Top 15 Amsterdam History Tours

1.Amsterdam Food and Cultural Tour with Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,315 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $95Our pick

Spend about 3.5 hours walking Amsterdam with Roman, tasting Dutch cheese, herring, fries, bitterballen, apple pie, and other local favorites. The route links the Bloemenmarkt, Begijnhof, Torensluis, Anne Frank House area, and Jordaan. Groups are capped at 15, and you receive an e-book of Roman’s favorite Amsterdam spots afterward.

“We had the absolute pleasure of being guided by one of the best tour guides we’ve ever met. Despite our not-so-small group, he somehow managed to remember everyone’s name, which instantly made the experience feel personal and warm. He was attentive, constantly checking in on us, making sure we were safe when crossing roads. Every story, every food stop, he introduced was delivered with such enthusiasm that you could feel how deeply he loves this place, even as a French guy who has clearly made the city his own. His knowledge wasn’t just factual; it was heartfelt and engaging. He didn’t just guide us through the city, he made us…”

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2.Amsterdam: Historic City Centre Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 659 reviews · 1 hour - 75 minutes · from $16Best value

Cruise Amsterdam’s historic center for 1 to 1.25 hours from near the Anne Frank House or Central Station. Your skipper shares local stories as you pass the Nine Streets, Jordaan, Magere Brug, museums, and the IJ River. Boats have heating, toilets, a panorama roof, and an open rear deck. Audio commentary is available in seven languages.

“Enjoyed the cruise even thought the weather was not great, good way to see Amsterdam and learn about a bit of it’s history.”

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3.Amsterdam: Haunted History and Ghost Walking Tour

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

Join an English-speaking guide such as Sunil, Duncan, or Jan for a two-hour walk through Amsterdam’s darker past. Hear stories of the Spinhuis prison, a restless nun at Begijnhof, violence on Blood Street, and the Waag’s grim medical past. Expect strong city history, lively storytelling, and a lighter touch of ghost lore.

“Sunil was extremely knowledgeable of the dark ages of Amsterdam. We learnt so much from our tour and showing us certain landmarks/street names and what they all meant. He was super fun and explained everything thoroughly. My partner and I would highly recommend Sunil and recommend anyone interested in learning more about dark ages and ghosts that still haunt Amsterdam.”

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

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

Walk Amsterdam with a small group of up to eight, stopping at brown cafés, markets, cheese shops, fish counters, and historic eateries. Depending on the day, you will taste apple pie, satay, Dutch sausages, herring, smoked eel, bitterballen, and artisan cheese. Guides such as Rudolph, Catharina, Jan, and David bring the food and city history to life.

“Our guide Catharina (sp?) was wonderful. One of best guides we have ever had. She is so knowledgeable and has a delightful personality.”

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

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

Spend about three hours walking 2 kilometers through Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter and Plantage district with a private English-speaking guide such as Chris, Kaleigh, Guido, or Inbal. Visit memorials, hear about wartime Amsterdam, stop for Dutch apple pie and coffee or tea, and finish at Anne Frank House. Entry depends on ticket availability, with virtual reality offered when needed.

“This tour went way beyond our expectations. Kaleigh has a beautiful personality and has so much knowledge to share about the area’s history and the German occupation of Amsterdam. It was like getting a fascinating walk-through lecture from the best history teacher of all time. My two teenage girls fell in love with her and it felt like we gained a new family friend.”

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

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

Enjoy a three-course lunch or dinner inside Amsterdam Central Station’s former first-class waiting rooms. You’ll dine beneath Pierre Cuypers’ restored 1885 architecture, choose from several starters, mains, and desserts, and look toward the old city and Damrak. The private-group booking lasts about 2.5 hours and costs $61 per person, excluding drinks.

“Signage in the station. I was in a wheelchair and finding a route to the restaurant was a nightmare. When we eventually found the place we were faced with “ticket barriers” and no information about how to o get through them. The QR Codes were also ignored. Very confusing. BUT THE FOOD ITSELF WAS SUPERB. As was the wonderful service.”

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7.Amsterdam History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 281 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Walk through central Amsterdam with guide Samuel or a fellow SideWalks guide, from Kattengat and the old Red Light District to Dam Square, Spui, Bloemenmarkt, and the Dancing Houses. Expect local history, Dutch culture, tulip fever, prison stories, and plenty of time for questions in a small group of up to 10.

“Samuel is a very good tour guide, open to questions, dynamic, interesting and open to any topic. Recommendable walking tour.”

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8.Amsterdam: Highlights & History Walking Tour

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

Walk Amsterdam’s old center with a live English, German, or Spanish guide. See the Old Church, Chinatown, crooked houses, Dam Square, Royal Palace, Begijnhof, canals, Anne Frank House area, and Flower Market. Groups are capped at eight, and guides such as Robin, Aaron, James, and Aarre add history, humor, and local stories.

“Worth the money . The guide gave a lot of info about Amsterdam”

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9.Anne Frank and Amsterdam Jewish History Walking Tour

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

This two-hour walk links Dam Square, a wartime hiding place, Willem Arondeus’s former street, and the Anne Frank House. An English-speaking local guide such as Iris, Stein, Tristan, or Gee leads the route for up to 15 people. Admission to the Anne Frank House is not included.

“The tour guide, Gee, was outstanding. He brought a lot of passion to the tour and shared very good info.”

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10.Amsterdam: Jewish Quarter and History Guided Tour

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

This two-hour walking tour follows Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter from the Amstel River to the Anne Frank House area. You’ll hear about Jewish life before and during Nazi occupation, visit the Dokwerker, Auschwitz Monument, Portuguese Synagogue, Jewish Historical Museum, and former Jewish Council headquarters. English and Spanish tours are available, with private and small-group options.

“Really great tour. The kind was brilliant and informative. Highly recommend it!”

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11.Amsterdam: Ghost Walking Tour and Dark History

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

Meet your English-speaking guide, often Maria or Pilar, at Nieuwe Kerk in Dam Square for a two-hour walk through Amsterdam’s darker side. You’ll hear ghost stories and real accounts of crimes, disappearances, executions, and sailors who never returned, while visiting Begijnhof, Bloedstraat, Spooksteeg, and the Weeping Tower.

“Excellent tour, good information and great guide, Maria was awesome. I recommend this tour to have a different view of the city.”

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12.Amsterdam: Iconic Canals & Historic Sights Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 90 reviews · 2 hours

Start at Dam Square with an English- or Spanish-speaking local guide, then walk to the Royal Palace, Oude Kerk, Amsterdam’s canals, the Jewish Quarter, and Begijnhof. You’ll hear about Golden Age power, wartime courage, secret churches, leaning houses, bike culture, and local places to eat and drink. Craig and Adrián are among the guides.

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13.Amsterdam: Anna Frank and World War II History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 86 reviews · from $28

Join an Italian-speaking guide, including highly praised guide Ginevra, for a two-hour walk from H’ART Museum through Amsterdam’s former Jewish district to the Anne Frank House. You’ll learn about the Jewish community, Nazi occupation, and Anne Frank’s family. The house entry ticket is not included.

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

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

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

You’ll cruise Amsterdam’s canals for 90 minutes on a private historic saloon boat, with a welcome drink, bottled water, and complimentary coffee or tea. Guides such as Carl, Robert, and Robertino tailor commentary to your interests, point out key sights, and share Dutch customs. Beer, wine, Champagne, and soft drinks are available from the minibar for an added cost.

“Fabulous - very relaxing and our guide was extremely friendly, knowledgeable and welcoming. Highly recommended.”

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15.Amsterdam Private Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $156

Walk from Dam Square through Amsterdam’s historic center with a private English-speaking guide. You’ll see the Royal Palace, New Church, Begijnhof, Munttoren, Nieuwmarkt, Bloemenmarkt, and Spui, with time for local history, cheese tasting, fair-trade stories, and food tips near the Jordaan.

“Our private tour with Henk was fabulous! Henk is super knowledgeable about Amsterdam’s history and took us to historical sites/important landmarks that we definitely would have missed on our own. The walking tour also helped us get familiar with the layout of Amsterdam which helped us navigate the city a bit easier thereafter. Overall, it was a wonderful tour and I highly recommend it!”

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