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Amsterdam Reviews & Ratings

Teresa Follett

European Highlights with Eurostar Opt

Places visted were awesome, do wish we spent more time while traveling to stop at more sites. Understand that time was a factor, however 7 hrs to Paris, was long wi...

Gary Miller

Busy,exciting and action packed

Margaret Miller

The Eurostar Option was a great way to get to London and give us some time to see some of London. We actually added an extra day in order to see most of what we want...

Lissette Cruz Cid

The itinerary was what I expected. The only thing I would change is shortening the Rhine River cruise to have more time In Heidelberg. Very pretty town but got ther...

Jonathan Nichelson

The price we paid as a couple was definitely worth it! We have spent much...

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The 14 Best Amsterdam Tours

Dive into this famously liberal city and its beautiful countryside with the help of a guided tour.

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Exploring Amsterdam via its famous canals is a great way to see the city.

Note: Some tour providers on this list may be running more limited operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book.

There are so many can't-miss sights in Amsterdam , from the Anne Frank House and the Rijksmuseum to the city's famous canals, houseboats and windmills. With the help of a friendly local, you're sure to see it all and gain some insider tips. After analyzing both traveler opinion and expert research, U.S. News determined the best Amsterdam tours. Whether you're hoping to walk or cycle your way through the city or even cruise its canals, you'll find each tour highlights the unique qualities only found in Amsterdam.

Stromma – Open Boat Tours Amsterdam

This cruise takes participants through the city's famous canals to view its top sights, including the Van Gogh Museum , the Amstel and more. Plus, because this boat is smaller than a normal tour vessel, you'll get to explore some of the lesser-seen waterways. Reviewers say this is a relaxing tour with captains who provide plenty of information. Boats run multiple times daily from three departure points; tours last about 75 minutes. Tickets start at 22.50 euros (about $24) for adults; children travel for half that. The company also offers dining cruises.

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Mike's Bike Tours Amsterdam – Countryside Bike Tour and Cheese Tasting

Get your fill of windmills and the beautiful Dutch countryside on this bike tour that runs up to 3 1/2 hours and covers about 10 miles. It also includes stops at a clog factory, a public park and a cheese farm, where cheese samples are offered to visitors. Reviewers praise the scenic countryside and the stop for the cheese tasting. They also appreciate the well-maintained bikes and the friendly guides. Tickets start at 42 euros (about $42) for adults and 39 euros (about $37) for youths ages 12 to 17; the trip is not suitable for children younger than 12. This tour runs daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The company offers many bike tours, including tours of the city and private cycle trips.

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With Locals – The 10 Tastings of Amsterdam

Get a "taste" of Amsterdam on this guided food tour that features 10 tastings, including beverage samples. In-the-know locals lead the three-hour walk that takes you through the De Pijp area of the city, as well as an outdoor market. Food samples could include a stroopwafel (a wafer cookie), herring and local cheeses. Reviewers highly recommend this tour, describing it as "fun" and "flavorful." They also extol the guides for their friendly, cheerful demeanor. Ticket prices vary depending on how many people tour; a couple can expect to pay around 95 euros (about $99) per person. The tour runs Monday to Saturday at multiple times each day. The company also offers tours of the city by bike or boat.

Free Walking Tours Amsterdam – Classic Tour

Learn about Amsterdam, its liberalism and the Dutch culture on this two-hour walking tour. Stops may include the red-light district, the canal belt area, the Waag building and more. Keep in mind each guide takes a slightly different route. Reviewers highly recommend the tour for travelers interested in a brief introduction to Amsterdam history. Tourgoers also applaud the guides for their engaging, funny storytelling. Tours depart daily at 10:30 and 11 a.m. and 1:30 and 4 p.m. The tour operates on a pay-what-you-wish basis, but you'll need to pay a city-mandated entertainment tax of 1.55 euros (about $2). The company also offers a food tour and an alternative tour of the city that explores Amsterdam's counterculture.

360 Amsterdam Tours – Anne Frank Walking Tour

See World War II through the eyes of Anne Frank on this two-hour tour through the Jewish Quarter. Highlights include the Portuguese Synagogue, the Hollandsche Schouwburg Museum and the Anne Frank House. Reviewers praise the guides' storytelling abilities and their knack for weaving in a substantial amount of information about Amsterdam and its role in World War II. Tickets start at 28.50 euros (about $30) per person and discounts are available for children. Tickets do not include entrance to the attractions on the tour. Tours operate daily at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The company also offers an Anne Frank bike tour, among other options.

Courtesy of Hungry Birds

Along this tour with Hungry Birds, you'll eat like the locals do and learn about their favorite spots.

Hungry Birds – Original Experience

This delicious trip focuses largely on Amsterdam's street food and shares information about the city's culture, daily life and the people who make the dishes. During the 4 1/2-hour outing, you'll sample plenty of eats favorited by locals and you'll also try traditional foods like herring and Dutch cheese. Reviewers say the tour includes plenty of food and is a great introduction to local culture. Participants recommend coming hungry. Tours are generally available Monday to Saturday at 11 a.m. and start at 89 euros (about $93) per person; children younger than 6 can join for free. Food and drink samples are included in the ticket price. If you want to explore on your own, try Hungry Birds' self-guided bike tour.

We Bike Amsterdam – City Tour

Sightsee your way through the city using the preferred method of transportation among Amsterdammers: a bike. On this three-hour cycling tour, you'll see some of the most popular neighborhoods, as well as hidden spots frequented by locals. Top stops on the tour, which is limited to 11 people, include Vondelpark , the Jordaan neighborhood , the Western Church and the Rijksmuseum. Reviewers say this is a great way to see the city and that guides maintain a comfortable pace. Tickets cost around 30 euros (about $31) for adults with discounted fares for children. Tours depart daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The company also offers a private bike tour and a countryside tour.

Lovers Canal Cruises – One Hour Amsterdam Evening Canal Cruise

See how Amsterdam comes to life after dark on this hourlong cruise that tours the incredible canals, traveling under illuminated bridges and past the historic city center. Boats are equipped with panoramic roofs, sliding windows and audio commentary. Reviewers say they enjoy seeing Amsterdam by night and that the audio guide is informative. Others wish the boat was less crowded. Tickets start at 19 euros for adults (about $20); children receive discounted tickets. Tours leave daily every half-hour from about 5 to 9 p.m. Lovers Canal Cruises also offers a variety of daytime cruises.

Those Dam Boat Guys

Over and over again, travelers praise Those Dam Boat Guys for a fun and informative tour of Amsterdam. During the canal cruise, guides share information about their city and offer helpful hints to make the most of your stay. Tours run on either covered or open boats (depending on weather and boat availability), so you won't have issues seeing the amazing sights. Up to eight passengers will be on the boat – another aspect of the tour travelers praise. Trips last about 90 minutes and run multiple times daily. Fees start at 29.50 euros (around $31) for adults. Private tours for up to 10 are also available.

SANDEMANs New Europe – Free Tour of Amsterdam

Learn about Amsterdam's rich history, including the Nazi occupation, its trade heritage and the city's enthusiasm for biking, on this three-hour walking tour. The excursion will also take you by the city's incredible canals, over its bridges and to see some of its best architecture. Reviewers describe the tour as "amazing" and say the guides are passionate and energetic about their city. Tours are free, but you will need to pay an entertainment tax of 1.50 euros (about $1.50) per person. Additionally, you are welcome to pay your guide what you wish at the conclusion of the tour. Tours are available daily at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; keep in mind you must reserve your slot online in advance. If you want to learn more about Amsterdam's famous red-light district, take the fee-based Red Lights and Dark Amsterdam tour.

Wooden clogs are one of the best-known symbols of the Netherlands.

Tours & Tickets – Countryside and Windmills Tour from Amsterdam – All-In Tour

Reviewers praise the number of activities packed into this nearly six-hour excursion and say the tour provides a great overview of the Netherlands. During the daytrip, you'll visit the village of Zaanse Schans to see more than 10 of the Netherlands' iconic windmills. Then, it's off to Volendam and Marken for a tour of a cheese factory and a wooden clog-making demonstration. Plus, along the way, you'll have access to an audio guide to enhance the commentary provided by your live guide. Tickets start at 45 euros (about $47) for adults and 22.50 euros (about $24) for children ages 4 to 13. Tours depart at 8:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. from Amsterdam Central Station from spring through early fall. Tours & Tickets operates multiple excursions in and around Amsterdam and Belgium.

Eating Europe – Jordaan Food Tour

Once a working-class enclave with roots dating back to the 17th century, the hip Jordaan neighborhood is the focus of this 3 1/2-hour walking tour. Learn about Jordaan's history, discover hidden areas and sample about 12 local delicacies from Dutch beer to apple pie to herring. Reviewers, who rave about the food, say this is a great way to sightsee through Amsterdam. Tours are available daily at 11 a.m. Tickets cost approximately 90 euros (about $94) for adults, 70 euros (about $73) for teens ages 13 to 17 and 55 euros (about $57) for children ages 4 to 12. Eating Europe also offers a food tour that includes a private canal boat ride.

FreeDam Tours – Free Walking Tour

For a crash course in the city's history, the future of the red-light district, Amsterdam's famous bike culture and lenient drug policies, consider this free walking tour. Along the 2 1/2-hour, 1.5-mile tour, you'll pass by a variety of popular areas, including Chinatown, the University District and the Royal Palace, among others. Reviewers recommend this tour if you're hoping to see a variety of top landmarks with a knowledgeable guide by your side. Tours operate daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and start at the Stock Exchange. There is no cost for the tour, but you'll have to pay the city-implemented tourist tax of 1.50 euros (about $2). The company also asks you to tip what you feel the tour is worth at the conclusion of the trip. FreeDam Tours also offers a private walking tour of the city.

Babylon Tours – Rijksmuseum + Van Gogh Museum Skip-the-Line Guided Combo Tour

If you're hoping to explore the artsy side of Amsterdam, this semiprivate tour is for you. Guides take you and up to seven other participants through both the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum to talk about famous and lesser-known Dutch painters, including Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh, of course. The roughly six-hour experience includes tickets to both museums, which get you to the front of any queues that form. Tourgoers admit it's a long day, but the art smart guides and incredible works make it all worth it. Fees start at 199 euros (about $208) for adults, 179 euros (around $187) for kids 10 to 17 and 139 euros (approximately $145) for children 9 and younger. The outing includes a stop for lunch, which is at your own expense. Tours depart at 10 a.m. daily. If you're short on time, Babylon Tours also offers shorter, two-hour strolls that visit just one museum.

You may also be interested in:

• Best Things to Do in Amsterdam
• Best Hotels in Amsterdam
• Best Places to Visit in Europe
• Best Paris Tours
• Best London Tours

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"Amsterdam is filled with iconic sights, but one of the city's greatest joys is simply wandering along the pretty canals, bridges and leafy streets. You never know what you'll discover, from charming bars to traditional cheese shops - and don't forget to look up at those gorgeous gabled facades."

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Wander around Amsterdam's labyrinth of canals

We’ll take you for a scenic stroll around Amsterdam’s impressive canals, lined with a jumble of medieval gabled homes, colourful houseboats and leafy squares. With almost 100-kilometres (60 miles) of canals, 1,700 flower-decked bridges, and 7,000 centuries-old buildings, prepare to be amazed by this iconic Amsterdam experience.

See the sturdy Dutch bicycles rattle day and night

Amsterdam is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world, thanks to its flat streets and amazing cycling culture. We’ll show you how to get around town like the locals, pedalling along the pretty canals and around some of the city’s scenic wonders like the beautiful Vondelpark and the trendy Jordaan neighbourhood.

Enjoy a dinner in a historic Dutch House

We’ll show you around Amsterdam’s beautiful medieval buildings - but we’ll also take you inside one of these historic houses for a delicious meal of Dutch delicacies and drinks. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight into the Dutch Golden Age as you’re surrounded by the city’s rich history and superb cuisine.

Admire the Royal Palace of Amsterdam

With its magnificent 17th-century architecture and regal history, the Royal Palace is one of the best places to visit in Amsterdam. Although it’s the official reception palace of the Dutch monarch, it’s often open to visitors, and you can waltz across the marble floors, admire the grand hallways, and gaze up at the dazzling chandeliers.

Nibble your way through Amsterdam's traditional foods

Amsterdam’s dining scene is one of Europe’s best, and we’ll take you on a tasting tour with a Local Specialist, to learn all about the flavours of Dutch cuisine. Savour the artisanal specialities at a cheese shop, sample the best fish in town, bite into a sweet stroopwafel, and wash it all down with a local beer or Jenever.

Our top 5 things to do in Amsterdam

Our Amsterdam holidays show you all the iconic Amsterdam attractions like the pretty canals and famous architecture, along with the hidden gems of this captivating city.

Amsterdam Museum

If you’ve ever wanted to learn the history of Amsterdam, you’ve got to visit the Amsterdam Museum. Housed in the old city orphanage, the museum tells the story of this 1,000-year-old city from the Middle Ages to modern times, including a medieval aerial map and masterpieces like Brietner’s The Dam.

Rembrandt House Museum

Hailed as one of the world’s greatest artists, there’s no better place to learn about Rembrandt van Rijn than the Rembrandt House Museum. As the former home where Rembrandt lived and painted for many years, the building has been restored to its 17th-century styling and the museum displays a number of Rembrandt’s masterpieces.

Stedelijk Museum

Located a short stroll from the iconic Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, you have to make a stop at the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam’s top museum of contemporary and modern art. You’ll see incredible works from the likes of Vincent van Gogh, Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol, along with photos, sculptures and interactive displays.

Best museums in Amsterdam

You can’t visit this incredible city without making a stop at one of the famous Amsterdam museums, and we’ll show you where to marvel at the masters of art and discover the city’s fascinating history.

You’ll find these deep-fried delights all over Amsterdam, and you’re sure to fall in love with the famous kroket. It’s made with all kinds of fillings like meat, cheese, rice, pasta, mushrooms or vegetables melded with mashed potatoes and a thick béchamel sauce, which is then breaded and deep-fried to crispy perfection.

If you want to try a real Dutch breakfast, it’s got to be hagelslag. It's similar to sprinkles (but definitely not the same!), scattered over a piece of buttered bread and enjoyed by children and adults alike. Chocolate is the most common flavour and it’s sure to become your new favourite morning ritual in Amsterdam.

There are few things more Dutch than the smell of poffertjes wafting through the air and you can’t resist tucking into a cone of these small, fluffy pancakes topped with dripping butter and powdered sugar. Whether you eat them as a snack or dessert, it’s the perfect sweet treat to enjoy on your Amsterdam holiday.

Best food in Amsterdam

One of the best parts of Amsterdam is the delicious cuisine, and our Amsterdam tours will show you all the very best places to satisfy your Dutch food cravings.

What to pack for Amsterdam

Comfortable walking shoes

Whether you’re strolling around the canals or cycling through the streets, you’ll need to bring a comfortable pair of shoes for your Amsterdam trip.

Waterproof coat

Amsterdam gets around 133 rainy days a year, so it’s best to come prepared with a warm and waterproof raincoat. A small umbrella will also come in handy!

A day pack is perfect for holding your raincoat and umbrella, plus all those special souvenirs you pick up on your Amsterdam adventures.

Digital maps

With so many amazing things to do in Amsterdam, it’s a great idea to download the city map to your phone, so you can access it even when your phone is offline.

Camera & extra SD cards

Amsterdam might just be one of the most gorgeous cities you’ll ever visit, so be sure to bring a camera and extra SD cards to capture all that beauty.

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Enjoy our local DMC Amsterdam Services

Experience true hospitality and enjoy our DMC Amsterdam services during your next Amsterdam escape! Our family-owned destination management company in Amsterdam is specialized in group visits, luxury family holidays and business delegations all around Holland. We design each visit around a client's needs and preferences. Our results? Well-detailed itineraries based on personal interests and lifestyles.

With our destination management services, we provide transfers, tours, incentives & luxury travel across Amsterdam & The Netherlands. Enjoy our true local & personal services.

Travel to Amsterdam and curious how we make a difference with our destination management company? Easily explore our services or directly contact our DMC staff .

Tours & travel

We are specialized in private and group travel in Amsterdam. All services are provided by our own tour operator and fully tailored to your wishes. We offer all kinds of travel services throughout the Netherlands.

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Let us create your perfect next escape to Amsterdam! Team bonding, relaxing or a real luxury experience? It’s up to you. With our local knowledge and experience we often open doors that normally stay closed...

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If you want to enjoy the true ‘Amsterdam’, we can provide you unique luxury travels, local suppliers, personal services and private experiences. Trust our knowledge and our partners to take you off the beaten track.

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'Local tours, gastronomic & the best festival in the world'

How amazing could it be if you can just ‘invite’ your clients to one of the most iconic festivals in the world? We have arranged exactly this for an international incentive agency located in Brazil. The client: PepsiCo. Our task: creating a perfect combination of sightseeing, gastronomic delights & Tomorrowland.

'Luxury family getaway'

For a family of 6 (USA), we created a bespoke travel itinerary that you cannot find in the 'tourist' guides...

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'Chinese delegation'

A Dutch chemical company invited their Chinese partners for a site visit. We built a perfect combination of leisure and business...

'4-days, 45 transfers, congress & local sightseeing'

For a pharmaceutical client in Egypt, we arranged the full stay of their doctors & relations during a 4-day Amsterdam course. The clients visited the 'Future Pharma' congress that was being held in the Amsterdam RAI convention center. The (local) task of ZOYO travel was arranging a smooth & efficient visits for all staff & guests that were invited to Amsterdam.

We arranged the private airport transfers (incl. airport hostess), hotel, meeting sessions, hotel-congress transportation, and all gastronomic & local tour experiences.

Unique: we finished the visit with a luxury 'canal dinner cruise' that was arranged for all doctors, relations & new prospects they met during the 'FP' conference.

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Budapest, Hungary

Very patient and flexible partner. They offered great services for our group of Hungarian pharmacists. It was real pleasure to work with ZOYO Travel. Looking forward to the future common projects.

California, US

Absolutely wonderful experience working with ZOYO Travel! Thomas was attentive and organized and cared as much about my VIP clients' experience as I did. Everything worked seamlessly for their trip.

Beirut, Lebanon

I booked a full program with some VIP clients through ZOYO & got the best cooperation & service for them in addition to a fast & accurate support service... Thanks guys, you were awesome! Looking forward to book the next group (hopefully soon)

Bedfordshire, UK

Quick at responding to emails, easy to work with, airport transfers were on time and drivers were ready in arrivals. A pleasure to work with, will definitely be using again and would recommend:-) Thanks Scott and the team!

Meet our team

 We love to create local & authentic experiences for our clients on a well-bespoke way. Let's introduce our team! Want to know more? You can find our STORY here.

Thomas van den Brink

Believes in local and personalized travel experiences. Focus on real experiences only.

Loves: exploring cities, Dutch cheese and fine Australian M3 chardonnay.

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Incentives & tours

Creating unique local experiences for our clients. From day tours towards multi-day programs, all 100 % customized.

Loves: watching PEC Zwolle, slow cook BBQ and enjoying time with his family!

Greta Strzagauskaite

Coach Specialist Enjoys sunny beaches, picknicks in the parc and wines at the canals

Loves: city breaks, ice tea and italian cuisine

Aline Timmer

Loves discovering new local places and enjoys making individual- and group excursions!

Loves: Truffle cheese, lots of sunny beach holidays and nice Cadburry chocolate

Jimmin van den Brink

Tours & creative

Creating personalized visits is what makes me happy. Tailor made is just part of my DNA. Happy to (e)-meet you soon.

Loves: Discovering new cities and cultures all over the world.

What you didn't know about Amsterdam?

Want to experience the 'Real' Amsterdam with all it's hidden gems? Make your next visit even more unforgettable with our local suggestions.

Happy Holidays!

Tuesday 19 December 2023

Team ZOYO Travel wishes you happy holidays! What a year this has been; from the biggest group incentives to the most luxurious tours, it was fabulous. We made so many extraordinary tours happen that we

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Motor coach and bus hire Amsterdam

Saturday 25 March 2023

Motor coach and bus hire Amsterdam Planning a trip to Amsterdam and the Netherlands with a group? Our fleet recently expended with new partners! We can easily assist you with motor coach and bus hire

Trips to Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, is a popular destination for travelers from all over the world. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Amsterdam offers a wide variety of experiences and

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Wednesday 30 November 2022

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas….. The time of the year to enjoy family, friends and of course the fabulous and magical Christmas markets in Europe. Are you visiting Amsterdam or Brussels in

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10 Best Tours in Amsterdam

By Clodagh Kinsella

Knowing where to direct your steps in Amsterdam is far more complicated than just keeping an eye out for the constant onslaught of bikes: between the major museum renovations, the cutting-edge architectural innovation, and the chameleonic food scene, the city is enjoying a renaissance akin to its Golden Age glory days. While there are brilliant specialist operators running tours of the highlights—whether of food, art, or local photo opportunities—others, lingering longer in the memory, focus on the shadowy flipside to that 17th-century luminosity, from Amsterdam’s colonial past to its misprized sex industry. We've rounded up our favorites—be it an Amsterdam canal cruise, Amsterdam bike tour, Amsterdam walking tour, or one of the many highlighting the city's cultural offerings—including one standout through the Red Light District, to lead you in the right direction. No matter which one you choose, one thing remains: take to two wheels or the water if you really want to go Dutch.

Eating Amsterdam, Jordaan Food Tour Arrow

The Amsterdam spin-off of ace tour company Eating Europe—in six cities and counting—this isn’t a makeshift affair, and you’ll get well-produced local food maps as part of the package (but make sure to reserve ahead). The focus is very much on insider knowledge, with four-hour guided walking tours of the Jordaan district’s lesser-known corners, including a dozen stops for Dutch delicacies, and ample meet-and-greets with artisanal food heroes. Your companions: two historians, two professional chefs, and an architect—plus a local whose family have lived in Jordaan for generations, and an Indonesian/Dutch guide for explaining the former colony’s worthy contribution to the food scene. The vibe is fun and interactive, and the main course comes with an appealing slice of history on the side.

Black Heritage Tour of Amsterdam Arrow

Black Heritage Tours founder Jennifer Tosch is on a one-woman mission to shed light on the presence, and little told past, of the African diaspora in the Netherlands (she’s now added tours in NYC and, by request, Brussels). Rigorous, interactive three-hour boat trips are the big draw, luring two to 90 people via celebrities like activist and author Angela Davis (average group size is 10-20 guests). Eye-opening is the word here. Once you’ve been alerted to the hidden past of Amsterdam’s beautiful Golden Age museums and canal houses, you’ll start seeing signs of the city’s sinful colonial legacy everywhere. A visit to the Rijksmuseum (usually included) or Royal Palace won’t be the same again. Definitely book ahead—especially outside of summer, when trips are less frequent.

MokumBoot Arrow

There are a million Amsterdam canal cruises, and a million other tourists to take them. Sidestepping that, and exercising your navigational skills for two hours (or more, if you like) is a bit of a no-brainer. With a 50-strong fleet of slick monochrome electric motor boats, and six hire stations across town, this is the king of skipper-yourself boat rentals, but with the laid back attitude of a playboy prince. Not that they aren’t organized: Mokum (an old nickname for Amsterdam) take care of pillows (or ponchos and blankets, depending), suggested sailing routes, and instructions on how the boats work. Affable dock personnel go beyond, so you’ll get a super-clear brief on how to operate the boat, but if you want to escape the traffic or visit a particular spot, they’ll happily tailor your itinerary to that. For sunny weekends, reserve at least two days ahead to get the prime early-afternoon slots.

Architour Half Day Tours: IJburg & Golden Age Walk Arrow

As the market-leader for architectural tours in Holland, the brilliantly organized Architour can handle groups ranging from two to 240—whether town planning offices, Rotary Clubs, or architecture students. Their regular two-hour-long small group tours, for ten people max, and private tours, for up to 20 people, need advance booking. The two tours listed here are both on foot, though they also offer bike and canal tours. Directors Paul Vlok and Anneke Bokern (an architect and architecture journalist, respectively) have handpicked a dozen local architects to serve alongside them as guides. Fluent in Dutch and English (and some even German, French, and Japanese), all have personal insight into Dutch building culture, and how that stacks up against other countries, so no question is too specific.

Jessica Puckett

Anna Borges

Karthika Gupta

WeBike Amsterdam City Tour Arrow

Cycling is part of the Dutch DNA, and there are over 880,000 bikes in Amsterdam alone—though three-hour tours by this excellent indie outfit generally top out at around seven cyclists. Between the rave reviews online and the intimate numbers, it’s definitely best to reserve your slot in advance. Like many Dutch kids, mainstays Thijs and Jasper grew up on the back of a bike, and know how to combine humor with brilliant historical and architectural titbits. You’re not just following the leader here, but engaging in regular chat as you cruise from one fascinating spot to the next. If you want to bring babies or small kids, they’ve got the (well-maintained, comfortable) bike for that. In fact, there’s really no limit to the crowd you’ll be riding with, but safe to say that it’s not the same set that comes to Amsterdam for the weed and red lights, and people who never learned to bike really shouldn’t start here.

Context Travel's Rijksmuseum Tour: Crash Course Arrow

This is a formidable operation established and executed by tour experts, and you’ll only need to share the joy with five other equally sophisticated tourists. The Rijksmuseum docents are all art historians, ranging from Vermeer experts to TV personalities—so you can be staring at a Rembrandt in the company of an acclaimed author on the subject. Despite all this they don’t talk down to tour members, and many manage to be funny as well as brilliant (sigh). Itineraries are docent-dependent (and group-dependent), so it’s worth doing your research if you’re set on getting that Rembrandt expert, but in any case the master’s works will be par for the course—not least his masterpiece The Night Watch , enjoying pride of place at the heart of the museum. More obscure rooms are also on the agenda, and having a guide to navigate them may leave you with a lasting love of 17th century ceramics, furniture, or model ships.

PIC's Wallen Tour Arrow

Walking tours of Amsterdam’s Red Light District aren’t hard to find, but no other operator tells the story of the notorious neighborhood from the perspective of sex workers. Run by invaluable non-profit the Prostitution Information Center (PIC), walks aim to encourage an open debate about the misunderstood industry and increase respect for sex workers (the term preferred by prostitutes). Turn up to PIC’s community center, café, and exhibition space a few minutes before the tour—or come earlier to consult the sex library over coffee and cake. Guides are either ex-sex workers, ready to open up about their own stories, or researchers on the industry who are able to answer literally any query from how much money you can make in a shift to the ancient origins of the trade. Given PIC’s mission to change hearts and minds, there’s absolutely nothing rote about the delivery here—this is a real passion project for guides, and you might find yourself shedding a tear.

Amsterdam Photo Safari Arrow

This is really best for those with a vested interest, as the one-on-one attention is brilliant for making swift progress, and if you opt for a longer tour (they run from three to six hours, with four a recommended minimum) you’ll really be able to get off the beaten track. Your safari group might range from total amateurs getting to grips with the basics of composition to pros with pricy DSLRs looking for the inside scoop on the best places to shoot in the city. You can bring a friend with an iPhone or other handheld camera device for around 90 percent less than the regular tour price, so it might end up feeling like a private tour (those are available too, and are strongly recommended for people with mobility issues). Night safaris, beginning a couple of hours before sunset, are absurdly picturesque, as the lights start to come on over the city’s bridges, casting fairytale reflections over the canals (even amateurs will soon be capturing boats’ light trails with tips on the best long exposure settings).

Rederij De Jordaan Private Boat Tour Arrow

Slick, slick, slick. As VIP canal cruises go, captain Reinhard Spronk’s historic saloon boat tours (aboard 1932 teak beauty Welmoed , or 1908’s smaller Farahilde ) are really the business. He and his partner Miloe run the show, taking private groups (reservations necessary) on bespoke tours of Amsterdam’s legendary canals. Pick-up is from your waterside hotel or Cafe Van Puffelen, by their office. This is going to be the highlight of your European tour, combining an utterly beautiful vintage boat, the most sophisticated company in town, and (for a supplement) red roses, gourmet finger food, and bottomless champagne.

Brouwerij ‘t IJ Arrow

Compared to neighboring Belgium, the Netherlands isn’t exactly known as a beer powerhouse, but the big news is that the capital now has craft breweries to shout about. So skip the queues at the mammoth, more famous Heineken Experience, and head to signature local craft brewer ‘t IJ, which was raising the bar on specialty brews long before ‘small batch’ was a hipster rite of passage. Finding the venue, opened in 1985 in an old bathhouse, is child’s play: the biggest wooden windmill in the Netherlands is next door. Friday to Sunday afternoon tours of the Funenkade HQ are a snappy 20-minute crash course in the magic of malt, hops and yeast. With only 20 spots going, and no pre-booking, get to the bar early to grab tickets (a free beer is included with the entry fee). Don’t bother bringing your bachelor party though – after one too many messy experiences in the past, they’re now officially barred.

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The wild and risky capital of the Netherlands never fails to impress, with its winding canal waterways and curious melange of Flemish architecture and regal parks. In fact, there’s so much to do between the various districts of its tight-knit centre that it can sometimes be hard to know where exactly to begin. A good choice would be to start with the ubiquitous coffee shops that cluster around the gaudy streets of the Red Light District, or perhaps with a jaunt to the royal complexes of Dam Square at the city’s very heart. Then, quiz your Amsterdam tourist guide about the bohemian jazz joints and boutiques of the Jordaan District, the beaches that stretch out across the North Sea shores just away from the centre, the buzzing foray of the Albert Cuyp market, or the endless gardens of Vondelpark and Rembrantpark, cycling between the lot like a bona fide Dutch local on two wheels. Also be sure not to leave without at least sampling the Dutch masterworks that lurk beneath the grand facades of the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, or the alluring flavours of Dutch beer, flowing nonstop from the taps at the Heineken Experience. Then there’s also the enthralling Anne Frank House to discover, and the Rembrandthuis—preserved exactly as it was for the artist in the mid-1600s.

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15 Best City Tours in Amsterdam for a Memorable Dutch Experience

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The best city tours in Amsterdam enable visitors to explore the Dutch capital in a variety of ways. These trips come in full or half-day options and they present some of the best things to do in Amsterdam .

Amsterdam is a city rich in culture and history, emerging from the swamps of Holland to become a global superpower and hotbed for societal innovation. The best way to experience this vibrant capital is through a city tour — allowing you to discover unique and interesting aspects of this ever-changing metropolis.

Want to dive straight in? Browse our catalog now!

• city tours in Amsterdam

1 – Amsterdam: Hidden Gems & Highlights Guided Bike Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.8/5 ( 703 reviews )

“Great experience, despite the intermittent hail! Our bikes were comfortable and easy to ride even though we were very our of practice, and our guide was fantastic and knowledgeable.” Rachel, Getyourguide

Bikes are ubiquitous in Amsterdam, with just shy of a million of these environmentally friendly vehicles to be found in the city. But not many people dare to get in the saddle and peddle like a true Amsterdammer — and it’s exactly this that We Bike Amsterdam is striving to change, one brilliantly executed bike tour at a time.

Forget the bustling streets lining the city’s famous canals, with this tour you’ll head into the side streets and back alleys coming to grips with a side of Amsterdam that only the locals get to see. But don’t worry, you’ll still visit many of the city’s most famous attractions — just by taking the road less peddled.

Visiting Amsterdam and not taking a bicycle tour is like going to the Heineken Experience and not enjoying a beer. And as far as bicycle tours in The Dutch capital go, you can’t beat We Bike Amsterdam. The trips are expertly curated and the guide ensures that everyone has the best time possible, all while exploring a part of the city that usually remains hidden.

• bike tours in Amsterdam

2 – Anne Frank Guided Walking Tour through Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 5610 reviews )

“We strongly recommend this experience if you visit Amsterdam for the first time. Our guide, Giovanni, was able to transmit to the group his passion while telling the sad story of Anne Frank’s life.” Lorenzo, Viator

Anne Frank is arguably one of Amsterdam’s most famous residents and her honest account of life under Nazi occupation still serves as a warning against fascism and racism today. It’s therefore fitting that the home she once hid in has been immortalized as one of the best museums in Amsterdam — still drawing thousands of visitors to its humble facade in the Jewish Quarter .

360 Amsterdam Tours offers one of the best excursions to learn more about her tragic life. Conducted as a walking tour, a compassionate guide will retrace the steps of young Anne, illuminating the modern-day streets of Amsterdam with anecdotes from her life and diary.

It’s not easy to relay the story around Anne’s life with the necessary pathos while still ensuring a memorable experience, but that is not a problem on this tour. The guide will make Anne’s story and day-to-day existence come to life around you, allowing you to see the humanity in this important historical figure.

• Anne Frank tours in Amsterdam

Read more: Best Walking Tours in Amsterdam

3 – Blue Boat: 75 Mins Amsterdam Canal Cruise

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 4421 reviews )

“Great experience! I totally recommend it! You get also a detailed explanation of the history of Amsterdam throughout an audio guide!” Ljupka, Headout

A list of Amsterdam’s best city tours won’t be complete without mentioning boat tours in the Dutch capital. The canals formed and shaped modern-day Amsterdam and they continue to play an important role in the city’s identity.

As a result, there are a host of canal tours available in Amsterdam, but the cream of the crop remains the iconic vessels of the Blue Boat Company — especially when you take factors like duration and cost into consideration. The accompanying audio guide is expertly narrated and you’ll gain valuable insight into the city and its rich heritage.

This canal cruise in Amsterdam is sure to be a highlight of any trip. Even though the tour is only 75 minutes long, it’ll prove more than enough to admire all of the amazing Golden Age sites and the audio guide is very informative. Overall, the experience provides amazing value for money.

• canal cruises in Amsterdam

Read more: Best boat tours in Amsterdam

4 – Amsterdam Red Light District & Coffee Shop Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 2141 reviews )

“Our guide gave us a wonderful tour of the city highlighting all of the historic elements and describing them beautifully, very knowledgeable.” Anne, Viator

The infamous neighborhood known as the Red Light District is regarded as one of the best tourist attractions in Amsterdam . These notorious streets played an important role in Dutch society, posing serious questions that helped shape the Netherlands’ modern outlook.

Trigger Tours is one of the best companies when it comes to exploring the Red Light District and these tours offer an unconventional, no-holds-barred look at these famous streets. Their mission to entertain and inform rather than to shock and scandalize is one that many other tour operators should do well to follow.

On the whole, a great tour that offers a wonderfully enlightening experience. The tour provides a fascinating look at recreational drug use and prostitution in Amsterdam — while always considering the human element in the narrative.

• Red Light District tours

5 – Full Coverage Amsterdam Private City Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 25 reviews )

“Sharing stories about life and culture. Very good at modifying the tour to your interests. The weather was surprisingly beautiful for us.” Phillip, Viator

Private tours in Amsterdam allow you to explore the city in as much depth as you want, and you’ll usually also be able to determine the itinerary — making it the perfect activity for a family, a group of friends or even a couple.

The quality of these tours relies heavily on the capabilities of the guide, something that the team at Withlocals knows well. So well in fact, that they’ve created an entire platform around it, allowing travelers to connect with the absolute best guides in Amsterdam to ensure an unforgetable private walking tour.

This tour is worth every penny! You’ll enjoy great freedom in determining the points visited and your guide is always ready to assist you. On top of that, you’ll be sure to enjoy delicious snacks as well as lesser-known sites like the floating flower market and the tour through the Theatre district.

• private city tours in Amsterdam

6 – Food Lovers Tour in Amsterdam

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 202 reviews )

“This was an amazing tour! (…) We stopped and sampled the best foods in Amsterdam and also got a history lesson and other interesting facts along the way.” Garrit, Viator

While Amsterdam might not be the culinary destination that some other European cities are, it still boasts an impressive selection of local treats — making food tours in the city an ever-popular option.

One of the leading figures in this burgeoning scene is Romain, a foodie who first made waves with his Shaker Cocktail Club mixology classes. During the day, he leads the much-celebrated Food Lovers Tour in Amsterdam, allowing countless travelers to explore the surprising tastes that the city has to offer.

Scrumptious! Romain is the perfect host and he’ll entertain you throughout our food tour, telling you more about life in Amsterdam and the surprising culinary influences. At the end of the tour, you’ll be stuffed and leave knowing much more about the local delicacies than you did at the start.

• food tours in Amsterdam

Read more: Best Food Tours in Amsterdam

7 – Amsterdam: Private Guided City Tour by Pedicab

Rating: ⭐️ 4.9/5 ( 45 reviews )

“It was our first time in Amsterdam and doing the pedicab as well. We learned so much and he made it a memorable and great experience. Definitely recommend this tour and would book it again!” Kristen, Getyourguide

If you’re looking for private tours in Amsterdam , but you’re not too thrilled by the idea of spending half a day wandering the streets of the city, then we’ve got the tour for you — a pedicab tour in Amsterdam.

These two-seater vehicles allow you to sit back and enjoy the ride, while your guide peddles you through the streets of Amsterdam. You’ll be able to stop along the way and listen while your guide regales you with stories dating as far back as the foundation of the city. Then, you’ll continue to the next stop and do it again, all from the comfort of your covered Pedicab seat.

If you’ve never heard of a Pedicab before going on this tour it’ll be the first thing you’ll search for when planning a trip to a new city — especially if the idea of not having to walk while taking in the sights and getting the lay of the land appeals to you.

• pedicab tours in Amsterdam

8 – The #1 Best Rated (Free) Walking Tour in Amsterdam

Rating: ⭐️ 4.6/5 ( 4579 reviews )

“(…) The tour was insanely entertaining and informative. Highly recommend to everyone!” Alexander, Guruwalk

Depending on the guide, a free walking tour can be somewhat of a hit or miss, especially as reviews do not always correspond with real-life experiences. That’s where Guruwalk comes in, an expertly curated platform featuring some of the best guides who’ll help you explore Amsterdam for free.

And when it comes to free experiences in Amsterdam, nobody can compete with the team at FreeDam Tours. These passionate and knowledgeable locals will show you a side of Amsterdam that most for-profit tours do not visit — and they do it all to share their love for their city and a well-earned gratuity.

• free walking tours in Amsterdam

Even if you had to pay for this tour, you would still leave feeling like it was a bargain. The tour guide is extremely well-versed when it comes to Amsterdam’s history and the locations visited are great — you’ll even visit some attractions that you won’t find on most tourist brochures.

9 – Segway City Tours Amsterdam

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 259 reviews )

“The segway experience was fun and fantastic. We were able to see and learn about many places around town with the tour guide.” Patty, Viator

If you’re looking for a fun, affordable and novel way of exploring the Dutch capital, look no further than Segway City Tours in Amsterdam . These delightful vehicles allow you to zip around the city, covering much more ground in less time — ensuring that you make the most of every minute in Amsterdam.

The city’s ample cycling lanes and accommodating outlook towards carbon-free travel make it the perfect place for a Segway ride, no matter your experience level. This activity is especially well suited to people with limited time in the capital and it lasts for just under 3 hours — perfect for a crash course in all things Amsterdam.

This is undoubtedly one of the most fun ways to spend 2.5 hours in Amsterdam, and that’s saying a lot… The segways will allow you to cover much more ground and they offer a welcome change of pace, especially for travelers that are footsore and tired. Consider taking this tour as soon as you land in Amsterdam to get a true feel for the city.

• segway tours in Amsterdam

10 – Amsterdam: Jordaan District Local Food Walking Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4.8/5 ( 184 reviews )

“We loved the historical facts, it was fun and interestingly presented. The food was amazing, the locations were stunning and our guide was patient and caring.” Karine, Getyourguide

The Jordaan District is one of Amsterdam’s most famous neighborhoods — so it’s only fitting that the next offering comes from one of the best tour providers on the continent, Eating Europe .

This culinary experience company has already made quite a name for itself, and it boasts activities in 15 cities across Europe. It’s easy to understand why this offer in the Jordaan District regularly makes the list of the top food tours in Amsterdam . Guests can expect a quality food tour that only one of the best companies in Europe can provide.

It’s easy to see why Eating Europe has become a synonym for quality from Amsterdam to Prague and everywhere in between. The tastings are delicious and generous and the guide provides enlightening commentary throughout. — even checking in individually to make sure that everybody was having a great time.

• Jordan District tours

11 – Amsterdam: Open Boat Canal Cruise with Local Guide

Rating: ⭐️ 4.8/5 ( 804 reviews )

“We really enjoyed our cruise with Maxim. It was beautiful and because the boat wasn’t too big it felt personal and special. It was quite entertaining and he shared some interesting background facts.” Rebekah, Getyourguide

Not all canal cruises and boat tours in Amsterdam are created equally. Generally, you can choose between the larger cruises with an audio guide or a voyage on a smaller vessel with a guide on board. While the latter option allows for a much more intimate setting and access to a passionate local, they also tend to be quite expensive.

Luckily, that’s not the case for this open boat tour from KINboat , and you’ll be able to explore Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canals in an unforgettable manner.

It’s hard to find another tour in Amsterdam that can compete with this open-boat canal cruise when it comes to value for money. The boat is large without feeling impersonal and the commentary from the guide allowed for great insight into Amsterdam’s history.

• boat tours in Amsterdam

12 – Amsterdam: Enjoy a Dutch Cheese-Tasting Session with Wine

Rating: ⭐️ 4.7/5 ( 276 reviews )

“Our tour host Killian was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the cheese and history. Very insightful tour, and I learned a few things indeed!” Rachel, Getyourguide

If you visit Amsterdam without trying the local cheeses, did you really visit Amsterdam? To say that the Dutch like their fermented dairy products is an understatement, a sentiment supported by the number of cheese shops throughout the capital.

One of the most famous of these purveyors of cheesy goodness is the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store , and it’s also the driving force behind this cheese and wine tour in Amsterdam . Learn how some of the world’s favorite cheeses are made and try some that you’ll only find in Amsterdam — each of them perfectly paired with a selected wine.

This is a true hidden gem of an experience and was wonderfully presented by the local cheesemaker. His love for his craft is infectious and guests will enjoy all of the delectable cheeses on offer — and the wine will help to bring many of the tastes to the forefront.

• cheese tastings in Amsterdam

13 – Amsterdam: Guided Ganja Walking Tour of Coffee Shops

Rating: ⭐️ 4.3/5 ( 1893 reviews )

“This tour was exceptional. I didn’t have the confidence or knowledge to go to coffee shops myself as a solo traveller. Sophie was the perfect guide, knowledgeable, welcoming and a joy to socialise with. The staff in the coffee shop were brilliant and fully explained how to enjoy the experience.” Ben, Getyourguide

With a name like the Guided Ganja Walking tour, it’s pretty obvious what’s the main focus of the outing. Coffee Shops are ever present throughout the Dutch capital and this excursion from Oranje Umbrella explores some of the best smoking joints that Amsterdam has to offer.

It also offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into this vibrant subculture, while answering many questions that most people don’t want to ask. Throughout the trip, you’ll learn about the history of marijuana in the Netherlands, how it became legalized and the do’s and don’ts when visiting one of these fine establishments.

If you’re curious about the marijuana subculture in Amsterdam, then this is the perfect tour for you. It’s a great ice breaker, endowing travelers with the knowledge and confidence to go to coffee shops on their own. The tour guide is brilliant, taking time to explain the way that marijuana should be enjoyed while in the city and he patiently answers any questions that you may have.

• walking tours in Amsterdam

14 – #1 Craft Beer & Brewery Tour, Brew Bus Amsterdam

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 63 reviews )

“This was a lot of fun! The breweries were unique, the beer was great, the bus was comfortable, and the tour guides were very friendly and provided many interesting facts about Amsterdam during the tour.” Lucas, Viator

Many people would consider Amsterdam the spiritual home of Dutch beer, with both Heineken and Amstel hailing from the city. However, the local beer scene isn’t exclusively about big corporate brands.

Craft beer is as popular in the Dutch capital as it is in the rest of the world — and this outing from the aptly named Brew Bus Amsterdam aims to leave participants totally refreshed by the end. In total, you’ll be able to visit 7 breweries where you’ll get to enjoy the decidedly Dutch take on craft favorites. There’s also an option to include a visit to the much-vaunted Heineken Experience, to see how the big boys brew.

Calling all beer lovers! This tour is unmissable and you’ll go away utterly refreshed, and somewhat fuzzy. But, of course, it’s not only about drinking — instead this tour allows you to get up close to the brewing process and may even get to ask a local brewer questions about their craft.

• beer tastings in Amsterdam

15 – Amsterdam: Lovers Night Canal Cruise from Central Station

Rating: ⭐️ 4.4/5 ( 356 reviews )

“I wish we had done this on our first night – it shows you where some of the best sights are and is so beautiful at night!” Cat, Tiqets

If you’re looking for the perfect Amsterdam city tour for you and your partners, look no further than this enchanting night out on the canal, brought to you by the folks at Lovers Canal Cruise .

Come nightfall, Amsterdam is transformed into a fairytale-like tableau of shimmering lights, bustling streets and beautiful buildings. An audio guide will help you make sense of the magical scenes as you cruise along the canal during this mesmerizing outing.

All in all, this is a great tour for the price. Amsterdam at night doesn’t disappoint and the buildings were beautifully lit up. Guests can look forward to enjoying an audio guide — making it super convenient to learn more about the sites you’ll pass on the canals.

• night boat tours in Amsterdam

How to book city tours in Amsterdam?

Finding the best city tours in Amsterdam at the most affordable price is easier said than done. Usually, tour companies offer their activities on their own websites, as well as on several booking platforms, each with their own reviews. To make things even more confusing, they often do so at different price points, with special offers on some sites, but not on others.

TourScanner helps travelers make sense of the confusion by finding the best option, by instantly comparing offers, reviews and prices.

• compare city tours in Amsterdam

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Best of the Netherlands

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Places You’ll See

• Marvel at the classical architecture in Amsterdam
• Cruise through the elegant and picturesque canals
• Visit the Aalsmeer flower auction or Keukenhof garden
• Find tasty treats in the town of Gouda
• Enjoy a visit to the Royal Delft Pottery factor
• Introduction
• Day 1 ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
• Day 2 AMSTERDAM
• Day 3 AMSTERDAM–AALSMEER/KEUKENHOF–DELFT–ROTTERDAM
• Day 4 ROTTERDAM–GOUDA–ARNHEM
• Day 5 ARNHEM–GIETHOORN–GRONINGEN
• Day 6 GRONINGEN–ZAANSE SCHANS–VOLENDAM–AMSTERDAM
• Day 7 AMSTERDAM

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What's Included

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Where You'll Stay

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Operated by Cosmos

The Cosmos Story. For nearly 60 years, Cosmos has done something remarkable: Bringing the world to people; and people to the world. By pioneering value touring vacations, we have a long history of turning travel dreams into reality. We make possible “never thought I would” or “never imagined I could” moments by making travel attainable and easy. And in doing that, we help travelers expand their horizons, clear their heads and open their hearts to the world around them. Cosmos understands that adventure is waiting for us – all of us – out in the world. And there simply is no better time than the present to discover new sights, new sensations and new experiences. That’s why we pride ourselves in turning “what if” moments into “I did” realizations. With our new look and feel, we’re celebrating this ideal and the unparalleled and attainable access we offer our travelers to the globe with value-centric vacations in 64 countries, on six continents. Let the unexpected begin. Let awe-inspiring take over. Adventure is knocking. As a Cosmos traveler, we know you will answer – as you always have – by finding adventure in the world around you.

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Customer Reviews

• Overall Rating Excellent 4.9
• Itinerary Excellent 4.4
• Guide Excellent 4.8
• Transport Excellent 4.6
• Accommodation Excellent 4.1
• Food Excellent 4.3
• Tour Operator Cosmos 4.9
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• CS Cathryn · 2nd September 2023 We had a nice time. Lode was informative and entertaining. We were late arriving and had issues contacting the guide. Trip date: August 2023
• A Cathy · 30th May 2023 Great tour Trip date: May 2023 Review collected by Cosmos
• A Chester · 29th May 2023 Excellent tour guide in Patrizia and bus driver, Burt. Patrizia was very friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and her English was excellent Trip date: May 2023 Review collected by Cosmos
• A Mavis · 29th May 2023 We enjoyed the tour very much, tour director Excellent. There were 2 items that made our trip unpleasant or didn't leave a favorable impression. 1. We did not know about the free airport shuttle for IBIS, and because of that, felt we had to have... Show more Trip date: May 2023 Review collected by Cosmos
• A Louis · 29th May 2023 Everything on the tour and everyone we met was very nice, and Patrizia, our guide was super excellent. Trip date: May 2023 Review collected by Cosmos

• A Marjorie · 26th May 2023 Tour guide (Patrizia) was fantastic! Really knew what she was talking about and gave great ideas to stores/dining. The driver (Bert) was maneuvering amazing in the city. Trip date: May 2023 Review collected by Cosmos
• A Richard · 25th May 2023 Great tour guide, Patrizia, smooth driving by Bert. Interesting stops, nice hotels. Trip date: May 2023 Review collected by Cosmos

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• September 2024
• August 2025
• September 2025
• Saturday 27 Apr, 2024 Friday 3 May, 2024 English Sold Out Based on Double Room €1,508 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Saturday 4 May, 2024 Friday 10 May, 2024 English Sold Out Based on Double Room €1,508 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• 1 Other Unavailable Departure
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 18 May, 2024 Friday 24 May, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €1,508 Confirm Dates
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Frequently Asked Questions

This tour concludes in Amsterdam, on the morning of day 11. It's time to say farewell to your newfound travel friends and continue your separate ways! Please be aware that the departure point is subject to change until your final documents are released.

Day 1 of the tour is an arrivals day, so you can arrive in Amsterdam at any time. This gives you the opportunity to explore your surroundings and get settled into your hotel. In the evening you will meet with your Tour Director and fellow travellers. Please be aware that the meeting point is subject to change until your final documents are released.

Arrival and departure transfers are not included in the cost of this tour, however travellers may purchase airport transfers from the tour operator. Please contact our customer support team to arrange this once you have a confirmed booking

Of course, we can! Once you have a confirmed booking on this tour, we can request additional accommodation for you with the tour operator.

The age range for passengers on this tour is 8 - 80+ years old. Due to the nature of the tour and the activities involved children under the age of 8 are not eligible to participate in this tour, however we offer some great alternative tours that are suitable for younger children. Our customer support team can help you find the perfect adventure!

If you are travelling alone on this tour, a mandatory single supplement will be added to the tour price. You can see the additional surcharge on the 'Book Now' page.

All accommodations are subject to change until 4-6 weeks before the departure date, and your specific accommodation details will be listed in your final trip documents. This is a list of accommodations that the operator will typically use on this tour. Tulip Inn Airport or Corendon Village Bilderberg Parkhotel De Bilderberg Apollo Groningen Hopefully, this list will give you a better idea of what kind of accommodation you can expect while on tour.

The group does not stay in Keukenhof longer than 2 - 3 hours since you are driving through other cities and to Rotterdam in the same day.

Got a question about this tour?

Reach out to our travel experts.

Good to Know

• Currency € Euro Netherlands

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.

• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 8th June 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 8th June 2024, a minimum payment of €250 is required to confirm your booking with Cosmos. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 50 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• Some departure dates and prices may vary and Cosmos will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
• The following cards are accepted for "Cosmos" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Guideservice Amsterdam

Tour operators

As a licensed local guide I also provide guide service for tour operators coming with their own coach. The service can be provided in the following languages: English, German, Spanish and Italian.

I can provide guide service in the following cities/destinations:

Amsterdam : It is still possible to do a tour of Amsterdam by coach, however the city centre can't be seen by coach.  For a walking tour in the city centre there is a limit of 15 pax per guide, the red light area is off limits for guided tours. 

Towns and places in the Dutch countryside north of Amsterdam, that can be visited on a (half) day trip:

Edam, Monnickendam, Marken, Volendam, Hoorn, Enkhuizen, Alkmaar, Zaanse Schans, Afsluitdijk.

Cities further away from Amsterdam:

Rotterdam : The city of modern architecture, can be visited by coach and on foot. The distance is approx. 80km, it takes around 1 1/4 hours to reach Rotterdam from Amsterdam.

Delft : The city of pottery and the painter Vermeer can only be visited on foot. The coach needs to drop off the passengers outside the city centre and it takes a 15 minutes walk to reach the main square (Markt). The distance is approx. 65km it takes around 1 hour to reach Delft from Amsterdam. 

The Hague : The residence of the Dutch government can be visited by coach and on foot. The distance is approx. 65km, it takes around 1 hour to reach The Hague from Amsterdam. A combination tour of Delft, the Hague and Rotterdam in one day is possible.

Leiden : The city of Rembrandt can only be visited on foot. There are three places to drop off the passengers. The coach can then park at Haagweg or Lammenschansweg. The distance is approx. 45km it takes around 50 minutes to reach Leiden from Amsterdam. Gouda : The city of cheese and candles can only be visited on foot. The coach can drop off passengers at Klein Amerika . The distance is approx. 70km,  it takes around 1 1/4 hour to reach Gouda from Amsterdam.

Haarlem : The city of Frans Hals and courtyards can only be visited on foot. The distance is approx. 30km, it takes around 30 minutes to reach Haarlem from Amsterdam.

Utrecht : The city in the centre of the country can only be visited on foot. The distance is approx. 50km, it takes around 45 minutes to reach Utrecht from Amsterdam.

Keukenhof : During the tulip season I can provide guide service during a tour to the famous Keukenhof garden and surrounding countryside.

Half day (max 4 hours) € 220,00  VAT not included. Overtime: € 45,00 VAT not included , per hour. Start of the morning tour between 08:00 and 09:30 am. Start of the afternoon tour between 13:30 and 14:30 pm.  For a different starting time please contact me for a quote. Please note: the rate doesn't include travel time/ expenses if the group is staying outside the city centre or at one of the airport hotels, please contact me for a quote.

Full day (max 8 hours)  € 315,00 VAT not included. Overtime: € 45,00 VAT not included, per hour. Start of the tour between 08:00 and 10:00 am. For a different starting time please contact me for a quote.

Please note: the rate doesn't include travel time/ expenses if the group is staying outside the city centre or at one of the airport hotels, please contact me for a quote.

Prepayment is required. Any transaction costs are at your expense. 

Quiet vox or a similar system is required for all walking tours! If your group doesn't have them, I can organise them, please contact me for a quote.

Other services :

For event support, airport assistance or support during conventions, please contact me for a quote.

I have extensive travel experience and language knowledge, and I've been leading groups in the Netherlands and other (European) destinations for more than 30 years. For multiple day tours in the Netherlands or other countries please contact me for a quote.

Zaanse Schans

VIP Tours Holland

Your specialist for corporate travel in amsterdam.

Whether you’re a management assistant burdened with the task to organise an incentive trip for colleagues, or you’re a travel agent on a cruise looking to give your passengers the ultimate stay while being docked in the port of Amsterdam: VIP Tours Holland is your go-to group travel specialist!

Enjoy the benefits of an experienced agency to fully handle your corporate group travel. We offer a variety of services: from ready-to-go programs to customized approaches, from transfers to sightseeing tours, fancy dinners and exclusive hotels. You’ll give your clients a trip to remember, while VIP Tours Holland offers them a carefree stay.  

Sounds good? Hop on board!

Amsterdam based group travel agent

When you’re in charge of organizing a fully serviced group stay in and around Amsterdam, you’re likely to hit a few obstacles. Which hotels are best located and affordable? How to get your clients from top notch sights and attractions in and around Amsterdam to the best restaurants in town? It’ll be so much easier to let an Amsterdam based tour operator assist you during your group travel preparations. VIP Tours Holland offers tailor-made, carefree and full-service trips to and around Amsterdam, from canal cruises to private transfers and fine-dining experiences!  

We specialize in trips for:

• Corporate and business travellers
• Incentive trips
• and groups of tourists travelling to Amsterdam via cruise ship

VIP Tours Holland caters for all your needs, in order for your clients to enjoy our unique experience! Get in contact with us.

Corporate travel and incentives

Are your colleagues or business partners bound for Amsterdam on a business trip or incentive travel and you’re in charge of making their stay unforgettable? From a board meeting to a major conference, VIP Tours Holland is happy to give your guests a warm and care-free welcome in the Netherlands. We offer many years of knowledge and experience, a clear understanding of priorities and a hands-on approach on corporate travel. Ensuring your travellers a memorable stay in Holland from the moment of arrival at Schiphol Airport or at the harbour of Amsterdam.

Let us take full control of organizing a travel program in order for you and your colleagues to focus on business opportunities and teambuilding. We combine business trips to the Netherlands with the joy of a tour along top-rated attractions.

Full service corporate group travel management company Amsterdam

VIP Tours Holland is a corporate travel management company in Amsterdam with over 20 years of experience. As your full-service tour operator and corporate group travel partner we offer your travellers, clients and passengers a wide range of services offering a pleasant and versatile stay. Let us be a trusted guide in achieving and fulfilling all business goals.

Group travel specialist

VIP Tours is more than a corporate travel agency! We are a group travel specialist and will be your partner in organizing pre and post cruise stays. VIP Tours Holland entertains groups of Rhine river cruise passengers docked at the harbour of Amsterdam during their stopover in the city. So, if you’re a tour operator responsible for organizing your passenger an unforgettable trip in Amsterdam: VIP Tours Holland will make their trip worthwhile.

When you’re in charge of organizing a fully serviced group stay in and around Amsterdam, you’re likely to hit a few obstacles. Which hotels are best located and affordable? How to get your clients from top notch sights and attractions in and around Amsterdam to the best restaurants in town? It’ll be so much easier to let an Amsterdam based tour operator assist you during your group travel preparations. VIP Tours Holland offers tailor-made, carefree and full-service trips to and around Amsterdam, from canal cruises to private transfers and fine-dining experiences!

• VIP TOURS HOLLAND

We arrange tailor-made programs for companies, organizations and touroperators, which organize or visit business or corporate events, congresses and fairs in Amsterdam.

Address & contact

• VIP Tours Holland Keizersgracht 241 1016 EA AMSTERDAM
• +31 (0) 20 261 4890
• [email protected]

our services

• Events and conferences
• Incoming touroperator
• Incoming travel agent

Let's connect

• viptoursholland
• TERMS & CONDITIONS
• PRIVACY POLICY
• WEBDESIGN by 072DESIGN
• Vip Tours Holland Keizersgracht 241 1016 EA AMSTERDAM
• Incoming travelagent

The first Amsterdam street you encounter when arriving from Central Station is Damrak, which runs from Prins Hendrik­kade to Dam square. On the east side of Damrak, the backs of the ware­houses on Warmoes­straat are directly on the water, without a quay. The west side of Damrak is filled with many touristy shops, hotels, (fast­food) restaurants and bars. Narrow alleys connect Damrak and the parallel Nieuwen­dijk on that side. Despite today’s often over­crowded and tacky appearance, this part of Amsterdam has great historic value and has seen many changes over time.

Looking south from Stations­plein towards Nieuwe Brug, Beurs van Berlage and Damrak (August 2023).

The wet part of Damrak seen from Oude­brug­steeg towards Central Station, tour boats in the water (July 2022).

Short History of Damrak

A rak was a straight stretch of canal, Damrak literally means “Dam’s straight water”. The whole of Damrak up to Dam square was a lively harbor until 1845, being a part of the Amstel river, running along Rokin and the lock near Dam square, right up to the open water of the IJ. Where the Central Station is now, there was once a long row of poles in the water, where the big ships moored. The open connection to the IJ existed until the artificial islands (on which the Central Station is located) were created between 1872 and 1877. Amsterdam’s Central Station opened in 1889.

Amsterdam in 1544, detail of a painting by Jan Micker, Damrak in the center. South is on top (Amsterdam Museum).

Before parts of the Damrak were filled in (between Dam and Oude­brug­steeg) in 1845 and 1883, the west side of Damrak was called Op ‘t Water (On the Water). The part of Damrak on the east side which is now Beurs­plein (filled in in 1883), has Berlage’s Exchange (from 1903), the Stock Exchange (from 1913) and (at the corner of Dam square) De Bijenkorf (The Beehive, from 1915). From 1845 until 1903 Zocher’s Exchange stood where that department store is now. Over time the original estuary of the Amstel river, once 100 m (328 ft) wide, was reduced to a measly 35 m (115 ft).

Damrak between 1867 and 1873, looking north from Papen­brug, a former bridge south of the current Beurs­plein. On the right the back of the houses on Warmoes­straat, to the north still an open connection to the IJ (Stads­archief Amsterdam).

Filling in Damrak

• In 1845 the first part of the Damrak was filled in to create Zocher’s Exchange, built half on top of the covered Amstel river. It opened in 1845 and was demolished in 1903. Today department store Bijenkorf is located there.
• In 1873-1875 the Damrak quay on the west side was doubled in width to 24 m (79 ft).
• Also in 1875 the part of Damrak from Zocher’s Exchange to Papen­brug­steeg was filled in. Around this time the name was changed from Op ‘t Water to Damrak.
• In 1883 Damrak was filled in from Dam square up to Oude­brug­steeg, for the build of Berlage’s Exchange in 1898. Until that time it was transformed into a small public garden.
• Plans after 1883 to fill in the last watery part of Damrak were never executed.

View from Oude­brug­steeg on the east side of Damrak, the backs of the Warmoes­straat houses in the water (December 2022).

Bridges across Damrak

When large parts of Damrak were filled in, two former bridges were demolished: the Papenbrug (Papist Bridge) and the Oude Brug (Old Bridge). Only the names of two alleys (Papen­brug­steeg and Oude­brug­steeg) show where they once stood. The current Nieuwe Brug (New Bridge), where the Prins Hendrik­kade crosses the Damrak, is hardly recognizable as a bridge these days, but it still has a lock below it. This once wooden bridge (from before 1365), once the entrance to the Damrak harbor, got brick arches on each end around 1529. After 1600 the bridge lost its military function. In 1681 it became a part of Amsterdam’s new water management system, designed by mayor Johannes Hudde, by then all brick and with two locks on either side, which finally ended the tides which had plagued the Damrak before.

View of Damrak with Papen­brug and Papen­brug­steeg, between 1868 and 1875 (A.Th. Rooswinkel, Rijks­museum).

Buildings on Damrak

Most of the time it has become quite difficult to take in the remaining historic buildings on Damrak, partly because of the constant over­crowding with tourists and partly because of the many inappro­priate shops and signs, all catering to the lowest common denominator. Let’s start on the west side, walking from Prins Hendrik­kade to Dam, then make our way back on the east side from Dam square to the north. The early morning hours are the best time if you want to look at the buildings without too much hustle and bustle.

Damrak 1-5 – Victoria Hotel

The Victoria Hotel from 1890, Damrak 1-5 and Prins Hendrik­kade 38 and 47A, was built between 1883 and 1890, designed by J.F. Henkenhaf, who was also director of the hotel. Henkenhaf also designed the Kurhaus Hotel in Scheveningen, which opened in 1885. At the side of Prins Hendrik­kade the hotel has encapsulated two small houses — the owners held out too long from selling their property, hoping to make more money from selling as time went by.

Damrak viewed from Stations­plein, Victoria Hotel on the corner, on the right the Prins Hendrik­kade (August 2023).

House from the early 18th century, remodeled in 1939 and restored in 1967, with richly decorated top.

House from around 1730 with richly decorated top gable and Roman bust, restored in 1966. Now a budget hotel with a McDonald’s on the ground floor.

Left to right: Damrak 8, 7 and 6 and a slice of the Victoria Hotel (August 2023).

Haringpakkerssteeg

Between Damrak 14 and 15 is the Haring­pakkers­steeg (Herring Packers Alley) — the herring packers salted herring and packed it in barrels. They were active here in the 16th and 17th century, mostly along Prins Hendrik­kade. Until 1913 this alley was called Kapel­steeg.

From left to right Damrak 30 to 11. The Haring­pakkers­steeg is to the right of Macau (August 2023).

These days Damrak 15 is Amusement Palace Macau. It was built in 1905 by architect J.A. van Straaten, who also designed department store De Bijen­korf. This was once soap factory De Vergulde Hand (The Gilded Hand), already here in the 16th century, the last one of three soap manufacturers on Damrak. They were bought by AKZO in 1966, soap production in Amsterdam ended in 1971. The stone above the doorway on the left shows the name and the year 1554-1905, now the only reminder of the soap history of the building.

View south along Damrak, from Haring­pakkers­steeg (Damrak 15) towards Dam square (August 2023).

Shop in Art Nouveau style from 1900 by architect P. van der Vliet. Now it has the Pizza Pasta Bar on the ground floor.

Damrak 20-22

This Art Nouveau shop and warehouse from 1901, designed by architect R. Kuipers, was renovated in 1934 by architect A.U. Ingwersen together with the neigh­boring house. It origi­nally housed organ and piano store Breebaart, moved to number 19 in 1905. The store then housed Meyjes & Höweler, who sold mostly safes, stoves and cookers and were here until around 1980. Now the ground floor has a souvenir shop called Amsterdam Experience.

In the center Damrak 20-22, Art Nouveau shop and warehouse from 1901 (August 2023).

The red brick house at Damrak 25 had been a fish and fruit shop here since 1868. In 1906 they had a new shop built by architect Willem Kromhout, with an oyster lunchroom on the first floor. The shop moved to Damrak 46 in 1931. The façade was changed several times, first in 1955. Since 1995 this has been candy store Jamin.

The red brick house next to the yellow Utrecht warehouse was a fish and fruit shop from 1906 (August 2023).

Damrak 26-27 – Utrecht Warehouse

This shop and warehouse from 1905 belongs to the building De Utrecht on the other side of the Karne­melk­steeg. The front is covered in Italian granite. Now Tours & Tickets.

View south along the east side of Damrak from number 22 towards Dam square (August 2023).

Karnemelksteeg

Between numbers 26-27 and 28 is the Karne­melks­steeg (Butter­milk Alley) from 1476. It was named after the barges carrying butter­milk which once moored here.

Karnemelksteeg (Buttermilk Alley) between the two Utrecht buildings on Damrak (August 2023).

Damrak 28-30 – De Utrecht Insurance Company

Building with shop and offices from 1906, designed by architects J.F. Staal and A.J. Kropholler. The front is covered in green Swedish marble, the roof partly covered in copper. The sculptures were made by sculptor Joseph Mendes da Costa (1863-1939), who was tasked by the life insurance company to adorn both the exterior and the interior of their building at Damrak 28-30. The five large figures on the first floor symbolize Protection, Thrift, Wisdom, Volatility and Vigilance. Above the main entrance a kneeling widow in front of a wheel of fortune, symbolizing the unpredictability of fate.

Sculptures on the first floor of Damrak 28-30, Karne­melks­steeg on the right (August 2023).

Higher up the façade you can see mandrills, howler monkeys, owls and chameleons. Mendes da Costa was known for his animal sculptures — he spent many days in Artis Zoo to study their appearance. Insurance company De Utrecht moved in to the building around 1935 (the shop arcade at Raad­huis­straat was also financed by them). The building was restored in 2014.

Top of the façade of Damrak 28-30, formerly De Utrecht Insurance Company (August 2023).

Animal sculptures by Joseph Mendes da Costa on the façade of Damrak 28-30 (August 2023).

Damrak 34 – Den Gulden Salm

Centuries ago the houses on the uneven side of Nieuwen­dijk continued all the way to the water of Damrak. Later they were split and the back side of this block became Damrak 34. This building from around 1564 has a gable from the late 19th century, but behind that is a much older building, with a 17th century rear and a 16th century wooden frame construction. High up on the gable is a stone with a salmon, which gave the building the name Gulden Salm (Golden Salmon), probably from a fishmonger in the 16th century. These days it’s Hotel van Gelder, City Sightseeing on the ground floor.

Left the narrow houses of Damrak 35-36 (Short Stay and Bravi Ragazzi), next to it Damrak 34 (Gulden Salm) (August 2023).

Damrak 35-36

Two small shop buildings from the first half of the 17th century, with a 19th century roof. A garland with roses adorns the top of number 35. The two former narrow alleys on either side of Damrak 35 have been closed off. Topless bar Teasers was located here before, closed by the city in 2006. The ground floor now houses restaurant and bar Bravi Ragazzi (Good Guys in Italian). Damrak 35-36 all the way to Nieuwen­dijk 123-125 is now a short stay hotel with 7 apartments.

Damrak 37-38

Art Noveau office from 1904 on the corner of the Oude­brug­steeg, designed by J.W.F. Hartkamp. Originally a securities trader with a beer cellar below it, with a photographer’s workhop in the attic. Yet another cheese shop today.

To the right of the Oude­brug­steeg is an Art Nouveau office from 1904. Next to it Damrak 35-36 (August 2023).

Oudebrugsteeg

The Oudebrugsteeg (Old Bridge Alley) between Damrak 39 and 40 was named after the oldest bridge (from the early 14th century) across the Damrak, before this part was filled in (1883). The alley continues on the other side of Damrak.

An existing house at the corner of the Manden­makers­steeg was remodeled in 1904 and 1905, designed by architect Kröner. The upper floors were rented as offices. Until 1919 this was a fish and deli shop. Now it’s Restaurant At James, Argentinian Grill.

From left to right: Damrak 47 to 42. Between the numbers 45 and 46 is the Manden­makers­steeg (August 2023).

Mandenmakerssteeg

Between Damrak 45 (Restaurant At James) and Damrak 46 (Amsterdam Today) is the Manden­makers­steeg (Basket Weavers Alley), named after the basket makers who lived here. They sold their wares on the basket market held on Damrak until 1634.

Damrak 47-48

Building from 1899 in Art Nouveau style by architect H.G. Jansen, with a bay window, balcony and loggia. From 1902 to 1905 there was an insurance company here for employers. The upper floors are now Hotel Manofa, together with number 46. Amsterdam Today is on the ground floor of Damrak 46. Steakhouse De Markies is on the ground floor of Damrak 48. Above the third floor window a gable stone with the Four Sons of Duke Aymon on their magical horse Bayard, pointing to a house called De Vier Heems­kinderen which stood here before, where cartographer Johannes Jansonius lived in the 17th century. Back then his neighbor at number 46 was the famous cartographer Willem Blaeu (1571-1638), of Atlas Maior fame.

In the center Art Nouveau style building from 1899 at Damrak 47-48 (August 2023).

Although not very appealing on the outside, research showed that the wooden interior frame of this house dates from 1530-1540, the outside was remodeled around 1725-1750. The interior construction makes it one of the oldest remaining houses in town, even older than the wooden house ‘t Aepjen (The Monkey) at Zeedijk 1.

Far right the house from 1530 at Damrak 57. Between numbers 59 and 60 the Onze Lieve Vrouwe­steeg (August 2023).

Shop and home from 1632 on the right hand corner of the Onze Lieve Vrouwe­steeg, remodeled in the second half of the 19th century, restored in 2014. Since 2019 it has clothing retailer Wituka on the ground floor. On the side wall on Onze Lieve Vrouwe­steeg is a restored mural advert for Ferwerda & Tieman wine merchants (founded in 1891), who had a depot here.

Onze Lieve Vrouwesteeg

Between numbers 59 and 60 is the Onze Lieve Vrouwe­steeg (Our Lady Alley), named after a chapel which stood on Nieuwen­dijk from around 1500 until 1578, across from the guest house and hospital Onze Lieve Vrouwe­gast­huis (founded around 1420, moved around 1580 to St. Pieters­gast­huis on Grim­burgwal).

Damrak 63-64 (Cineac  II), Damrak 62 (former bookstore Allert de Lange), Damrak 61 (Drake’s), Damrak 60 (house with turret) and the Onze Lieve Vrouwe­steeg, viewed from the corner of Beurs­plein with Beurs van Berlage statue (October 2021).

Damrak 60 – House with Turret

On the left hand corner of Onze Lieve Vrouwe­steeg a shop and home from 1889 with a turret, designed by architect W. Langhout, originally created for a café and restaurant. Now there’s a Souvenirs & Gifts on the ground floor.

Damrak 64 to 59, between 60 and 59 the Onze Lieve Vrouwe­steeg (August 2023).

Damrak 62 – Former Bookstore Allert de Lange

This Neo-Renaissance building from 1886 housed publisher and book­store Allert de Lange (founded in 1880), until they bankrupted in 1999. It was designed by architect J. van Looy, changed in 1985 to have the entrance in the center. The sculptures on the façade are by Johannes Franse. Left and right of the entrance are the busts of Rembrandt and Rubens. Above the first floor windows it still says “Librairie, Buch­handlung, Book­seller”. At the top the construction year and an owl, symbol of wisdom. Now it’s the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store, one of way too many tourist cheese shops.

On the left Damrak 62 (former bookstore Allert de Lange), on the right Damrak 60 (house with turret) (August 2023).

Damrak 63-64 – Cineac II

Building from 1938 by architect H. Vreeswijk, originally a cinema called Cineac II, closed in 1983. Now it’s a slotmachine arcade called Casino.

In the center Damrak 63-64, former Cineac II. On the right Damrak 62, former bookstore Allert de Lange (August 2023).

• Beurspassage

At number 68 is the Beurs­passage (Exchange Passage), finished after a big renovation in 2016, containing the artwork Amsterdam Oersoep (Amsterdam Primordial Soup) by artists Arno Coenen, Iris Roskam and Hans van Bentem. The Beurs­passage was already discussed in an earlier blog post.

Entrance to the new Beurs­passage from 2016 at Damrak 68, from Damrak to Nieuwen­dijk (August 2023).

Damrak 70-79 – Former C&A Clothing Store

In 1894 there was a large building complex here, designed by architect Berlage for insurance company De Algemeene, enlarged in 1903. After they bank­rupted in 1920, this became clothing store C&A (short for Clemens & August Brennink­meijer) in 1930, expanded in 1957. It burned down completely because of a short circuit in February 1963, the firefighters hindered by severe cold and ice in the Damrak water.

The old C&A building in 1947, burned down in 1963 (Arbeiders­pers, Stads­archief Amsterdam).

C&A first got a temporary wooden shop on pontons in the water next to the Beurs van Berlage, then opened a newly built store here on Damrak in 1968. In 2022 C&A relocated to Kalver­straat. In 2015-2016 the complex was renovated and now it houses clothing store Primark.

Damrak 70-79, renovated in 2016, now clothing retailer Primark (August 2023).

Damrak 80-81

Bank building from 1904 in sober Art Nouveau style by architect Gerrit van Arkel, origi­nally built as an office for the Buiten­landsche Bank­vereeniging (Foreign Bank Association). The façade has Moorish elements and is decorated with flower motives. These days it’s a Starbucks.

In the center Art Nouveau bank building at Damrak 80-81 by architect Gerrit van Arkel (August&nbp;2023).

House from around 1800 in Louis XVI style, now it’s a Délifrance.

Between the numbers 84 and 85, the Zout­steeg (Salt Alley), named after the barges trans­porting salt which moored here in the 15th century.

In the center, between Damrak 84 and 85, the Zout­steeg (Salt Alley), on the right Damrak 84 and 83 (August 2023).

House from 1725 in Louis XIV style. Now a Tours & Tickets.

Damrak 89-90

Damrak 89 and 90 date from around 1728. Around 1890 this was a Merkelbach Toy Store. Now it’s an AH-to-Go super­market.

The white building next to De Roode Leeuw was once Bodega Oporto, very popular with journalists and exchange traders, closed in 1963. This is where in 1964 the much despised “hamburger­isation” of Damrak started, when super­market chain Albert Heijn and the British firm Lyons opened a Wimpy ham­burger joint here. Now it’s a McDonald’s.

Terrace of Bodega Oporto at Damrak 92 just before they closed in 1963 (Jack de Nijs, Stads­archief Amsterdam).

Damrak 93-94 – De Roode Leeuw

Building from 1911 by architect H. Kuipers, created for hotel and brasserie De Roode Leeuw (The Red Lion), founded around 1454 as a coffee house on Dam square (where the Industria building is now). In 1957 an extra floor was added.

Damrak 96 (Swissotel), Damrak­steeg, Damrak 93-94 (De Roode Leeuw), Damrak 92 (McDonald’s) (August 2023).

Damraksteeg

Damraksteeg (Damrak Alley), between numbers 94 and 95, was called Dubbele­worst­steeg (Double Sausage Alley) until 1922, after citizen Laurens Dubbel­worst and a sign he had here. He had also lived on an alley between Singel and Heren­gracht which bears the same name. This alley here had still other names in the 16th and 17th century.

View south from Damrak 91 towards Dam square (August 2023).

Damrak 95-96

Building and office from 1899, designed by H.P. Berlage for the Amster­damsch Wissel­kantoor, a money changer, daughter of the Amster­damsche Bank. In 1902 association ‘t Kogge­schip, predecessor of tourist board VVV and founded in 1902, was on the second floor. They moved to the Munt­toren in 1932. On the ground floor of Damrak 95 is money changer Pott Change. The building at number 96 was demolished in 1985. Damrak 96 has been Hotel Swissôtel since 1986, managed by a Swiss hotel chain.

Damrak 100 to 96, Damraksteeg on the right. Damrak 96 is on the left hand corner of the alley (August 2023).

Building from 1908 by architects A.J. Kropholler and J.F. Staal, which replaced a 17th century merchant house. First a securities broker, later a bodega with a printer’s office on the top floors. Today it’s Italian restaurant Royal 98.

Damrak 99-100 with Dior on the ground floor, Valken­steeg, Damrak 98 (Royal 98), Damrak 96 (Swissôtel) (August 2023).

Valkensteeg

The Valkensteeg (Falcon Alley), between Damrak 98 and Dam 2, was named after an inn from the 17th century called De Grauwe Valk (The Gray Falcon).

View along Valkensteeg, from Damrak to Nieuwendijk (August 2023).

Damrak 99-100, Dam 2

The bank building at the corner of Rokin and Dam, called De Bisschop (The Bishop, after a gable stone with Amsterdam patron saint St. Nicholas on the Dam side), has a troubled history.

Damrak 100 on the right, looking from Damrak to Dam square (August 2023).

In 1563 there was a building here called ’t Suyker­huis, after 1750 replaced by another building. From 1877 until 1922 this was café De Bisschop under various owners. In 1899 the café got a new ornate building, created on the old foundations by architect A.C. Boersma (in 1884 Boersma had also created the House with the Gnomes at Ceintuur­baan 251-255). Around 1921 it started to sag very badly and needed to be propped up. Despite the top floors being removed to diminish the weight, the café had to close in 1926. Until 1933 the derelict remains of that building continued to be a blemish on the face of Dam square.

Derelict Damrak 99-100-101 in 1933 before demolition (Dienst Bouw- en Woning­toezicht, Stads­archief Amsterdam).

Owner H.P. de Goeijen in the meantime had bought two adjacent lots for a future expansion, Damrak 100 (a cigar shop owned by writer Justus van Maurik) and Damrak 99 (Seyffardt’s book­store). Heineken became the new owner and they then traded the lots in for terrains in the Pijp neigh­bor­hood. Distillery Levet & Co then commissioned a new building from architect Jan Gratama in 1933. It was stripped of all ornaments around 1990, although some elements were restored during a 2010 renovation. Various banks have been here since 1933, now it’s ABN AMRO bank with Dior on the ground floor.

Left the gable stone with hand and rooster from the Hancock family, to the right Valken­steeg and Damrak 98 (August 2023).

Damrak 100 has a gable stone with a hand grabbing a rooster, pointing to the British Hancock family who from 1719 until 1783 owned the building which previously stood here. Originally attached to the late 17th century gable, this stone was placed back on the current building from 1934. On the Dam side is a gable stone with St. Nicholas, Amsterdam’s patron saint. It depicts one of the legends surrounding him, where he revived three children who had been killed by an inn-keeper.

Damrak 99-100 on the side of Dam 2, with the gable stone of Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) (August 2023).

Let’s cross the street to the east side of the Damrak, starting on the corner with Dam square.

Damrak seen from Dam square towards Central Station (August 2021).

De Bijenkorf department store was built here between 1911 and 1915, modeled after a wing of the Louvre in Paris. The store was founded in 1870 at Nieuwen­dijk 132. After a temporary building in 1912 on the spot where the Zocher Exchange had been, the new store opened here in 1915, designed by architects J. van Straaten and B. Lubbers. On the Damrak side is a shield with the monogram SPG, from Simon Philip Goudsmit, who had started the company on Nieuwendijk. His initials are also above the entrances on Dam square. The building has been a national monument since 2001.

Metal shield on the Damrak side of De Bijenkorf, with beehive and monogram (August 2023).

Papenbrugsteeg

This alley, at the south end of Beurs­plein alongside De Bijen­korf, leads to the parallel Warmoes­straat. It was named after the Papenbrug (Papist Bridge), built before 1475 and demolished in 1884 when this part of the Damrak was filled in. According to a 16th century story the bridge got its name after some clergy­men had set the old derelict predecessor (Inrebrugge from 1365) on fire. North of the Papen­brug­steeg is the Euronext Stock Exchange, to the south of it the Bijenkorf car parking.

Beursplein looking south towards Bijenkorf, far left De Bijenkorf car parking (August 2023).

This square (Exchange Square), between Bijenkorf and Beurs van Berlage, was created after this part of the Damrak had been filled in (in 1883). Berlage also designed six lanterns and two fountains (originally drinking troughs for horses) for the square. In 2018 an underground bike parking for 1700 bicycles was built here and the square was renovated according to the 1903 design.

Beursplein 5 – Stock Exchange

The Effectenbeurs (Stock Exchange) moved here in 1912. They bought a whole block of houses here, including the fancy Bible Hotel from 1647, demolished in 1911. The current building was created between 1909 and 1911 by architect Jos Cuypers (his father Pierre had designed the Rijksmuseum and the Central Station). In  2000 the stock exchanges of Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam merged to form Euronext, their main head­quarters here.

Stock Exchange (Euronext) at Beursplein 5 (June 2020).

The bronze sculpture De Stier (The Bull) on the square, in front of the Stock Exchange, was created Arturo di Modica in 2012. It is a smaller version of the Charging Bull in New York. Placed here without an initial permit, it weights around 2,500 kg (394 stone). The sculpture, first moved to the side, was allowed to stay when the square was renovated in 2018.

Beurs van Berlage

The building of Berlage’s Exchange started in 1898 and it opened in 1903 on Beursplein. It replaced the old Zocher Exchange from 1848, which stood where now De Bijenkorf is. The building, called Koopmans­beurs (Merchants’ Exchange) from 1903 until 1998, housed four exchanges: commodity, shipping, grain and stock. The stock exchange moved to Beursplein 5 in 1912. Built right in the old river bed of the Amstel, Berlage’s Exchange already started to sag during the build and needed immediate repairs. Since 1985 the Exchange has become a Palazzo Pubblico (Public Hall). It was restored from 1998 to 2004.

Beurs van Berlage on Beursplein (June 2020).

This alley, at the north side of the Beurs van Berlage, was named after the Oude Brug (Old Bridge) which crossed the Damrak water here at the start of the 14th century. When this part of Damrak was filled in (1883), the bridge was demolished. All that remains of it now is the quay along the Beurs building leading to Beursstraat and Warmoesstraat.

Oudebrugsteeg on the north side of the Beurs van Berlage (August 2023).

Wet Part of Damrak

The rest of Damrak up to Nieuwebrug is a quay with tour boats.

Damrak looking towards Oudebrugsteeg (August 2023).

In 2010 a tunnel was dug for the subway underneath Damrak. In 2012 the city designated Damrak, Rokin, Vijzelstraat and Vijzelgracht as its so-called Red Carpet (the entrance into town), after the construction of the metro, which lasted from 2003 until 2018. Efforts to lift the quality of this Red Carpet area have been an ongoing battle since then. Trivia: the small village of Durgerdam, in the Amsterdam Noord area on the other side of the IJ, also has a Damrak, beside their church.

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Amsterdam Blocks New Hotels to Fight Mass Tourism

Dawit Habtemariam , Skift

April 18th, 2024 at 1:50 PM EDT

Amsterdam, one of the world's most popular destinations, has capped its hotel supply to put a ceiling on mass tourism.

Dawit Habtemariam

Amsterdam has banned new hotel developments to combat mass tourism, the municipal government announced Wednesday.

“Amsterdam will no longer be issuing permits for new hotels, except for a ‘new-for-old arrangement’ in which a new hotel may only be built if a hotel elsewhere closes and the number of sleeping places [beds] does not increase,” said a spokesperson for the government. 

The replacement hotel must be “qualitatively” better, such as more sustainable, and be at least 4 stars under the European Hotel Classification system. The government is also encouraging new hotels build outside the city center, said the spokesperson.

Amsterdam has over 470 hotels and 49,000 rooms, according to Costar.

The aim of the hotel-cap policy is to limit annual overnight stays in Amsterdam to 20 million. In 2023, Amsterdam had 20,665,000 hotel night stays, according to the city government.

“We want to make and keep the city livable for residents and visitors. This means: no overtourism, no new hotels, and no more than 20 million hotel nights by tourists per year,” the government said in its announcement .

Amsterdam is one of the world’s most popular destinations. The city globally ranked fifth in terms of international traveler spending with $13.6 billion in 2022, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council . 

Amsterdam’s Dwindling Hotel Pipeline 

The new hotel cap is even more restrictive than its “no-unless” policy. Starting in 2017, the city limited the zones where new hotels could be introduced to certain areas.

To build new hotels in those areas, hotel developers needed to demonstrate they’ve taken into account the interests of the local neighborhood, that the new property will be sustainable, along with other requirements.

Only three hotel plans have met the “no-unless” policy, causing a slowdown in the pipeline. “The pipeline of current initiatives is now becoming empty, although 26 initiatives are still on the books with granted permits,” said a city government spokesperson.

In 2024, four new hotels are scheduled to open and 5 hotels are under construction, according to Costar.

Amsterdam Clamps Down on Mass Tourism

The new hotel restriction is Amsterdam’s latest move to discourage mass tourism. This year, the city raised its tourist tax from 7% to 12.5%. Amsterdam has also been trying to deter party and drug tourists from traveling to its popular Red Light District .  This year, the government launched a second version of its ‘Stay Away’ marketing campaign in the UK, Germany, France, Spain and Italy.

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European cities hope jet-setting Taylor Swift fans will splash the cash for Eras tour

The superstar arrives in Europe next month – and Swifties, tourist boards and venues are already preparing

T im Brown, 44, and his wife, Marcella, 34, may not consider themselves bona fide “Swifties”, but when it was announced last June that Taylor Swift would be visiting their corner of the globe this summer they could not resist joining the scramble for a pair of tickets.

A post-pandemic appetite for live music events has fuelled huge worldwide interest in the American singer-songwriter’s Eras tour, which surpassed in $1bn sales in November to become the highest-grossing series of concerts in history.

The pop culture event of the summer will arrive in Europe next month, kicking off in Paris on 9 May and wrapping up in London on 20 August with 49 dates in between in Sweden, Ireland, Portugal, Germany, Poland, Austria, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

The unique nature of the tour’s ticketing system, which was tweaked after a number of hitches last year, means there will be a mass movement of travelling fans who will not only be Swiftie in affiliation but swift-like in their willingness to travel across the continent.

In expectation of intense demand, Ticketmaster introduced a pre-registration system that rewarded some early applicants with access codes to the ticket sale proper, via staggered windows for each city.

Notionally designed to prioritise genuine fans over “scalpers” – people who buy and resell tickets for a quick profit – the pre-sales system also meant many fans registered for tickets in multiple destinations across Europe to increase their chances.

Tim and Marcella, who live in Norwich, registered not just for the nearest concerts – in London and Liverpool – but also in Amsterdam and Lisbon. The pair got lucky with a pair of €91 tickets in the Portuguese capital and have turned the trip into a weekend break. “I used to live in Lisbon so I thought why not kill two birds with one stone,” Tim said. “We booked ourselves flights and four nights’ accommodation the same day.” They are far from alone.

Katie Soo, the chief business officer of DICE, a rival ticketing company, said: “The excitement and uncertainty inherent in the ticket-purchasing process might have inadvertently incentivised fans to apply for tickets in multiple cities, thereby increasing the likelihood of travelling across Europe to attend the concerts.”

Hotel prices

Several European cities have already reported a sharp rise in demand for hotel and short-term rental accommodation over the summer, when the Swift hurricane will arrive. In Edinburgh, Liverpool and Cardiff, rooms at the Travelodge chain around Swift’s June dates have been sold out since August 2023, a month after tickets for the shows went on sale.

In Paris, where fans anticipate Swift to debut an updated version of the Eras show with songs from the new Tortured Poets Department album, 80% of hotels and apartments listed on Booking.com are already full up. In Warsaw on 2 August, only 9% of hotels listed on the same site are still available.

Not all of the 18 cities covered by the Eras tour are obvious tourism destinations. From 17-19 July, Swift will play three concerts at the 65,000-capacity home ground of the football club Schalke 04 in Gelsenkirchen in Ruhr valley, western Germany. The city’s less-than-familiar name prompted one US chatshow host to quip that “the place might not even exist”.

Yet even in Germany’s rust belt the influx of Swift fans is temporarily transforming the hotel market: any two-bedroom apartments that remain available are going for €800-2,000 a night, with cheaper accommodation available only in surrounding cities that are just as off the usual tourist track as Gelsenkirchen, such as Essen, Bochum or Herne.

Cities with stricter rules on allowing Airbnb-style holiday lets and a more limited stock of short-term rental apartments are reporting a particularly marked increase in rates during Swift’s visit, with about 30% year-on-year spikes in rental rates in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Milan, according to AirDNA, a data analytics company specialising in the short-term rentals market.

Of all the tour’s European stops, Vienna is experiencing the most notable impact on its rental market, with booking rates for the nights of Swift’s concerts recorded in February 44% higher than at the same point the previous year. By the end of March the number of nights booked in the Austrian capital for the length of Swift’s stay in the second week of August had risen by 430% compared with the same period in 2023.

When Luke Tilden’s wife, Tatjana, suggested last summer that the couple buy their 13- and 15-year-old daughters, Lena and Maya, tickets to a Taylor Swift gig for Christmas, the 53-year-old Briton initially waved it off. “There’s no chance in hell we’d get a ticket without paying through our noses, I thought,” said Tilden, who works as an interpreter at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

But after pre-registering for tickets in London, Paris and Munich, the Tildens got unexpectedly lucky for four tickets in southern Germany and have turned the concert visit into a mini-holiday: “We’ll visit the in-laws in Bavaria, enjoy the countryside, do a bit of hiking.”

The hope in cities across Europe is that this will be replicated on a massive scale, with fans’ excitement translating into generous spending sprees on food, shopping and leisure. In Stockholm, for example, where authorities are expecting 159,000 visitors to arrive from 135 countries in mid-May, the chamber of commerce has forecast a spending boost of €50m. “We hope the whole town will buzz from the Eras tour,” said Tomas Andersson, a spokesperson for the Swedish capital’s tourism board.

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Whether fans will necessarily act like ordinary tourists, however, is up for debate. “Pop-culture tourists do not necessarily care about traditional buildings and authentic restaurants,” said Maria Lexhagen, a professor at the European Tourism Research Institute, Mid Sweden University.

“Joining up with other fan communities is stronger motivation, as is the idea that they might get closer to the stars themselves. Many of them will map out where Swift is spending her time in the city – they will seek out seemingly marginal but meaningful places like back alleys or coffee shops.” Venues may be hoping for a repeat of Sydney in February, when Swift swept into an unassuming Italian restaurant in the suburbs and sent its name into global media headlines.

In Stockholm the tourism board said it was expecting bookshops and secondhand clothes stores, rather than museums and royal palaces, to attract most of the arriving visitors. Some venues are being proactive: one restaurant within walking distance of the multipurpose Friends Arena in the Solna municipality is putting on a “Taylor Swift brunch experience” with a karaoke stage; the waterfront nightclub Debaser is hosting a pre-concert party on 16 May, an all-ages all-day party with a Swift-themed quiz on 19 May and an afterparty the day after.

Environment

As the Swift circus rolls across the continent, the transport infrastructure of urban centres will also be put to the test. Around the tour’s three-night stop in Dublin at the end of June, Irish Rail has announced additional late-night services to Cork and Limerick to meet an expected increase in demand. Extra tram and bus services are likely to be announced nearer the time.

Unlike rail operators, most airlines do not have capacity to charter additional flights. Due to yield management – airlines adjusting prices based on expected demand – a scramble for airborne journeys into cities that host the Eras tour is more likely to result in more expensive tickets rather than additional flights.

Officials at Lisbon airport said no additional flights had been chartered around Swift’s concerts on 24 and 25 May but that demand would probably be reflected in slightly higher load factors. A spokesperson for Amsterdam Schiphol said general aviation slots could be requested at short notice but nothing out of the ordinary had been logged so far.

Calculating the environmental impact of the tour with any certainty was difficult, experts said. “We can expect that some Swift fans will travel a long way to see one, if not several, shows across Europe”, said Stefan Gössling, a professor of tourism at Linnaeus University in Kalmar, Sweden. “But measuring the environmental impact of these trips is extremely difficult – it would involve a lot of guesswork.”

This did not mean the carbon footprint was negligible. “Every flight taken by a person adds to demand and hence influences supply considerations,” Gössling said. “The greater the demand, the more aircrafts are in service.”

The pop star’s carbon footprint is easier to estimate. Swift owns two jets by the French manufacturer Dassault, whose journeys are trackable. During the 2023 leg of the Eras tour, Swift’s planes spent 166 hours crisscrossing the US in about 75 individual journeys, though it is possible they were used by people other than the singer.

According to data available through the open-access aviation tracker ADS-B exchange, Swift’s jets caused carbon emissions of about 2,830 tonnes of CO 2 equivalent over the course of the US Eras tour – about 1,700 times the annual contribution of an average person.

A spokesperson for Swift told US media last year that in advance of the tour’s start in March 2023, the pop star bought more than double the carbon credits needed to offset all tour travel. Carbon offset credits are tradable certificates that allow purchasers to compensate for emissions by investing in environmental projects that claim to reduce carbon emissions, though recent studies have questioned the efficacy of these schemes.

Additional reporting by Ajit Niranjan

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