Outrageously rich Jordaan
Stand by a canal and pick a house you’d like to live in. Now for the harder question. What would you have had to do for a living to own it four hundred years ago? And why does the answer change once you cross a bridge? Keep that in mind as we walk through the Jordaan and even the prettiest façade starts to give something away.
What we’ll see and talk about
The canal banks. We’ll start with Amsterdam’s grander side and look at how merchants put their fortunes on display. What can you guess about someone from the front of their house?
Noordermarkt and the streets around it. Time to switch perspectives. Imagine living by the market, running a workshop and knowing your neighbours by name.
The Jordaan backstreets. We’ll leave the broad canals for residential lanes and look for what remains of the old working-class quarter, and what changed as it became an address people dream about.
Why go
Look past the pretty façades and you’ll find people, money and work. Two houses a few minutes apart can tell completely different stories.
Who it’s for
For anyone who’s seen the centre and wants to know why Amsterdammers love the Jordaan. And for anyone who’s looked at a canal house and wondered who on earth can afford it.
What makes it different
We follow one contrast through the neighbourhood. The wealth used to be across the canal. What happened when the old working-class district became a coveted address in its own right?
How it works
This is a separate walk through the Jordaan and the edge of the canal belt. We’ll agree the time, meeting point and duration once you choose a date.
Price & practical details
The base price covers 1–6 guests. Each additional guest from the seventh costs €20. We confirm group size according to the route’s rules.
Questions & answers
Can you adapt the route to our interests?
Of course. It’s your private tour, not a school trip with a compulsory itinerary. Tell us what interests you and we’ll adapt the route as far as the time and city rules allow.
Are the tours suitable for children?
Yes. We don’t have to discuss 17th-century architecture for two solid hours if you’re bringing a child. Tell us their ages and we’ll adapt the pace and topics. We’ll discuss Amsterdam after dark separately: that one has its own considerations.
What happens if it rains during a walking tour?
Bring a jacket and comfortable shoes. Good advice here in any season. Light rain doesn’t cancel a tour. If the weather turns properly nasty, we’ll discuss what to do.
