The Jordaan area is a beautiful part of Amsterdam – it's easygoing and peaceful, with lots of bars, restaurants and attractive little shops. With its maze of little streets and canals – this is definitely one area of the city to put on your sightseeing itinerary.

Jordaan was formerly a working class area now very sought after. It was built during the large expansion of Amsterdam during the early 17th century. During these times the area was very poor with large families cramped into small houses and slums. The whole area was constructed around shapes of the paths and ditches already there. Unfortunately, this isolated the Jordaan from the rest of the city. It was not until 1924 a tram provided a connection to the city centre. The low rents along with the inviting atmosphere attracted artists to the area to settle. The area is now inhabited mainly by the well-to-do business men and women and is now one of the most attractive districts of Amsterdam.

The Noordermarkt hosts a flea market, and on Saturdays local farmers join this market selling their produce out of the back of their own cars. One of the main reasons for the growing popularity of this area were the songs written about Jordaan by the locals living there at the time. Local pubs still have live singers singing about the area and its past.

The Jordaan is home to lots of modern art galleries and the famous Anne Frank House.