Jordaan

"What began as a working-class bastion of artists, immigrants, and construction workers — many employed to dig the canals of the Grachtengordel — has evolved into an upscale neighborhood filled with young bohemians and artsy professionals. With its cobbled streets, gabled homes, and tree-lined canals, Jordaan is a postcard picture with a mix of art galleries, sidewalk bistros, and trendy boutiques. An impoverished Rembrandt lived here toward the end of his life, as did the Holocaust’s most famous diarist and her family before they were hauled away by the Nazis.In the Jordaan’s maze of narrow streets, find such quirky attractions as Het Oud-Hollandsch Snoepwinkeltje, an old-fashioned candy boutique that stocks dozens of flavors of drop, a kind of licorice that’s the Netherlands’ national sweet. Discover a collection of automated pianos at the tiny Pianola Museum. Take a break at Café Chris, a typical brown cafe (so called due to its nicotine-stained walls that hark back to the pre-smoking ban era) that’s been serving Dutch beer to locals since 1624. If you’re in the neighborhood on a Saturday, browse for specialty foods at the Lindengracht Market. On Mondays, hunt for new and second-hand treasures at the Noordermarkt." - MATADOR_NETWORK