Things to Do in Amsterdam

👋 Discover Amsterdam Like a Local – In Just One Tour! 

Looking for the perfect way to explore Amsterdam? 

Join our top-rated, all-in-one walking tour and experience the city through the eyes of a passionate local guide. 

We’ll take you on a time-traveling journey through the heart of Amsterdam — from the charming canals and vibrant Chinatown to the hidden stories of the Red Light District and the heroic struggles of WWII. 

By the end of the tour, you’ll: 

• Greet locals with your new Dutch phrases
• Know exactly where to find the best Dutch treats
• And fall in love with Amsterdam’s rich history and stunning scenery

 
What You’ll Explore:

🌊 Origins of Amsterdam & the Netherlands
Discover how this legendary city rose from the water.

🌍 The Golden Age & War of Independence
Walk through a time of wealth, resistance, and freedom.

🚨 The Red Light District
Uncover the hidden stories behind Amsterdam’s most famous neighborhood.

🏛️ UNESCO World Heritage Canals
Marvel at the architecture and design that made history.

🏮 Chinatown, Drugs & Tolerance
Understand the city’s open-minded culture and unique policies.

⚔️ WWII & The Hunger Winter
Relive the courage and hardship of wartime Amsterdam.

🥞 Dutch Food & Modern Life
Get a taste of Dutch culture — literally and figuratively!

Book Now & Get These Free Bonuses:

Bonus #1: A tasty Dutch treat during the tour
Bonus #2: A great photo to capture your trip
Bonus #3: A curated list of the best things to do, eat & see for the rest of your trip in Amsterdam

⚠️ Limited Spots Available – Reserve Now for Free!

Once the group is full, bookings close — don’t miss out!

If you want to enjoy Amsterdam's canals while learning about its history, this boat ride with an English-speaking guide is perfect!

Join us on an exciting journey along the beautiful canals of Amsterdam and find out what makes Amsterdam so Absolutely Amsterdam!

Together with your super-local guide, you will discover how freedom and tolerance shaped the city and its people throughout the ages and understand how these values continue to influence it today.

During the tour, you will be treated to a typical Dutch snack and you will also receive a nice souvenir. After the tour, you will get an extensive list (and map!) of all our favorite bars, restaurants, clubs, and other fun things to do in the city. Plus discount codes for the best small-boat canal cruises, and more, so we'll keep you fed and busy for the rest of your stay! 🙂

On our tour, we combine beautiful sightseeing with exciting storytelling and cover everything you need to know about Amsterdam in one tour: 

🏛️HISTORY

• Why is the Church surrounded by sex-workers?
• The ‘Golden Age’: how Amsterdam was able to become the richest city on the planet in the 17th Century.
• How and why modern capitalism started here. 
• Why did Catholics worship in secret, hidden Churches?
• WWII and Nazi occupation: from safe haven to the city where the most Jewish people were deported and killed in Europe.
• How the Dutch made the surprising transition from a Republic to a Monarchy.
• Why Amsterdam has canals and why are the famous canal houses houses so…skinny?

🌆MODERN LIFE

• Why Amsterdam’s brothels are going out of business and the uncertain future of the Red Light District.
• Coffee Shops & Dutch (soft)drug policies explained: how it originated in Chinatown and why Marijuana is not as legal as you may think…
• How the hippies 'saved' Amsterdam from demolition.
• The latest gossip around the Royal Family at the Royal Palace.
• Unique personal stories for an insider’s perspective on life in Amsterdam.

🎭CULTURE

• What lies beneath the famous ‘Dutch tolerance’?
• Dutch attitudes towards moral issues and what you can learn from it.
• Where Rembrandt painted his first masterpiece.
• The legacy of the Golden Age: the good, the bad & the ugly. 
• Food culture: from cheese to stroopwafels and why (according to the Dutch) you absolutely must visit an Indonesian restaurants to taste great Dutch food.
• Dutch way of life: from our bike culture to why we keep our curtains open – at all times!

...And much more!

Be prepared to challenge all your pre-conceived ideas about this city because after this tour you will never look and think of Amsterdam the same way! 

                              ❌ ❌ ❌ 

WHERE & WHEN

Meeting point: In front of the main entrance of the Stock Exchange (Beursplein 5), by the statue of the bull. You can also find us by looking for FreeDam Tours on Google Maps.

ATTENTION: we DON'T start on Dam square, that's where the tour usually ends.

When: every day at 10:30am, 2pm  and from April to October also at 5:30pm

Duration: 2.5 hours

We don’t rely on a standard script. This means that every guide brings their own specific expertise and point of view, making each tour a unique experience. We also encourage you to ask questions so we can adapt the tour to your specific interests. Route, sights and topics may therefore vary slightly depending on the weather / guide / group.

Highliths on our itinerary:

STOCK EXCHANGE •  OLD HARBOR • CENTRAL STATION • A HIDDEN CHURCH • PROSTITUTION & THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT • CHINATOWN • NIEUWMARKT SQUARE • COFFEESHOPS AND DUTCH DRUG LAWS EXPLAINED • REMBRANDT • THE DUTCH EAST INDIA HEADQUARTERS • THE JEWISH QUARTER or ANN FRANKS HOUSE • QUAINT CANALS & GLORIOUS CANAL HOUSES • UNIVERSITY DISTRICT • DUTCH BIKE CULTURE • DAM SQUARE & THE ROYAL PALACE • AMSTERDAM LIFESTYLE • UNIQUE PERSONAL STORIES

WHY CHOOSE US

• All our guides are lifelong locals with a relevant University degree and/or also work in renowned institutions like the Rijkmuseum. This means we really know what we are talking about and are able to offer you genuine, personal perspectives and educated insights that make each tour unique. Plus we can answer all your most difficult / obscure questions!
• After the tour we will provide you with an extensive list (and map) of all our favourite bars, restaurants, clubs and other fun things to do in the city.  Plus discount codes for a small boat canal tour with 'Those Dam Boat Guys', museums, and more.
• Free Snack & Souvenir: on the tour, you will be treated to a typical Dutch snack and you will also receive a nice souvenir at the end.  

Please note: the tour is always and only in English, NOT Spanish. We reserve the right to turn away guests with a limited understanding of English.

If you're in Amsterdam, grab your tickets to the Van Gogh Museum! Dive into the amazing works of one of the most famous artists of the 19th century!

How was it that Amsterdam, the Jerusalem of the West, the one safe place to be Jewish in the world for 350 years, became the country in WWII with the highest percentage (75%) of Jews killed in Western Europe?

We will use Anne Frank’s story and many other stories to understand what it was like to live in a Nazi regime of terror for both Jews and non-Jews,

The tour includes stops at The National Holocaust Names Monument, The Jewish Theatre, The Auschwitz Monument and the Portuguese Synagogue, along with many more places with stories of the incredible exploits of heroes and traitors during the war, both Jewish and Christian: 

• The Jewish children who were bravely saved from the transit center nursery.
• The nurse who led a resistance cell whose existence was never discovered by the Nazis.
• The paid informants who hunted down Jews in hiding, including the Jewish woman accused of betraying seven hundred Jews.
• The effects of Queen Wilhelmina's anti-Semitism on the fates of Dutch Jews.

We will also discuss the kinds of lies used to create such virulent anti-Semitism, and how lies continue to be used today to foment hate and war.

The tour will take place in the Jewish Quarter, the heart of Jewish culture in Amsterdam.  We begin at the Spinoza monument.

We will arrive at the Portuguese Synagogue two hours and 15 minutes after the beginning of the tour. The tour will be completely over within two and a half hours.

 
Since we are in Amsterdam, we will try to make even this tour about WWII as gezellig (friendly and convivial) as possible.

From a recent review: The Jewish tour with Jon was wonderful. ... while the tour can be deeply saddening ..., Jon was able to keep the energy up using humor when appropriate and kept the group engaged. Highly recommend this tour!

This tour is a terrific substitute or accompaniment for the Anne Frank House (annefrank.org). You can only buy tickets to the Anne Frank House through their website two months ahead of time. Read the link below and follow the directions closely!. Book the terrific introductory program in English if it is available. https://www.annefrank.org/en/museum/tickets/

We do not visit the Anne Frank museum, since there is really nothing to see except her statue outside of the museum. Come on this tour to find out what the Jews and the Dutch experienced in WWII.

The Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum are usually sold out for at least a week or more.  Reserve early for many museums, including the National Holocaust Museum.

If you will visit at least four Dutch museums (including all the museums above), it can be a good idea to buy a Museum Card, good at 450 museums for one year. You can buy a temporary pass at the first museum you visit, use that pass five times, and receive a permanent pass within five days or less.  If ordering tickets for the Anne Frank House or another museum, just mark that you have a Museum Card and don't pay anything online.  Then buy the card at the first museum you visit. https://www.museum.nl/en/museumpass

I  look forward to seeing you soon - Pedro.

Welcome travelers, 👋

Prepare for an unforgettable adventure as we dive into the vibrant heart of Amsterdam, where history and modernity collide in the most enchanting way! 🇳🇱 Grab your cameras, lace up your walking shoes, and get ready to explore this iconic city like never before. 📷 

Whether you're a history enthusiast, a foodie eager to taste local flavors, or simply curious about the Dutch love affair with bicycles, this tour is designed for everyone. Discover Amsterdam’s lively neighborhoods, uncover hidden gems, wander through bustling markets, and soak in the charm of its picturesque canals.  

As we explore the city’s iconic landmarks, I’ll share fascinating local stories and insider insights to bring each stop to life. We’ll take a relaxed pace, with plenty of time for photos, questions, and soaking in the atmosphere - so bring your curiosity and a sense of adventure!   

TOUR DETAILS:
• Duration: 2 hours
• Meeting Point: Prins Hendrikkade 73, the main entrance of Basilica of Saint Nicholas  (look for the 🔴 UMBRELLA).
• End Point: Flower Market 🌷
 (Map and itinerary below ⬇️ )

Minimum age required: 16 years old and travelers under 18 can only attend together with their parents.

All travelers are required to arrive at least 10 minutes earlier. After the tour starts, mobile communication with the guide will be scarce, as the group has his full attention.

Tot ziens!

See the best Amsterdam has to offer from secret neighborhoods to the 8th wonder of the world and everything in between. From medieval history to the golden age and the second golden age today we cover it all. Find out about cannabis and prostitution, protesters and the statue of a boy that people keep burning. From Anne Frank to WW2 History and the Jewish district we don't leave a stone unturned and if we still have time we try some cheese and raw fish. If there's anything better than a stroopwaffel we will show you where to get it and point out all the best rooftops and terraces along the way.

The itinerary includes:  The Nieuwe Kerk, Dam Square, The Royal Palace, WW2 Monument, the first stock market in the world, book markets, Baroque houses, Neo Classical Architecture, Flower Market, Rembrandt Plein and his neighbourhood, the UNESCO world heritage site Canal ring, hidden churches, University of Amsterdam, falling stones to remember holocaust victims, the Jewish district, french fries street, stroopwaffel street, karaoke street, city monuments, de Wallen, Red light district.

Get ready to uncover the hidden gems and iconic landmarks of this vibrant city. Join us for an unforgettable journey through Amsterdam’s rich tapestry of history, culture, and modern-day charm. Book your tour today and experience the magic of Amsterdam like never before. Don't miss out on this unique adventure—reserve your spot now and start making memories that will last a lifetime!

This walk will take you along the medieval city walls of Amsterdam. It also happens to be one of the most beautiful canals in the city - Kloveniersburgwal. 

Our tour will cover topics such as the origin of Amsterdam, the medieval city walls - with the defensive towers, Dutch expeditions, the Golden Age, the East India Company, the West India Company.

I will tell you about Rembrandt and his most important works, the social system in Amsterdam in the XVII century, religion then and now, and a few other interesting things.

Mind you the walk is slightly off the beaten path (still in the centre however). 

Are you ready to dive into the Amsterdam UNESCO canals and find the true heart of the city?

Amstel River: A Living Tapestry of Stories 

Our adventure then leads us to Central Amsterdam, where bridges whisper tales of the Dutch Golden Age. Find the Amstel River where tulips once ignited a craze, and discover hidden courtyards that have borne witness to the age of global empires.

The New City

The new city district stands as a testament to the city's  innovative spirit. Tall baroque townhouses line the narrow canals, their elegant facades reflecting centuries of architectural evolution. Built upon reclaimed swampland, this neighborhood symbolizes Amsterdam's triumph over nature and its transformation into a thriving metropolis. Today the houses seem to be dancing as they slowly fall over on their 400 year old foundations.

The Canal Ring 
The Canal Ring, often dubbed the "Venice of the North," boasts lavish townhouses, adorned with elegant facades and gabled roofs. A neighborhood for  merchants, traders, and the social elite of the time, life within the Canal Ring was one of luxury and refinement.

End: The Journey Culminates 
As the journey through Amsterdam's canals draws to a close, the towering Westerkerk emerges beside Anne Frank's house like a sentinel of history. This majestic church stands as a poignant symbol marking the end of an era—the end of the Golden Age.  Rembrandt, one of the most celebrated Dutch painters of the Golden Age, found his final resting place within the hallowed walls of the Westerkerk after passing away in 1669, just a few years before the Golden Age ended. Feel the weight of history, the passage of time, and the enduring legacy of those who shaped Amsterdam's rich tapestry.

Why Us? 

This tour isn't just about sightseeing; it's about experiencing Amsterdam with all your senses. Our passionate guides bring these stories to life. We promise a tour that's as unique as the city itself, with surprises around every corner.

Book Your Ticket to Amsterdam's Soul! 

Seize this opportunity to embark on an adventure you'll cherish forever. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot now and be prepared to be captivated by Amsterdam's undeniable charm! Book now!