The Jordaan is one of Amsterdam’s most atmospheric neighbourhoods — a place where narrow canal streets, leafy courtyards, and centuries‑old houses come together to create a postcard‑perfect setting. Once a working‑class district, Jordaan has transformed into a beloved area filled with independent shops, cosy cafés, art studios, and some of the most beautiful streets in the city.
Discover the Jordaan’s most beautiful streets on our favourite self‑guided wander through canals, courtyards, and postcard‑perfect corners.
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Start: Westerkerk (Prinsengracht 279)
Nearest tram stop: Westermarkt Walk time: ~2 hours at a relaxed pace allowing time to stop and enjoy each location
Stand with your back to the Westerkerk tower and face the canal. You’re right on the edge of the Jordaan, and from here, the neighbourhood unfolds like a storybook.
Below is the exact walking route so you can wander along at your own pace.
1. Walk Along Prinsengracht to Westerstraat
From the church, turn left and stroll along Prinsengracht. This first stretch is full of life: boats drift lazily down the canal, bikes zip past and cafés spill onto the pavement with people chatting over tiny cups of coffee. After about three minutes, turn right onto Westerstraat.
Westerstraat is the Jordaan’s bustling backbone — wide, energetic, and always humming with local activity. On Monday mornings, it transforms into the lively Lindengracht Market, where stalls overflow with fresh produce, flowers, and Dutch treats. Even on quieter days, it’s a wonderful place to settle into the neighbourhood’s easy pace, watch locals go about their routines, and soak in that unmistakable Jordaan charm.
2. Turn Left Into Tweede Anjeliersdwarsstraat
Turn left onto Tweede Anjeliersdwarsstraat about halfway down Westerstraat. The atmosphere changes immediately — the busy main street gives way to a quieter residential lane lined with plants and small front doors.
As you walk, look out for Tazzina, a tiny corner spot known for good espresso, and the small 19th‑century façades that still define this part of the Jordaan. You’ll often see neighbours chatting outside, someone unlocking their bike, and the occasional cat stretched out in a sunny spot — all very typical of the area.
It’s a simple street but a good example of the Jordaan’s village‑like feel.
3. Continue to Tweede Tuindwarsstraat
Turn right onto Tweede Tuindwarsstraat. This is one of the quieter streets in the Jordaan, with a relaxed, residential feel.
As you walk, you’ll pass a few small boutiques, independent studios, and creative workspaces tucked behind simple storefronts. Many of the houses here still have traditional Amsterdam façades — narrow fronts, tall windows, and old house numbers that hint at the street’s 19th‑century layout. Look out for small details like decorative gables, iron wall anchors, and tiny front gardens, which are typical of older Jordaan homes.
It’s a straightforward stretch but a good look at everyday life in the neighbourhood.
4. Visit a Hofje: Karthuizerhofje (Karthuizerstraat 89)
At the end of Tweede Tuindwarsstraat, turn left onto Tuinstraat, then take the first right onto Karthuizerstraat. This part of the walk is short, but it leads you straight into one of the Jordaan’s most interesting corners.
A few steps down Karthuizerstraat, you’ll see the entrance to Karthuizerhofje, one of the neighbourhood’s most peaceful inner courtyards. These hofjes were originally built as charitable housing, often for elderly women, and many of them still feel remarkably unchanged. The layout is simple — small homes arranged around a quiet central garden — and stepping inside gives you a sense of what everyday life looked like here centuries ago.
Please enter quietly; people still live in these hofjes, and that lived‑in atmosphere is part of what makes them special.
5. Walk to Egelantiersgracht (5 minutes)
Continue along Karthuizerstraat until you reach Egelantiersgracht, one of the most attractive canals in the Jordaan. Turn left and follow the water.
Along this stretch, look out for the leaning canal houses around numbers 107–113, a typical Amsterdam feature caused by old wooden foundations. You’ll also pass several 19th‑century bridge arches, small plaques on older buildings, and a few traditional Jordaan-style gables that show how the neighbourhood looked before modern renovations.
It’s a short but very classic part of the walk — quiet water, small bridges, and a good look at the Jordaan’s older architecture.
6. Cross the Bridge to Egelantiersstraat
Cross any of the small bridges to reach Egelantiersstraat, a busier street lined with cafés, bakeries, and small shops. You’ll see people heading in and out of local spots, cyclists passing through, and the occasional delivery bike squeezing by.
If you want a break, this is a good place to stop. Café ’t Smalle (just off the canal) is reliable for coffee, and several bakeries along the street sell affordable slices of Dutch apple pie. If you don’t mind a short detour north, Winkel 43 is the classic choice — their apple pie is famous. Tip: get it from the takeaway window; it’s cheaper and faster than sitting inside.
7. Continue to Elandsgracht
Walk straight until Egelantiersstraat becomes Elandsgracht. The street widens here, the buildings look more modern, and the area feels a bit busier with locals running errands and cyclists passing through.
Along the way, you’ll pass Café de Eland, a simple neighbourhood café that’s good for a quick drink, and Marqt, a small supermarket if you want to grab a snack. A few metres further is Johnny Jordaanplein, a small square with bronze statues of Johnny Jordaan, Tante Leen, and several street musicians — a tribute to the Jordaan’s musical history.
There are benches and cafés around this stretch, making it an easy place to pause before continuing toward the Nine Streets.
8. Head Toward the Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes)
From Elandsgracht, turn right onto Prinsengracht and follow the canal for about five minutes. This stretch is straightforward: houseboats along the water, steady bike traffic, and canal boats passing under the bridges. As you continue, the street gets a little busier and the shopfronts start to change, signalling that you’re moving into a different part of the city.
Along the way, look out for the leaning canal houses typical of this area, a few older warehouse-style buildings, and small plaques marking former merchant homes. You’ll also pass cafés and shops that hint at the shift toward the next neighbourhood.
Soon you’ll reach the edge of the Nine Streets, a cluster of small lanes known for vintage shops, independent boutiques, and easy places to grab a coffee. It’s a natural transition point — still local, but with more energy — and a good place to end the walk if you want to browse or take a break.
That’s the full route. A simple, local walk through the Jordaan with plenty to see along the way. Thanks for walking through the Jordaan with us — a neighbourhood that’s easy to explore and even easier to love. Be sure to check out ouf full Amsterdam guides for more trip inspiration.
