Sint Andrieshofje courtyard is a small 17th-century almshouse court at Egelantiersgracht 105, 1015 RG Amsterdam, in the western Jordaan. Founded in 1614 and built in 1617 for Roman Catholic elderly women, this quiet residential hofje draws visitors for its canal-side gateway, intimate garden court and unusually well-preserved early-Amsterdam character.
What to Expect at Sint Andrieshofje courtyard
Sint Andrieshofje is among Amsterdam’s oldest surviving hofjes; only the Begijnhof is older. Its establishment was discreet by necessity: Catholic institutions were prohibited at the time, so no formal foundation deed survives, and the property remained in family ownership throughout the 17th century. The almshouse’s name is painted above the entrance, a modest but important clue to the site’s charitable origin and Catholic identity.
Pass through the unassuming street door with consideration for residents. A blue-and-white Delft-tiled passage leads to the enclosed court, where small brick dwellings face garden beds and an old hand water pump. This is not a museum or a landscaped public park: there is no ticket desk, audio guide, café, shop or cloakroom. Its appeal is the scale of the place—the contrast between the busy Egelantiersgracht and a court planned around domestic quiet. Take photographs discreetly, avoid photographing homes or residents, and keep conversations low.
- 1617 almshouse buildings: Early brick residences around a compact communal court, created for Catholic elderly women.
- Painted entrance name: Look above the gateway for the Sint Andrieshofje inscription identifying the historic institution.
- Delft-tiled passage: The short blue-and-white tiled approach makes the transition from canal street to enclosed garden especially memorable.
- Old water pump: The courtyard pump is a surviving piece of the hofje’s practical shared infrastructure.
- Egelantiersgracht setting: Pair the visit with a slow walk along one of the Jordaan’s handsome residential canals.
Sint Andrieshofje courtyard at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Egelantiersgracht 105, 1015 RG Amsterdam |
| Neighborhood / Area | Jordaan, Amsterdam-Centrum |
| Operating Hours | Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm; closed Sunday. Resident access and maintenance can affect entry. |
| Admission / Price Range | Free; there are no ticket sales. This is a residential hofje, not a conventional attraction. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 15 to 25 minutes, or longer when combined with a Jordaan canal walk. |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Tram 13 and 17 to Westermarkt or Rozengracht; Q-Park Europarking on Marnixstraat is about a 10-minute walk. |
| Official Website & Phone | No dedicated public visitor website or phone is published. |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Arrive soon after the 10am opening time or in mid-afternoon on a weekday, when the surrounding Jordaan lanes are generally calmer than at the weekend. There is no booking system and no guided-tour desk. Treat the court as people’s home rather than a sightseeing set: do not ring residents’ bells, block the passage, sit on private steps or fly a drone. The restricted scale means a brief, attentive stop is more appropriate than a prolonged visit.
From Amsterdam Centraal, tram 13 or 17 brings you toward the Jordaan; alight at Westermarkt and walk northwest via the canals, or use the Rozengracht stop and approach from the south. The historic entrance and narrow tiled passage are not designed as a modern step-free route, while courtyard surfaces may be uneven; wheelchair users and visitors with strollers should view the gateway from Egelantiersgracht and plan on limited interior maneuvering. Within a 5-to-15-minute walk are the Anne Frank House, Westerkerk and its tower, and Noordermarkt’s square and market area. The Nine Streets shopping lanes begin just across the Prinsengracht for cafés and independent shops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours, and when is the best time to visit?
Sint Andrieshofje courtyard is listed as open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm and closed Sunday. Visit near opening on a weekday for the least foot traffic, and always respect any temporary closure or resident-only restriction at the gate.
Does Sint Andrieshofje courtyard charge admission or require a reservation?
There is no admission charge, timed ticket or reservation system. Access is a courtesy within a living historic almshouse, so a free visit does not guarantee entry beyond the passage or gate.
How much time should I allow for the hofje?
Allow 15 to 25 minutes to notice the painted gateway, tiled passage, pump and courtyard architecture. Add an hour or two if you are walking the Egelantiersgracht, nearby canals, Westerkerk and Noordermarkt as a Jordaan route.
Is Sint Andrieshofje suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Families can appreciate the history in a short, quiet visit, but children should stay close because this remains a residential setting. The narrow entrance and older, potentially uneven courtyard paving make interior access difficult for wheelchairs and strollers; there are no public visitor facilities or restrooms.
When planning your Amsterdam travel guide or comparing verified attractions and parks in Amsterdam, pair this stop with standout local spots including New Castle Bar Amsterdam, Archery Tag Amsterdam, ART STUDIO AMSTERDAM Abstract Fluid & Digital Art Studio, and Canal Egelantiersgracht (nearby).
