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.
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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.
Our Review
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.
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.
Our Review
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.
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.
Our Review
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.
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.
Our Review
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.
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.
Our review
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.
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.
Our Review
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.
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.
Our Review
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.
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.
Our Review
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.
Our Review
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.
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.
Our Review
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.
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.
Our Review
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.
Read more: Best 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.
Our Review
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.
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.
Our Review
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.
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.
Our Review
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.
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.
Our Review
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.
Read more: Best 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.