The Jordaan in Amsterdam

The Jordaan

The Jordaan Neighbourhood is not just well known in Amsterdam, it has achieved fame throughout the Netherlands. From Centraal Station head west to find it near Prinsengracht and Lijnbaansgracht, and coming to an end at the Leidsegracht. Originally the area in which you could hear the bells of Westerkerk is what defined the neighbourhood.

History

People who lived opulent lives on the Canal Ring needed labour. In order to maintain their standards of living the wealthy citizens needed people to provide services and industry. In order to do so the Jordaan was developed in the 17th century. With such a high concentration of working class citizens the neighbourhood soon became a home for left wing radicals. By the late 20th century most of the buildings were in a state of disrepair but over the last few decades gentrification has done much to change things.

Culture

As an older neighbourhood the Jordaan is composed of winding streets that grew naturally over the years. Exploring these is a great way to discover hidden cafes, traditional and contemporary, art galleries and markets. There is still a strong sense of community and you can interact with both Jordanees families that have lived there for generations as well as a growing immigrant community.

Food and Drink

The mix of the old and the new cafes ensures that there is something for everyone. If you wish to do more than enjoy a quiet drink then you can participate in sing-a-longs in many traditional establishments. The neighbourhood is known for housing some of the city’s higher quality restaurants, particularly in some of the side-streets located to the south of Westerstraat.

A Place to Stay

When visiting Amsterdam it is important that you are well located. Since the city provides plenty of public transport it is best to choose something in the city centre. Travelling to Jordaan is simple, so you want to stay somewhere comfortable and affordable with access to as many different locations as possible. The Amsterdam Hostel Leidseplein makes for a great choice offering everything you could possibly need.