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Offered languages
- English
Explore Amsterdam’s rich history from a unique perspective on this walking tour. Discover the often-overlooked stories of women, colonial subjects, and Jewish communities, and learn how their lives and struggles are woven into the city.
As you explore Amsterdam’s canals, courtyards, and alleyways, hear about women who defied norms, leading resistance movements. Learn about Dutch colonialism, and see how wealth from exploitation influenced the city and how resistance to this legacy persists.
Visit the Old City, Dam Square, and Jordaan district to bring this history to life. Delve into Jewish history, highlighting pre-war vibrancy and the Holocaust’s impact, alongside stories of survival and remembrance.
This tour is a reflective journey connecting past and present, centering voices often excluded from traditional narratives. It invites you to see Amsterdam as a city shaped by trade, beauty, activism, justice, and courage, offering a deeper understanding of its complex history.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Go to the Dam square, there is the big Dam Palace, and across the street a white pillar WW2 monument. I will be in the square near the palace with a small yellow umbrella.
The tour ends on the South end of the Red Light District. From here the Dam square, Red Light District, and University Quarter are easily accessible for activities following the end of this tour.
Itinerary
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1Dam Square
To start the tour, the guide will explain the significance of the Dam square and Royal Palace. It is here the tour dives into the colonial history of Amsterdam and the Netherlands, painting to hidden parts of the palace that signify this dark past.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Statue of Anne Frank
Here, the tour delves into the iconic Westerkerk and the poignant Anne Frank Statue, immersing visitors in the gripping history of the Holocaust and the courageous Dutch Resistance that forever shaped the city’s spirit. This part of the journey not only reveals the harrowing atrocities committed by the Nazis during the occupation, but also spotlights the remarkable acts of defiance and bravery shown by both Dutch citizens and Jews in the face of oppression.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Homomonument
The Homomonument is a significant part of LGBTQ history in Amsterdam. This stop explores LGBTQ history during WW2 and modern-day liberation movements that continue fighting for equality and freedom.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Begijnhof
The Begijnhof square offers a serene oasis amidst the bustle of the city center, serving as a living testament to the Netherlands’ rich and turbulent religious past. Here, your guide brings to life the fascinating stories of the Beguines—traditionally Catholic women—whose resilience saw them through centuries of shifting religious laws and the sweeping changes of the Protestant Reformation. As a special highlight, you’ll step inside the secretive Begijnhof Chapel (when not during Mass), a hidden gem brimming with centuries-old mysteries and quiet beauty.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Waterlooplein Market
The Waterlooplein flea market is the center of the former Jewish quarter and hides fascinating secrets about the Dutch resistance during the Second World War. The tour will delve into the various ways Amsterdam residents resisted the occupation, both violently and covertly. This stop also notes the history of the Portuguese Synagogue and the history of Judaism in the Netherlands.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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