet: "For me, this is the place to go for a nice sandwich for lunch. My favourite is the bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon."

• Continue on to Jodenbreestraat and turn right at the end. Walk on for a while and then turn right again to Waterlooplein.

5. Moses and Aaron Church

The Moses and Aaron Church originated as a secret church, but between 1980 and 2014, it was used for cultural gatherings rather than as a house of worship. Today, the beautiful building is again used as a Roman Catholic church, where much help and assistance is also provided to the poor, lonely and homeless. The church stands out among the ever-changing square. "It is such a recognisable building. I also like that the Portuguese Synagogue and the Roman Catholic Moses and Aaron Church are so close to each other."

• Cross Meester Visserplein and walk via Muiderstraat over the Hortus Bridge. Walk down Plantage Middenlaan until you come to the intersection with Plantage Kerklaan. Turn left here.

6. Café-Restaurant De Plantage

Café-Restaurant De Plantage is located in a historic building in the middle of the Plantagebuurt. The wooden beamed sunroom opens up a view onto the aviary filled with North Holland meadow birds and the Artisplein. "The place is certainly unique because of its proximity to Artis. But the food is also delicious! I enjoy dining here myself or with company."

• Walk straight down Plantage Kerklaan and continue on Nieuwe Kerkstraat. Walk down the street until you reach Weesperstraat. Cross it and turn right immediately.

7. National Holocaust Memorial of Names

The National Holocaust Memorial of Names was unveiled in September. The memorial consists of 102,000 bricks bearing the names and dates of birth and death of those deported from the Netherlands and murdered during World War II. "It is such a beautiful and important monument. It clearly shows how many people were taken from us during this war."

• Walk north and turn left onto Nieuwe Herengracht.

8. Dignita Hoftuin

Dignita Hoftuin is located close to the Memorial of Names and is an unexpected rest point in the bustle of the city. You can have brunch inside the glass restaurant ('all day', so don't rush) with a view of the city garden and H'ART Museum on the other side. "Dignita Hoftuin is really a hidden gem."

Extra: Weesperstraat

Weesperstraat was once the artery of the Jewish neighbourhood, called Wazepergas by the residents in Yiddish. After the war, the deserted street was demolished and rebuilt. For years, the street had to get wider and wider; the plan was even to turn it into a three-lane road. In the 1970s, people dreamed aloud about a modern boulevard from Amstel station to the IJ. Nowadays, it is the other way around: more and more people are looking at how the Weesperstraat can be made greener and less crowded. Weesperstraat has been narrowed near the National Holocaust Names Monument to give more space to the monument and pedestrians, making it a nice place to take a walk. 

Extra: Jewish Cultural Quarter

You can find the Jewish Museum, Hollandsche Schouwburg, Portuguese Synagogue and National Holocaust Museum sharing the Jewish Cultural Quarter near Waterlooplein and De Plantage. These places are reminders of the neighbourhood’s past, but they also teach you all you need to know about Jewish culture. The Portuguese Synagogue also houses Ets Haim, the oldest active Jewish library in the world.

Grab this route on your mobile

Ready to take this route? Follow the route via the Komoot app where you’ll find walking directions, information on the highlights and an opportunity to share your pictures from the walk.

Liesbeth Bijvoet

Liesbeth Bijvoet has been the Jewish Cultural Quarter business director since 2012. The Jewish Cultural Quarter includes the Jewish Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue, the Hollandsche Schouwburg and the National Holocaust Museum. As a result, she has been coming to this part of the city every day for nine years. Born and raised in Amsterdam, Bijvoet is intimately familiar with the significance of Jewish culture in our city.