Amsterdam Walking Tour - Private Tour
A SHORT AND RELAXED INTRODUCTION TO AMSTERDAM
Explore the old city center of Amsterdam with a local expert
This walking tour is a great way to familiarise yourself with the city and get a first glimpse of Amsterdam after a long journey. Do you have to wait before you can check in at your hotel, or would you simply like to stretch your legs while exploring the city? Then the Amsterdam Walking Tour is a great choice. It also combines well with our Amsterdam food tours, as these experiences cover different areas of the city.
On this private waking tour, you will be guided to some of the most intriguing sights in the old centre. Along the way, your guide shares stories about the origins of Amsterdam, the city’s historical importance as a trading centre, and daily life here since the Middle Ages. You will also discover how freedom of religion developed, see hidden churches from the outside, and explore Amsterdam’s more liberal side.
This tour includes complimentary pick-up and drop-off at nearly any location within the Jordaan, Canal Belt area, or the old city centre. When booking, you can list your preferred starting point. Outside these areas, we are still happy to pick you up or drop you off, but additional charges may apply.
Tour Highlights
• Guided walking tour of Amsterdam’s old city centre starting near Central Station
• Introduction to the city’s origins, trading history, and life since the Middle Ages
• Discover freedom of religion and see hidden churches from the outside
• Explore Amsterdam’s more liberal side with a local expert
• Complimentary pick-up and drop-off within the Jordaan, Canal Belt area, or old city centre
Important note:
We do not tour the Red Light District, not only out of respect for the sex workers but it is also a forbidden area for tours.
Practical details
- Duration: 2 hours
- Stops: Old city center, Zeedijk, canals, Dam Square
- Group size: max. 10 people
- Included: Local tour guide
- Starting point: In front of Café Loetje at Stationsplein
- Ending point: In front of Café Mascini
- Languages: English (Dutch, French, German, or Spanish available on request)
- FAQ
Customization options
Since this is a private tour, there are various customization options available.
Language: the tour is usually offered in English and/or Dutch. If you would like the tour in French, German, or Spanish, please let us know when you book.
Pick-up and drop-off services: you can request these services during the booking process.
Cancellation policy
Cancellation is free of charge and refundable if you cancel at least 1 week before the tour date.
Maps
Starting point
End point
Thijs led one of most outstanding and comprehensive food tours my husband and I have even been on (and we have done a lot)! We not only had an abundance and variety of Dutch food that was delicious but Thijs and his colleague Joanna shared so much Danish history not only about the food and the places we went to but about the neighborhoods and the development of Amsterdam. We both agreed Thijs food tour was one of the highlights of our 6 days in Amsterdam and we would strongly encourage anyone whether you’re interested in food, history or the culture of Amsterdam to do this tour!
We had an excellent afternoon with Katya earlier this month on the Grand Dutch food tour. We enjoyed sampling many dishes that we would not have tried otherwise (herring, satay, cured meats) if we were to go out on our own. The nice touch and probably my favourite (toss up between that and the apple pie) was the Dutch wine and cheese tasting in the quiet back room of this cute shop. We were very fortunate to only have our family of 3 on the tour so we got extra attention and all of our crazy questions answered along the way as we love hearing unique historical facts. Thanks again for treating us so well.
We do a food tour in every new country we visit, and this was one of the absolute best! Great history tied into delicious food stops at just the right pace. Thijs was a wonderful guide.
We had a fabulous time with Rob on this tour. The pace was perfect, wandering around Amsterdam tasting wonderful food and drinks with interesting history snippets added in. Rob felt like a new friend we just met. Would highly recommend .
What a fantastic afternoon experiencing the local food & drink intertwined with the history of Amsterdam. It was a great personalised tour. It was like catching up with an old friend. Starting with apple pie (to die for), we enjoyed a wide range of food and drink with Rob. This tour is really worth it.
Jan is an incredible guide. His knowledge of the history of Amsterdam and its correlation to the food eaten here made the tour enjoyable for all ages. Not only did we sample amazing food and drink all throughout the city, but we were also treated to Amsterdam from a “local’s” point of view. Request Jan and I promise you won’t be disappointed!!!
We had the best time ever. Jan was an incredible guide that I would highly recommend. If we come back we will definitely use him again.
What an amazing tour. Our guide Jan was awesome! Very knowledgeable about the history and culture of Amsterdam. Our food stops were all different and represented the variety of foods that can be found in Amsterdam. All were very yummy!! I highly recommend this tour!!
I had the greatest time during my tour this past Sunday. Lots of good local food with a great guide. Each place has been picked carefully and represents different aspects of the city’s food universe, from the classic apple pie to Indonesian-inspired dish. Being in Amsterdam for a full week, I went back to many of the places. I recommend 100%!
We had such a wonderful time with Thijs on the Grand Dutch Food & History Tour! I expected good things, since Rick Steves gave Amsterdam Food Tours high marks in his Amsterdam travel book, but the tour exceeded expectations. It did not feel like a tour but having a lovely walk around the city with a friend, who knew all of the good spots to visit and enjoy fantastic food, beverages and experiences. As a bonus, we learned a great deal about the city and its history along the way. I would recommend the tour to everyone and when we visit Amsterdam again in the future, we will look to Amsterdam Food Tours to make the trip memorable.
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Book now
Easily book your tour online using the calendar above. The booking system is secure and you’ll immediately receive a confirmation of your booking.
If you don’t see availability for the date(s) you have in mind, please contact us!
Online bookings for private tours close automatically 2 weeks prior to the tour date. If you want to book a private tour within a shorter timeframe, please email us at [email protected]
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Walking Dinner Private Tour
Discover Amsterdam’s culinary and cultural highlights on a tailor-made Private Walking Dinner Tour. Perfect for groups, company outings, or business hospitality.