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).

See Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken on a full-day windmill tour departing from Amsterdam. Visit a cheese factory to sample local dairy products, admire a classic line-up of authentic windmills, and watch a shoemaker fashion wooden clogs using traditional methods. Hear commentary from your audio guide during the coach journey, and enjoy guided tours in each picturesque village.

Explore Amsterdam’s iconic Red Light District on this short walking tour introduces you to the controversial enclave, which is home to a mix of art galleries, sex theaters, coffee shops, and red-lit windows. Stroll the cobblestoned streets and learn about the district and its history from a 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Visit the picturesque town of Giethoorn on a full-day tour from Amsterdam. Take a boat ride through ‘Dutch Venice’, where you'll have free time to  explore, then climb a dike for views of lakes and polders, or reclaimed land. See, too, Enclosing Dike (Afsluitdijk) which is a 20-mile (32-km) long dike connecting the provinces of North Holland and Friesland.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Kickstart your visit to Amsterdam on this private sightseeing tour of the city’s hotspots, culture, and can’t-miss attractions. Stroll through some of the most interesting areas, like Dam Square and the Red Light District, while a friendly guide shares insight and tips on the best places to shop, dine and explore like a local.

Save valuable vacation time with this skip-the-line ticket to the Rijksmuseum and a private tour. Traveling with a dedicated guide means you'll be able to move at your own pace and ask plenty of questions as you admire Dutch masters' best works from medieval times through the Golden Age. Highlights include works from van Gogh, Vermeer, and Rembrandt.

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.

Leave the crowded tourist boats behind and explore Amsterdam’s hidden corners in a luxury semi-open boat. Cruise the narrow canals of the city center, and pass the Anne Frank House, the trendy 9 Streets area, the flower market and more. Ride in comfort and luxury in all types of weather, with a knowledgeable skipper and heated seats.

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.

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.

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.

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.