Amsterdam · HISTORICAL TOURS

The 15 Best Historical Tours in Amsterdam

46 tours  ·  from $9

Good historical tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Amsterdam Food and Cultural Tour with Tastings - Bloemenmarkt: flowers, canals, and a first taste of the city
Food, Food & Drink, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Amsterdam Food and Cultural Tour with Tastings

1.Amsterdam Food and Cultural Tour with Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,442 reviews · from $91Our pick

Join Roman of Ollantay Food Tour for 3.5 hours of Dutch food and Amsterdam history. Taste specialties such as Tom Pouce, fries, herring, and cheese while visiting the Bloemenmarkt, Begijnhof, Torensluis, Anne Frank House area, and Jordaan. Groups are limited to 15.

“This tour was so much fun!! With so much great energy. Our guide was so knowledgeable and very funny!!! The food was amazing and the people were awesome!!”

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Amsterdam: Haunted History and Ghost Walking Tour - Spinhuis, where the stories become more human
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Amsterdam: Haunted History and Ghost Walking Tour

2.Haunted History and Ghost Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 488 reviews · 2 hours · from $30

Walk through Amsterdam with a live English-speaking guide and hear eerie tales tied to Nieuwe Kerk, Spinhuis, Begijnhof, Blood Street, and the Waag. Guides such as Sunil, Duncan, and Jan mix ghost stories with city history, architecture, Dutch culture, and practical tips.

“Our guide has been a delightfully friendly guy with a good sense of humour. We were a small group so the guide had time to tell us a little something extra every now and then and it was both informative and entertaining.”

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Amsterdam High-End Dutch Food & History Tour - Up to 8 guests - Saturday at the Lindengracht market
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Amsterdam High-End Dutch Food & History Tour – Up to 8 guests

3.Amsterdam High-End Dutch Food & History Tour – Up to 8 guests

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 482 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $157

Spend four hours tasting Dutch and Indonesian specialties at cafés, markets, delis, butcher shops, and fish counters. Guides such as Rudolph, Catharina, Jan, and David add local history and food context. The route varies by day, with up to eight people and indoor alternatives in bad weather.

“This was a fabulous experience! I loved it so much I want to do it again! Each place we stopped was wonderful and our guide was terrific.”

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Amsterdam: Historic City Sightseeing Canal Cruise - Westerkerk, the Jordaan, and a houseboat interior
Amsterdam Canal Cruises, City Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

Amsterdam: Historic City Sightseeing Canal Cruise

4.Historic City Sightseeing Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 444 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $18Best value

Cruise Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed Canal Ring from the Anne Frank House, passing Westerkerk, Centraal Station, the IJ, Amstel, and Stopera. Expect an English tour, mobile ticket, and a mix of live and recorded commentary, depending on the departure.

“It is the perfect way to experience the beautiful city of Amsterdam. The captain and staff were professional and welcoming.”

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Anne Frank and the Jewish History of Amsterdam Private Tour - The Dokwerker and the February Strike
Amsterdam Jewish Heritage Tours, Anne Frank Walking Tours, Historical Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Anne Frank and the Jewish History of Amsterdam Private Tour

5.Anne Frank and the Jewish History of Amsterdam Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 307 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $95

Walk about 2 kilometers from the Portuguese Synagogue through Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter, Plantage, and wartime memorials. Guides such as Chris, Kaleigh, Guido, Inbal, and Martina add context and answer questions. Finish at Anne Frank House, with entry subject to availability or a virtual reality alternative.

“Kayleigh was an amazing tour guide! She is so knowledgeable about the history of Amsterdam and the Jewish Quarter and able to answer any questions you may have about the city. She is also super cute and personable. This is the second time I’ve taken this tour (first with friends and a year later with my husband) and I still learned new information the second time around. The way the tour is structured leaves you at the Anne Frank to tour on your own. Very sobering but definitely a must see while in Amsterdam. Highly, highly recommend Kayleigh and this tour!”

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Amsterdam: 3-Course Meal in Historic 1st Class Waiting Rooms - The three-course menu, from soup to dessert
Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Amsterdam: 3-Course Meal in Historic 1st Class Waiting Rooms

6.3-Course Meal in Historic 1st Class Waiting Rooms

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 292 reviews · from $61

Enjoy a three-course lunch or dinner in Amsterdam Central Station’s former first-class waiting rooms, designed by Pierre Cuypers in 1885. Choose from classic starters, beef, duck, salmon, or vegetarian curry, then finish with tiramisu or Dame blanche. The meal lasts about 2.5 hours.

“We never would have known of this restaurant other than through Get Your Guide. Nice ambience and we enjoyed our experience The food quality was uneven. All of my courses were very good but my wife thought her meal tasted like mediocre quality of an American diner restaurant. By pre-purchasing the meal, it was cheaper than ordering the courses separately at the restaurant. Our waitress seemed harried and never brought the wine that I ordered.”

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Amsterdam: Highlights & History Walking Tour - The Old Church, Chinatown, and Amsterdam’s older side
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Amsterdam: Highlights & History Walking Tour

7.Highlights & History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 266 reviews · 2 hours · from $32

Spend two hours walking Amsterdam’s Old Town with a guide in a group of up to eight. See the Old Church, Chinatown, crooked houses, Dam Square, Royal Palace, Begijnhof, Anne Frank House area, canals, and Flower Market while hearing local stories in English, German, or Spanish.

“Robin was an incredible tour guide and made Amsterdam truly come alive. He is extremely knowledgeable, upbeat, and genuinely enthusiastic, which made every stop feel engaging and meaningful. He shared fascinating history and stories while keeping the tour fun and lively the entire time. One of my favorite parts was visiting places I never would have found on my own, especially the hidden churches, which were such a memorable and special experience. If you want to really understand and feel the city, Robin is the person to tour with.”

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Anne Frank and Amsterdam Jewish History Walking Tour - The Anne Frank House is the destination, not the admission
Amsterdam History Walking Tours, Amsterdam Jewish Heritage Tours, Amsterdam Walking Tours, Anne Frank Walking Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Anne Frank and Amsterdam Jewish History Walking Tour

8.Anne Frank and Amsterdam Jewish History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 259 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $29

Follow a licensed English-speaking guide through Amsterdam’s wartime Jewish history, from Dam Square and a wartime hiding place to Willem Arondeus’s memorial stone. The two-hour walk ends outside the Anne Frank House. Expect a small group of up to 15 people, but no entry to the house itself.

“Iris is a very knowledgeable, immersive, and excited tour guide. She really cares for the information and story telling for the group. There was enough walking around site to site for the entire group to have time to ask their own questions. The information was all really cool to learn about and Iris brought the Frank family's story to life.”

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Amsterdam: Jewish Quarter and History Guided Tour - Jewish Amsterdam before the war
Amsterdam Jewish Heritage Tours, Guided, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Amsterdam: Jewish Quarter and History Guided Tour

9.Jewish Quarter and History Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 210 reviews · 2 hours · from $23

Walk from the Amstel through Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. See the Portuguese Synagogue, Jewish Historical Museum, Dokwerker, Auschwitz Monument, and Anne Frank House while learning how occupation changed daily life. Private and small-group options are available.

“The tour was excellent. Marsha, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable and dealt with the topic sensitivity. It was nice being in a small group - plenty of time for questions and without being too loud. The tour started and finished on time.”

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LGBTQI+ History Tour of Amsterdam - Dam Square and the Royal Palace
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LGBTQI+ History Tour of Amsterdam

10.LGBTQI+ History Tour of Amsterdam

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 123 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $42

Join Henk on a small-group walk through Amsterdam’s LGBTQI+ past. See the Gay Monument, Dam Square, the Royal Palace, the Red Light District, Chinatown, and Café t Mandje while connecting gay history with the city’s streets, politics, art, and personal stories.

“A highly recommend tour the guide is very nice person with plenty of knowledge of history and open to”

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Amsterdam: Ghost Walking Tour and Dark History - Begijnhof: a quiet change of mood
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Amsterdam: Ghost Walking Tour and Dark History

11.Ghost Walking Tour and Dark History

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 118 reviews · 2 hours · from $29

Follow an English-speaking guide such as Maria, Marie, or Pilar from Nieuwe Kerk through Dam Square, Begijnhof, Bloedstraat, Spooksteeg, and other atmospheric corners. Expect ghost stories mixed with Amsterdam history, unsolved crimes, and tales of sailors who vanished.

“Very interesting, and a beautiful tour around the city with some interesting stories and a lovely tourguide!”

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REDKULT: Red Light District & Historical City Center - Reading the Red Light District with context
Amsterdam Red Light District Tours, City Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

REDKULT: Red Light District & Historical City Center

12.REDKULT: Red Light District & Historical City Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 102 reviews · from $32

Join a German-speaking guide for 2.5 hours through Amsterdam’s Red Light District, historic center, and Grachtengordel. The small group, limited to eight people, keeps the walk personal. Guides such as Anne and Natascha add humor, useful city tips, and context about the people who work in the district.

“Es war ein echtes Erlebnis - vielen Dank! Natascha hat mir so viele Kleinigkeiten zu Amsterdam und so viele Neuigkeiten näher gebracht - es war sensationell. Ich hatte allerdings auch das Glück, alleine "geführt" zu werden, da aufgrund des schlechten Wetters an diesem Tag die anderen Interessenten abgesagt hatten. Vielen Dank nochmals für ein unvergessliches Erlebnis, Claus”

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Zen Amsterdam Tour : Alternative History and High Experiences - Begijnhof brings a quieter Amsterdam
Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Zen Amsterdam Tour : Alternative History and High Experiences

13.Zen Amsterdam Tour : Alternative History and High Experiences

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 102 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Join an English-speaking guide such as Erik, Eric, Pedro, or Ben for a small-group walk through central Amsterdam. Expect stories about coffeeshop culture, Begijnhof, Dam Square, and local customs, with longer options adding more shops and neighborhoods. Minimum age is 18.

“our guide was so sweet and nice...she really made this tour great! you get to stop at 2-3 coffee shops and get a little history lesson along the way...so interesting to hear how all this got started and why Amsterdam is the way it is today.”

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Amsterdam: Anna Frank and World War II History Walking Tour - Starting at the H’ART museum beside the Amstel
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Amsterdam: Anna Frank and World War II History Walking Tour

14.Anna Frank and World War II History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 86 reviews · from $28

Walk from the H’ART museum through Amsterdam’s former Jewish district, learning about its origins, Nazi occupation, and Anne Frank’s family. Italian-speaking guide Ginevra brings personal stories and lesser-known details into focus. The tour covers the outside of the Anne Frank House. Entry is separate.

“Molto interessante, coinvolgente, ho scoperto cose che non conoscevo”

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Private Boat Tour Amsterdam - 90 Min incl. welcome drink on historic saloon boat - What the historic saloon boat adds
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Private Boat Tour Amsterdam – 90 Min incl. welcome drink on historic saloon boat

15.Private Boat Tour Amsterdam – 90 Min incl. welcome drink on historic saloon boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $265

Set out from Oosterdokskade aboard a private historic saloon boat for 90 minutes. Your English-speaking guide, including hosts such as Carl, Robert, or Robertino, can shape the route around your interests while sharing Amsterdam’s history and customs. Coffee, tea, and water are included; drinks from the minibar cost extra.

“We had a wonderful trip through the canals. Carl pointed out lots of points of interest; taught us a few things about the culture and customs. We went to the restaurant he recommended for dinner and it was also excellent. He was very attentive and had our drinks of choice at the ready every time our glasses were empty!”

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New in Historical Tours

★ 5.0Small-Group Women’s History Tour in AmsterdamFrom $4716 reviews
★ 5.0Small Group LGBTQ+ History Tour in AmsterdamFrom $474 reviews
★ 5.0Red Light District Tour – It’s History & It’s FutureFrom $6010 reviews
★ 5.0Small-Group: Culture & History Walking Tour of AmsterdamFrom $416 reviews
★ 5.0Historical Walking Tour, private with local Dutch guideFrom $9623 reviews
★ 5.0Private Guided Historic Amsterdam Canal Cruise in a Salon Boat21 reviews
★ 5.0History, Culture & Highlights tourFrom $307 reviews
★ 5.0History & culture tour in Amsterdam with a localFrom $3013 reviews
★ 5.0Full-Day Private Historic Royal Tour around Palaces and CastlesFrom $44416 reviews
★ 5.0Financial History Tour16 reviews
★ 5.0Historical tour of Amsterdam with Italian guideFrom $2810 reviews
★ 5.0Amsterdam Highlights and History Walking Tour (MUST DO)From $2629 reviews
★ 5.0Amsterdam City Center & History – Exclusive Guided Walking TourFrom $6213 reviews
★ 5.0Amsterdam 2 Hour History Walking TourFrom $3031 reviews
★ 5.0Private World War Two History Walking Tour4 reviews

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