Discover 3302 tours and activities in Amsterdam
Cycle around the historic city streets on these leisurely Amsterdam tours. You’ll get to see a different side of the capital as you ride down hidden alleys and over picturesque bridges. Enjoy a breather in leafy courtyards and stop for photos while pedaling along the Canal Ring.
Your guide will take you to all the best spots, many of which are known only by locals. These city tours often feature highlights like the popular Jordaan district, Anne Frank’s House and Museum Square. If you have an Amsterdam City Card, you’ll be able to visit these attractions after your ride.
The districts of many capital cities around the world are connected by a network of roads. In Amsterdam, they do things a little differently – canals are the arteries of the center here. You can enjoy boat tours along the maze of waterways to see the city from a unique perspective. This is a fun way to explore and offers unsurpassed vantage points for photos.
Both day and evening cruises are available, and there’s nothing more romantic than floating along a canal at night. You’ll travel beneath famous bridges and past merchant houses, with guided commentary along the way.
Beer connoisseurs around the world will be familiar with the amber nectar that is Heineken. Yet did you know that it comes from Amsterdam? The story of this famous beverage began in 1864, with a young entrepreneur named Gerald. Today, Heineken is one of the most famous beers around, and you can explore the brewery where it was first made.
These Amsterdam tours take you behind the scenes of the old factory, where you’ll learn about the secret brewing process. Beer sampling is, of course, all part of the experience. If you enjoy this visit, try one of the other beer tastings in the city.
If you’re into art, you’ll love wandering around the Rijksmuseum. It’s home to some of the most famous works of art in the world, with a particular focus on the Dutch Golden Age. There are over 8,000 paintings in this popular Amsterdam museum, as well as pottery, models of ships and books on classical art history.
Don’t miss Van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait” or Rembrandt’s “Nightwatch”. Standing in front of these masterpieces will send shivers down your spine! Another favorite to look out for is Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid” – it’s one of the most acclaimed Dutch oil paintings in existence.
The Van Gogh Museum frequently pops up on Amsterdam tours and is a must-see even if you’re not an avid art fan. Van Gogh was arguably one of the greatest painters of all time, and this museum is dedicated to his life and work.
There are collections devoted solely to the man himself, with many of his iconic works on display. Keep an eye out for the famous “Sunflowers” and “Potato Eaters” paintings as you wander around. You’ll also visit galleries featuring work by Van Gogh’s contemporaries, such as Monet, Picasso and Gaugin.
Walk through the story of Anne Frank, who was a Jewish and lived here in hiding with her family during the Nazi persecutions of World War II. Eventually, they were captured and sent to concentration camps where most of them sadly perished.
During her time in hiding, Anne kept diaries detailing her life, and it’s these personal accounts that have made her famous. Visiting the Anne Frank House is a highlight of many Jewish Quarter tours. You’ll get to see the secret room behind the bookcase where Anne and her family lived.
Amsterdam is infamous for its Red Light District, where erotic entertainment venues rub shoulders with marijuana cafés. Exploring this seedy yet alluring neighborhood is a common feature of many Amsterdam tours and pub crawls. If you look beyond the sex shops and neon lights, you might be surprised at what you find.
The streets are punctuated by traditional houses and canals, with sleepy squares adding to the historic vibe. Museums, coffee shops and bars are all part of the experience here. By day, the Red Light District is charming, and by night it’s an energetic hub that celebrates sin in glorious fashion.
Amsterdam is good at everything it does, but when it comes to food, expect to be wowed. The culinary scene here in the capital goes far beyond the obligatory stroopwafels! If you want to experience the true flavor of Amsterdam, a food tour is the answer. You’ll visit several different eateries and markets, sampling delicacies as you go.
Many of these excursions take place in the historical Jordaan district, where smoked sausage, pickled herring and apple pie will get your taste buds dancing. There are cheese tastings too, where you’ll get to enjoy creamy Dutch Gouda along with a crisp glass of wine.
You can’t visit the Netherlands without seeing a windmill, which is why these Amsterdam tours are so popular. You’ll head out of the city into the Dutch countryside, on the hunt for the famous 17th-century wooden mills. Learn about the industrial heritage of the nation as you explore these beautifully preserved icons.
Bus excursions whisk you away to several different locations, including Volendam, Edam and Marken. Here, the skylines are peppered with windmills, so you can snap photos to your heart’s content. Tours often stop at farms for cheese tastings, and there are clog-making demonstrations for a quintessential Dutch day out.
Tulips are just as famous as windmills when it comes to symbols of the Netherlands. In the Keukenhof Gardens, you’ll be treated to a dazzling array of color, with fields of tulips stretching as far as the eye can see. There are over seven million bulbs here, congregating to create what is lovingly known as the “Garden of Europe”.
You can visit the Keukenhof Gardens on a day excursion from Amsterdam. The park is only open in spring between March and May when the flowers are in full bloom. Windmills and tulip farm visits are often included in your tour package.
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and one of the most-visited cities in the world. Famed for its historical districts and extensive canal system, Amsterdam has a lot to offer the culturally curious visitor. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and affectionately referred to as the “Venice of the North.”
The museums here are world-class, and the foodie scene is thriving. It’s a great place for a weekend break or as part of a longer vacation traveling around Europe. Amsterdam is well connected to the rest of the world by air, and the extensive national rail network makes onward journeys a breeze.
First-time visitors should stay in the Centrum district – where you’ll find the canals and attractions. If you’re in town for a few days, consider purchasing the Amsterdam City Card. This gives you access to several attractions and transport networks, saving you both time and money.
Hop-on hop-off bus tours are ideal if you want to tick off multiple landmarks in a short space of time. Meanwhile, cycling is a fun and easy way to get around Amsterdam, and you can rent bikes at numerous locations across the city. If you’re sticking with two feet, just remember not to walk in the cycle lanes!
After you’ve seen canals, visited the museums and ogled the Red Light District, it’s time to see what else Amsterdam has to offer. Families will love the 5D flight experience at This is Holland, while history buffs can check out the Royal Palace.
Amsterdam tours often take place on foot, as this is one of the best ways to explore the historical center. Free walking tours are ideal if you want to keep an eye on spending.
For your fix of windmills, head to Zaanse Schans on a day trip. Excursions to the picturesque village of Giethoorn are also highly recommended.