Over 800 years of Amsterdam History & Culture!

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Rates

Adults (Ages 13+) - 30€ Children (Ages 4-12) - 12.50€ Infants (Ages 3 and Under) - Free

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Duration

2 hours

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About the Tour

As natural storytellers, We bring the vibrant history of Amsterdam to life. During this 2 hour stroll around the historic center you will be exposed to over 800 years of Amsterdam history and culture. From its humble beginnings on the river Amstel, to the glorious Golden Age, Amsterdam has an exclusive place in history. It is a history we love to share with people visiting the city. Amsterdammers have always been fiercely independent, and my tour will tell you how this independent streak lead to an explosion of culture and commerce that still affects the world today.

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Information about the Route

We will be spending most of our time in the historical core of the city, within the canal belt. Beginning in Beurs (trading) Square, which in itself has many stories to tell, we then head just a few minutes away to the oldest city neighborhood, The Wallen, better known as the Red Light district. This is a fascinating area during the dayand nothing like the areas most obvious attractions. Nowhere in Amsterdam is History so richly layered. From it's lovely churches to the famous 'ladies windows', life in Amsterdam cannot be explained without an understanding of how this area came to prominence.

We then walk through Chinatown to the Nieuwmarkt, where Rembrandt's Painters Guild still stands. And, since it borders the old Jewish Quarter, delve into the rich Jewish history of this city. We go by the houses of the first families of the Dutch East Indies Company, which in its own way explains a little bit of what makes the dutch so Dutch. We take a coffee break and restroom stop in the middle. At a normal coffeehouse! Not one of Amsterdam's famous 'Coffee Shops'. But I do explain all about Hollands soft drugs policies.

All through the tour we walk along many of the lovely canals, pointing out some of the hidden gems along the way. One of the most beautiful places in Amsterdam is the Begijnhof. It's like an old convent courtyard in the center of town, and feels like a tiny village of its own. We then head through the History Museum and bring to life some of the wonderful paintings in its open gallery. Heading on we talk about such things as Napoleon's influence on the town and how the Dutch ended up with a Royal family of their own. We generally end near the Dam Square making a completed circle of the oldest part of our city.

The tour evolves daily, as is necessary and more enjoyable in such a lively town as Amsterdam. But this description gives you the basic route and sights. By the end you will have had a very entertaining and informative account of the Story of Amsterdam.