Things to Do in Amsterdam

With this ticket to AMAZE Amsterdam, you’ll enjoy a multisensory experience like no other. Lights, lasers, and sound come together to create a unique journey.

Join us for a fun, thought-provoking, and genuinely local experience through the heart of Amsterdam, and discover the stories, history, and strange contradictions that make Amsterdam so… Absolutely Amsterdam.

Together with one of our passionate local guides, you’ll explore how freedom, tolerance, trade, rebellion, and creativity shaped the city — and why Amsterdam still feels unlike anywhere else in the world today.

This isn’t a generic, scripted tour filled with endless dates and names you won’t remember. We keep things personal, interactive, and honest. Expect fascinating stories, dark history, local gossip, humor, awkward Dutch habits, and the kind of insights you only get from people who actually live here.

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THE EXPERIENCE
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We believe the best tours feel less like a lecture and more like exploring the city with a knowledgeable local friend.

Our guides are real Amsterdam locals with academic backgrounds and years of experience — many also work in museums and cultural institutions — but we care just as much about creating a fun atmosphere as we do about historical accuracy.

Every guide brings their own personality, expertise, humor, and perspective, which means no two tours are ever exactly the same.

Ask questions. Be curious. Challenge assumptions. We love that.

By the end of the tour, you won’t just have seen Amsterdam — you’ll understand why people fall in love with it.

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WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER
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🏛️ HISTORY

• How Amsterdam grew from a muddy fishing village into the richest city on Earth
• How Amsterdam helped invent modern capitalism
• The surprising Dutch transition from Republic to Monarchy
• Why hidden churches exist — and why sex workers worked beside them
• The dark side of the Golden Age, colonialism, and the Dutch East India Company
• WWII, Anne Frank, Nazi occupation, and the devastating history of Amsterdam’s Jewish community
• Why the canal houses are so narrow, crooked, and beautiful

🌆 MODERN AMSTERDAM

• The truth behind Amsterdam’s famous liberal reputation
• Coffeeshops and Dutch drug policy — how it really works
• Why the Red Light District is changing
• How hippies helped save Amsterdam from demolition
• Local gossip, modern politics, and the Royal Family
• Unique personal stories and honest insights into daily Dutch life

🎭 DUTCH CULTURE

• Dutch directness, tolerance, and the famous “open curtain” culture
• Why bikes rule the city
• Dutch food culture — from stroopwafels and cheese to Indonesian food
• Rembrandt, hidden courtyards, Chinatown, and local traditions
• What makes Amsterdam feel so different from the rest of the world

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INCLUDED EXTRAS
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🍪 A typical Dutch snack during the tour

🎁 A small souvenir to remember Amsterdam by

🗺️ An insider guide with our favorite bars, restaurants, cafés, clubs, and hidden gems

🚤 Exclusive discounts for small-boat canal cruises and other local experiences

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TOUR DETAILS
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📍 Meeting Point
In front of the main entrance of the Beurs van Berlage (Stock Exchange Building), next to the bull statue on Beursplein.

⏰ Daily Tours
10:30 AM
2:00 PM
5:30 PM (not always available on Saturdays — check availability)

⏳ Duration
Approximately 2.5 hours

📌 Highlights May Include
The Old Harbor • Central Station • Hidden Churches • Chinatown • Nieuwmarkt • The Red Light District • Dutch Drug Policies • Canal Houses • Jewish Quarter or Anne Frank area • Royal Palace • Dam Square • Dutch Bike Culture • Personal Local Stories

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PLEASE NOTE
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🇬🇧 Tours are conducted entirely in English.

👥 Maximum 6 people per booking. Multiple reservations from the same group may be refused if the combined group exceeds this limit.

Buckle up! because this is not your typical sightseeing tour.

First, let's set the stage.

This place isn't just about the lively nightlife, it's a historic part of Amsterdam with stories around every corner.

As we zigzag through the district, your guide, a local with a wealth of anecdotes, points out hidden gems you could easily miss without the help of an expert.

From secret bars to unique stores, each place has its own story. But what makes this trip really special is the laughter and conviviality.

Imagine a group of travel enthusiasts, each from different corners of the world. All united by a thirst for adventure and new experiences. The energy is contagious, and each new discovery triggers a surge of excitement.

As night falls, you may find yourself at a local diner, sharing stories and dishes. These are the moments. Good food, great company and the backdrop of an illuminated city that stay with you long after the trip is over.

So, if you're in the mood for an adventure that's as educational as it is stimulating, Friendly Walking Tours' Amsterdam Red Light District tour awaits. Don't just explore, immerse yourself with us in experiences that defy everyday perspective.

After all, isn't that what travel is all about?

Starting at St. Nicholas Basilica, in front of Centraal Station and ending at Dam Square itself, your friendly guide will provide you with all the details you need to make the most of your experience.

Pedro.

ABOUT THE TOUR

A one and a half hours walk around the central area, with a professional, friendly and knowledgeable guide that will help you to better understand Amsterdam and it’s people. Historical curiosities and tales, modern culture, personal insight on it’s like to live in heart of the city, and all the recommendations you need to have an unforgettable stay.

IMPORTANT: READ BEFORE BOOKING

Due to competitor theft, and more recently AI training, documenting the tour is not allowed (video, audio or notes), with the exception of photos.

The average tips in this city are 10 euros per person . For the travelers visiting Amsterdam but somehow concerned on spending 10 euros on a tour regardless of its quality, please look for self-guided audio tours as an extremely affordable option.

 I do not work for this company, I'm a self employed freelancer. It's me, not the company, that takes all responsibilities, risks and expenses to offer the tour (publishing, licensing, taxes and marketing fee).

All travelers are required to arrive at least 10 minutes earlier. After the tour starts, mobile communication with the guide will be scarce, as the group has his full attention.

We talk about prostitution, drugs, and we walk inside the Red Light District. Travelers under 18 can only attend together with their parents.

1. NIEUWEMARKT: We will get some basic concepts out of the way, moving to some secrets in the old city gates - an appropriate starting point for the tour.
2. VOC (DUCHT EAST INDIA COMPANY): Lets explore the days when this people ruled the seas, the dark side of it's glory and wealth.
3. DAM SQUARE: the city main square, hosting the Royal Palace and other points of interest
4. BEURSPLEIN: the modern stock exchange and it's curious international connections
5. RED LIGHT DISTRICT: We will visit the oldest building of Amsterdam -  the Oude Kerk - to understand some of its contrasts. The past, the present, and some possible futures of the Red Light District.
6. CHINATOWN: Drugs are often a confusing topic for visitors. Lets understand how it really works, how it began, and why it is still a quite controversial topic.
7. DANCING HOUSES: The crooked houses of Amsterdam are quite the sight to behold, but there are different reasons behind their dancing angles.
8. OUDE WAAL AND THE FLOATING HOUSES: In the Venice of the North, the canals tells many secrets. 
9. JEWISH DISTRIC: In the last stop of our tour, we will reflect upon the events of WWII and it's impact on today.

How was it that Amsterdam, the Jerusalem of the West, the one safe place to be Jewish in the world for 350 years, became the country in WWII with the highest percentage (75%) of Jews killed in Western Europe?

We will use Anne Frank’s story and many other stories to understand what it was like to live in a Nazi regime of terror for both Jews and non-Jews,

The tour includes stops at The National Holocaust Names Monument, The Jewish Theatre, The Auschwitz Monument and the Portuguese Synagogue, along with many more places with stories of the incredible exploits of heroes and traitors during the war, both Jewish and Christian: 

• The Jewish children who were bravely saved from the transit center nursery.
• The nurse who led a resistance cell whose existence was never discovered by the Nazis.
• The paid informants who hunted down Jews in hiding, including the Jewish woman accused of betraying seven hundred Jews.
• The effects of Queen Wilhelmina's anti-Semitism on the fates of Dutch Jews.

We will also discuss the kinds of lies used to create such virulent anti-Semitism, and how lies continue to be used today to foment hate and war.

The tour will take place in the Jewish Quarter, the heart of Jewish culture in Amsterdam.  We begin at the Spinoza monument.

We will arrive at the Portuguese Synagogue two hours and 15 minutes after the beginning of the tour. The tour will be completely over within two and a half hours.

 
Since we are in Amsterdam, we will try to make even this tour about WWII as gezellig (friendly and convivial) as possible.

From a recent review: The Jewish tour with Jon was wonderful. ... while the tour can be deeply saddening ..., Jon was able to keep the energy up using humor when appropriate and kept the group engaged. Highly recommend this tour!

This tour is a terrific substitute or accompaniment for the Anne Frank House (annefrank.org). You can only buy tickets to the Anne Frank House through their website two months ahead of time. Read the link below and follow the directions closely!. Book the terrific introductory program in English if it is available. https://www.annefrank.org/en/museum/tickets/

We do not visit the Anne Frank museum, since there is really nothing to see except her statue outside of the museum. Come on this tour to find out what the Jews and the Dutch experienced in WWII.

The Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum are usually sold out for at least a week or more.  Reserve early for many museums, including the National Holocaust Museum.

If you will visit at least four Dutch museums (including all the museums above), it can be a good idea to buy a Museum Card, good at 450 museums for one year. You can buy a temporary pass at the first museum you visit, use that pass five times, and receive a permanent pass within five days or less.  If ordering tickets for the Anne Frank House or another museum, just mark that you have a Museum Card and don't pay anything online.  Then buy the card at the first museum you visit. https://www.museum.nl/en/museumpass

I  look forward to seeing you soon - Pedro.

This walk will take you along the medieval city walls of Amsterdam. It also happens to be one of the most beautiful canals in the city - Kloveniersburgwal. 

Our tour will cover topics such as the origin of Amsterdam, the medieval city walls - with the defensive towers, Dutch expeditions, the Golden Age, the East India Company, the West India Company.

I will tell you about Rembrandt and his most important works, the social system in Amsterdam in the XVII century, religion then and now, and a few other interesting things.

Mind you the walk is slightly off the beaten path (still in the centre however). 

Welcome!

Are you interested in the history of Amsterdam and do you want to know how it grew from a small fishing village into one of the most beautiful and richest cities in the world? 

This tour is made for people who love history, stories and want to know more about this amazing city. 

This tour will start of course at the place where it all began: Dam Square. Together we will make a journey through the centuries and pass true and mention the following highlights:

• The origins of Amsterdam and The Netherlands
• The importance of water and trade for Amsterdam
• The new New Church and the protestant reformation
• The Royal Palace and the Rabit King
• The canal district
• The history of Boat houses
• The history of the Red Light District
• The history of Coffee shops and the Dutch drug policy. 
• And much more!!!

During our approximately 2-hour tour, I will tell you the story of Anne Frank and her family with references to what happened in Amsterdam during World War II.

The itinerary covers the areas and buildings in Amsterdam that have experienced the impact of the war, and we will read together parts of the diary written by Anne.

These are some of the stages we will see together:

• The Holocaust Memorial
• The Jewish Quarter
• Stumbling Stones
• The old market of the Jewish Quarter
• Dam Square and War Memorial
• The Westerkerk (Anne's Church)
• We will end outside the Anne Frank House.