Things to Do in Amsterdam
👋 Hey there!
Looking to explore the city with a local guide during you trip in Amsterdam?
Join our time-bending tour of Amsterdam's historic center! We're taking you to the heart of history, exploring the Old Town, the unique Jewish Quarter, and the legendary canals
By the end of this tour, you'll wow the locals with your flawless Dutch greetings, you'll know where to get delicious Dutch treats, and you’ll be deeply in love with the city's captivating history and beautiful scenery.
What topics we'll dive into:
- 🌊 Origins of Amsterdam and the Netherlands: Learn about the very roots of this vibrant city and the country it calls home.
- 🌍 Golden Age and War of Independence: Step back in time to a period of immense wealth and the battles fought for freedom.
- 🚨 Red Light District: Hear about the secrets of the infamous neighborhood with the ladies behind the red windows.
- 🏛️ Amsterdam UNESCO World Heritage Site: Marvel at the architectural wonders that earned this city its UNESCO status.
- 🏮 Chinatown - Drugs & Tolerance: Walk though the vibrant Chinatown and learn about our city's unique stance on certain vices.
- ⚔️ WW2 and the Hunger Winter: Relive the city's wartime struggles during WW2 and the resilience of its people.
- 🥞 Dutch Food and Modern Culture: Learn about Dutch cuisine and feel the contemporary vibes of this dynamic city.
If that sounds interesting to you, here are some extra’s we've got lined up for you 👇
Bonus #1: We’ll treat you to a delicious Dutch snack during the tour 🍪
Bonus #2: We'll snap a picture of you to cherish forever 📸
Bonus #3: You’ll receive a list of recommendations with the best things to do and eat while you're here. 🌟
⚠️ Once the groups are full, you won't be able to sign up, so make sure to reserve your spots right now for free! ⚠️
See you on the tour! ✌️
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.
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!
ABOUT THE TOUR
A one and a half hours walk around the central area, with a professional, friendly and knowledgeable guide that will help you to better understand Amsterdam and it’s people. Historical curiosities and tales, modern culture, personal insight on it’s like to live in heart of the city, and all the recommendations you need to have an unforgettable stay.
IMPORTANT
Due to competitor theft, and more recently AI training, documenting the tour is not allowed (video, audio or notes), with the exception of photos.
I do not work for this company, I'm a self employed freelancer. It's me, not the company, that takes all responsibilities, risks and expenses to offer the tour (publishing, licensing, taxes and marketing fee).
The average tips per person are between 10 and 20 euros. For the travelers visiting Amsterdam but somehow concerned on spending 10 euros on a tour regardless of its quality, we recommend looking for self-guided audio tours as an extremely affordable option.
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.
We talk about prostitution, drugs, and we walk inside the Red Light District. Travelers under 18 can only attend together with their parents.
- NIEUWEMARKT: We will get some basic concepts out of the way, moving to some secrets in the old city gates - an appropriate starting point for the tour.
- VOC (DUCHT EAST INDIA COMPANY): Lets explore the days when this people ruled the seas, the dark side of it's glory and wealth.
- DAM SQUARE: the city main square, hosting the Royal Palace and other points of interest
- BEURSPLEIN: the modern stock exchange and it's curious international connections
- RED LIGHT DISTRICT: We will visit the oldest building of Amsterdam - the Oude Kerk - to understand some of its contrasts. The past, the present, and some possible futures of the Red Light District.
- CHINATOWN: Drugs are often a confusing topic for visitors. Lets understand how it really works, how it began, and why it is still a quite controversial topic.
- DANCING HOUSES: The crooked houses of Amsterdam are quite the sight to behold, but there are different reasons behind their dancing angles.
- OUDE WAAL AND THE FLOATING HOUSES: In the Venice of the North, the canals tells many secrets.
- JEWISH DISTRIC: In the last stop of our tour, we will reflect upon the events of WWII and it's impact on today.
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.
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).
Amsterdam - the world's playground
Amsterdam is a very special city - it has always been very open and tolerant, but at the same time protective of its residents. I want to show you why the people of Amsterdam are bold and confident, what kind of life they lead today, and why. We will talk about the famous tolerance and openness that Amsterdam is famous for.
I would love to tell you about all those events in the past that shaped the city as it is today. Why do so many people come here to play, and what are the consequences?
When I say "playground", you're probably thinking: party! But there is so much more to it. My tour is about the history, colonialism, slavery, WW2, sex work, LGBT+ rights, and about what Amsterdam used to feel like, look like and smell like.
I will also tell you about the current problems we're struggling with.
