We arrived in Amsterdam from New York City on little sleep, early and subdued after a red-eye flight. It was my partner’s first time in the city, and my second – but I’d decided this trip would have a different pace. Disinterested in ticking off Red District landmarks or retracing old café steps – what I wanted for our long weekend away (from a Friday morning to Monday afternoon in mid-August), was a quieter kind of introduction for myself and for him: one that allowed space for the charming Dutch capital to unfold on its own terms.
The only car ride of our trip was an Uber from the airport to our highly anticipated Airbnb. Upon our arrival, the warm and friendly host named Jantine (who lives in the apartment upstairs) welcomed us to the ground-floor flat in one of Jordaan’s historic 19th-century buildings with a brown-hued facade. The flat itself (dubbed by Jantine as “Studio Kool”) used to be a local shop, and you can still see traces of its past in the old terrazzo flooring in the bathroom, worn smooth with time. Now a small, self-contained studio, it has just enough room for two people (or any solo traveler) to linger in for a while.
Inside, we were greeted by a soft, clean palette: muted neutrals, pale woods, and whites that gave way to texture rather than colour. A large, street-facing window (with curtains and shades for privacy when needed) anchors the seating area with two modern, understated chairs placed just beneath it. These became our unofficial staging ground – light jackets tossed over the backs, coffee cups balanced on our knees as we watched the neighbourhood hum outside. The window, marked by a distinctive circular hanging design, also offered a charming view from the street – our hint that we’d returned to our little hideaway.
To the left of the seating nook is a small, light wooden dining table. It was here that we found our welcome gifts: a bottle of wine, savoury crackers, and a mini tray of thoughtfully chosen business cards – local restaurants, bakeries, art galleries, all handpicked by Jantine. A cheese knife, small cutting board, and utensils sat ready on the table, along with a curated Amsterdam guidebook from atelier Sukha, filled with neighbourhood finds. Subtle hints of tasteful design complete the studio: A simple, chic light bulb fixture suspends from a secure cord above the table. Scandi-style prints hang throughout.
The layout flows from front to back in one continuous space, with no doors or dividers into the “bedroom” and “kitchen.” A small, open-faced kitchenette faces the bed – and while not ideal for cooking full meals, it worked perfectly for morning teas and afternoon snacks. Two long wooden shelves above the counter hold grey ceramic plates from Nepal, white bowls, glasses, and essentials like tea, coffee, salt, and oats. Both an electric kettle and teapot sit on the counter, next to a pour-over glass coffee carafe with a wooden collar. In the cabinet at the bottom right of the sink, there’s a mini-fridge, which we used for restaurant leftovers and our slowly-sipped, gifted wine. Beside the kitchenette – a compact hanging closet area with hangers, sized to hang a small array of wrinkle-prone items, as well as our checked suitcase and a carry-on underneath. A small candle completes the nightstand, and a locker-esque styled cabinet sits adjacent to the dining table for extra clothing storage.
The cosy double bed is topped with linen duvets and a wood-toned throw blanket. It nearly hugs the tall, floor-to-ceiling glass terrace doors, dressed with long, sheer white curtains that filter sunlight throughout the day. With just the right amount of privacy and soft light, the curtains never made the space feel dim or enclosed. (Not to mention, full blackout shades would’ve been dangerous in our sleepy, jet-lagged state.) Also bedside, a vintage-style chest held the hammock, which was stored neatly and easy to pull out whenever we wanted. The terrace – our little, lush, green nook – was overgrown in a quaint and romantic way, with plants framing the patio and softening the already-light sounds of the city. Like clockwork, this space became my afternoon spot for rest and relaxation. After our long walks, exploring, I’d hang up the hammock, lie back, read or relax, and sway with light falling on my face. From that position, I could look through the terrace doors and see my partner curled up in bed, wrapped in linen, slipping into a cosiest nap. And separately, ideal for morning coffees to evening wines, a small, outdoor round table sat ready with two chairs.
The choice of booking this rental in Jordaan felt instinctive – the desirable district is said to be isolated enough from the tourist bustle while still being within walking distance to pretty much anywhere. And amidst our four-day trip, the neighbourhood proved just that: It’s the kind of place where you open the door in the morning and find a café with flaky, warm croissants; where older women lock up bikes with one hand and carry a book or fresh produce in the other. The streets are narrow and cobbled – some barely wide enough for a car – with scenic brick townhouses that line the canals. That said, Jordaan is dotted with small boutiques, galleries, and independent cafés that are best explored on foot.It’s a neighbourhood where you can spend hours wandering over and around the canals, browsing vintage shops, and street markets (the Northern Market – or Noordenmarkt was around the corner from the flat), or sipping coffee in one of the many cosy cafés that seem to have no end.
In fact, on our second morning, we opened our door to find a lively market had set up right on our street. To our surprise, the local Lindegracht Market had arrived (as it does every Saturday) with more than 200 stalls of fresh food from various cuisines, vintage clothing (memorably, stacks of well-kept second-hand Levi’s and Lee jeans), loads of vinyl, and other quirky flea market-esque finds. My partner and I were simply shocked and delighted at how much was happening quite literally at our doorstep. It wasn’t until we stepped outside of the flat that we realised the market was happening just a few feet away; otherwise, our cosy morning inside remained blissfully quiet.
We wandered aimlessly from the base most days. Walking south brought us into De Negen Straatjes (or, the Nine Streets) – a grid of cobbled lanes lined with independent boutique shops and restaurants. A little further east, Centrum beckoned with its layered chaos – great for a dose of energy but even better to leave behind. One day we strolled all the way to De Pijp and back – which is about 40 minutes each way on foot, each way, from our flat. We stopped along canals for people-watching, found some new wardrobe stables in second-hand shops, and of course, headed to Rudi’s for the city’s freshly made stroopwafels (you’ll smell the sugar from a few blocks away). Eventually we visited the Red Light District, but only as a deliberate afterthought – midday, on our last full day. It was exactly as expected: loud, blinking, and buzzing with tourists. A fine contrast, perhaps—we realised just how much we valued the quieter, more authentic rhythm of our days near the Airbnb.
Less than a 10-minute walk to some of the neighbourhood’s buzziest, highly-acclaimed restaurant and lounge spaces, evenings were simple and memorable. One night we stumbled into Calisto for an intimate, slow-paced, and mouth-watering dinner. Café Parlotte was one of the most memorable meals – with an incredible clam dish and thoughtful wine list. A few doors down, Sins of Sal was top-notch for unique, craft cocktails. With a large open facade and alluring red-hued light, we were captivated by the dark and moody vibe – as well as the friendliness of the owner who gave us a huge list of nearby recommendations.
Amsterdam is an easy city to fall in love with, but staying in trendy Jordaan makes it even easier. And perhaps it was waking up in our tastefully-designed, light-filled abode – but life moved refreshingly slowly on our Airbnb’s street of Lindengracht. It was easy to notice laundry lines, corner florists, and a wine glass left on a windowsill. This quaint base offers the best of both worlds: the convenience of being close to the city’s main attractions and the luxury of a quiet, comfortable space to return to at the end of the day. If you’re looking for an easy, breezy, and simply stylish home to explore Amsterdam, this oasis of an Airbnb is the kind of place you’ll want to return to again and again.