Smalle straatjes van de Jordaan

Description of the place
The narrow streets of the Jordaan form the beating heart of this iconic Amsterdam district. Walk through little streets such as the Eerste Tuindwarsstraat, Tweede Goudsbloemdwarsstraat or the Lindengracht and you discover a maze of small alleys, hidden courtyards (hofjes), boutiques, galleries and cosy cafés. The houses stand close together and the streets wind just a little differently than in the rest of the canal belt, giving the Jordaan an intimate, village-like atmosphere. It is precisely here that you experience why so many Amsterdammers and visitors fall in love with the district: around every corner another new, photogenic spot awaits. The narrow streets invite you to wander around without a plan and let yourself be surprised by the history and conviviality of the neighbourhood.
Where does that character come from?
The narrow streets arose in the early 17th century during the expansion of Amsterdam. They were largely laid out along existing ditches and country lanes of the old polder land, which is why the street pattern is less rigid than that of the famous canal belt. The district was intended for craftsmen and labourers, with compact homes and narrow streets where living and working went hand in hand.
Fun fact
Did you know that behind many of these streets even narrower passages were once hidden? Some were barely a metre wide and led to small courtyards and workers’ dwellings. Most of these passages have disappeared, but they tell the story of the densely populated Jordaan of the past – a district where neighbours literally lived door to door.