Top Amsterdam Historical Tours

Discover Amsterdam’s WWII history and follow in the footsteps of Anne Frank on this walking tour of the Jewish Quarter. See the Jewish Historical Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue, and the Auschwitz Monument; learn about events such as the February Strike and Winter of Hunger, and end the tour outside the Anne Frank House (entrance not included).

Enjoy an alternative sightseeing experience of Amsterdam on an exciting bike tour of the dazzling Dutch capital. Follow a professional guide through the quaint waterways and winding cobbled streets of the city and discover an eclectic selection of sights off the conventional tourist trail. Delve into the rich history and 'coffee shop' culture of the city with your knowledgeable guide and get local recommendations from your local guide.

Discover the buzzing nightlife and racy reputation of Amsterdam’s infamous Red Light District on this walking tour. Wind your way through the streets of Amsterdam’s most iconic neighborhood and embrace the weird, wonderful and wacky! Along the way, see oddities like the world’s first condom shop and the Museum of Prostitution; weave through colorful Chinatown, and snap photos of Amsterdam’s scenic canal ways.

Discover the delights and history of Zaanse Schans and the Dutch countryside on a 3-hour, small-group trip from Amsterdam. With an informative guide, admire the lush, canal-crossed Dutch landscape. Take a tour of pretty Zaanse Schans, famous for its wooden windmills and green-painted houses, and visit a cheese farm and clog-making workshop to learn about these traditional crafts. Lastly, visit a working windmill to learn how these waterside factories helped drive the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age. Numbers are limited on this tour for a small-group experience.

Experience an iconic landscape of fishing villages, windmills, and craftsmen’s shops on a small-group tour from Amsterdam into the Dutch countryside. Visit a series of traditional, restored windmills in Zaanse Schans, and walk the dikes and harbor of Volendam, a pretty port lined with bright houses and sailboats. Sample locally-make cheeses and Dutch schnapps, with time to choose a restaurant for lunch, then enjoy sweeping views of the landscape during the return trip to Amsterdam.

Pedal your way around historic Amsterdam and see the city like a local on this 3-hour guided bike tour. Cycle along Amsterdam’s scenic canal ways, landmark bridges and historic streets, and see the famous Red Light District, the bustling New Market and the lively Jordaan district. Stop along the way to admire the city’s quirky architecture and snap photos of attractions like the Old Church, the Royal Palace and the Western Church. This small-group tour has a maximum of 15 people and is suitable for all abilities.

Experience the best of Amsterdam in two hours on a fun Segway city tour. Hop aboard your electric self-balancing transportation device, and cruise effortlessly around the key sights. Glide across the famous Skinny Bridge over the Amstel River, wheel around the charming canal quarter, and coast to top Amsterdam attractions such as Dam Square, the Botanical Gardens and more. Make regular stops for photos and hear fun facts about the sights from an informative guide. Numbers are limited to nine on this small-group tour, ensuring a more personalized experience.

Bypass the lines at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and admire van Gogh’s works with your very own private guide. Gain priority access and explore the highlights of the museum, home to the world’s biggest Vincent van Gogh art collection. Let your guide introduce you to sublime masterpieces such as ‘Sunflowers,’ learn the significance of some lesser-known paintings, and see pieces by artists who influenced his style, such as Gauguin and Monet. A perfect introduction to the museum and the great artist’s life and work.

Learn about Amsterdam's Jewish history on this private tour. Visit what was once the Jewish Quarter, with its old Synagogue and former Jewish theater (Hollandse Schouwburg) before heading to the Anne Frank House via tram. Here you have the option of going inside to see where the famous diarist hid until she was finally captured during WWII. Tickets are not included, but we can advise you on the best way to visit after the tour.

Discover the delights of Amsterdam on a private half-day walking tour of the city’s historical and cultural highlights. With a your personal guide, go to the Museum Square where the Van Gogh Museum is located; delve into the city’s renowned houseboat culture at the Houseboat Museum; and pleasure your palate with traditional Dutch snacks at Albert Cuyp, the largest street market in the Netherlands. Then, absorb the verdant beauty of Vondelpark and learn the poignant history of Anne Frank’s House on this comprehensive tour.

Explore two must-visit Amsterdam museums—the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum—on a half-day, skip-the-line, small-group tour combo. With a guide, bypass the main queues at the Rijksmuseum to see the exhibitions on Dutch art and history from the Middle Ages, including masterpieces such as Rembrandt’s ‘Night Watch’ and others. After time for lunch, skip the line at the Van Gogh Museum. Enjoy a guided tour of the highlights, seeing Van Gogh 'Sunflowers,' and more.

Get a fascinating introduction to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam on this 2 to 2.5-hour small-group tour, with skip-the-line access. Avoid the main lines with your professional guide, and discover the major works and interesting lesser-known pieces of this troubled, 19th-century Dutch artist. Gaze at the legendary ‘Sunflowers,’ see his last work completed before his death, and admire other masterpieces as your guide sheds light on the different periods of his work and the landscapes, locations and people that inspired him. An ideal first-time insight into the museum and van Gogh.

Discover the fascinating history of the most liberal city in the world with FreeDam Tours - the best-rated walking tour in Amsterdam! On this unique tip-based tour * you will discover how freedom and tolerance shaped the city and its people throughout the ages. Your super-local guide will 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 preconceived ideas about this city because after this tour you will never look and think of Amsterdam the same way! * Tip-based walking tour means you can join this tour basically for free (you will only be charged the booking fee, marketing fee and tourist tax) after which you tip your guide what you think the tour was worth. That motivates us to give you the best tour and you get the best possible value!

Feel the pulse of Amsterdam’s Red Light District and coffee shops on a private walking tour with a local guide. As you stroll the cobbled lanes, see red-lit windows, sex shops, and erotic theaters; and listen as your guide separates facts from fiction about the area’s past and the legalization of prostitution in 2000. Discover Amsterdam's coffee shop culture or upgrade to include admission to the Sexmuseum, whose exhibits chart eye-popping erotica through the ages.

Escape the bustling city and discover the car-free village of Giethoorn on a day trip from Amsterdam. Gain insight into the wetland from your guide as you drive past polders and dams, then board a cruise vessel to admire Giethoorn’s farmhouses, canals, and bridges from a traditional perspective. Enjoy hassle-free transfer to the outlying location with round-trip transport from central Amsterdam.

Enrich your knowledge of Anne Frank’s early life on a private 1.5-hour walking tour of Amsterdam-Zuid. In this wealthy residential area, you’ll visit Anne Frank’s family home, first school and the shop at which she bought her famous diary. As you listen to commentary from your knowledgeable guide, you’ll discover fascinating facts about the young writer and receive undivided attention throughout the private tour. Relish the opportunity to customize your tour and conclude with a warming cup of coffee before bidding your guide farewell.

Immerse yourself in Dutch culture on this full-day tour through the countryside with round-trip transport from Amsterdam. In addition to navigating, your guide offers little-known facts and anecdotes about each stop on the itinerary, including a traditional clog shop, artisan cheese factory, rural windmills, and the village of Giethoorn. Don’t forget your camera: The day also features a boat ride through Giethoorn’s waterways with rare views of the area.

Don’t waste time trying to hit the Dutch food hotspots alone, only to end up in tourist traps. Instead, join this comprehensive, intimate, and off-the-beaten-path food tour through the historical Jordaan district, during which you stop at eight distinct locations. Listen as your Amsterdam-local guide explains each foodstuff—such as Poffertjes (pancakes) or Gouda cheese—as you go.

Bypass the main entrance lines for privately guided tours at Amsterdam’s top two museums—the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum—during this half-day excursion. With your own art historian guide, head straight inside the glorious Rijksmuseum. Chart the history of Dutch art as you explore the highlights, and view treasures such as Rembrandt’s ‘Night Watch.’ Following time for lunch, enjoy fast-track admission to the Van Gogh Museum. Follow your guide around the must-see pieces, including ‘Tree Roots and Trunks,’ van Gogh’s last work, and other sublime masterpieces.

Explore Amsterdam the way it was meant to be seen—by bike! On this private tour, hop aboard a quality rental bike and follow a local guide on a personalized tour of the city's most interesting neighborhoods, scenic paths and iconic attractions. It’s a great way to soak up the sights and atmosphere in one of Europe’s most bike-friendly cities.

Wend your way around beautiful rural Holland on a custom bike tour from Amsterdam. Choose from three tours, hop on your bike in the countryside, and set off behind an expert local guide. Cycle by canals past windmills, meadows and villages; pedal around medieval forts and World War II sites; or discover the country's surprisingly diverse landscapes on a ride around rolling hills, old towns and classic, flat farmlands. Enjoy bottled water and snacks on each tour, as well as a boxed picnic lunch on the full-day tour.

Get an inside peek at Amsterdam's well-known sex industry during this exclusive tour of the Bonton nightlife club. Listen to candid commentary from your guide, a real-life sex worker, as you explore the building's lush interior, including changing rooms and even the VIP rooms. Tours include a meet-and-greet with female club workers, with a chance to ask questions.

See Amsterdam in a unique light on this private tour of the port city’s most notable landmarks, plus tucked-away treasures that most visitors miss. Join up with a local guide to learn the fascinating history behind highlights like the Flower Market, Red Light District, and Rembrandt’s house, and discover hidden gems that lie off the beaten tourist track for an eye-opening exploration.

Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter is a significant city landmark with a unique past, but fully appreciating its World War 2 history can be difficult on a self-led tour. Gain insight into the experience of Anne Frank and other Jewish residents on a walking tour, and benefit from included admission to the Jewish Historical Museum and National Holocaust Museum for a deeper understanding of the city’s Jewish heritage.