Amsterdam City Center & History - Exclusive Guided Walking Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  St. Nicholas Basilica

  Discover the history of Amsterdam’s primary Roman Catholic church. Built in the late 19th century after centuries of prohibition, its striking blend of architectural styles reflects the city's evolving religious landscape.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2
  Weeping Tower

  Visit the Schreierstoren, or Tower of Tears, a medieval structure from which women bid farewell to loved ones departing by ship.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 3
  Zeedijk

  Stroll along one of Amsterdam’s oldest streets, once a sea dike that held back the waters of the IJ. At the Kolksluis, admire one of the city’s most picturesque lock bridges.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4
  Nieuwmarkt

  From here, we will make our way to the lively nightspot and market square, Nieuwmarkt which is found in the old city centre. This spot has been a centre for commerce and socialising in Amsterdam since the 17th century as the square’s location just inside the old city gate made it a convenient spot for traders and shoppers looking for fresh produce.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5
  The Waag

  During our time at Nieuwmarkt, we will also see what is known as “De Waag”, a 15th century building that is one of Amsterdam’s oldest remaining non-religious buildings. Originally a city gate and part of the walls of Amsterdam, the building has also served as a guildhall, museum and firestation, among other things.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6
  Trippenhuis

  See Amsterdam’s grandest 17th-century mansion, once owned by the wealthy Trip family, contrasted directly with the city’s “smallest house” built opposite.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 7
  Oost-Indisch Huis

  Step into the courtyard of the Dutch East India Company’s headquarters, the birthplace of the world’s first multinational corporation.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 8
  Kleine Trippenhuis

  Marvel at one of the narrowest houses in Amsterdam, a reminder of how high land taxes once encouraged tall, narrow architecture

  5 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 9
  Zuiderkerk

  Amsterdam’s first purpose-built Protestant church, designed by Hendrick de Keyser. Its elegant tower is one of the city’s defining landmarks.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 10
  Museum Het Rembrandthuis

  Next we will pass by Rembrandt’s house, a historical building and art museum in which the Painter Rembrandt lived and worked between 1639 and 1656. The collection of the museum contains Rembrandt’s etchings and paintings of his contemporaries.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 11
  National Opera & Ballet

  Following, we will go to what is known as the Stopera, a building complex housing both the city hall and the Dutch National Opera and Ballet. The construction of this building was at least 60 years in the making.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 12
  South Church

  You will then be taken to see the Zuiderkerk, or what is known as the Southern Church. This church is a protestant church located in the Nieuwmarkt region and was not only a major part of Rembrandt’s life, but also features in a Claude Monet painting.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 13
  The Amstel

  Next we will walk along the Amstel River, which has been a vital part of the Netherlands since the Middle Ages. Its currents have been supplying Amsterdam with water and transportation for over 800 years.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 14
  Magere Brug

  At the river we will see two bridges, known as the Skinny Bridge and the Blue Bridge. While the Skinny Bridge is probably Amsterdam’s most famous bridge, spanning across the River Amstel from 1934, the Blue Bridge, which is not blue at all, is named after the wooden blue bridge that spun across the Amstel in the 17th century.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 15
  Blauwbrug

  At the river we will see two bridges, known as the Skinny Bridge and the Blue Bridge. While the Skinny Bridge is probably Amsterdam’s most famous bridge, spanning across the River Amstel from 1934, the Blue Bridge, which is not blue at all, is named after the wooden blue bridge that spun across the Amstel in the 17th century.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 16
  Rembrandtplein

  Following, we will walk through one of the busiest squares in the city, Rembrandt Square. As you can tell by its name, Rembrandtplein is named after the famous Dutch painter, Rembrandt. Here you will see a bronze-cast representation of his most famous painting, The Night Watch, which was displayed as part of the celebration of the artist’s 400th birthday in 2006.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 17
  Bloemenmarkt

  After this, we will then walk through the flower market where you will see the Munttoren (“Mind Tower”). The tower was originally part of one of the main gates in Amsterdam’s medieval city wall.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 18
  Begijnhof

  Following, we will see one of the oldest hofjes, or almshouses in Amsterdam, Begijnhof. It consists of a group of houses built around a secluded courtyard and garden, known to have provided homes for the Beguines – a group of unmarried women who lived together under vows of chastity. Today it is also the site of two churches.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 19
  Dam Square

  One of the tour’s last stop includes the Dam Square. Its notable buildings and frequent events make it one of the most well-known locations in the city, as it includes the Royal Place, New Church and National Monument.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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