Explore the Jordaan

This tranquil haven on the edge of the Nine Streets area is made up of 25 beautifully restored 17th- and 18th-century canalside houses, and has its own saloon boat canal tour. Pull up a leather stool at the bar for some of the best cocktails in town.

Named after the Carthusian monastery formerly in this location, this is one of the city’s finest courtyard almshouses. Turn off an unassuming Jordaan street into its secret garden to be transported back to 1650, when it was built.

The city’s first photography museum, in two converted town houses, is the opposite of an impersonal ‘white cube’. This atmospheric space mounts four exhibitions a year, either from its own collection or by visiting artists.

From Dutch-style apple/bacon/stroop flapjacks to poffertjes (mini pancakes) or an American stack – this specialist restaurant flips a mean pancake. Fun fact: it uses artisan flour from a proper Dutch windmill.

All dairy lovers say cheese! Mild or mature, cow’s, ewe’s or goat’s, with nettles, truffles, sea lavender, cloves or cumin… De Kaaskamer sells more than 350 varieties of the yellow stuff, as well as lunch-time rolls and obscenely good five-cheese toasties.

The capital’s former gas works-turned-events complex has hosted dos from Fashion Week to house parties, arthouse screenings to talk show recordings. The Ketelhuis cinema and Mossel & Gin food bar are worth seeking out.

The Swedes have hygge, the Dutch gezellig – and it doesn’t get much cosier than this stalwart brown café. Enjoy a vaasje (‘little vase’ of lager) or ice-cold genever to the typically Jordaanese tear-jerking soundtrack the area’s famous for.

If the oompah sound isn’t your thing but you still fancy a singalong, adjourn to this fun and friendly karaoke bar to belt out a tune or two. There are songs in ten languages, so bring your friends from all over!