Tours & Activities in Amsterdam

Discover the fascinating history of the most liberal city in the world with FreeDam Tours – the best-rated walking tour in Amsterdam! Together with your super-local guide, you will discover how freedom and tolerance shaped the city and its people throughout the ages and understand how these values continue to influence it today.

We combine beautiful sightseeing with exciting storytelling and cover everything you need to know about Amsterdam in one tour: history, modern life, culture, art, fun facts and personal stories for a unique insider’s perspective on life in Amsterdam. Be prepared to challenge all your pre-conceived ideas about this city because after this tour you will never look and think of Amsterdam the same way.

“From the Red Light District to the evolution of Amsterdam as the global centre of world trade in the 17th century, its transition from a republic to a monarchy, the tragedy of the Nazi occupation and its enlightened and effective attitude to drug control, your guide will stitch these diverse items together with humorous personal anecdotes and insightful commentary on the underlying social and cultural mores of the Dutch people”.

Duration: 2.5 hours

Starting point: In front of the main entrance of the Stock Exchange (Beursplein 5), by the statue of the bull. You can also find us by looking for freedamtours on Googe maps!

Endpoint: Dam Square

PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY:

Minimum age: 16
(The tour is not suited for young children!)

Maximum number of people per group / booking: 5 people. Bigger groups will be turned away at the meeting point

Every tour is unique. Route, sights, and topics may vary slightly depending on weather and/or guide.

The Tour is always and only in English, NOT Spanish.
We reserve the right to turn away guests with a limited understanding of English.

Useful information:
+ Small Groups of Maximum 15 people for a truly high-quality experience and access to areas that are off-limits to other walking tours.
+ Supported by pictures, paintings and maps that bring history to life. 
+ Super Local Guides: all our guides are life-long locals with very deep roots in this city, country and culture so they can answer any question you may have. 
+ Free Snack & Souvenir: on the tour, you will be treated to a typical Dutch snack and you will also receive a nice souvenir at the end. 
 

👋 Hey there!
Looking to explore the city with a local guide during you trip in Amsterdam?

Join our time-bending tour of Amsterdam's historic center! We're taking you to the heart of history, exploring the Old Town, the unique Jewish Quarter, and the legendary canals                           

By the end of this tour, you'll wow the locals with your flawless Dutch greetings, you'll know where to get a secret stash of tasty Dutch treats, and you’ll be deeply in love with the city's captivating history that we hold near and dear!

What topics we'll dive into:

• 🌊 Origins of Amsterdam and the Netherlands: Learn about the very roots of this vibrant city and the country it calls home. 
• 🌍  Golden Age and War of Independence: Step back in time to a period of immense wealth and the battles fought for freedom. 
• 🚨 Red Light District: Hear about the secrets of the infamous neighborhood with the ladies behind the red windows. 
• 🏛️ Amsterdam UNESCO World Heritage Site: Marvel at the architectural wonders that earned this city its UNESCO status. 
• 🏮 Chinatown - Drugs & Tolerance: Walk though the vibrant Chinatown and learn about our city's unique stance on certain vices. 
• ⚔️ WW2 and the Hunger Winter: Relive the city's wartime struggles during WW2 and the resilience of its people. 
• 🥞 Dutch Food and Modern Culture: Learn about Dutch cuisine and feel the contemporary vibes of this dynamic city. 

If that sounds interesting to you, here are some extra’s we've got lined up just for you 😉

+ Bonus #1: We’ll treat you to a delicious Dutch snack during the tour! 🍪

+ Bonus #2: Strike a pose next to our stunning canals, and we'll snap a picture of you to cherish forever! 📸

+ Bonus #3: You’ll receive a list of recommendations with the best things to do and eat while you're here. 🌟

⚠️ Once the groups are full, you won't be able to sign up, so make sure to reserve your spots right now for free! ⚠️                           

See you on the tour! ✌️

This tour is not for groups bigger than 6 people. Multiple reservations under different names will be declined

Welcome to Amsterdam!

Join us for an immersive and detailed two-hour walking tour through the heart of Amsterdam. This tour will take you beyond the surface of the city’s famed canals, offering a deeper understanding of its storied past, multicultural present, and vibrant future. 🇳🇱 🌷

Here’s a glimpse into the tour.
1. Origins of Amsterdam and the Netherlands:  how a modest fishing village transformed into a powerful mercantile hub. Learn about the city’s founding and the ingenious engineering that has kept it above water for centuries.
 2. The Battle with Water: Understand why the Dutch are world-renowned for their water management.
 3. The Dutch Golden Age and Independence: Step back in time to the 17th century when Amsterdam was the center of global trade and culture. Hear about the Dutch struggle for independence from Spain and how this era shaped the modern Netherlands.
4. The Dutch East India Company (VOC): Dive into the era of exploration and commerce, learning about the VOC’s influence and its role in establishing Amsterdam as a key player on the global stage.
5. The Red Light District: Venture into one of Amsterdam’s most talked-about areas. Understand its history, the legal framework and future of the RLD
 6. UNESCO World Heritage Canals: Marvel at the 17th-century canal ring and learn why it’s considered a masterpiece of urban planning.
 7. Chinatown and the Tolerance Culture: Explore the vibrant Chinatown and discuss Amsterdam’s liberal policies towards drugs and its broader culture of tolerance. Gain insight into how these elements contribute to the city’s multicultural landscape.
 8. World War II and the Hunger Winter: Reflect on Amsterdam’s darker times during World War II, including the tragic Hunger Winter and the impact of the Nazi occupation on the city and its inhabitants.
 9. Modern Dutch Culture: Conclude your journey with a taste of contemporary Dutch life. From local cuisine and art to daily life and modern innovations.

Tour Logistics:

• Duration: 2 hours
• Meeting Point: Rokin 11, next to the Cara de Mujer statue (look for the 🔴 UMBRELLA).
• End Point: Flower Market

Important Details:

• Audience: This tour is ideal for solo travelers and small groups of up to five people. For larger groups, please contact us to arrange a private tour.
• Age Requirement: Participants must be at least 14 years old.
• Arrival: Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes early to ensure a prompt start.

Tot ziens!

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.