Welcome to Amsterdam: Private Half-Day Walking Tour

Enjoy a welcome tour of beautiful Amsterdam with an expert guide, famous for its elaborate network of canals, historic gabled houses, impressive artistic heritage from Rembrandt to Vermeer, and of course its numerous bike paths for the thousands of cyclists.  

On your private half-day tour, you will: 

• Enjoy a welcome city stroll tour of Amsterdam with a professional tour guide;
• Explore all the major highlights of the city, rich in history and home to invaluable art collections; 
• Learn the elaborate and unique layout of Amsterdam around four concentric semicircles of canals;
• Explore Dam Square, home to the iconic and majestic Koninklijk Palace, a royal residence that has served for two centuries as a reception palace for the House of Orange;
•  See the smallest house in Amsterdam located in the old city centre;
• Visit Bloemenmarkt, Amsterdam's amazing floating flower market;
• Walk through the Begijnhof, one of the oldest and most picturesque courtyards in Amsterdam;
• Discover the Dutch love affair with pedal power in a city with 513km of cycle paths;
• Walk past highlights of the city including the Torensluis Bridge, Anne Frank’s house, and Westerkerk;
• End your tour at the Jordaan District – the thriving foodie district of Amsterdam.

From humble beginnings as a fishing village by the Amstel River, Amsterdam became one of the most important European capitals of the 17th Century, by which time it had grown into a lively port town, attracting wealthy merchants and artisans from all over the globe.

Today Amsterdam is characterized by centuries-old canals, painted houseboats, and streets filled with cyclists. World-class museums and galleries boast highly-prized art collections, while elegant spire-topped churches gaze down on an extraordinary number of stone bridges - more than 500 at last count.

On your tour, you will explore Dam Square, once the mouth of the Amstel River; marvel at the ornate grandeur of the cupola-topped Koninklijk Palace, one of a trio of Dutch royal residences, and enjoy a guided stroll through the highlights of Amsterdam.

Admire the stunning facade of the 800-year-old Nieuwe Kerk, an important part of Dutch identity and considered “Amsterdam’s living room”. Stroll the famous Torensluis Bridge, then pass by the house of the young Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank and hear the harrowing story of the Frank family.  

Stop to admire 17th-century Westerkerk’s soaring tower and Renaissance facade - learn a bit about Calvinism and religious reform in Amsterdam during the Reformation. In Nine Street, enjoy the buzzy atmosphere of pavement cafes, florists, and boutiques then marvel at the rainbow of vivid fragrant blooms in Amsterdam’s famous floating flower market!

See where booksellers and street artists vie for attention (on Fridays) close to the leafy courtyard of Begijnhof, a haven of peace and quiet.

Your tour finishes in the Jordaan District – the foodie neighbourhood of Amsterdam, where your guide will happily recommend various dining options to you. 

Tour duration
3 hours

Type of tour
Walking tour: no transportation is included

Attractions along this route:

Dam Square
Lying in the very heart of the Dutch capital, Dam Square is surrounded by scenic and notable buildings.

Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace)
Amsterdam’s Royal Palace is one of the best examples of Dutch Baroque.

Nieuwe Kerk (New Church)
Used for Dutch royal investiture ceremonies, this magnificent church is full of history.

Anne Frank House
The house in which Anne Frank and her family hid from Nazi persecution.

Westerkerk (West Church)
This 17th century Protestant church has a tower with breathtaking views of the city.

Jordaan district
A former hotbed of leftist politics, this picturesque district has a vibrant and varied local community in its courtyards, cafés and restaurants.

Begijnhof
Amsterdam's picturesque ancient court has a fascinating religious history.

Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market)
The city's most fragrant attraction is the only floating flower market on the planet.