5 (3598)
Amsterdam
Amsterdam Walking Tour: History, Culture & Hidden Gems
150
Overview
Absolutely Amsterdam - the Essential Introductory Walking Tour offers a fascinating look into Amsterdam's history and culture. With FreeDam Tours, visitors will learn how freedom and tolerance shaped this unique city. This tip-based* tour combines sightseeing with storytelling, offering an insider's perspective on Amsterdam's history, modern life, culture, art, and even some fun facts.
During the tour, guests can expect to see iconic landmarks, including the bustling Beursplein (Amsterdam Stock Exchange) and the infamous Red Light District (De Wallen). The tour also explores Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Lord in the Attic), a hidden church, and the lively Coffeeshops Area. Guests will discover Rembrandt's Early Studio Location, the East India House Courtyard (VOC Headquarters), and the Waterlooplein Market (Former Jewish Quarter), offering a journey through Amsterdam's diverse past and present. See the Amsterdam Canals, the University of Amsterdam (Former Monastery/Hospital), and Dam Square & Royal Palace.
This tour includes a unique souvenir, tasty snacks, and guidance from super local guides ready to share their restaurant recommendations. The guides enhance the experience with pictures, paintings, and maps, bringing Amsterdam's history to life. *Tip-based means you only pay a small booking/marketing fee to the platform and you can tip your guide directly what you think the tour was worth. That motivates us to give the best possible tour and you always get the best value for your money! It excludes personal expenses and anything not specifically mentioned. Get ready to see Amsterdam in a whole new light! 
Highlights
Discover Amsterdam's History: Learn how freedom shaped the city.
See Famous Landmarks: Visit the Red Light District and Dam Square.
Enjoy Local Insights: Hear personal stories from super local guides.
Get Restaurant Tips: Find the best places to eat in Amsterdam.
Small Group Experience: Enjoy a more personal experience, limited group capacity.
Tip-Based Tour: Pay what you think the tour is worth!
Sentiment Analysis
People really like the guides. They are very friendly and know a lot about Amsterdam.
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Many visitors learned new things about the city's history and culture.
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Customers enjoyed seeing famous places such as the Red Light District and Dam Square.
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The guides use pictures and stories to make the tour fun and easy to understand.
Some found it hard to hear the guide in busy areas.
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A few people wished the tour had more time to stop and take pictures.
The Journey
Beursplein (Amsterdam Stock Exchange)
Stand on Beursplein, the site of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, and discover how this area, once the Amstel river, became the heart of global finance. Learn about the origins of Amsterdam and the intertwined influence of water and finance that shaped the city into a major economic powerhouse, exploring the foundations of modern capitalism.
Red Light District (De Wallen)
Venture into the historic Red Light District, known locally as De Wallen, and explore its complex origins. Uncover the surprising interplay between the Church and the area's infamous trade, and discover how prostitution evolved into a legal profession. Understand the neighborhood's changing landscape and the ongoing challenges it faces in the 21st century.
Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Lord in the Attic)
Discover the hidden history of religious tolerance at Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder, a clandestine Catholic church hidden in an attic. Learn how Catholicism was practiced in secret during the 17th century and draw parallels to contemporary issues of tolerance, reflecting on the evolution of societal values.
Coffeeshops Area
Explore the area surrounding Amsterdam's famed 'Coffeeshops' and delve into the history of Dutch drug policies. Discover how this district became a notorious no-go zone in the 1970s, which subsequently led to the establishment of the unique coffeeshop culture and the legal sale of marijuana.
Rembrandt's Early Studio Location
Stand where Rembrandt painted his first major work and revolutionized the art of portraiture. Examine a copy of the painting and explore the details that marked the beginning of his illustrious career and transformed the artistic landscape.
East India House Courtyard (VOC Headquarters)
Enter the hidden courtyard of the East India House, the former headquarters of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), and discover how Amsterdam became the center of a global trading empire during the Dutch Golden Age. Explore the good and the darker legacy of the world's first multinational corporation and its impact on modern capitalism.
Waterlooplein Market (Former Jewish Quarter)
Visit Waterlooplein Market, located in the former Jewish Quarter, and reflect on the area's near destruction during World War II. Uncover the devastating consequences of the Nazi occupation on Amsterdam's Jewish population, once a haven for persecuted Jews from across Europe, and learn about the struggles of Amsterdammers during the 'hunger-winter'.
Amsterdam Canals
Stroll along Amsterdam's picturesque canals and discover the secrets behind their creation. Uncover the unique architecture of the canal houses: why they are so narrow, why they lean, and the purpose of the hooks on their facades. Also, discover the reasons behind the Dutch tradition of leaving curtains open, revealing a unique aspect of their culture.
University of Amsterdam (Former Monastery/Hospital)
Explore the grounds of the University of Amsterdam, housed in a former monastery and hospital, and immerse yourself in the unique Dutch bike culture. Discover why there are more bikes than people in the city and why these bikes often appear so...ugly, despite Amsterdam being the world's most famous cycling city.
Dam Square & Royal Palace
Conclude your tour at Dam Square and learn about the peculiar history of the Royal Palace, once Amsterdam's city hall, and the transition from a Republic to a Monarchy. Meet the current Royal Family through images and hear the latest Royal gossip, capping off your exploration of Amsterdam's rich heritage.
Know Before You Go
This walking tour includes a unique souvenir and tasty snacks. Super local guides will also share their restaurant recommendations. The guides use pictures, paintings, and maps to help bring history to life. It excludes personal expenses and anything not specifically mentioned. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for walking! The meeting point is at [insert meeting point details here].
Hot Tip
Bring a water bottle and a snack for yourself, even though snacks are provided. It can get tiring walking around! Also, be ready to tip your guide if you think they did a good job. They work hard to make the tour fun!
Review Summary
Customers find this tour exceptional and highly engaging, with consistent praise for knowledgeable, charismatic guides who deliver fascinating stories about Amsterdam's history, culture, and modern life. The most frequently mentioned strengths include the guides' enthusiasm and humor (with reviewers particularly highlighting guides like Sergio, Samuel, Daan, David, and Alexander), the perfect balance of education and entertainment, personalized recommendations for further exploration, and exceptional value for the pay-what-you-wish model. The tour consistently earns ratings around 4.9 out of 5 with thousands of positive reviews, and travelers appreciate the complimentary Dutch snack, souvenir, and insider tips for bars and restaurants. No significant negative feedback emerges from the reviews, making this Amsterdam walking tour one of the most recommended introductory experiences in the city.[1][2][3][4][6]
Frequently Asked Questions
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