Play at your pace · usually 106 min 3 km Amsterdam App-guided
Play in
English
The experience
About this quest
Discover the famous 400-years-old Jordaan, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Amsterdam.
Learn about the turbulent history of this working-class area, known for generations as Amsterdam's slum. Uncover local music and the neighborhood's dark side by exploring changes wrought from the terrible war. You will even visit the hideouts of those desperate to survive.
Are you ready to solve the mystery of the lost houses of Jordaan?
Is this for you?
Who it's for
Couples and first-time visitors who want to see the Jordaan on foot in daylight will get a 3 km walk past canals, courtyards and markets, with the story of a working-class district told stop by stop. It also suits families with older children and anyone visiting the Anne Frank House, where the route begins. Since the story covers the war and people forced into hiding, parents of very young children may prefer a lighter quest.
What makes this quest special
Highlights
Visit secret courtyards of the Jordaan
See the Anne Frank House, where Anne and her family hid for over 2 years
Learn about the once filthy canals
Explore the neighborhood's narrow streets and beautiful canals
From people who played this quest
Good times. In their words.
4.37 / 5 ★
161 player ratings
Selected player reviews. Original words and ratings.
Most relevant starts with detailed five-star reviews. All ratings remain available.
From your phone to the streets
A walk that turns into an adventure.
1
Open the app. You’re on your way.
Choose your pass, then open your quest in the Questo app. It guides you from the starting point.
2
Get outside. Follow your curiosity.
Discover real places and their stories on foot. Stop for a coffee or a photo, then pick up where you left off.
3
Crack a clue. Share a little victory.
Look around for answers, solve puzzles and enjoy the “we got it!” moments.
A school trip, a team day or friends out together. Turn your next outing into a little friendly competition.
●●●VS●●●
Team vs team
Use your own phones and join a team. Any teammate’s answer advances everyone. Beat the other teams on the leaderboard.
● VS ●
Everyone for themselves
One player per phone. Solve clues on your own and race for the top spot on the final leaderboard.
Can a team share one phone?
Yes. Play together on one phone per team, or use your own phones and join the same team in the app. We recommend your own phones so everyone can take part.
Discover places through stories and clues in the app
Guided walking tour
Hear stories and ask a guide questions
2 / 4
Pace
This quest
Pause for a photo, a café or a longer look
Guided walking tour
Usually follows the guide’s schedule
3 / 4
Company
This quest
Explore with your own people or on your own
Guided walking tour
Private and shared group tours are available
4 / 4
Guidance
This quest
Directions and challenges in the Questo app
Guided walking tour
Live interpretation from a guide
Features and terms vary by experience. Check the details before booking.
Good to know before you play
Best during the day
Best for couples
Recommended activity for families
A little clarity before you go
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in the Jordaan in Amsterdam?
After starting at the Anne Frank Statue and Anne Frank House, the route continues to Prinsengracht 70, Noordermarkt, Het Papeneiland, Brouwersgracht, Het Raepenhofje, Lindengracht, the Coöperatieve Vereniging and Westerstraat, then finishes at Bloemgracht. At each stop the app tells the story of the place and sets a puzzle based on what is in front of you.
Is the Anne Frank House part of this Jordaan walk?
Yes. The walk starts at the Anne Frank Statue, and the Anne Frank House is the second stop before the route heads into the Jordaan streets. It works well if you plan to visit the house itself before or after you play.
What is the Jordaan known for?
The Jordaan is around 400 years old and one of Amsterdam's oldest neighbourhoods. For generations it was a working-class area known as the city's slum. The quest covers its local music, the changes brought by the war and the hideouts of people desperate to survive.
Where does it start and finish, and how long does it take?
You start at the Anne Frank Statue and finish at Bloemgracht. The route is about 3 km, and most players take just under two hours including walking and puzzles. You can start whenever you like, and you can pause and continue later.
Is it good for families and groups?
It is recommended for families and works best with older children, who can follow the history and help with the puzzles. Because it deals with the war and hiding, younger children may find parts of it heavy. One ticket covers the whole group playing together.
Is Highlights of Jordaan Amsterdam: The Cursed Houses self-guided?
Yes. The Questo app guides you between locations without a tour guide or fixed departure. You can start when it suits you and pause if needed.
Where does Highlights of Jordaan Amsterdam: The Cursed Houses start and finish?
It starts at Anne Frank Statue, Westermarkt 74, 1016 DL Amsterdam, Netherlands and finishes at Bloemgracht, Bloemgracht, Amsterdam, Netherlands. The route is approximately 3 km and includes 11 location-based puzzles.
How many accesses does our group need?
This classic quest sells access per device and player. Each person who wants to solve clues on their own phone needs their own access.
From a working-class district to a protected city landscape
The Jordaan developed during Amsterdam’s 17th-century expansion as a dense district for workers and immigrants. Later clearance, preservation and gentrification changed its population and streets, while courtyards and narrow houses preserve parts of its earlier fabric. The cursed-house narrative is fictional; the neighborhood’s social history is the real layer beneath the route. Playable languages: English.