Tour Details
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Nieuwmarkt
- Amsterdam Canal Belt
- Royal Palace Amsterdam (Town Hall)
- Dam Square
Photos & Highlights
- Discover Amsterdam in a way that elevates your trip from good to extraordinary.
- Trace the city’s transformation from medieval fishing village to global trading empire—and see how its past still shapes its present.
Select a date
Tour Description
You’ve pictured strolling along Amsterdam’s canals, passing tall, tilted houses and effortlessly gliding cyclists—now it’s time to live it. This 3-hour introductory tour, led by a local historian, is designed to to show you iconic Amsterdam the right way, offering both a practical orientation and a deep dive into the city’s rich past.
Walk through the historic center and visit key landmarks like the Nieuwe Kerk, Nieuwmarkt, and the Royal Palace. Along the way, explore Amsterdam’s rise during the Dutch Golden Age, its distinctive architecture, and impressive feats of urban planning. By the tour's end, you’ll have a clear sense of the city’s essence—and how to make the most of your time here.
Choose this tour if…
- It’s your first time in Amsterdam and you want to get your bearings while learning about the city and its inhabitants.
- You’re curious about the Dutch Golden Age and its global impact.
- You’ve already secured your Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum visits and want to go deeper into the city’s story.
Experts
Flexible and tailored to your interests
"I greatly appreciated how Jurgen made it more of a conversation than a history lecture. I think he appreciated my questions, and the sometimes random paths my questions took us down. Jurgen happily pivoted when I expressed interest in seeing a theater that wasn’t on his original itinerary."
A starting off point for your trip
"We explored various neighborhoods of Amsterdam, which allowed me to see where they are in relation to one another. I feel confident I can explore further on my own over the rest of my week here."
Your journey begins in the very heart of Amsterdam, in a spot so important that it helped the city get its name: Dam Square. Once a 13th-century dam on the Amstel River, Dam Square grew into a hub of early trade and remains a vibrant spot, blending historic buildings with the modern city.
As you begin your stroll, you’ll be surrounded by echoes of the past. As your expert guide begins to unravel the layered story of Dutch identity and history, you will gaze upon the National Monument, a tribute to World War II, and the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church). Then, perhaps, you may journey to the Begijnhof courtyard, one of Amsterdam’s oldest and most tranquil spots. This hidden gem offers a glimpse into 17th-century life and reflects on the prosperity of the Dutch Golden Age.
From there, you’ll wander into the historic city center, passing the Royal Palace, which once served as the town hall. As you continue, the streets will begin to narrow, drawing you into the heart of Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canal belt. At first glance, the canals may seem like something out of a storybook, but your expert guide will give context into their long history as the lifeblood of the city. As you walk along the waterway, you will imagine how the merchants lined the canals with carts of foreign spices, transforming Amsterdam into a thriving maritime empire and leading to an era of prosperity that’s still felt in the city today.
As your tour comes to a close, you will have a deeper sense of how Amsterdam came to be and what it is today, making it even easier to explore on your own or one of our other Amsterdam Walking Tours.
As you begin your stroll, you’ll be surrounded by echoes of the past. As your expert guide begins to unravel the layered story of Dutch identity and history, you will gaze upon the National Monument, a tribute to World War II, and the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church). Then, perhaps, you may journey to the Begijnhof courtyard, one of Amsterdam’s oldest and most tranquil spots. This hidden gem offers a glimpse into 17th-century life and reflects on the prosperity of the Dutch Golden Age.
From there, you’ll wander into the historic city center, passing the Royal Palace, which once served as the town hall. As you continue, the streets will begin to narrow, drawing you into the heart of Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canal belt. At first glance, the canals may seem like something out of a storybook, but your expert guide will give context into their long history as the lifeblood of the city. As you walk along the waterway, you will imagine how the merchants lined the canals with carts of foreign spices, transforming Amsterdam into a thriving maritime empire and leading to an era of prosperity that’s still felt in the city today.
As your tour comes to a close, you will have a deeper sense of how Amsterdam came to be and what it is today, making it even easier to explore on your own or one of our other Amsterdam Walking Tours.
Logistics
Tickets
No tickets are necessary for this tour.
Transportation
This is an all-outdoor walking tour. We currently offer an optional private transfer service from your hotel to the meeting point.
Accessibility
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Wheelchair accessibility
This Amsterdam city tour is all exterior and therefore accessible for certain wheelchair users.
Service dog accommodations
Service dogs are welcome and can be accommodated on this tour.
Will we visit the Red Light District on this tour?
As of April 2020, Amsterdam has prohibited walking tours from passing prostitution windows in the city center. While this may be a topic for discussion on your tour, you will not spend time in the Red Light District itself.
As of April 2020, Amsterdam has prohibited walking tours from passing prostitution windows in the city center. While this may be a topic for discussion on your tour, you will not spend time in the Red Light District itself.
Cancellation Policy
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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270 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
We loved our time with Jurgen. He was friendly, engaging and incredibly knowledgeable. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour today and would not hesitate to recommend Jurgen to others. Thank you, Jurgen!
Louise
Jul 4, 2025
Nice leisure walk through town while getting some historical insight on how Amsterdam came to be. Having just my wife and me on the tour allowed for more interaction with guide compared to larger groups.
Clarica
Jun 28, 2025
I had a wonderful time with Jurgen! My first time in Amsterdam, and it was a lovely way to get a lay of the land, learn a little history, and hear what else I should check out during my time here. He has a very easy manner, good sense of humor, and I never felt either rushed or bored. Highly recommend!
Sallie
Jun 26, 2025
