Jordaan Tour

Private Jordaan tour

A happy neighbourhood

Jordaan Tour

Private Jordaan tour

Jordaan Tour

  • Startingpoint
    Startingpoint

    Start and end point is at the Westermarkt, at the Anne Frank statue next to the Wester church tower.

  • Duration | Distance
    Duration | Distance

    2 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)

  • Highlights
    Highlights

    We visit courtyards, a market, a 'Brown Cafe'. We see street art, galleries, quiet canals and funny architecture.

  • Price
    Price

    Available from €43,75 p.p.​

Schedule your
private Jordaan tour

  • Startingpoint
    Startingpoint

    We start and finish at the Westermarkt, at the Anne Frank statue next to the Wester church tower.

  • Duration | Distance
    Duration | Distance

    2 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)

  • Highlights
    Highlights

    We visit courtyards, a market, a 'Brown Cafe'. We see street art, galleries, quiet canals and funny architecture.

  • Price
    Price

    Available from €43,75 p.p.​

The story of the Jordaan 

On many levels the story of the Jordaan is the story of Amsterdam. When Dutch people think of things that they consider to be quintessential to Amsterdam, they usually refer to things that are quintessentially from the Jordaan.

In this private Jordaan tour Historical Amsterdam Tours brings take you to Amsterdam’s typical – in fact typically Jordanese – almshouses; old brown cafes and local markets. You will get acquainted with the people that personified Jordaan: the singers, criminals, artists and philanthropists that gave the Jordaan its colorful history.

Westertoren

You start your tour right outside of the Jordaan, beneath the tower of the Westerkerk at the little Anne Frank monument on the Westermarkt. This 85 meter tall church tower served as a beacon for the inhabitants of the Jordaan. Therefore the iconic tower resonates in many typically Jordanese songs and will be a point of reference during our tour.

Courtyards

With your private guide you will discover the quiet side of Amsterdam. In the many secluded courtyards you’ll find an oasis of tranquility. Learn more about this early example of social housing that gives the city its unique character. Why did rich people back in the days invest in houses for the poor? How does this tradition of affordable housing continue in today’s Amsterdam?

Picturesque canals

Enjoy the charm of flower dotted bridges and canals as seen these days and get the stories of the working class’, dirty and industrial past of the Jordaan. Why is the street pattern in the Jordaan so different from the canal ring? What were all the riots, protests and downright criminal activity all about?

Lively markets and art galleries

The Jordaan is a true shopping paradise, with its art galleries, markets and many narrow streets. In spite of the skyrocketing prices for real estate, this neighborhood has managed to preserve a fair amount of craftsmen. Creative entrepreneurs and small businesses still give color to the streets and canals. On Saturday’s we can indulge ourselves at the local weekly market.

Cafes and singing culture

Being relatively isolated from the rest of the city, the Jordaan has developed a truly unique culture, which is mostly evident in its music. Get to know the local heroes of the Jordaan and their significance today. End up in one of the neighborhood’s oldest bar with a ‘pikketanussie’ (Dutch gin). The Jordaan Tour gives you a great insight into what Amsterdam is all about.

Tour reviews

  • star rating  This was a fascinating and informative tour. The shocking reality of the Second World War is so close to the surface in Amsterdam; important historical events happened on almost every... read more

    Traveler188590
    March 1, 2020
  • star rating  This was an amazing walking tour of Rembrandt’s steps, where he lived, about his work, the good and bad, etc. It was extremely informative and our guide was Tijs who... read more

    Viviana K
    August 1, 2020
  • star rating  I really enjoyed my morning walking tour of the canal district with Historical Tours Amsterdam. Tijs’ knowledge of the city is amazing and he explains fascinating historical details clearly... read more

    212claret
    March 3, 2020
  • star rating  Tijs our guide was fantastic, very knowledgeable and interesting. In a short hours we already got all the information and history of Amsterdam, let us know more about Amsterdam this... read more

    avatar thumb hazelo643
    March 9, 2018
  • star rating  Very informative tour about the Jewish history in Amsterdam from various angles and centuries. Tijs has a way to tell the stories in an interesting way, pointing out details and... read more

    avatar thumb Caroline S
    February 26, 2018

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