JordaanDe Jordaan

Suits:

First visit, quiet canal streets, the Anne Frank House

In short:

Narrow streets, few cars, small boutique hotels with stairs and no lift.

The city centre sits inside the canal ring, a horseshoe open to the IJ waterway on the north side. Centraal Station anchors the north end; the Museum Quarter sits south of the ring; De Pijp is further south again. Everything a first visit needs is inside about 3 km of the station.

This district is highlighted. Shapes follow this guide's walking areas and places, not official boundaries.

How this district's sleep area scores for five kinds of traveler, ranked against the other Amsterdam districts that have scores. Scores are this guide's 1–5 judgements.

• First visit

  best of 2

  Anne Frank House on the doorstep; canal-ring sights a 10-15 minute walk.

• Families

  best of 2

  Flat and walkable, but hotel stairs are the obstacle.

• Light sleepers

  best of 2

  Residential and mostly car-free; quieter than the canal-ring core.

• Night owls

  2nd of 2

  Brown cafés close by 01:00; livelier bars are a tram ride away.Brown cafés close by 1:00 AM; livelier bars are a tram ride away.

  Better for this: De Pijp

• On a budget

  2nd of 2

  Boutique hotels dominate; few budget beds.

  Better for this: De Pijp

Opening hours and prices from each place page; (check) means typical hours, not yet verified.

• Anne Frank HouseGo

  The museum in the canal house where Anne Frank hid: tickets are sold online for timed slots only, so book weeks ahead and arrive 10 minutes early.

• Jordaan$$

  First-timers: a hotel in the Jordaan or on the western canals, a short walk to the Anne Frank House; choose one with a lift and a 24h desk, not a steep canal house that locks at midnight.

  Rooms: €160–320 (≈ US$190–400) per room per night (mid-range); more in April and May (check)

  Pick this if: First visits, canal walks, the Anne Frank House

  Skip this if: You have a stroller or wheelchair, or large bags and a room on an upper floor without a lift

  3–6 min walk to Jordaan & Anne Frank House · 12–17 min walk to Dam, Spui & canal ring · 28–36 min walk to Museum Quarter (Museumplein)

Lines from the Amsterdam drinking guide that name this district.

• Brown cafés (bruine kroegen) across the Jordaan and canal ring · Old pubs with dark wood, beer and bitterballen · until about 01:00 on weekendsThe classic Amsterdam evening; Café Hoppe on the Spui is one of the best known.

Markets and shopping streets from the Amsterdam buying guide that name this district.

• Cheese · Cheese shops around the Jordaan and canal ring; supermarkets for the everyday price · Shop hoursAsk for a taste before buying; vacuum-packed wheels travel well.

Nearest arrival point: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS): about 11 km in a straight line; the usual ride to the centre takes 25–45 minAmsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS): about 6.9 mi in a straight line; the usual ride to the centre takes 25–45 min.

Minutes are this guide’s typical walking and ride times (p50–p90); traffic and heat stretch them.

In the day plans: Day 1 — Anne Frank House, a 12:30 lunch table in the Jordaan (Amsterdam in 3 days)

Street names that appear in the addresses of this district’s places and eats: useful to type into a map or show a driver.

• Prinsengracht

• Jordaanday: oknight: ok

  Bike lanes look like pavement; step aside before you stop to check a map.

• Quiet nights

  Residential and mostly car-free; quieter than the canal-ring core.

• Nightlife

  Brown cafés close by 01:00; livelier bars are a tram ride away.Brown cafés close by 1:00 AM; livelier bars are a tram ride away.

• Late arrival

  Small hotels; confirm the check-in desk hours before a late flight.

• Canal Ring / GrachtengordelWalk east, about 15 min
• Museum Quarter (Museumplein)Tram or taxi south, about 12 min
• De PijpAbout 2.4 km away in a straight lineAbout 1.5 mi away in a straight line