Absolutely Amsterdam - the Essential Introductory Walking Tour
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Amsterdam, Netherlands
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
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Overview
Enjoy a wide-ranging introduction to Amsterdam’s highlights and history on this small-group walking tour. Pick between morning and afternoon start times, meet your guide right in the heart of the city, and set off on foot. You’ll see highlights like the Royal Palace and the Red Light District, will learn about the city’s origins and key moments in its history, will admire its UNESCO-listed center, and more.
- Discover many of Amsterdam’s key sights, all in one tour
- Exploring on foot makes it easy to soak up the city’s ambiance
- Get up close and personal with the city’s UNESCO-listed center
- This budget-friendly option lets you tip as much as you’d like
What's Included
- SnacksOn the tour you will be treated to typical Dutch Cookie
- Our guides support their tours with pictures, paintings and maps that help bring history back to life!
- Super Local Guides who are are also happy to share share their (restaurant) recommendations with you
- A unique souvenir
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Freedam ToursBeursplein 5, 1012 GZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
We meet IN FRONT of the stock exchange on Beurplein 5. The guides will be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start of the tour, holding a yellow umbrella. You can also find directions by looking for FreeDam Tours on Google Maps. !!ATTENTION!! It does NOT start on the nearby Dam square!
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Beurs van Berlage
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Damrak
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Our Lord in the Attic Museum Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
Chinatown
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
The Waag
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
6
Oostindisch Huis
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Waterlooplein Market
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
8
The Amstel
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
9
Oudemanhuispoort
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
10
Royal Palace Amsterdam
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 3,983 reviews
Tracey_M, Jul 2026
Sebastian was a great tour guide. He knew all of the important facts and history of the neighborhoods. He shared personal experiences and also fun facts.
Audrey_S, Jul 2026
We had Samuel for our tour guide. He was so easy going and informative, also good with the occasional joke. Would highly recommend him
William_M, Jul 2026
Sergio, our guide, was awesome, knew a lot about the city, kept us in the shade as temperature was close to 90. We learned a lot and saw parts of Amsterdam we likely wouldn’t on our own.
Jen_E, Jul 2026
A fantastic experience!! Our guide Jaap was exceptional, super entertaining and funny. His expertise in history was impressive! We learned so much. I highly recommend doing this walking tour to get a more intimate understanding of the city, and hear of all the interesting things that you wont find in travel books.
Rey_B, Jun 2026
Good look at many aspects of Amsterdam and the history that makes it what it is today. Fernando did an excellent job of highlighting many facets of contemporary Amsterdam by explaining what we saw. He supplemented his tour with photos to illustrate his points. Very glad we took this tour
Jeffry_S, Jun 2026
Our guide took us to a broad range of locations within Amsterdam. He shared stories that enabled us to understand what we were seeing.
fmosquer, Jun 2026
Great history about the city. Daan was excellent showing us around the city and providing us good tips.
LISA_F, Jun 2026
A good and interesting chat about the History of Amsterdam, and includes topics from today. The guide was always concerned with our safety, and answering questions.
Janeen_R, Jun 2026
I’m visiting with my daughter and 14 year old grandson. We loved it. Fernando was an excellent tour guide. We enjoyed hearing the history of Amsterdam and seeing the sights.
Doug_r, Jun 2026
Our tour guide Daan was outstanding. Very knowledgeable and entertaining. He gave us an excellent overview of the history of Amsterdam
Nancy_B, Jun 2026
This was the perfect way to see Amsterdam. Hearing about the history of the area and the buildings gave so much more depth to our visit to this beautiful city. Sebastian was a great guide. He was fun, engaging and interesting. I highly recommend this tour, especially if you get Sebastian as your guide!
Hayley_C, Jun 2026
It was such a great way to explore and learn about this city. Our guide was a university professor with a great personality and a wealth of knowledge! Highly recommend!
BADER_A, Jun 2026
Jaan was very knowledgeable about the history and location and very informative and excellent tour guide of the area
PrabBal, Jun 2026
So much history and nuances within the architecture of the city. Our guide, Jaap, was amazing relaying us the information and stories in extremely whimsical manner. History, architecture, and current events were all shared to give the group a well rounded knowledge of Amsterdam.
Benedict_E, Jun 2026
Look for the Yellow Umbrellas. My guide was knowledgeable and friendly, also able to answer recommendations for things to see outside of the tour.
A 2-2.5hr walking tour, tailored in part to the group interests. Typically avoids the RLD but you get insight into historical and architectural factors related to Dutch history instead.
Useful to do for background as a solo traveller, as it allows me to wander around town with a slightly different perspective, for my city break.
Comfortable, sturdy shoes and ability to avoid bicycles recommended.
Leslie_K, Jun 2026
Friendly and knowledgeable guide- Janos was amazing! In addition to seeing the notable sites mentioned in the tour description, Janos introduced us to viewing Amsterdam “in the details”. This perspective was fresh and added more depth and knowledge. Would definitely recommend the tour and most especially, Janos.
Sheila_H, Jun 2026
Great introduction to Amsterdam. Janos was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and entertaining.
Clarina_R, Jun 2026
Tour guide was very friendly and pleasant, goid command of English and very knowledgable of the history, simple but clear description of every place. He made our tour very interesting. Thank you
Rebecca_G, Jun 2026
the tour guid, Jaap, was excellent and provided a lot of information, while also keeping us entertained and speaking with every member of the group and making everyone feel involved in the tour. overall a terrific way to be introduced to the city
ellen_p, Jun 2026
Jaag(?) was very knowledgeable and entertaining. He did a great tour. He knew the history of the city and was happy to answer our questions.
Maureen_M, Jun 2026
Great educational experience, well informed tour guide with a professional manner, given time to take pictures, went out of his way to slow the walking portion to accommodate my injured knee, took time to answer questions regarding restaurants and even sent a list of his recommendations for various shops we might like to explore
Really liked the tour option to get our bearings by a local in a new city
Twila_V, Jun 2026
Jaap was great as our tour guide. He covered alot of ground and offered lots of historical and interesting facts about what we were seeing and about the history of the city of Amsterdam. He was not only informative, but funny too, interjecting a few jokes and a little comedy into the tour. He offered a first hand experience of what it’s like to live in Amsterdam. Thank you Jaap for a great tour! Highly recommend!
Pam_N, Jun 2026
You meet in the financial district and go through the red light area and near the Jewish district and it is full of history and information
Diane_M, Jun 2026
The pace, historical significance and accuracy was appreciated. The added picture support in the moment helped visualizations. Francine, born and raised in Amsterdam, was delightful and accommodating! Her twist of knowledge to return to along the way encouraged you to listen purposefully.
Highly recommend!
Elizabeth_T, Jun 2026
Lots of history and walking. Our guide Jauni had a wealth of information to share along with some special treats. Great introduction to the city to help us get our bearings.
Wendy_S, Jun 2026
This was a great introduction to Amsterdam. Our guide was super knowledgeable and entertaining. I highly recommend it!
Lauren_M, Jun 2026
Excellent insight into Amsterdam, we learnt loads about the history and canals and houses of Amsterdam. Our guide was brilliant, sorry can’t remember her name but she was excellent. Xxx
Tejbir_S, Jun 2026
Very informative.
Our guide Daan was very funny and had a very interactive way of telling the history stories.
Jason_K, May 2026
Our tour guide Alexander was very knowledgeable about all things Amsterdam and was conscientious to keep the group together and make sure everybody was engaged. This tour did not cover the touristy highlights of Amsterdam, but rather history in lesser crowded areas. We did not go by the royal Palace for example but rather talked about what more common people experienced in hidden enclaves near the city center. The last 10 minutes of the tour, it poured down rain, but Alexander was undeterred and did a good job continuing the tour. Although it wasn’t what we expected, we thoroughly enjoyed this stroll around town and we learned new things!
Glennis_B, May 2026
Easy walking....watch out for cyclists!! Guide Raymond was careful, engaging, knowledgeable and entertaining.
From $5.71
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Absolutely Amsterdam - the Essential Introductory Walking Tour
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