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10 Best Tours in Amsterdam

By Clodagh Kinsella

Knowing where to direct your steps in Amsterdam is far more complicated than just keeping an eye out for the constant onslaught of bikes: between the major museum renovations, the cutting-edge architectural innovation, and the chameleonic food scene, the city is enjoying a renaissance akin to its Golden Age glory days. While there are brilliant specialist operators running tours of the highlights—whether of food, art, or local photo opportunities—others, lingering longer in the memory, focus on the shadowy flipside to that 17th-century luminosity, from Amsterdam’s colonial past to its misprized sex industry. We've rounded up our favorites—be it an Amsterdam canal cruise, Amsterdam bike tour, Amsterdam walking tour, or one of the many highlighting the city's cultural offerings—including one standout through the Red Light District, to lead you in the right direction. No matter which one you choose, one thing remains: take to two wheels or the water if you really want to go Dutch.

Eating Amsterdam, Jordaan Food Tour Arrow

The Amsterdam spin-off of ace tour company Eating Europe—in six cities and counting—this isn’t a makeshift affair, and you’ll get well-produced local food maps as part of the package (but make sure to reserve ahead). The focus is very much on insider knowledge, with four-hour guided walking tours of the Jordaan district’s lesser-known corners, including a dozen stops for Dutch delicacies, and ample meet-and-greets with artisanal food heroes. Your companions: two historians, two professional chefs, and an architect—plus a local whose family have lived in Jordaan for generations, and an Indonesian/Dutch guide for explaining the former colony’s worthy contribution to the food scene. The vibe is fun and interactive, and the main course comes with an appealing slice of history on the side.

Black Heritage Tour of Amsterdam Arrow

Black Heritage Tours founder Jennifer Tosch is on a one-woman mission to shed light on the presence, and little told past, of the African diaspora in the Netherlands (she’s now added tours in NYC and, by request, Brussels). Rigorous, interactive three-hour boat trips are the big draw, luring two to 90 people via celebrities like activist and author Angela Davis (average group size is 10-20 guests). Eye-opening is the word here. Once you’ve been alerted to the hidden past of Amsterdam’s beautiful Golden Age museums and canal houses, you’ll start seeing signs of the city’s sinful colonial legacy everywhere. A visit to the Rijksmuseum (usually included) or Royal Palace won’t be the same again. Definitely book ahead—especially outside of summer, when trips are less frequent.

MokumBoot Arrow

There are a million Amsterdam canal cruises, and a million other tourists to take them. Sidestepping that, and exercising your navigational skills for two hours (or more, if you like) is a bit of a no-brainer. With a 50-strong fleet of slick monochrome electric motor boats, and six hire stations across town, this is the king of skipper-yourself boat rentals, but with the laid back attitude of a playboy prince. Not that they aren’t organized: Mokum (an old nickname for Amsterdam) take care of pillows (or ponchos and blankets, depending), suggested sailing routes, and instructions on how the boats work. Affable dock personnel go beyond, so you’ll get a super-clear brief on how to operate the boat, but if you want to escape the traffic or visit a particular spot, they’ll happily tailor your itinerary to that. For sunny weekends, reserve at least two days ahead to get the prime early-afternoon slots.

Architour Half Day Tours: IJburg & Golden Age Walk Arrow

As the market-leader for architectural tours in Holland, the brilliantly organized Architour can handle groups ranging from two to 240—whether town planning offices, Rotary Clubs, or architecture students. Their regular two-hour-long small group tours, for ten people max, and private tours, for up to 20 people, need advance booking. The two tours listed here are both on foot, though they also offer bike and canal tours. Directors Paul Vlok and Anneke Bokern (an architect and architecture journalist, respectively) have handpicked a dozen local architects to serve alongside them as guides. Fluent in Dutch and English (and some even German, French, and Japanese), all have personal insight into Dutch building culture, and how that stacks up against other countries, so no question is too specific.

Jessica Puckett

María Casbas

CNT Editors

WeBike Amsterdam City Tour Arrow

Cycling is part of the Dutch DNA, and there are over 880,000 bikes in Amsterdam alone—though three-hour tours by this excellent indie outfit generally top out at around seven cyclists. Between the rave reviews online and the intimate numbers, it’s definitely best to reserve your slot in advance. Like many Dutch kids, mainstays Thijs and Jasper grew up on the back of a bike, and know how to combine humor with brilliant historical and architectural titbits. You’re not just following the leader here, but engaging in regular chat as you cruise from one fascinating spot to the next. If you want to bring babies or small kids, they’ve got the (well-maintained, comfortable) bike for that. In fact, there’s really no limit to the crowd you’ll be riding with, but safe to say that it’s not the same set that comes to Amsterdam for the weed and red lights, and people who never learned to bike really shouldn’t start here.

Context Travel's Rijksmuseum Tour: Crash Course Arrow

This is a formidable operation established and executed by tour experts, and you’ll only need to share the joy with five other equally sophisticated tourists. The Rijksmuseum docents are all art historians, ranging from Vermeer experts to TV personalities—so you can be staring at a Rembrandt in the company of an acclaimed author on the subject. Despite all this they don’t talk down to tour members, and many manage to be funny as well as brilliant (sigh). Itineraries are docent-dependent (and group-dependent), so it’s worth doing your research if you’re set on getting that Rembrandt expert, but in any case the master’s works will be par for the course—not least his masterpiece The Night Watch , enjoying pride of place at the heart of the museum. More obscure rooms are also on the agenda, and having a guide to navigate them may leave you with a lasting love of 17th century ceramics, furniture, or model ships.

PIC's Wallen Tour Arrow

Walking tours of Amsterdam’s Red Light District aren’t hard to find, but no other operator tells the story of the notorious neighborhood from the perspective of sex workers. Run by invaluable non-profit the Prostitution Information Center (PIC), walks aim to encourage an open debate about the misunderstood industry and increase respect for sex workers (the term preferred by prostitutes). Turn up to PIC’s community center, café, and exhibition space a few minutes before the tour—or come earlier to consult the sex library over coffee and cake. Guides are either ex-sex workers, ready to open up about their own stories, or researchers on the industry who are able to answer literally any query from how much money you can make in a shift to the ancient origins of the trade. Given PIC’s mission to change hearts and minds, there’s absolutely nothing rote about the delivery here—this is a real passion project for guides, and you might find yourself shedding a tear.

Amsterdam Photo Safari Arrow

This is really best for those with a vested interest, as the one-on-one attention is brilliant for making swift progress, and if you opt for a longer tour (they run from three to six hours, with four a recommended minimum) you’ll really be able to get off the beaten track. Your safari group might range from total amateurs getting to grips with the basics of composition to pros with pricy DSLRs looking for the inside scoop on the best places to shoot in the city. You can bring a friend with an iPhone or other handheld camera device for around 90 percent less than the regular tour price, so it might end up feeling like a private tour (those are available too, and are strongly recommended for people with mobility issues). Night safaris, beginning a couple of hours before sunset, are absurdly picturesque, as the lights start to come on over the city’s bridges, casting fairytale reflections over the canals (even amateurs will soon be capturing boats’ light trails with tips on the best long exposure settings).

Rederij De Jordaan Private Boat Tour Arrow

Slick, slick, slick. As VIP canal cruises go, captain Reinhard Spronk’s historic saloon boat tours (aboard 1932 teak beauty Welmoed , or 1908’s smaller Farahilde ) are really the business. He and his partner Miloe run the show, taking private groups (reservations necessary) on bespoke tours of Amsterdam’s legendary canals. Pick-up is from your waterside hotel or Cafe Van Puffelen, by their office. This is going to be the highlight of your European tour, combining an utterly beautiful vintage boat, the most sophisticated company in town, and (for a supplement) red roses, gourmet finger food, and bottomless champagne.

Brouwerij ‘t IJ Arrow

Compared to neighboring Belgium, the Netherlands isn’t exactly known as a beer powerhouse, but the big news is that the capital now has craft breweries to shout about. So skip the queues at the mammoth, more famous Heineken Experience, and head to signature local craft brewer ‘t IJ, which was raising the bar on specialty brews long before ‘small batch’ was a hipster rite of passage. Finding the venue, opened in 1985 in an old bathhouse, is child’s play: the biggest wooden windmill in the Netherlands is next door. Friday to Sunday afternoon tours of the Funenkade HQ are a snappy 20-minute crash course in the magic of malt, hops and yeast. With only 20 spots going, and no pre-booking, get to the bar early to grab tickets (a free beer is included with the entry fee). Don’t bother bringing your bachelor party though – after one too many messy experiences in the past, they’re now officially barred.

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The best amsterdam itinerary for your first visit.

The Dutch capital of Amsterdam was a city that was on my forever bucket list but that just kept eluding me. We’ve visited every country surrounding the Netherlands, but somehow we just could never make it work. I was finally able to visit this incredible city for a week and I’m so happy I finally made it a priority! I fell in love with the old houses, meandering canals, and above all, the people.

I’ve met plenty of Dutch people and have some Dutch friends, so I was thrilled to finally see their home. I loved the people I connected with in Amsterdam and hope to come back again soon! It was just one of those trips that felt easy, with lots to do, but not stressful. For visiting mid-June I was surprised that it wasn’t nearly as crowded as I thought it might be. Compared to visiting Paris or London during peak season, Amsterdam was a dream!

I put a lot of time and energy into researching the best Amsterdam Itinerary to maximize my time there. I was able to cover a lot of ground in Amsterdam, but also do several day trips outside the city center to explore more of the beautiful countryside of Holland.

I visited with two other friends, so it was easy getting around without kids to worry about. I will say that if I had very small kids, I would have been stressed about them getting run over by bikes. The whole bike situation there is intense! The locals are cruising. They know what they’re doing, but it can make walking a bit hazardous. They should make you wear helmets if you walk! Ha! But seriously, just be cautious, especially while crossing the street, and don’t accidentally walk into a bike lane.

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Why the Dutch are Different

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Before visiting Amsterdam, try to learn what you can about Dutch culture and history. If you’ve been following me for any amount of time, you know that I love connecting my travels to books (why I run the British Book Club Tour) so it will come as no surprise that I read a few books to prepare for this trip. I also watched some shows and movies. Here is what I recommend reading and watching:

I read the book Why the Dutch are Different and found it very insightful into the lives of the Dutch. This was a cross between a humorous memoir and a travel diary around Holland. The audio was great.

Midnight Blue was a great novel about a girl living in 17th Century Holland, a time when Amsterdam is at the peak of its power. It’s a great historical fiction about the birth of the famous Delft blue pottery. If you’re planning to visit Delft on a day trip from Amsterdam, definitely read this book.

Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers was a great easy read about Vincent Van Gogh and his brother Theo. I’ll admit I didn’t know a huge amount about Van Gogh, but it definitely made my visit to the Van Gogh museum more meaningful to understand a little more about his life.

The Hiding Place is a book I read in middle school that I wanted to re-read before my trip to Amsterdam. It’s the story of Corrie Ten-Boom, a woman whose family hid many people during the German occupation of WWII. You can visit her home in Haarlem. I was glad I re-read it before visiting the house.

The Diary of Anne Frank was another middle school re-read for me. We read it during the beginning of lockdown. It was good for my kids to get some perspective at that time. If you’re visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, I highly recommend reading this or brushing up on it before you go. It will make your trip much more meaningful.

If you’re visiting the Anne Frank House or the Resistance Museum in Amsterdam, you should definitely watch A Small Light on Disney+. It made my visit to the house so powerful. I felt like I was friends with everyone involved. The show is so well done, but will make you cry. I watched it on the plane ride over and was in the bathroom crying. Just a disclaimer, that it’s less about Anne Frank’s life and more about Miep Gies, the person hiding the family in the annex.

These are some quick tips that I’m either glad I did or wish I would have done before visiting Amsterdam.

• Learn about the history of Amsterdam – You’ll appreciate your time there more
• Book a Flytographer shoot – Use code WANDERLUST for a discount
• Set up Apple Pay – most places take contactless/Apple Pay
• Watch out for bikes – especially when crossing the street
• Get the Go City Card – It will save you money!

Be sure to check out these first-timer tips for visiting Amsterdam for more ideas.

We wanted to stay somewhere central in the Amsterdam city center, but also be near Vondelpark. We chose Hotel Alexander and it was absolutely perfect. Very walkable to public transportation and within walking distance of most sites we wanted to see, but also in a quieter neighborhood so that we didn’t have the sound of nightlife while trying to sleep (getting too old for that).

It also had this massive replica of the Night Watch above my bed, which I thought was pretty comical. It was like staying in a mini Rijksmuseum. And speaking of…Hotel Alexander was designed by the same architect, Pierre Cuypers, who designed the beautiful Rijksmuseum. If you want some more hotel options, check out this good list of places to stay in Amsterdam here.

We got the 3 day Go City Card for Amsterdam and it more than paid for itself. It was a great way to see several museums for free and also to get our Zaanse Schans card. You can buy the Amsterdam Go City Card here.

Alright, now that you’re ready to prepare for your trip, let’s get down to planning out your Amsterdam trip! Here’s what I did each day.

Day 1 – Van Gogh Museum & Evening Canal Cruise

Day 2 – Photoshoot, Pancake Class, & Haarlem

Day 3 – Rijksmuseum, The Milkmaid Project, A’Dam Lookout, Cheese Museum, Tulip Museum, Houseboat Museum

Day 4 – Zaanse Schans, Tony’s Chocoloney, Foodhallen, Vondelpark

Day 5 – Delft & The Hague

Day 6 – Anne Frank House, Albert Cuyp market, 9 Streets, Resistance Museum, Microbe Museum, Red Light District

Amsterdam Itinerary Day 1 -Van Gogh Museum & Canal Tour

You’ll most likely be arriving at Schipol Airport. You can take the train into the city, but we had so much luggage that we opted to take an UBER to our hotel. The UBER pickup is located across the street at the Sheraton, just a quick 2-minute walk. It cost around $20 USD and was worth not hauling luggage on public transportation.

We jumped right into one of the many amazing museums in Amsterdam on our first day. Be sure to Book the Van Gogh Museum in advance, it does sell out. When we arrived there were no tickets left for the day, so I was glad we had pre-booked. You can get your tickets here.

We had a few minutes before our entrance time so we grabbed lunch at Museum Square which sits between the Van Gogh Museum, the MoCo Museum, and the Rijksmuseum. There are several food stalls. I just grabbed a hot dog, which was nothing to write home about. The burgers looked great though.

You can’t visit Amsterdam without taking a tour of Amsterdam’s canals. There are many options for canal cruises, but I didn’t want something that would be a large boat full of tourists, so I searched high and low for something more intimate. We decided on Pure Boats Amsterdam and it was absolutely perfect.

In fact, I ended up doing 2 tours with them. We took an evening tour before the sunset. They had a beautiful offering of cheese, crackers, nuts, and all-you-can-drink alcohol. I had apple juice in a fancy glass. It was perfect. Our guide was adorable. You get a totally different view of the city from the water and it’s just lovely!

I ended up doing a morning tour with my friend who’s flight was delayed and missed the evening tour. The morning tour was cheaper and shorter and also didn’t have any snacks, but did have drinks included. If I had to choose, I’d pick the evening cruise. But if you’re going with kids, then the morning cruise would be a great choice.

Since we had just flown in that morning, we were extremely exhausted and jetlagged. Instead of sitting down to a long dinner or eating something heavy, we opted to stop in at STACH, which quickly became one of our favorite snack stops and a great place to grab a treat or an iced chai! Lots of fun and local Dutch snacks to try!

Amsterdam Itinerary Day 2 – Photoshoot, Pancake Class, & Haarlem

One thing about traveling with your family or traveling solo is that I’m never actually in many (or sometimes any) photos! When I get the chance, I always like to book a Flytographer session when I travel. Not only do you get amazing photos by a professional photographer, but you get to meet a local and get a little early morning private tour of your destination. I booked a session with Tania and she was amazing. Doing a photoshoot by yourself can feel super awkward, but Tania put me right at ease and made me feel lovely and confident. You can use code WANDERLUST to get a discount on your photoshoot.

This was one of my favorite things we did on our Amsterdam itinerary. I booked a Pancake Cooking Class with Eat With . We were welcomed into our host’s home and given samples of traditional Dutch food like cheese and Applestroop (I’m obsessed) and pickled herring (I liked it more than I thought I would). Then our host taught us how to make Dutch Pancakes.

It was so fun to be welcomed into a local’s home and to learn a new skill that I could take home with me. My kids would have loved this activity too. I went home and cooked them Dutch pancakes. I highly recommend booking this class. It was worth the money for the experience, and we got fed too!

We took the train to Haarlem, which was easy to do. We had a tour of Corrie Ten-Boom’s house and then explored the lovely town of Haarlem. There are many cute shops here and we just spent a few hours wandering and shopping before taking the train back to Amsterdam.

If you want to try truly Dutch food, you may have to look a little harder than you’d think! Have you ever tried Dutch food outside of the Netherlands? Probably not, it’s because they’re not well-known for their food. So instead of lots of Dutch food places in Amsterdam, you’ll find a lot of international food choices, which is great, but also makes it harder to find traditional options. So we made a special trip to Moeders in search of traditional Dutch comfort food.

We visited Moeders, which means Mothers. It’s a mother-themed restaurant serving classic Dutch fare. Everything we had was delicious, but I think would be even better on a cold winter night! It was a lot of meat and potatoes. But the special part of Moeders is the pictures of all the mothers on the walls! Bring a picture of your own mom to hang on the wall!

Amsterdam Itinerary Day 3 – Rijksmuseum, The Milkmaid Project, Houseboat Museum, & A’Dam Lookout

Plan for several hours here and go in with a plan. Make sure you book tickets online in advance. Some of the most recognizable artworks are The Night Watch by famous Dutch painter, Rembrandt, and The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer, among many other beautiful works of art. Be sure to check out the Cuypers Library at the Rijksmuseum. It’s the largest and oldest art history library in the Netherlands and it’s absolutely gorgeous! If you have the Amsterdam Go City Card , the Rijksmuseum is included, but you still need to book your time slot.

We went to Winkel 43 for lunch. The big draw here is the apple pie and I have to say that it actually lived up to the hype! The food was good too.

Cheese & Tulip Museum

Take about an hour to see both the cheese and tulip museums. They’re small and cute, but so Dutch that you just have to go! You can sample all kinds of cheeses and take some home with you. They’re good outside the fridge for several days.

The Milkmaid Project

Now that you’ve seen Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, head over the The Milkmaid Project and step inside a painting. I randomly happened upon this project just by walking by the studio. This art experience was created by famous photograher, Sander Veeneman, who has recreated the “set” of The Milkmaid. It’s truly like stepping into a painting.

You can also recreate other paintings like Girl with the Pearl Earring or William of Orange. You can do group photos as well. Sander recreated Rembrandt’s Night Watch with all of his neighbors. Even if you don’t book a session, it’s worth walking into the studio to see his work.

This was such an incredible experience just talking to Sander. His passion for this project and art was so tangible and I loved spending time with him talking about the project. The cost is €95 and well worth it for the experience. You’ll get your own high-quality printed photograph to take home with you. Plan for about an hour for this experience and be sure to book ahead.

Houseboat Museum

Check out the Houseboat Museum. If you have the Go City card for Amsterdam, this museum is included. This is just an old houseboat that has been turned into a display so that you can see what living on a houseboat is like. You only need about 20 minutes to see it all.

A’DAM Lookout is a tall observation deck where you can see almost the whole city from above. To get here, you’ll need to take the free foot ferry across the IJ. You can take the elevator up to the top for the views or book “Over the Edge” swing!

A’Dam Lookout is covered by the Amsterdam Go City Card , but you still need to book your time on the swing. It was quite busy up here, but it was fun to see the old city of Amsterdam from above.

Dinner – Meatless District

We wanted to try this vegan restaurant in Amsterdam that had good reviews. For vegan food, it was really good. The beet root hummus and bread were amazing. I had the vegan chicken caesar salad, which was so insane because the “chicken” really tasted like chicken. Check out Meatless District if you’re into vegan food.

Amsterdam Itinerary Day 4 – Zaanse Schans, Tony’s Chocoloney, Foodhallen, Vondelpark

On day 4, we left the city and took a day trip to Zaanse Schans, an adorable living history village that shows you what life was like in the Netherlands hundreds of years ago.

We stopped at Rainbowls before heading to Zaanse Schans. We ended up loving it so much that we went back several times during our trip. They make amazing smoothie bowls, chia bowls, smoothies, and juices. It’s also in a super cute and artsy neighborhood called De Pijp.

After breakfast, we took an UBER to Zaanse Schans. Zaanse Schans is like a step back in time! It’s an old living history Dutch village with windmills, wooden houses, and little bridges over canals. It’s a great example of what life was like in the Netherlands in the past.

You could spend an entire day here, so give yourself enough time to see it all. It’s quite spread out and there are some great photo ops. If you have the Go City Card, the Zaanse Schans card is included. Just stop at the visitor center first to pick up your Zaanse Schans card. Show your card at each windmill or museum for free entry.

Be sure to visit the cheese shop where you can sample so many different types of cheeses! The cheese can be unrefrigerated for several days, so you may want to take a few wheels home with you.

This is a fun little touristy stop where you can pick up some Tony’s chocolate. They have a cool way to get the chocolate out by using a lever. Be warned: the labels are all in Dutch, so be sure you’re getting chocolate you want. This was a fun thing to bring home for my kids. They have a lot of flavors that you can’t get in the US.

Head back into the city and stop at Foodhallen where you can get any kind of food you like! It’s like a massive mall food court! Our favorite was the giant hummus plate! But they had everything from sushi to tacos. I have to say, Amsterdam does foreign food really well since their traditional food is probably not something you want to eat on a daily basis.

Foodhallen isn’t far from Foodhallen, so we walked over and took a long stroll through Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s main park. Since we were there in June, it stayed light until around 11:00 pm. It was fun to see so many people out and about so late at night. They call these the “white nights.” These photos were both taken around 10:00 pm!

Amsterdam Itinerary Day 5 – Delft & The Hague

On our 5th day in Amsterdam, we ventured out of the city again. We specifically went on a Saturday so that we could visit the Antique Market in Delft. So if you decide to take a day trip from Amsterdam. to Delft, save it for Saturday.

Today was another day trip day. We took the train to Delft early in the morning, which took around 45 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal, and walked to the Royal Delft Factory. I loved this factory tour. It was very well done, including a video, interactive museum, and you’re actually able to walk through the actual factory and watch the talented Delft artists painting the pottery and dishes. It was really incredible. There is a nice cafe at the factory, so we had lunch here.

If you want to spend a little more time here, you can book a class and paint your own plate or tile to take home. I couldn’t afford to buy anything at the gift shop, so a class might have been a better option for me!

If you plan to visit Delft, I recommend visiting on a Saturday so that you can explore and shop at the Antiekmarkt. We found so many great gems at this market, including more KLM houses for my collection.

I’m now wishing that I’d bought more, because they were a great price here. I also got an antique Delft vase. I was glad that I had just gone to the Royal Delft factory because I knew exactly what to look for and how to pick an authentic piece. They were also much more affordable than purchasing something at the Royal Delft Factory.

I also purchased a pair of old used clogs which sit on my doorstep with flowers inside. It’s a fun reminder of my time in the Netherlands. These were much cheaper than the tourist versions you can purchase at Zaanse Schans, so if you’re set on getting a pair of clogs, I would definitely get some here. They were around $15 vs. $65 at Zaanse Schans.

There are lots of things to do in Delft including walking along the Oude Canal, visiting the Old Church, Vermeer Centrum (Vermeer lived and painted here), and wandering the old city center. Honestly, I really fell in love with Delft and probably could have stayed here for several days. It was a nice break from the business of Amsterdam and it’s just so charming.

From Delft, we took the train to The Hague. This is the political center of the Netherlands. It’s a fairly large and modern city. The real reason we were here was to visit the Mauritshuis Museum and see Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring . This was a great art museum and I actually preferred it to the Rijksmuseum. It was smaller and more maneagable, it had great places to sit (I actually laid on the couch for a minute) and it had so much beautiful art that I actually really loved. Some famous works include Vermeer’s View of Delft , Paulus Potter’s The Bull, and Carel Fabritius The Goldfinch .

We took the train back into Amsterdam and had dinner at Blauw, an Indonesian restaurant. This was my first time having Indonesian food. It was really good! Everything is served family style, so there will be a lot of dishes on your table. We had all kinds of meats, rices, vegetables, and sauces.

Amsterdam Itinerary Day 6 – Anne Frank House, Albert Cuyp market, 9 Streets, Resistance Museum, Microbe Museum, Red Light District

The last day in our Amsterdam itinerary was all about World War II history. I saved the Anne Frank House until our last day and I’m glad I did. It was a very moving way to end our time in this beautiful city with a tragic history.

I couldn’t leave Amsterdam without having one more Dutch pancake! We stopped at Pancake Bakery and had a delicious banana Nutella pancake.

I was very excited to visit the Anne Frank house. I’ve been learning about her since I was 13 and it was such an incredible experience. I was so glad that I had done my research, re-read her diary, and watched A Small Light. It was worth it to have an experience that included so much understanding.

The house is very well done. It’s reverent without being boring. It’s sad, without being heartbreaking. An audio tour is included which was very well done. I definitely shed some tears. There’s an amazing gift shop with great books. I bought a great book to help my kids study the Holocaust and Anne Frank. You can also see all the languages that her diary was published in. It was fascinating.

You must book your Anne Frank tickets well in advance of your trip! There are no last minute tickets, so don’t even risk it, even during low season. Tickets are released 6 weeks before the date. I set an alarm and got up at 1:00 am to book our tickets. You can book a guided tour or a self guided tour. I wasn’t able to get the guided tour because spots are extremely limited. But the self guided tour was very well done.

De 9 Straatjes or “The Nine Streets,” are nine side streets in the heart of Amsterdam. The Nine Streets are located off the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht, and Singel in the city center. We did a little vintage shopping here and I found a few cute dresses, skirts, and shirts. All pants I found were definitely made for the much taller Dutch!

We walked to Albert Cuyp Market for lunch. Albert Cuyp Market, located in the vibrant De Pijp neighborhood, is the largest and most popular outdoor market in the Netherlands. With over 260 stalls stretching along the Albert Cuypstraat, you can find all kinds of goods, from fresh produce, fish, and spices to clothes, accessories, and electronics. It’s a great place to sample traditional Dutch treats like herring, stroopwafels, and fresh cheeses. It’s open six days a week and is closed on Sundays. We had falafel and a fresh stroopwaffel.

After lunch, we headed to The Resistance Museum, a museum dedicated to those who fought against the Nazis during WWII. This museum has so much information about specific members of the resistance and it very interesting. It’s really well done with videos and great labeling, but there is a lot of information. You may need to be ok with seeing about half of this, otherwise, plan on dedicating more than 2 hours to see all of it. Book your ticket ahead of time.

If you’ve had enough WWII history, you might want to consider Micropia . This Amsterdam museum is a museum all about microbes, which sounds weird, but it is actually super fascinating! I learned so much about the power of microbes. It’s really close to the Resistance Museum, so if you have extra time, you could do both.

It’s up to you if you want to visit Amsterdam’s Red Light District. I have mixed feelings about it. It’s part of the culture, but also not something I agree with or want to promote. I decided to go since I was there without my kids. I would never take my kids.

It’s just one of those places that you have to see to believe. There were women in windows in lingerie and men soliciting them. I just quickly walked through. It was very eye opening. If you want to avoid it, then I recommend taking notes of which streets are the busiest and avoiding those.

We wanted to end our time in Amsterdam with something fun and fancy. Secret Garden was beautiful inside. It was very expensive and the servings were very small, but the food was great. If you’re very hungry, I’d maybe opt for something else, but this was fun to taste!

That was our Amsterdam itinerary. I’m really happy with what we were able to accomplish in just under a week in Amsterdam. I think 6 days in Amsterdam was a good amount of time. I felt like we saw most of the city and were able to take several day trips. I would love to return to the Netherlands and explore more of the countryside.

I was really surprised at how much I fell in love with the culture, and even the food, in this country. I’d love to go back and visit during Christmas time.

I hope this helps you lay out your own Amsterdam itinerary! Please let me know if you have any questions about the city or what we did.

Frequently Asked Questions about my Amsterdam Itinerary

We had 6 days in Amsterdam and I think that felt like a good amount of time. There were a few more day trips I would have liked to take, so if you added a few more days, you could definitely fill them. But I really felt like I saw almost the entire city during our time.

Absolutely. If you cut out any day trips, I think 3 days in Amsterdam is a perfect amount of time.

I can’t speak for all the other months, but June was incredible. We had perfect weather the whole time, but keep in mind that a lot of places don’t have air conditioning, so it did feel hot in the hotel room. Once we had fans going it was fine. I would like to go back to Amsterdam in December to see the Christmas markets and the canals all lit up with Christmas lights.

I think for seeing the historic center of Amsterdam itself, 10 days is too long. But 10 days would allow you to take many more day trips from Amsterdam, which would be ideal. And the longer you stay, the slower you can travel, which is always a plus.

Absolutely, and I highly recommend doing so. Amsterdam is great, but the Netherlands are so much more than Amsterdam. Take a few days out of your Amsterdam itinerary to explore the rest of the country.

Wanderlust Crew

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• Netherlands

15 Best City Tours in Amsterdam for a Memorable Dutch Experience

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The best city tours in Amsterdam enable visitors to explore the Dutch capital in a variety of ways. These trips come in full or half-day options and they present some of the best things to do in Amsterdam .

Amsterdam is a city rich in culture and history, emerging from the swamps of Holland to become a global superpower and hotbed for societal innovation. The best way to experience this vibrant capital is through a city tour — allowing you to discover unique and interesting aspects of this ever-changing metropolis.

Want to dive straight in? Browse our catalog now!

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1 – Amsterdam: Hidden Gems & Highlights Guided Bike Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.8/5 ( 703 reviews )

“Great experience, despite the intermittent hail! Our bikes were comfortable and easy to ride even though we were very our of practice, and our guide was fantastic and knowledgeable.” Rachel, Getyourguide

Bikes are ubiquitous in Amsterdam, with just shy of a million of these environmentally friendly vehicles to be found in the city. But not many people dare to get in the saddle and peddle like a true Amsterdammer — and it’s exactly this that We Bike Amsterdam is striving to change, one brilliantly executed bike tour at a time.

Forget the bustling streets lining the city’s famous canals, with this tour you’ll head into the side streets and back alleys coming to grips with a side of Amsterdam that only the locals get to see. But don’t worry, you’ll still visit many of the city’s most famous attractions — just by taking the road less peddled.

Visiting Amsterdam and not taking a bicycle tour is like going to the Heineken Experience and not enjoying a beer. And as far as bicycle tours in The Dutch capital go, you can’t beat We Bike Amsterdam. The trips are expertly curated and the guide ensures that everyone has the best time possible, all while exploring a part of the city that usually remains hidden.

• bike tours in Amsterdam

2 – Anne Frank Guided Walking Tour through Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 5610 reviews )

“We strongly recommend this experience if you visit Amsterdam for the first time. Our guide, Giovanni, was able to transmit to the group his passion while telling the sad story of Anne Frank’s life.” Lorenzo, Viator

Anne Frank is arguably one of Amsterdam’s most famous residents and her honest account of life under Nazi occupation still serves as a warning against fascism and racism today. It’s therefore fitting that the home she once hid in has been immortalized as one of the best museums in Amsterdam — still drawing thousands of visitors to its humble facade in the Jewish Quarter .

360 Amsterdam Tours offers one of the best excursions to learn more about her tragic life. Conducted as a walking tour, a compassionate guide will retrace the steps of young Anne, illuminating the modern-day streets of Amsterdam with anecdotes from her life and diary.

It’s not easy to relay the story around Anne’s life with the necessary pathos while still ensuring a memorable experience, but that is not a problem on this tour. The guide will make Anne’s story and day-to-day existence come to life around you, allowing you to see the humanity in this important historical figure.

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Read more: Best Walking Tours in Amsterdam

3 – Blue Boat: 75 Mins Amsterdam Canal Cruise

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 4421 reviews )

“Great experience! I totally recommend it! You get also a detailed explanation of the history of Amsterdam throughout an audio guide!” Ljupka, Headout

A list of Amsterdam’s best city tours won’t be complete without mentioning boat tours in the Dutch capital. The canals formed and shaped modern-day Amsterdam and they continue to play an important role in the city’s identity.

As a result, there are a host of canal tours available in Amsterdam, but the cream of the crop remains the iconic vessels of the Blue Boat Company — especially when you take factors like duration and cost into consideration. The accompanying audio guide is expertly narrated and you’ll gain valuable insight into the city and its rich heritage.

This canal cruise in Amsterdam is sure to be a highlight of any trip. Even though the tour is only 75 minutes long, it’ll prove more than enough to admire all of the amazing Golden Age sites and the audio guide is very informative. Overall, the experience provides amazing value for money.

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Read more: Best boat tours in Amsterdam

4 – Amsterdam Red Light District & Coffee Shop Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 2141 reviews )

“Our guide gave us a wonderful tour of the city highlighting all of the historic elements and describing them beautifully, very knowledgeable.” Anne, Viator

The infamous neighborhood known as the Red Light District is regarded as one of the best tourist attractions in Amsterdam . These notorious streets played an important role in Dutch society, posing serious questions that helped shape the Netherlands’ modern outlook.

Trigger Tours is one of the best companies when it comes to exploring the Red Light District and these tours offer an unconventional, no-holds-barred look at these famous streets. Their mission to entertain and inform rather than to shock and scandalize is one that many other tour operators should do well to follow.

On the whole, a great tour that offers a wonderfully enlightening experience. The tour provides a fascinating look at recreational drug use and prostitution in Amsterdam — while always considering the human element in the narrative.

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5 – Full Coverage Amsterdam Private City Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 25 reviews )

“Sharing stories about life and culture. Very good at modifying the tour to your interests. The weather was surprisingly beautiful for us.” Phillip, Viator

Private tours in Amsterdam allow you to explore the city in as much depth as you want, and you’ll usually also be able to determine the itinerary — making it the perfect activity for a family, a group of friends or even a couple.

The quality of these tours relies heavily on the capabilities of the guide, something that the team at Withlocals knows well. So well in fact, that they’ve created an entire platform around it, allowing travelers to connect with the absolute best guides in Amsterdam to ensure an unforgetable private walking tour.

This tour is worth every penny! You’ll enjoy great freedom in determining the points visited and your guide is always ready to assist you. On top of that, you’ll be sure to enjoy delicious snacks as well as lesser-known sites like the floating flower market and the tour through the Theatre district.

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6 – Food Lovers Tour in Amsterdam

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 202 reviews )

“This was an amazing tour! (…) We stopped and sampled the best foods in Amsterdam and also got a history lesson and other interesting facts along the way.” Garrit, Viator

While Amsterdam might not be the culinary destination that some other European cities are, it still boasts an impressive selection of local treats — making food tours in the city an ever-popular option.

One of the leading figures in this burgeoning scene is Romain, a foodie who first made waves with his Shaker Cocktail Club mixology classes. During the day, he leads the much-celebrated Food Lovers Tour in Amsterdam, allowing countless travelers to explore the surprising tastes that the city has to offer.

Scrumptious! Romain is the perfect host and he’ll entertain you throughout our food tour, telling you more about life in Amsterdam and the surprising culinary influences. At the end of the tour, you’ll be stuffed and leave knowing much more about the local delicacies than you did at the start.

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Read more: Best Food Tours in Amsterdam

7 – Amsterdam: Private Guided City Tour by Pedicab

Rating: ⭐️ 4.9/5 ( 45 reviews )

“It was our first time in Amsterdam and doing the pedicab as well. We learned so much and he made it a memorable and great experience. Definitely recommend this tour and would book it again!” Kristen, Getyourguide

If you’re looking for private tours in Amsterdam , but you’re not too thrilled by the idea of spending half a day wandering the streets of the city, then we’ve got the tour for you — a pedicab tour in Amsterdam.

These two-seater vehicles allow you to sit back and enjoy the ride, while your guide peddles you through the streets of Amsterdam. You’ll be able to stop along the way and listen while your guide regales you with stories dating as far back as the foundation of the city. Then, you’ll continue to the next stop and do it again, all from the comfort of your covered Pedicab seat.

If you’ve never heard of a Pedicab before going on this tour it’ll be the first thing you’ll search for when planning a trip to a new city — especially if the idea of not having to walk while taking in the sights and getting the lay of the land appeals to you.

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8 – The #1 Best Rated (Free) Walking Tour in Amsterdam

Rating: ⭐️ 4.6/5 ( 4579 reviews )

“(…) The tour was insanely entertaining and informative. Highly recommend to everyone!” Alexander, Guruwalk

Depending on the guide, a free walking tour can be somewhat of a hit or miss, especially as reviews do not always correspond with real-life experiences. That’s where Guruwalk comes in, an expertly curated platform featuring some of the best guides who’ll help you explore Amsterdam for free.

And when it comes to free experiences in Amsterdam, nobody can compete with the team at FreeDam Tours. These passionate and knowledgeable locals will show you a side of Amsterdam that most for-profit tours do not visit — and they do it all to share their love for their city and a well-earned gratuity.

• free walking tours in Amsterdam

Even if you had to pay for this tour, you would still leave feeling like it was a bargain. The tour guide is extremely well-versed when it comes to Amsterdam’s history and the locations visited are great — you’ll even visit some attractions that you won’t find on most tourist brochures.

9 – Segway City Tours Amsterdam

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 259 reviews )

“The segway experience was fun and fantastic. We were able to see and learn about many places around town with the tour guide.” Patty, Viator

If you’re looking for a fun, affordable and novel way of exploring the Dutch capital, look no further than Segway City Tours in Amsterdam . These delightful vehicles allow you to zip around the city, covering much more ground in less time — ensuring that you make the most of every minute in Amsterdam.

The city’s ample cycling lanes and accommodating outlook towards carbon-free travel make it the perfect place for a Segway ride, no matter your experience level. This activity is especially well suited to people with limited time in the capital and it lasts for just under 3 hours — perfect for a crash course in all things Amsterdam.

This is undoubtedly one of the most fun ways to spend 2.5 hours in Amsterdam, and that’s saying a lot… The segways will allow you to cover much more ground and they offer a welcome change of pace, especially for travelers that are footsore and tired. Consider taking this tour as soon as you land in Amsterdam to get a true feel for the city.

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10 – Amsterdam: Jordaan District Local Food Walking Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.8/5 ( 184 reviews )

“We loved the historical facts, it was fun and interestingly presented. The food was amazing, the locations were stunning and our guide was patient and caring.” Karine, Getyourguide

The Jordaan District is one of Amsterdam’s most famous neighborhoods — so it’s only fitting that the next offering comes from one of the best tour providers on the continent, Eating Europe .

This culinary experience company has already made quite a name for itself, and it boasts activities in 15 cities across Europe. It’s easy to understand why this offer in the Jordaan District regularly makes the list of the top food tours in Amsterdam . Guests can expect a quality food tour that only one of the best companies in Europe can provide.

It’s easy to see why Eating Europe has become a synonym for quality from Amsterdam to Prague and everywhere in between. The tastings are delicious and generous and the guide provides enlightening commentary throughout. — even checking in individually to make sure that everybody was having a great time.

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11 – Amsterdam: Open Boat Canal Cruise with Local Guide

Rating: ⭐️ 4.8/5 ( 804 reviews )

“We really enjoyed our cruise with Maxim. It was beautiful and because the boat wasn’t too big it felt personal and special. It was quite entertaining and he shared some interesting background facts.” Rebekah, Getyourguide

Not all canal cruises and boat tours in Amsterdam are created equally. Generally, you can choose between the larger cruises with an audio guide or a voyage on a smaller vessel with a guide on board. While the latter option allows for a much more intimate setting and access to a passionate local, they also tend to be quite expensive.

Luckily, that’s not the case for this open boat tour from KINboat , and you’ll be able to explore Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canals in an unforgettable manner.

It’s hard to find another tour in Amsterdam that can compete with this open-boat canal cruise when it comes to value for money. The boat is large without feeling impersonal and the commentary from the guide allowed for great insight into Amsterdam’s history.

• boat tours in Amsterdam

12 – Amsterdam: Enjoy a Dutch Cheese-Tasting Session with Wine

Rating: ⭐️ 4.7/5 ( 276 reviews )

“Our tour host Killian was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the cheese and history. Very insightful tour, and I learned a few things indeed!” Rachel, Getyourguide

If you visit Amsterdam without trying the local cheeses, did you really visit Amsterdam? To say that the Dutch like their fermented dairy products is an understatement, a sentiment supported by the number of cheese shops throughout the capital.

One of the most famous of these purveyors of cheesy goodness is the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store , and it’s also the driving force behind this cheese and wine tour in Amsterdam . Learn how some of the world’s favorite cheeses are made and try some that you’ll only find in Amsterdam — each of them perfectly paired with a selected wine.

This is a true hidden gem of an experience and was wonderfully presented by the local cheesemaker. His love for his craft is infectious and guests will enjoy all of the delectable cheeses on offer — and the wine will help to bring many of the tastes to the forefront.

• cheese tastings in Amsterdam

13 – Amsterdam: Guided Ganja Walking Tour of Coffee Shops

Rating: ⭐️ 4.3/5 ( 1893 reviews )

“This tour was exceptional. I didn’t have the confidence or knowledge to go to coffee shops myself as a solo traveller. Sophie was the perfect guide, knowledgeable, welcoming and a joy to socialise with. The staff in the coffee shop were brilliant and fully explained how to enjoy the experience.” Ben, Getyourguide

With a name like the Guided Ganja Walking tour, it’s pretty obvious what’s the main focus of the outing. Coffee Shops are ever present throughout the Dutch capital and this excursion from Oranje Umbrella explores some of the best smoking joints that Amsterdam has to offer.

It also offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into this vibrant subculture, while answering many questions that most people don’t want to ask. Throughout the trip, you’ll learn about the history of marijuana in the Netherlands, how it became legalized and the do’s and don’ts when visiting one of these fine establishments.

If you’re curious about the marijuana subculture in Amsterdam, then this is the perfect tour for you. It’s a great ice breaker, endowing travelers with the knowledge and confidence to go to coffee shops on their own. The tour guide is brilliant, taking time to explain the way that marijuana should be enjoyed while in the city and he patiently answers any questions that you may have.

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14 – #1 Craft Beer & Brewery Tour, Brew Bus Amsterdam

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 63 reviews )

“This was a lot of fun! The breweries were unique, the beer was great, the bus was comfortable, and the tour guides were very friendly and provided many interesting facts about Amsterdam during the tour.” Lucas, Viator

Many people would consider Amsterdam the spiritual home of Dutch beer, with both Heineken and Amstel hailing from the city. However, the local beer scene isn’t exclusively about big corporate brands.

Craft beer is as popular in the Dutch capital as it is in the rest of the world — and this outing from the aptly named Brew Bus Amsterdam aims to leave participants totally refreshed by the end. In total, you’ll be able to visit 7 breweries where you’ll get to enjoy the decidedly Dutch take on craft favorites. There’s also an option to include a visit to the much-vaunted Heineken Experience, to see how the big boys brew.

Calling all beer lovers! This tour is unmissable and you’ll go away utterly refreshed, and somewhat fuzzy. But, of course, it’s not only about drinking — instead this tour allows you to get up close to the brewing process and may even get to ask a local brewer questions about their craft.

• beer tastings in Amsterdam

15 – Amsterdam: Lovers Night Canal Cruise from Central Station

Rating: ⭐️ 4.4/5 ( 356 reviews )

“I wish we had done this on our first night – it shows you where some of the best sights are and is so beautiful at night!” Cat, Tiqets

If you’re looking for the perfect Amsterdam city tour for you and your partners, look no further than this enchanting night out on the canal, brought to you by the folks at Lovers Canal Cruise .

Come nightfall, Amsterdam is transformed into a fairytale-like tableau of shimmering lights, bustling streets and beautiful buildings. An audio guide will help you make sense of the magical scenes as you cruise along the canal during this mesmerizing outing.

All in all, this is a great tour for the price. Amsterdam at night doesn’t disappoint and the buildings were beautifully lit up. Guests can look forward to enjoying an audio guide — making it super convenient to learn more about the sites you’ll pass on the canals.

• night boat tours in Amsterdam

How to book city tours in Amsterdam?

Finding the best city tours in Amsterdam at the most affordable price is easier said than done. Usually, tour companies offer their activities on their own websites, as well as on several booking platforms, each with their own reviews. To make things even more confusing, they often do so at different price points, with special offers on some sites, but not on others.

TourScanner helps travelers make sense of the confusion by finding the best option, by instantly comparing offers, reviews and prices.

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The Best Tours of Amsterdam to Take in 2024 and Why

Ian Sumpter Last Updated: October 26, 2023

Are you planning to visit Amsterdam but don’t know if you should take a tour or not? In this guide, we cover all the best tours of Amsterdam to take this year and why we love them so much.

Pro Tip: Planning your trip to Amsterdam? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. Check out our guide to Amsterdam for more planning resources, our best Amsterdam tours for a memorable trip, and the  top things to do in Amsterdam .

Should You Book One of the Best Tours of Amsterdam?

The short answer is yes. But why?

Amsterdam is a city that has a lot to offer and even more to explore! The food and drink scene is fantastic. Indonesian and Sumerian influences highlight the Netherlands’ imperial past, mingling with class local dishes like salted Herring. There are over forty-five miles of canals and three-hundred-and-twenty miles of cycle lanes. So, it’s no surprise to find that canal cruises and cycling tours feature heavily on this list.

On top of that, there is the Anne Frank Museum and two world-class art museums in the form of the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. There is much more to see and do than most people first expect. A guided tour can make sure you don’t miss any vital sites, so be sure to check out our best tours of Amsterdam below.

Not ready to book a tour? Explore our  Amsterdam Guide .

The Top 8 Best Tours of Amsterdam

1, amsterdam local food tour in the albert cuyp market.

The late Anthony Bourdain once said, ‘Food is everything we are. It’s an extension of nationalist feeling, ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, your grandma. It’s inseparable from those from the get-go.’ It should come as no surprise that I often put food tours at the top of these lists.

I don’t think there is a better way to understand a city than a food tour. You get to learn so much. I’m not saying don’t go to the major monuments and museums; I’m saying do both.

With this tour, you’ll explore the historic Albert Cuyp Market as you join a food-obsessed local guide for an afternoon of seafood, cheese, street food snacks, and delicious local beer. From pickled herring to exciting Asian fusions, this is a deep dive into the Dutch food scene and undoubtedly one of the best tours of Amsterdam.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  Amsterdam Guide for more resources.

2. Rijksmuseum Art Connoisseur Guided Tour

There are 8,000 works of art in the Rijksmuseum. If you were to spend sixty seconds in front of each, it would take 133 hours or five and a half days without sleep or rest to see the entire collection.

The point I’m trying to make is there is a lot to see. You don’t have time to see everything, so what should you see? You can pour through guidebooks and free guides like ours or let a local art expert guide you through the key pieces with insights, history, and more. I know which one I would choose.

With this tour, your expert guide leads you through the key highlights of the Rijksmuseum and learn about the Golden Age of Dutch art.

Highlights include:

• Rembrandt’s portraits
• Jan Steen’s family interiors
• Vermeer’s ‘The Milkmaid’
• Ferdinand Bol’s self-portrait
• ‘The Night Watch’
• 7th-century delftware
• 17th-century dolls house
• Entry to The Pierre Cuypers Library

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a tour of the Rijksmuseum is worth it .

3, Amsterdam Bike and Boat Combo Tour

Would you rather explore Amsterdam by bike or from the water? It’s your vacation, so why choose? Do both with this fabulous combo tour.

Jump on your fully equipped bike to cycle around some of the city’s most essential and beautiful sites. You’ll see the historic Dam Square, Vondelpark, the Rijksmuseum, and more.

After working up an appetite on the bike, you can jump aboard your ninety-minute luxury canal cruise with drinks and food on board. It’s the perfect tour for anybody wanting a good city orientation.

• Friendly, local guide
• 2.5 hour bike tour through Amsterdam
• 90 minute boat tour
• Knowledgeable boat captain
• Drinks and bites on boat
• Iconic landmarks and canals

4. Luxury Canal Boat Cruise in Amsterdam

There is a reason Amsterdam is called the Venice of the North: canals, lots of them. One hundred sixty-five of them, in fact, stretching over seventy-five KM.

You’ll cruise past Amsterdam’s most important neighborhoods like Jordaan, Prinsengracht, Herengracht, and the Golden Bend. Add on top of that an open bar, allowing you to enjoy some delicious local Dutch Lager.

You’ll have a skipper and host to ensure you don’t miss anything, a fun and informative way to see the city and one of the best tours of Amsterdam.

• Refreshments including beer, wine and soft drinks included
• Expert Local English Speaking Team of Skipper and Host
• 1 hour canal cruise through Amsterdam’s most important neighborhoods

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our guide to the Best Bars in Amsterdam

5. Historical Anne Frank World War II Walking Tour

This tour is a must for those wanting a deeper understanding of life in Amsterdam during WWII. History should occasionally make us feel uncomfortable. Reflecting on past horrors is often the best way to ensure we don’t commit those same horrors again.

You’ll start outside the Jewish Museum and meet up with your guide steps away from the Dokwerker, a monument dedicated to the first Jewish lawyer in the Netherlands, Jonas Daniel Meijer, before heading into the Jewish Quarter.

Your expert guide will talk about the Nazi presence in Amsterdam, its effect on the Jewish community, and how young Anne Frank hid in a Dutch household.

Then, onto the Hollandsche Schouwburg Museum and the Portuguese Synagogue before finishing outside the Anne Frank House Museum, where you will be free to explore if you choose to do so. Highlights include:

• Guided tour through the Jewish Quarter
• Detailed stories about World War II
• Historical World War II sites
• Stops at the Hollandsche Schouwburg Musem
• See the outside of the Portuguese Synagogue
• Views of The Anne Frank House museum
• Local English-speaking guide

Not ready to book a tour? Check out the Top Things to do in Amsterdam

6. Amsterdam in a Half Day by Bike

Cycling is an integral part of Amsterdam’s culture. There are few cities in the world so bicycle friendly. In fact, there are 515km (320 miles) of dedicated cycle lanes.

So, while in many cities, my favorite way to get around is on foot, in Amsterdam, I love nothing more than getting on two wheels to explore as much as possible.

With this tour, you’ll join our fun storytelling guides to discover the top sights in Amsterdam in the most authentic fashion. Ride through the city’s coolest neighborhoods, cross over the canals, and sample local beer on the best bike tour of Amsterdam.

• Local English speaking guide
• Maximum group size of 10
• Bike rental with helmet included
• Jordaan district
• The Heineken Factory (Exterior)
• A visit to a local brewery

Not ready to book a tour? Check out Where to Stay in Amsterdam

7. Jordaan Local Food Tour in Amsterdam

Indulge in traditional Dutch cuisine and discover culinary influences with your friendly local guide.

On this hand-crafted food tour in Jordaan, a neighborhood renowned for its enchanting canals and world-renowned culinary scene.

You’ll get to sample Dutch classics like traditional jenever, bitterballen, and herring. You will learn about the influence of Indonesian and Suriname dishes, and your expert guide will share insights into the neighborhood’s history and culture. You’ll finish the tour well-educated and satiated. Highlights include:

• Try Café Papeneiland’s famous apple pie
• Sample bitterballen
• Indonesian-inspired cuisine
• Suriname-influenced cuisine
• Herring the “Amsterdam way”
• Stroll along Brouwergracht Canal
• Sip jenever

Not ready to book a tour? Check out the Best Restaurants in Amsterdam

8. Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum Private Tour

Explore not one but two world-class art museums in a day with an expert licensed guide. Not seeing the works of the Dutch Masters while in Amsterdam should be considered a crime. At the Rijksmuseum, you will see pieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer, amongst many others.

Then your tour departs from the norm, and your local expert guide will lead you to the recently opened Van Gogh museum. You’ll learn all the details about the often controversial artist’s life, about his drive and prolific production.

A tour full of curiosities and stories about the life and work of the genius of Van Gogh and the Dutch Masters.

• Rembrandt’s Night Watch
• Vermeer’s The Milkmaid
• Van Gogh’s Self Portraits
• Van Gogh’s Sunflowers
• The Life and Art of Vincent Van Gogh
• Top Works from the Dutch Masters

Not ready to book a tour? Check out How to Visit the Rijksmuseum

Where To Stay in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a vast city with many areas to stay in, including beyond the downtown area. Choose a hotel near the top things you want to see in this beautiful old city.

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The Gallery of Honour

Join the guided tour through the heart of the museum and learn more about the Milkmaid, Jan Steen's household and of course the Night Watch.

The Dutch masters

21:15 min. - From the Milkmaid to the Night Watch

Amsterdam Walking Tour

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 3 hours
• Users Max. people: 8
• Info Tour Type: City

Start point:  Anywhere  central, usually your hotel.

Discover Amsterdam on a Walking Tour

Book a fun and informative exploration of old Amsterdam as we guide you through alleys and squares and along beautiful canals. We stop often and point out landmarks, interesting detials and tell stories about the city’s rich history.

Topics that we cover include history, art, architecture, culture, politics and more

• The history of Amsterdam and how the city was shaped
• Famous Dutch liberalism, their tolerance and directness, why it arose and just how far it goes
• The Protestant Reformation and how it suited the pragmatic Dutch culture of the time
• How the Dutch East India Company influenced modern business
• The bicycle culture and canals and why so many bicycles are inside the canals
• The history about the houseboats and the city’s crazy crooked and tiny houses
• Where to eat good food and drink tasty beer
• Coffeeshops and how that whole thing works
• Flea markets/farmers markets/street markets – which are worth a visit on which days and which are best to avoid
• Which museums and attractions are great and which are tourist traps
• We talk about a whole lot more too, whatever crops up in conversation

If you want to tour Amsterdam and get a local’s perspective, That Dam Guide is here to help and our Amsterdam walking tour is the perfect way to get to know the city.

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Refund policy:  If you cancel more than 24 hours before the start of the tour then you will receive a full refund.

A few Reviews…

Walking tour with lee (from tripadvisor april 2024 by scubedoo).

Took the private walking tour with Lee on our second day in Amsterdam. It was a great way to get to know the city early in the trip and learn a lot of history of the area. Lee met us at our hotel and we started from there, she is very knowledgeable on Amsterdam and was able to answer any questions we had. She also advised us on some great restaurants to visit which we did and wasn’t disappointed. Highly recommend this tour.

Perfect Tour (from Tripadvisor April 2024 by wendypstan)

A friend referred me to That Dam Guide. From start to finish it was an excellent experience. Booking was super easy. Directions on meeting place and follow up were perfect. Our guide, Lee, was amazing. We learned so much and she was super fun. This tour is a great start to a vacation in Amsterdam as you gain a great perspective of the city and you have a valuable source of information for how to spend the rest of your trip. Don’t hesitate to book.

Amsterdam private tour (from Tripadvisor August 2023 by MsKAB)

We only had one full day in Amsterdam and wanted to see as much as possible. Mark was amazing! Not only is he so knowledgeable about everything Amsterdam but he is just fun to be with! I would highly recommend hiring him for a private day tour. He took us to parts of the Amsterdam countryside that we would’ve never seen otherwise.

Great Tour (from Tripadvisor August 2022 by Graham L)

As a repeat customer, I can confirm that Mark is great. He gives you a mix of history of the city, local unknown spots, and current events and culture. He keeps it entertaining but informative. He also gave us a ton of great recommendations for restaurants and spots to visit. My girlfriend and I (both age 26) appreciated his great camera skills and knowledge of good photo spots. We did both the city walking tour and the Rijksmuseum tour.

The Amsterdam Walking Tour leaves one better informed – history, knowledge and unique points of interest (from Tripadvisor November 2019 by P7083VKsandrab)

The Amsterdam Walking Tour by That Dam Guide, Mark Law was fabulous, more than meeting my expectations. During the over three hours of walking we were introduced to many highlights of the care of Amsterdam. What made the tour so informative was Mark’s knowledge of the history of Amsterdam and how he weaved that knowledge into what he shared with the group. I appreciated the hidden gems he introduced us to, such as the Dutch East India Trading Company building which is now used by the University of Amsterdam, the Bols tasting bar, the significance of the stumbling stones, the gates and architecture. Following the tour I received an email with further links which was a first for me in terms of follow-up to a tour and added to the make he provided the map of recommendations he provided. Mark is has a wealth of information and the tour was fabulous!

Great Walking Tour with Lee (from Tripadvisor August 2019 by Arnold K

Walking tour with rob- fantastic (from tripadvisor january 2019 by stripes6).

My teenage son and I visited Amsterdam in September. Our first day we started with a 3 hour walking tour of Amsterdam with  Rob  of That Dam Guide…I am so happy we did!  Rob  was funny, pleasant, knowledgable and helpful. The walking tour gave us a general idea of the layout of central Amsterdam, some very interesting history and lots of humorous stories about the city. I highly recommend That Dam Guide!  Rob  is passionate about Amsterdam!

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"Amsterdam is filled with iconic sights, but one of the city's greatest joys is simply wandering along the pretty canals, bridges and leafy streets. You never know what you'll discover, from charming bars to traditional cheese shops - and don't forget to look up at those gorgeous gabled facades."

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Wander around Amsterdam's labyrinth of canals

We’ll take you for a scenic stroll around Amsterdam’s impressive canals, lined with a jumble of medieval gabled homes, colourful houseboats and leafy squares. With almost 100-kilometres (60 miles) of canals, 1,700 flower-decked bridges, and 7,000 centuries-old buildings, prepare to be amazed by this iconic Amsterdam experience.

See the sturdy Dutch bicycles rattle day and night

Amsterdam is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world, thanks to its flat streets and amazing cycling culture. We’ll show you how to get around town like the locals, pedalling along the pretty canals and around some of the city’s scenic wonders like the beautiful Vondelpark and the trendy Jordaan neighbourhood.

Enjoy a dinner in a historic Dutch House

We’ll show you around Amsterdam’s beautiful medieval buildings - but we’ll also take you inside one of these historic houses for a delicious meal of Dutch delicacies and drinks. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight into the Dutch Golden Age as you’re surrounded by the city’s rich history and superb cuisine.

Admire the Royal Palace of Amsterdam

With its magnificent 17th-century architecture and regal history, the Royal Palace is one of the best places to visit in Amsterdam. Although it’s the official reception palace of the Dutch monarch, it’s often open to visitors, and you can waltz across the marble floors, admire the grand hallways, and gaze up at the dazzling chandeliers.

Nibble your way through Amsterdam's traditional foods

Amsterdam’s dining scene is one of Europe’s best, and we’ll take you on a tasting tour with a Local Specialist, to learn all about the flavours of Dutch cuisine. Savour the artisanal specialities at a cheese shop, sample the best fish in town, bite into a sweet stroopwafel, and wash it all down with a local beer or Jenever.

Our top 5 things to do in Amsterdam

Our Amsterdam holidays show you all the iconic Amsterdam attractions like the pretty canals and famous architecture, along with the hidden gems of this captivating city.

Amsterdam Museum

If you’ve ever wanted to learn the history of Amsterdam, you’ve got to visit the Amsterdam Museum. Housed in the old city orphanage, the museum tells the story of this 1,000-year-old city from the Middle Ages to modern times, including a medieval aerial map and masterpieces like Brietner’s The Dam.

Rembrandt House Museum

Hailed as one of the world’s greatest artists, there’s no better place to learn about Rembrandt van Rijn than the Rembrandt House Museum. As the former home where Rembrandt lived and painted for many years, the building has been restored to its 17th-century styling and the museum displays a number of Rembrandt’s masterpieces.

Stedelijk Museum

Located a short stroll from the iconic Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, you have to make a stop at the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam’s top museum of contemporary and modern art. You’ll see incredible works from the likes of Vincent van Gogh, Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol, along with photos, sculptures and interactive displays.

Best museums in Amsterdam

You can’t visit this incredible city without making a stop at one of the famous Amsterdam museums, and we’ll show you where to marvel at the masters of art and discover the city’s fascinating history.

You’ll find these deep-fried delights all over Amsterdam, and you’re sure to fall in love with the famous kroket. It’s made with all kinds of fillings like meat, cheese, rice, pasta, mushrooms or vegetables melded with mashed potatoes and a thick béchamel sauce, which is then breaded and deep-fried to crispy perfection.

If you want to try a real Dutch breakfast, it’s got to be hagelslag. It's similar to sprinkles (but definitely not the same!), scattered over a piece of buttered bread and enjoyed by children and adults alike. Chocolate is the most common flavour and it’s sure to become your new favourite morning ritual in Amsterdam.

There are few things more Dutch than the smell of poffertjes wafting through the air and you can’t resist tucking into a cone of these small, fluffy pancakes topped with dripping butter and powdered sugar. Whether you eat them as a snack or dessert, it’s the perfect sweet treat to enjoy on your Amsterdam holiday.

Best food in Amsterdam

One of the best parts of Amsterdam is the delicious cuisine, and our Amsterdam tours will show you all the very best places to satisfy your Dutch food cravings.

What to pack for Amsterdam

Comfortable walking shoes

Whether you’re strolling around the canals or cycling through the streets, you’ll need to bring a comfortable pair of shoes for your Amsterdam trip.

Waterproof coat

Amsterdam gets around 133 rainy days a year, so it’s best to come prepared with a warm and waterproof raincoat. A small umbrella will also come in handy!

A day pack is perfect for holding your raincoat and umbrella, plus all those special souvenirs you pick up on your Amsterdam adventures.

Digital maps

With so many amazing things to do in Amsterdam, it’s a great idea to download the city map to your phone, so you can access it even when your phone is offline.

Camera & extra SD cards

Amsterdam might just be one of the most gorgeous cities you’ll ever visit, so be sure to bring a camera and extra SD cards to capture all that beauty.

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