Travel

Understand [ edit ]

Statues of Tante Leen and Manke Nelis at the corner of Elandsgracht

The Jordaan was built in the 19th century as a working class neighborhood. All the streets and canals were oddly connected to the Prinsengracht, reflecting the haphazard development unlike the planned approach in the wealthier neighborhoods. To save costs the smaller ponds and waterways were linked up to form an array of canals. Fancier houses lined these canals. Homes of more limited means took up the side streets. Over time the Jordaan grew, becoming more dense with houses being built, filling in the inner gardens. The poorest families made do living in the cellars. By 1900 over 80.000 people called the area home. Since there was no sewer system, the canals were filled with foul-smelling effluents, posing serious risk to public health. As a result the early 20th century saw the filling in of half of the canals. In the 1930's the city put forth the plan to demolish the whole neighbourhood to make way for more modern housing. Opposition held up all efforts for over 20 years, during which no permit was issued for any major construction or restoration. The area deteriorated, turning into a slum, but as a silver lining the lobbying saved the area from complete demolition. Subsequently the houses in poor condition were torn to down while the better ones were restored. Nowadays less than 19.000 people live in the Jordaan but the area remains Amsterdam's popular residential area.

Get in [ edit ]

You can easily walk here from anywhere in the center. It's a walk of less than 5 minutes from Central Station or Dam square.

By tram or bus [ edit ]

From Central Station, tram lines 13 and 17 bring you to the stop Westermarkt next to the middle of the Jordaan-district. Two stops further of tram 17 is Elandsgracht at the south side of the district. The Haarlemmer neighbourhood at the northern side of the district is served by busses 18, 21 and 22 from Central station. From other parts of the city you can reach the Jordaan with trams 3, 7, 10 and 14.

See [ edit ] [ add listing ]

The Jordaan is a great area to stroll around. It's a nice and quiet residential district, though it's full of small bars, shops, and restaurants. There are a few small and cosy canals and plenty of nice facades with colourful stones to identify the houses.