Top Amsterdam Historical Tours

This walking tour is the perfect way to enjoy an introduction to Amsterdam. Choose between a private or small group touring option, and head off on your route. Orient yourself to the city's center as you explore its complex history. Follow your guide through Old Town, the Red Light District, the Jordaan neighborhood and more on this jam-packed itinerary.

Don’t settle for crowded museums that rush you through history, elbow-to-elbow with the masses. This intimate walking tour follows Anne Frank's journey through the streets of Amsterdam, each lesser-known site offering profound insights into this era—and proving the enduring need for empathy to this day. Your tour wraps up at the iconic Secret Annex, leaving you with a deeper understanding that standard tours simply can't provide.

See a different side to Amsterdam with this guided tour around the edges of the Red Light District. Learn about the history of sex work, Dutch tolerance policies, and the neighborhood’s unique culture—gaining insight most travelers miss out on. As of 2020, tours inside the district are no longer permitted, so this experience takes you along the perimeter and provides a handy map to help you explore the area independently—and respectfully—once the guided walk ends.

Discover Amsterdam’s WWII history and follow in the footsteps of Anne Frank on this small-group 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 from the perspective of a local, and end the tour outside the Anne Frank House (entrance not included).

Get a fresh perspective on Amsterdam's Red Light District (De Wallen) on this small-group walking tour of the area. Delve into the city's history with the help of your guide and learn about what life is like for sex workers there, plus the laws surrounding the profession. As you explore, find out about local coffeeshops culture and other ways of life than make central Amsterdam unique.

Experience the beautiful blooms of Keukenhof Gardens with a skip-the-line admission ticket and transfer package from Amsterdam. Different options let you tailor this tour to your budget and schedule—add an audio guide to narrate your journey through the Dutch countryside, choose a money-saving afternoon departure, or include a canal cruise ticket to use at your leisure. Whichever you choose, you’ll sail past the lines and admire more than 7 million flowers at your own pace.

Immerse yourself in the history of Amsterdam during this express walking tour of the city center, which is ideal for travelers with limited time in the Dutch capital. Your guide leads the way to save you from navigating between must-see landmarks such as the Red Light District, Dam Square, and walking around the city's famous canals, which have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Experience two quintessentially Dutch attractions on this fun combo tour. Start with a scenic cruise along the Warmond canal ways, passing by traditional wooden windmills as you listen to live guide commentary that adds context to what you see. Next, visit the famous Keukenhof Gardens to admire millions of colorful tulips. Unlike guided tours of Keukenhof Gardens, this self-guided visit lets you benefit from round-trip transport from Amsterdam and prebooked tickets while exploring the gardens at your own pace.

Millions of people travel to Amsterdam to see where the Frank family hid from the Nazis. In this guided tour, we retrace part of the route Anne took on her journey to the hiding place. Travelling back in time to WWII Amsterdam, we'll learn about Anne's life & the ‘secret annex’ and experience Anne’s emotions during the dark days of war. The tour ends near Anne Frank house where you enter the Secret Annex via a virtual reality recreation (made by the Anne Frank Foundation). Entering the hiding place through the bookcase, you'll see that unlike the actual house, the VR house still has furniture, giving a feel of how it was to live there in 1942-44. There’s no crowds, you have the virtual Anne Frank house to yourself to explore at your own pace. This is as close to the real thing as you can get, without stepping foot in the house. Ideal for those who can’t get tickets or access to the Annex. ** This tour does NOT start at Anne Frank House** No additional purchases required

Follow the locals’ lead on a 2-hour bike tour to explore Amsterdam. In a group capped at 12 people, you’ll ride atop a distinctive yellow bike to discover places vehicles can’t reach and cover more ground than sightseers on foot. As you listen to city commentary, you’ll check off must-see Amsterdam landmarks and neighborhoods; the Skinny Bridge, Anne Frank House, and Jordaan quarter are all en route.

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam houses the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world, including famous masterpieces such as “Sunflowers” and “The Potato Eaters.” Tickets must be purchased in advance, so avoid disappointment by pre-booking your preferred timeslot and reserving a multimedia tour available in multiple languages. Upgrade to a guided tour for a deep dive into one of the Netherlands' most enigmatic artists.

Experience a 2-hour walking tour of Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter and immerse yourself in the moving history of the 2nd century. World War I. You will start at the famous Anne Frank statue, around the corner from the Anne Frank House and follow its exciting tracks. Let yourself be carried away by passages from Anne's diary and dive deep into Jewish history before and after the Second World War on an informative tour together with a passionate guide. World War I entered Amsterdam. Pass the Anne Frank House, the Portuguese Synagogue and look at stumbling blocks and monuments that recall the courageous resistance in the Third Reich. Discover how the Jewish community lives in multicultural Amsterdam today. Explore the Jewish Quarter of the Dutch capital on this tour and enjoy an unforgettable experience. Note : The Anne Frank House is visited from the outside on this tour, but not visited.

Venture beyond Amsterdam's busy streets to explore the Netherlands' most scenic spots on this full-day tour. Travel to Keukenhof, a picturesque botanical garden in Lisse, and hop aboard a boat for a picture-perfect windmill cruise, including a visit to a working windmill. Stop at a peaceful tulip farm to meet local growers and get up close to the flowers—away from the crowds. With photo opportunities at every turn, comfortable travel by air-conditioned coach, and all entry tickets included, this tour offers the perfect day out, without the need to organize a thing yourself..

See some of Vincent Van Gogh's most famous works with a guide to lead the way on this walking tour of Amsterdam's famed Van Gogh Museum. Listen to live commentary about the celebrated Dutch painter and his life and inspiration while taking time to examine some of his most iconic works.

Take a day trip out of the city to see Dutch windmills in the countryside around Amsterdam. On this tour you’ll see the canals and greenery of rural life in the Netherlands, and learn about the rich history of the area from your guide. Traveling by vehicle ensures you skip the stress of public transportation, while visiting the traditional villages of Zaanse Schans and Volendam offer an alternative perspective of Dutch culture.

Spend less time waiting and more time admiring the masterpieces of the Rijksmuseum on a small-group guided tour. Designed with time-pressed travelers in mind, this express tour takes you to paintings by European masters such as Rembrandt and Hals, offering insight into European art history beyond guidebooks. A small group ensures plenty of opportunities to ask your guide questions.

Discover history, canals and landmark architecture in vibrant Amsterdam on this private 3-hour city walking tour. Accompanied by your own informative guide, stroll around the heart of the charming Dutch capital and see highlights such as Dam Square and the De Wallen red light district. Learn about Amsterdam’s World War II history, stop to see the Anne Frank House, and amble through the delightful 17th-century canal district. As you explore, gain insight into the city’s culture and history from your guide, and break for a refreshing drink along the way.

Take advantage of the close proximity of European countries on a day trip to Bruges from Amsterdam. Ideal for travelers who want to see more of Europe in less time, this tour saves you the hassle of planning by taking care of transport. A guided walking tour of Bruges' UNESCO-listed Old Town will give you a good overview so you can later explore the city independently at your own pace.

Prebook this Keukenhof admission ticket with round-trip shuttle services from Amsterdam and guarantee your self-guided visit to the popular botanical garden in Lisse. Explore Keukenhof Gardens, one of the world’s most impressive and largest gardens with more than 74 acres (30 hectares), at your own pace. Plus, with shuttle buses leaving every 30 minutes, it’s easy to stay as long or as little as you like. Plus, you can also upgrade to add a canal cruise.

Enjoy guaranteed entry to the Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam with a pre-reserved ticket and a multilingual audio guide included, allowing you to explore entirely at your own pace. Unlike standard tickets, this experience combines timed admission with the freedom to stay inside as long as you wish during opening hours. Follow expert audio commentary that brings Van Gogh’s life, emotions, and artistic evolution to life as you stand before masterpieces such as Sunflowers, The Potato Eaters, Almond Blossom, and his celebrated self-portraits. Gain deeper insight into the Post-Impressionist movement through works by artists who influenced him, including Paul Gauguin and Claude Monet. Clear entry instructions, instant confirmation, and a simple digital ticket process make your arrival smooth and stress-free. This is the ideal way to visit the museum independently while still enjoying rich, informative guidance throughout your visit.

Get acquainted with the artistic masterworks inside Amsterdam's iconic Rijksmuseum on this small-group or private guided tour. Delve into the history of Holland’s artistic heritage with your expert guide and see collections by world-famous painters like Van Gogh, Vermeer, and Rembrandt during your enriching tour.

The Van Gogh Museum is home to world’s largest collection of art by the Dutch artist—spend your time inside the gallery wisely on a private tour that covers the highlights and offers insight into the painter’s life that you’re unlikely to find in the guide book alone.

Cycle through the countryside without worrying about being left behind with this small-group bike tour from Amsterdam. Follow a guide at a leisurely pace for 18 miles (30 kilometers), and see farms, fishing villages, and many cows. Halfway through the tour, stop in Holysloot for an optional slice of apple pie to refuel for the rest of your journey.