Weekends in Amsterdam Guide: 13 X local tips for this weekend

In this Amsterdam Jordaan Guide we share our personal tips to explore like a local. The Jordaan district in Amsterdam is known for its cozy and authentic atmosphere. And it’s also one of the few parts of the city center where locals also really love to hang out too. What I really love about the Jordaan is that you can truly feel the history of the city there. Just wander around in the narrow streets and check out the small boutiques, great restaurants and authentic brown cafes. In this neighbourhood you can find a mix of artists, students and young entrepreneurs, but also the ‘original Amsterdammers’.

The coolest streets in this neighbourhood are de Westerstraat, Tweede Anjeliersdwarsstraat, Tweede Tuinstraat and Tweede Egelantiersdwarsstraat. Here you can find restaurants that represent kitchens from all over the world. Because of the many Italian restaurants soms parts of the Jordaan are often referred to as Amsterdam’s Little Italy. In this Amsterdam Jordaan Guide I listed some of my favourite places in the neighbourhood.

The Noordermarkt is a must visit in the Jordaan

The heart of the Jordaan area is a square called the ‘Noordermarkt’. A great place to visit on Monday morning when there’s a flea market full of trinkets and vintage. Are you in Amsterdam during the weekend? Then make sure to visit the Noordermarkt on Saturday when there’s a lovely farmers market. I often go there to buy seasonal produce, but also for great locally made cheeses and fresh oysters. What I really love about the Noordermarkt is that there are also some market stalls that sell bites to eat on the spot. Did you know we even use the abbreviation ‘NOMA’ when we talk about the Noordermarkt?

And is you are into local markets just as much as I am, then make sure to also visit the weekly market at the Westerstraat and Lindengracht. It’s not a secret that Winkel43 in the corner of the Noordermarkt sells the best Dutch apple pie in town. Yes there are many tourists there but it’s not a tourist trap, as a local I can’t resist eating a piece when I’m there!

 | TIP: make sure to check out our Amsterdam Weekend Guide with weekly tips, the Amsterdam Bucketlist and Your Little Black Book’s neighbourhood guide.

Amsterdam Jordaan Guide: Our favourite hotels

TOP LUXURY // €€€
☾ Pulitzer Amsterdam: on the canals at the border of the Nine Streets and the Jordaan.
☾ The Dylan: close to the Jordaan and with top-notch restaurants and bars.
VERY VERY NICE // €€
☾ The Hoxton: favourite lifestyle hotel right on the canals with a great all day bar.
☾ Hotel Mercier: pretty new hotel in the cosy and historic Jordaan district.
☾ Conscious Hotel Westerpark: in a beautiful building at the industrial Westergas area.
AFFORDABLE (FOR AMSTERDAM PRICES) // €
☾ Max Brown: just a few blocks from the Noordermarkt.
☾ Mr. Jordaan: budget design in the heart of the Jordaan.

our shortlist with the best things to do near the jordaan in amsterdam

(DIGITAL) ART EXPERIENCES IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Fabrique des Lumières
⋙ NXT Museum
⋙ STRAAT street art museum
⋙ MOCO Museum for street and modern art
⋙ Amaze, an audiovisual labyrint
FOOD EXPERIENCES | AMSTERDAM JORDAAN GUIDE:
⋙ Food Tasting Tour of Jordaan area
⋙ Sightseeing Boat Cruise with unlimited drinks
⋙ Pancake Cruise
⋙ Micro Brewery Beer Tasting Tour
BEST BIKE TOURS IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Fatbike e-bike tour (also to Amsterdam North)
⋙ Rent a bike by yourself and explore like a local
⋙ 3 hour biketour: backstreets & hidden gems
FIRST TIME VISIT TO AMSTERDAM – MUST SEE & DO’S:
⋙ Private Canal Boat Tour
⋙ Rijksmuseum with the Dutch masters
⋙ Van Gogh Museum, a staple in Amsterdam
⋙ Stedelijk Museum for modern art lovers
⋙ Canal Cruise in the evening
DAY TRIPS FROM AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Get out of town and into the Dutch country side of Giethoorn
⋙ Outside of Amsterdam: windmills & Zaanse Schans
⋙ Drive-it-Yourself Tulip Fields GPS Audio Tour
⋙ Catch a direct train from Amsterdam to Antwerp, Brussels, London or Paris, starting at € 20,-! Check tickets & prices >>
AMSTERDAM TRAVEL GUIDE WITH KIDS:
⋙ Visit Artis Royal Zoo
⋙ Go an a bike tour with the kids 
⋙ NEMO Science Museum
SPIRNG / SUMMER IN AMSTERDAM JORDAAN GUIDE:
⋙ Paddle board tour on the canals
⋙ Go for a kayak-tour in Amsterdam
FALL / WINTER IN AMSTERDAM:
⋙ Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour
⋙ Amsterdam Light Festival bike tour 

| TIP: Buy an I amsterdam City Card. Save money on entrance fees to museums and attractions, public transport and profit from discounts on everything from restaurants to concerts. You can also skip some lines to make the most of your time in Amsterdam! You can buy a card for 24 hours up to 120 hours. Check the prices here >>

Follow Your Little Black Book on Instagram

I really hope you enjoy your time in town with this Amsterdam City Guide! On my Instagram account @yourlbb and @yourlbb.amsterdam you can find more recommendations and new hotspots in town.