Although we did not have time to explore Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter, this will definitely be on the bucket list with a return trip to the city. Centered around the Jodenbuurt neighborhood in the eastern part of the city center (where the Rembrandt House Museum is also located), Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter offers visitors a profound glimpse into centuries of Jewish life in the Netherlands. This historic area tells stories of vibrant community life, devastating loss during World War II, and remarkable cultural preservation. Here’s a guide to the most significant attractions that make this quarter essential for anyone wanting to understand Amsterdam’s rich heritage.
Portuguese Synagogue
Perhaps the most visually striking building in the quarter, the Portuguese Synagogue (Esnoga) has stood since 1675 and remains virtually unchanged. Built by Sephardic Jews who fled the Iberian Peninsula, this massive brick structure still conducts services by candlelight, just as it did over three centuries ago. The interior features enormous brass chandeliers, wooden benches, and sand-covered floors following ancient tradition. Visitors are often awed by the sense of stepping directly into the 17th century.
Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cost: Around €17 for adults (combined ticket with Jewish Museum available).
Jewish Historical Museum
Housed in four former Ashkenazi synagogues dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, this museum provides comprehensive context for Jewish life in the Netherlands. The exhibits cover everything from religious practices and daily life to the devastating impact of the Holocaust, when approximately 75% of Dutch Jews were murdered. The Children’s Museum section is particularly engaging for families, offering interactive exhibits about Jewish culture and traditions.
Time needed: 2 to 3 hours Cost: Around €17 for adults; combined tickets with the Portuguese Synagogue offer better value.
National Holocaust Museum
Opened recently in the former teacher training college across from the Portuguese Synagogue, this museum focuses specifically on the persecution of Dutch Jews during World War II. It’s a deeply moving experience that personalizes the statistics through individual stories, photographs, and artifacts. The museum doesn’t shy away from difficult questions about Dutch complicity and resistance.
Time needed: 2 hours. Cost: Around €17 for adults.
Hollandsche Schouwburg (Dutch Theater)
This former theater served as the primary assembly point for Amsterdam’s Jews before deportation to transit camps and ultimately death camps. Today it functions as a memorial site, with a courtyard featuring an eternal flame and walls inscribed with the names of over 6,700 murdered Jewish children. The exhibition spaces document how this cultural venue was transformed into an instrument of genocide.
Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cost: Free admission.
Hermitage Amsterdam (Former Jewish Quarter Location)
While not exclusively focused on Jewish history, the Hermitage occupies a building with significant connections to the quarter and regularly features relevant exhibitions. The building itself, the former Amstelhof, has been part of the neighborhood’s fabric for centuries.
Time needed: 1.5 to 2 hours Cost: Varies by exhibition, typically €15-20.
Waterlooplein Flea Market
This daily market (closed Sundays) has operated in various forms since the 19th century and was historically the commercial heart of the Jewish Quarter. Before the war, this area bustled with Jewish merchants. Today it’s a vibrant flea market where you can find everything from vintage clothing to antiques to quirky collectibles, offering a more lighthearted experience amid the quarter’s heavier historical sites.
Time needed: 30 minutes to 1 hour. Cost: Free to browse.
Planning Your Visit
For a thorough exploration of the Jewish Quarter, plan for a full day. Many visitors find the experience emotionally intense given the Holocaust history, so allowing time to process and reflect is important. The area is easily walkable, and the attractions are concentrated within about a 15-minute radius.
Consider purchasing combination tickets, which are available for the Portuguese Synagogue and Jewish Historical Museum together, offering savings over individual admission. The Holland Pass or I Amsterdam City Card also provide discounts or free entry to some locations as do tours with Viator.
The Jewish Quarter represents one of Amsterdam’s most historically significant neighborhoods, where centuries of cultural richness and unspeakable tragedy coexist. These sites collectively ensure that the stories of Dutch Jewish life—its vibrancy, its destruction, and its persistence—continue to be told for generations to come.
