Walking Tours in Amsterdam

Often called the “Venice of the North” due to the UNESCO-listed canals, Amsterdam offers much more than picturesque waterways. Amsterdam is a town like no other.

The Dutch capital draws tourists with its world-class museums, walkable streets and marijuana culture. Make friends with this fascinating city on a walking tour in Amsterdam.

Here's all you need to know about walking tours, some of the most remarkable sightseeing tours in Amsterdam.

What are the best walking tours in Amsterdam?

Free walking tours

Often led by scholars and expats, free walking tours in Amsterdam are a budget-friendly way to tour Amsterdam. Passionate guides provide a variety of tours, from the town’s highlights to niche experiences like LGBTQ+ tours.

Choose among excursions centered on the red light district, historical points, “Amsterdam’s secrets” and many more.

Self-guided walking tours in Amsterdam

Whether you want an audio guide to the heart of Amsterdam or to engage in a game-like adventure, there are plenty of options for self-guided tours. These shareable outings allow flexible starting points and time frames.

Family-friendly scavenger hunts, “tours in a bag” or escape room-style tours are sure to engage people of any age.

Amsterdam highlights tours

Ideal for the beginning of a visit to Amsterdam, a walking tour to the major sites is the perfect way to get to know the city. Learn the layout of the streets, hear centuries’-worth of history and culture, and receive tips about how to fill the rest of your stay.

Culture and history tours

Founded over 800 years ago, Amsterdam’s story is rich with strife, prosperity and ingenuity. Discover how a humble fishing village became an international powerhouse. See Rembrandt’s former haunts, ancient architecture, its network of Amsterdam canals and the epicenter of the Netherland’s historical spice trade.

Jewish Quarter, Anne Frank and WWII tours

Amsterdam’s history of religious tolerance has made it a magnet for refugees over the centuries. A tour focusing on the Jewish Quarter, Anne Frank and how the city weathered the Second World War will fill you with awe of the citizens’ fortitude.

Spy the home of Anne Frank, a warehouse where she penned her legendary diary, before moving on to the Jewish Quarter. This long-standing quarter was founded in the 16th century and is home to museums, markets, schools and synagogues.

Take in stories of the resistance movement that united the residents against the evil of the Nazis.

Food tours in Amsterdam

Take a break from Amsterdam’s heavy history and fill your bellies. Taste the Netherlands’ food culture that ranges from fried snacks, savory and sweet pancakes, to fresh seafood washed down with a refreshing beer.

On a food tour in Amsterdam, your guide will introduce you to the best street food, restaurants and cafes in town. Try up to 12 dishes at a bevy of eateries in Amsterdam’s foodie hotspots.

Alternative Amsterdam tours

Witness how the Dutch turn their backs on conventions with an alternative Amsterdam tour. Check out the cannabis culture of the many coffee shops, snap photos of artfully graffitied walls and wander the sexy De Wallen district.

Your guide will enlighten you as to how Amsterdam’s history of tolerance led to legalized prostitution and marijuana use. Book ganja, “seven sins of Amsterdam,” Red Light District and alternative culture tours for a deeper look into this tolerant city.

Private tours in Amsterdam

Families, couples and groups of friends will find a wealth of private walking tours of Amsterdam. Opt for orientation walks, kid-friendly interactive outings, food tastings and tours that combine walking with another fun activity.

Which places are visited?

Jewish Quarter

The centrally-located Jewish Quarter has grown since its genesis in the late 16th century. Jodenbuurt, Dutch for “Jewish Quarter,” houses the Portuguese Synagogue, Jewish Historical Museum, the Holocaust Monument, the National Holocaust Museum and more.

During the 5-year Nazi occupation that began in 1940, the people of Amsterdam were not ones to roll over and submit to tyranny. Balance the horrors of World War II with the uplifting tales of Amsterdam’s resistance movement. Marvel at the bravery of citizens who were willing to sacrifice their lives for the cause.

De 9 Straatjes

The colorful nine streets of De 9 Straatjes are lined with canals, cafes and shops. The area is also known as the canal belt and features some of the most picturesque scenes in Amsterdam. Lunch at a waterside cafe before stopping by the 14th-century Begijnhof that housed religious women until 1971.

Jordaan District

As is the case for many formerly working class enclaves, the Jordaan District has evolved into one of the most desirable areas of Amsterdam. Primarily a center for food and nightlife, it also has celebrity roots.

Join Anne Frank tours to see her house in Jordaan, an area which was Rembrandt’s stomping grounds.

Don’t miss the neighborhood's solemn yet hopeful Homomonument, a landmark honoring the struggles and victories of the LGBTQ+ community world-wide.

Dam Square

Amsterdam began as a medieval fishing community on the spot where Dam Square now stands. See the 400-year-old Royal Palace where King Willem Alexander lives and the Nieuwe Kerk. Translated to “new church” in English, it is anything but, as it predates the palace by two centuries.

De Wallen

Amsterdam’s legal prostitution and marijuana draw the curious traveler to its streets. Brushing shoulders with Dam Square is the notorious De Wallen district. Otherwise known as the Red Light District, De Wallen is replete with sex shops, peep shows, sex workers and even a sex museum.

De Wallen is not without its wholesome charms. De Oude Kerk or the “Old Church” has stood here since the early 13th century. The nearby Beurs van Berlage, designed as a stock exchange building in the late 1800s, is now a prime locale for dining, shopping and socialization.

Museum Square

No trip to Amsterdam is complete without a visit to the city’s choice museums. The Rijksmuseum houses many of Rembrandt’s masterpieces as well as works by Vermeer and Van Gogh. Delve deeper into VanGogh’s oeuvre at his namesake museum.

While you’re in the area, take a break from the galleries at Vondelpark, a pleasant 1-kilometer walk from the Van Gogh Museum. The park is popular with locals and boasts flower gardens, a dog park, running paths and an open-air theater.

Take a stroll along the shaded paths, grab a snack at one of its cafes and seek out sculptures and statues like Picasso’s “Fish.”

Markets

Food, flowers, art and more await you at one of Amsterdam’s vibrant markets. Nearly all of the city’s neighborhoods host a market, but at the top of the list are Albert Cuyp Market and the flower market. Hit Cuyp for fresh foods and more and the flower market to behold the world’s only floating market.

How much do walking tours in Amsterdam cost?

The least-costly walking tours in Amsterdam are free tours and self-guided tours. To compensate the guides for their time and expertise on a free tour, it’s recommended to tip at least €10 per person.

Downloadable audio tours cost around €10 for a sharable 2-hour tour. Self-guided game-based tours cost from €5 to €35 per download. The highest-cost self-guided tours include a “tassie,” a kid-friendly bag of maps, activities and souvenirs to lead you on your walk.

Two-hour Amsterdam highlights tours cost from €20 to €90 per person, depending on group size and if snacks and drinks are provided. Culture and history tours lasting around 2 hours cost from €20 to €70 per person, depending on group size.

The most affordable Jewish Quarter, Anne Frank and WWII tours are free or self-guided, costing around €10 per person for tips or a download. Most tours cost €20 per person for a 2- to 3-hour tour, and can go up to to €210 per person depending on group size and itinerary.

Food tours cost from €95 to €120 per person for a 2- to 3.5-hour tour, depending on group size and how many tastings are provided. Two-hour alternative Amsterdam tours cost €75 per person, and €10 for a downloadable audio tour. High-end tours offer small or private groups, snacks and coffee.

Private tours cost from €100 to €200 per person, depending on your group size, itinerary and duration of the excursion.

What is included?

All walking tours in Amsterdam include expert guides and visits to a specific focus like history or red light district tours. Few tours include entrances to museums and fee areas. Self-guided tours provide audio recordings for narrations and commentaries.

Where does it start?

Walking tours in Amsterdam start at centrally-located landmarks that are easy to find for people unfamiliar with the city. Common meeting places are in front of hotels, cafes, statues or monuments. Some private tours have guides meet you at your hotel.

How long does it last?

Most walking tours in Amsterdam last from 1.5 to 3 hours. Tours that include food tastings, a meal, canal cruise or guided visits to a museum last from 4 to 6 hours.

When is the best time for a walking tour in Amsterdam?

Although a walking tour in Amsterdam can be delightful any time of year, book a tour in late spring or early fall for lovely weather without the crowds of summer.

Are there any combos available with walking tours in Amsterdam?

Walking tours plus tastings or lunch

Great for kicking off your stay in Amsterdam, choose a walking tour with food to familiarize yourself with the city, sample Dutch specialties and help you decide how to spend the rest of your time in Amsterdam.

Walking tours plus canal cruises

Explore Amsterdam’s ancient streets, quirky boroughs and historical architecture with a guide before taking to the water for a 1-hour cruise on the city’s famous canals.

Walking tours plus museum entry

Combo tours that bundle a walking tour with a ticket to one of Amsterdam’s unmissable museums is a convenient way to plan a day. With an expert guide, hit the city’s attractions before taking advantage of skip-the-line tickets for the Rijksmuseum, the Jewish History Museum or another fascinating place.

Walking tour plus biking and canal cruise

Experience Amsterdam by three of the city’s best modes of transportation, on foot, by water and on two wheels. No need for a car on this excursion that combines one of the best bike tours in Amsterdam.

With a guide, amble through central Amsterdam on foot, pedal to more distant corners of the town and relax on an open-topped boat that winds through the canals and Amstel River.  

Travel tips

• Most tours operate in all weather, so dress appropriately.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Bring water, your passport and cash.
• For food tours, check if special diets can be accommodated at the time of booking.