Tours & Activities 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! ✌️
This tour is not for groups bigger than 6 people. Multiple reservations under different names will be declined
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.
We combine beautiful sightseeing with exciting storytelling and cover everything you need to know about Amsterdam in one tour: history, modern life, culture, art, fun facts and personal stories for a unique insider’s perspective on life in Amsterdam. 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!
“From the Red Light District to the evolution of Amsterdam as the global centre of world trade in the 17th century, its transition from a republic to a monarchy, the tragedy of the Nazi occupation and its enlightened and effective attitude to drug control, your guide will stitch these diverse items together with humorous personal anecdotes and insightful commentary on the underlying social and cultural mores of the Dutch people”.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Starting 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 freedamtours on Googe Maps.
Endpoint: Dam Square
PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY:
Minimum age: 16
(The tour is not suited for young children)
Maximum number of people per group / booking: 5 people. Bigger groups will be split up or turned away at the meeting point. This includes different members of the same group attempting to join the tour by making several individual bookings.
Every tour is unique. Route, sights, and topics may vary slightly depending on weather and/or guide.
The Tour is always and only in English, NOT Spanish.
We reserve the right to turn away guests with a limited understanding of English.
Useful information:
+ Small Groups of Maximum 15 people for a truly high-quality experience and access to areas that are off-limits to other walking tours.
+ Supported by pictures, paintings and maps that bring history to life.
+ Super Local Guides: all our guides are life-long locals with very deep roots in this city, country and culture so they can answer any question you may have.
+ 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.
Buckle up! because this is not your typical sightseeing tour.
First, let's set the stage.
This place isn't just about the lively nightlife, it's a historic part of Amsterdam with stories around every corner.
As we zigzag through the district, your guide, a local with a wealth of anecdotes, points out hidden gems you could easily miss without the help of an expert.
From secret bars to unique stores, each place has its own story. But what makes this trip really special is the laughter and conviviality.
Imagine a group of travel enthusiasts, each from different corners of the world. All united by a thirst for adventure and new experiences. The energy is contagious, and each new discovery triggers a surge of excitement.
As night falls, you may find yourself at a local diner, sharing stories and dishes. These are the moments. Good food, great company and the backdrop of an illuminated city that stay with you long after the trip is over.
So, if you're in the mood for an adventure that's as educational as it is stimulating, Friendly Walking Tours' Amsterdam Red Light District tour awaits. Don't just explore, immerse yourself with us in experiences that defy everyday perspective.
After all, isn't that what travel is all about?
Starting at St. Nicholas Basilica, in front of Centraal Station and ending at Dam Square itself, your friendly guide will provide you with all the details you need to make the most of your experience.
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.