Jordaan & Negen Straatjes

This walk leads you through a part of Amsterdam full of historical canal houses and original stores, and has something for everyone. If you love shopping, then go on a Monday, starting at the Noordermarkt. If you prefer peace and quiet, then opt for a Sunday, when this part of town is still bathed in tranquility. The Jordaan and Negen Straatjes are without a doubt one of the most beautiful areas of Amsterdam, with numerous scenic views of bridges and canals.



Haarlemmerstraat is often mentioned as one of the favorite shopping streets of the Netherlands. It has a huge variety of unique boutiques and specialty food shops, as well as many charming lunch spots. Then you can continue to Prinseneiland, an often-overlooked part of Amsterdam that is quite beautiful. Here you can enjoy peace and quiet away from the throngs of tourists, and admire the scenic drawbridges and small winding streets.



Then head for the Jordaan, where you can explore a maze of interesting little streets with plenty of classic Amsterdam pubs. Westerstraat is a busier street, where many new restaurants have opened up in recent years. On the corner of the Noordermarkt stop at Winkel 43, which is said to serve the best apple pie in the city.



Continue walking to Elandsgracht, where the Dutch levenslied (tear-jerker beer ballad) is honored. Farther on, you'll find the Negen Straatjes (Nine Little Streets). These streets run parallel to one another between the canals and are considered Amsterdam's finest shopping district, with unique boutiques, delicatessens, home decor stores, and lovely cafés.

Of all our Amsterdam walks, this one is the most touristy, featuring places for which the city is famous, such as the Red Light District, multicultural Zeedijk, and canal district. Varied and with a rich history, this walk leads through both busy and quieter areas. It's quite long, so you can also split it in two by walking back down the Oudezijds Achterburgwal when you’ve gone halfway to reach the starting point.



The Zeedijk runs through Amsterdam's Chinatown, where the air is thick with the scent of Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese eateries and the streets are lined with Asian grocery stores. You'll also find Buddhist temple Fo Guang Shan He Hue here, Europe's largest temple built in the traditional Chinese palace style. Continue to the Nieuwmarkt, where you can stop for a drink at one of the nice sidewalk cafés. Farther on you'll reach Waterlooplein, home to the best known flea market of the Netherlands. Here lovers of vintage items can shop till they drop at over 300 different market stalls.



You will pass plenty of lesser-known museums on this walk, including the Rembrandthuis, Hermitage, Geelvinck Hinlopen Huis and Amsterdam Museum. At photography museum Foam expect to see works by big names like Erwin Olaf and Jim Goldberg, as well as displays by new talent. There are usually as many as three or four exhibitions on at the same time.



Because of the many museums along the way, this route is best suited for a daytime walk. If you're up for a little more fun at the end of the day, then finish in the famous Red Light District (Wallen) with a beer tasting at Brouwerij de Prael.