Jewish Quarter: Tours and Guided Visits

The Jewish Quarter of Amsterdam is one of the most historically significant spots of the city. The streets are no stranger to pain and desperation after the events of WWII that tore families and friends apart, many of whom never returned.

Jewish Quarter tours in Amsterdam enable you to learn more about this crucial piece of world history, as well as discover the endurance of the neighborhood's residents.

Here's all you need to know about the Jewish Quarter, one of the most striking sightseeing tours in Amsterdam.

What are the best Jewish Quarter tours in Amsterdam?

Jewish Quarter and WWII tour in Amsterdam

If you want to learn more about Adolf Hitler’s war on the Jews during his reign, participate in this wartime tour.

• Price: From €28,50 per person
• Languages: English and Spanish

Itinerary

As you begin to wander through Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter, you’ll travel back in time to imagine the city as it was during WWII. You’ll see the Dutch Resistance Museum, which is an exhibition showcasing the impact of Nazi rule on the Dutch.

It was created in the 1980s by those who fought against the German occupation in the war. You’ll traverse the streets, learning about the spots where Amsterdam’s Jewish community resided, such as Waterloo Square.

You’ll also discover the holy sites where the Jews prayed together — the Ashkenazi Synagogue and the Portuguese Synagogue. Your guide will fill you in on the acts of resistance against the German occupation of the city.

Pay your respects to the innocent civilians brutally murdered during the war at the Auschwitz Monument, formed of a series of cracked mirrors to show the devastating lasting effects these events had on the Jewish community.

Allow the magnitude of the horrific events to sink in as you see the 102,000 bricks of the Dutch Holocaust Memorial of Names, each of which is dedicated to a single victim.

Anne Frank walking tour in the Jewish Quarter

If Anne Frank’s Diary is on your reading list, check out this walking tour in Amsterdam, where you’ll see the sobering remains of the young Jew’s house.

• Price: From €28,50 per person
• Languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

Itinerary

Starting out in the center of the city, you’ll admire the Jewish Museum, which is home to a collection of artworks, as well as historical and ceremonial artifacts.

From there, you’ll walk to the Portuguese Synagogue, where you’ll learn about the exile of Portuguese residents who would not convert to Catholicism in the 15th century.

Discover how the ordinary working citizens of Amsterdam stood up against the suffering of the Jewish community in 1941 at the Dokwerker Statue.

These city residents initiated a 2-day strike against the Nazi occupation, which resulted in several deaths and even more injuries.

Pay homage to the endless stream of Jewish wartime victims at the Auschwitz Monument before admiring the heart of the city — Dam Square.

While today, this square is buzzing with tourists and locals alike, and surrounded by staggering architecture, it was also the location of a mass shooting in 1945.

Learn about Anne Frank’s bravery at her namesake statue before finishing your tour at the teenager’s former home.

Jewish Quarter cultural tour in Amsterdam

Those who are interested in arts and culture should consider opting for this Jewish Quarter tour while in Amsterdam.

• Price: From €32 per person
• Languages: Deutsch, Spanish, French, English, Italian, Portuguese

Itinerary

With a knowledgeable guide filling you in on the history of each monument, you’ll wander past the plethora of fascinating landmarks that line the streets of the Jewish Quarter.

You’ll see the Jewish Museum, Portuguese Synagogue, National Holocaust Museum and the Hollandic Theatre, where Jews were deported during the Holocaust.

After learning about the ghastly history of the city, you’ll end your tour on a lighter note — admiring shiny jewels at a diamond factory.

This facility once used steam to craft the precious gems and today, you can watch the artisans expertly sculpting the rocks into jewelry.

Are there any Jewish Quarter combo tours in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam Jewish Quarter tour plus canal cruise

One way of exploring the many faces of Amsterdam is to participate in a combination tour.

• Price: From €32 per person
• Languages: Spanish, Dutch, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Portuguese

This particular excursion starts out with a leisurely boat ride through the city's canals, admiring Amsterdam’s cultural monuments from the water.

As you meander along the twists and turns of the canals, you’ll witness the recognizable architecture of the city’s 17th-century merchant houses.

Compare several different neighborhoods from afar before jumping off your vessel and ambling through the Jewish Quarter.

What will I see?

Dam Square

Dam Square is one of the most visited landmarks in Amsterdam and is frequently admired for its collection of remarkable buildings, including the Royal Palace, and Nieuwe Kerk.

However, this square has a troubled past and was the location of a mass shooting in 1945 — during the Nazi occupation of the city.

As Adolf Hiters' regime was slowly being overturned, Dam Square was filled with Amsterdam’s residents, hopefully awaiting the arrival of Canadian troops.

During this time of anticipation, German troops open-fired into the crowds, killing more than 20 members of the public and injuring over 100 more.

Portuguese Synagogue

The Portuguese Synagogue is a Sephardic synagogue, built in the 17th century as a place of worship for the ever-growing community of immigrant Jews.

In 1492, the Spanish government sent all those who opposed Catholicism into exile, many of whom hopped across the border into Portugal.

When the Portuguese government passed a similar decree, these devout Jews were forced to seek asylum elsewhere, which is how Amsterdam ended up with a thriving community of Portuguese Jews.

Dutch Holocaust Memorial of Names

The Dutch Holocaust Memorial of Names is a 1,500 square-meter maze of bricks, each of which is inscribed with the name of a Dutch Jew who was lost in WWII.

These bricks number 102,000, with an additional 1,000 unnamed bricks, signifying the unknown victims of the war.

This monument was completed in 2021 and visitors can pay their respects to generations past while keeping their memory alive.

How much do Jewish Quarter tours cost?

Amsterdam Jewish Quarter tours, including those revolving around Anne Frank or those that include a cruise, all range from €20 to €30 per person.

What is included?

Jewish Quarter tours in Amsterdam include a professional guide who will lead you along the city streets, stopping at several of the neighborhood's most impressive or historic monuments and landmarks. Some tours also include an audio headset.

Where do these tours start?

The majority of Jewish Quarter tours in Amsterdam begin at one of the neighborhood's iconic monuments, such as the Resistance Museum or Portuguese Synagogue.

These destinations are always easy to reach by public transportation or on foot and you can see where you’ll meet your guide on the booking page of each tour.

This will enable you to determine which excursion fits your itinerary best and plan any necessary transportation ahead of time.

How long do they last?

Jewish tours in Amsterdam typically last around 2 hours.

When is the best time for a Jewish Quarter tour?

You can participate in a Jewish Quarter tour in Amsterdam at any time. These excursions generally take place on foot meaning you may wish to book yours during summer when temperatures climb up to 22 degrees Celsius.

If you opt for a tour during the winter months, you can expect temperatures to sink below 0 degrees Celsius – so be prepared!

The history of Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter is both devastating and fascinating, and should not be skipped over, so book your tour for your first couple of days in the city.

Travel tips

• Amsterdam experiences many rain showers, so keep an umbrella in your bag in case you get caught out.
• The majority of Jewish Quarter tours in Amsterdam take place on foot. For this reason, you should ensure you’re wearing comfortable shoes.
• Excursions that explore the Jewish Quarter can be truly heart wrenching, so take a packet of tissues with you in case you find yourself tearing up at one of the tragic monuments.
• Consider reading Anne Frank’s Diary before participating in your tour, to gain a first-hand insight into Jewish life in the city during WWII.