Jordaan - De Looier, Amsterdam

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Its area is slightly more than 2 km and is a maze of small streets that give this area its special appeal. Above is famous for its hidden gardens, which once used to hang clothes or bleached in the sun and they do not like to talk much so that it retains its charm with the arrival of tourists. Its name comes from the word garden, which is quite likely if we realize the name of some of its streets, referring to flowers or plants.

Su extensión es de algo mas de 2 km y es un laberinto de pequeñas calles que dan a esta zona su especial atractivo. Sobretodo tiene fama por sus jardines escondidos, que antaño se utilizaban para tender la ropa o blanquearlas al sol y de los que no les gusta hablar mucho para que no pierda su encanto con el llegar de los turistas. Su nombre procede de la palabra jardín, algo bastante probable si nos percatarnos del nombre de algunas de sus calles, referentes a flores o plantas.

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It's the place real Amsterdammers live.

A good startpoint is a place the locals named The Johnny Jordaanplein (at the South of the middle of the Nine little streets).
There you find the statues of the local singers Johnny Jordaan and Tante Leen and musicians Johnny Meijer and Manke Nelis.

In 2010 a new statue was added: Bolle Jan and tante Mien; it was unveiled by their son Rene Froger (also a Dutch singer).

In the nearby café you can sing along with the local Dutch songs.

At the Westerkerk church (Singel canal side) a plaque of the famous singer Willy Alberti can be found.

The statue of another famous Dutch singer, André Hazes, is not located in the Jordaan area, but at the Albert Cuyp street market in "De Pijp" city quarter.

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There are 4 statues of famous folk singers including Johnny Jordaan and Tante Leon---check out the website if you are interested in details of these singers who detailed life in the Jordaan----sometimes they have free music or other entertainment here in the park during good weather on weekends---

I knew of Johnny Jordaan and Tante Lien from listening to the radio from Holland many years ago. Not that I understood many of the words but listening to the music each time I was transported back to Amsterdam - there is no music like it in the English speaking world - accordions and earthy highly accented vocals and all I can describe as instantly recognisable Dutch melodies - you just know it comes from Holland. I suppose this is the equivalent of Jacques Brel and Paris or Ian Drury and London.
So in the Jordaan area near Elandsgracht is a square dedicated to this singer and his band colleagues. If you are Dutch you will know of him and I doubt many non Dutch people know o him but if you want to listen to music that reminds you of Amsterdam search out his songs. All in Dutch of course but even if like me you do not understand the words it does not matter - its the feel of the music that matters.
Slightly run down with litter everywhere and some shady looking young men hanging around but there is a busy street next to it and I was not worried.

Nowadays the Jordaan is compared to the rest of the town an oasis of peace with a labyrinth of narrow streets and little canals, nice for strolling around courtyards, art studios, and monumental buildings with stone tablets, oldfashioned ‘brown’ pubs, boutiques or galleries.
Hundreds of artist discovered the Jordaan in the 70th because of the low rent of houses in these little streets ...
In one word: lovely!

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It is such a short walk from the city centre, I understand that it used to be a rough and ready working-class area but all I saw were local yuppies jogging around the narrow streets, listening to their iPods. :-) It is a residential district, but it has so much character & life to it. It is a good place to cycle around if you want to do that.

A former working class area which has become very popular with well-to-do people as well! You will find a colorful mixture of original 'Jordanezen', students, business people and creatives. The area is amazing to stroll around: no major sights, just the atmosphere is great! Easygoing and peaceful, lots of bars, restaurants and interesting little shops.

The tranquil side of Amsterdam, away from the main touristc areas. It was just lovely getting lost amongst the canals and the narrow lanes. We spent time nosing into the little boutiques and quirky shops and taking plenty of pictures of the houses that are all higldy pigidly!