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Activity Amsterdam, Netherlands

Absolutely Amsterdam - the Essential Introductory Walking Tour

4.9 (4,259 reviews) 2 h 30 min Free cancellation

out of 5

4,259 reviews

4.9

Leaning canal houses on the Amstel river — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Absolutely Amsterdam - the Essential Introductory Walking Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Join us for a fun, thought-provoking, and genuinely local experience through the heart of Amsterdam, and discover the stories, history, and strange contradictions that make Amsterdam so… Absolutely Amsterdam.

Together with one of our passionate local guides, you’ll explore how freedom, tolerance, trade, rebellion, and creativity shaped the city, and why Amsterdam still feels unlike anywhere else in the world today.

This isn’t a generic, scripted tour filled with endless dates and names you won’t remember. We keep things personal, interactive, and honest. Expect fascinating stories, dark history, local gossip, humor, awkward Dutch habits, and the kind of insights you only get from people who actually live here.

Every guide brings their own personality, expertise, humor, and perspective, which means no two tours are ever the same.

Be prepared to challenge all your preconceived ideas about this city because after this tour you will never look and think of Amsterdam the same way!

Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Excellent Quality Best Conversion Low Supplier Cancellation Rate Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate

At a glance

Duration: 2 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 15 people
People per booking: 1–5
Guide: English
Operated by: FreeDam Tours

Ages: Infants (1–3 years) · Children (4–12 years) · Youth (13–17 years) · Adults (18–65 years) · Seniors (66–90 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Our guides support their tours with pictures, paintings and maps that help bring history back to life!
Included: A unique souvenir
Included: Super Local Guides who are are also happy to share their (restaurant) recommendations with you

Itinerary

Beurs van Berlage

20 min

In front of the stock and commodities exchange buildings, built where the Amstel River used to flow, we discuss the origins of Amsterdam and how water and finance influenced the city.
Damrak

15 min

In the old harbor, we discuss the origins of the Red Light District, the role of the Church, and how the holy and the profane have found surprising ways to work and profit from each other over time & the state of prostitution in the 20th and 21st Century: how and why prostitution became a legal profession, how the neighbourhood has changed over time and the current challenges facing the most infamous neighbourhood of Amsterdam.
Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder

15 min Admission not included

Here we discuss how (Religious) tolerance worked in practice once Catholicism became illegal in the 17th Century but was 'tolerated' under some very peculiar conditions. Form the underlying principles we draw parallels to how tolerance works today, in the 21st Century.

(note: we don't actually enter the hidden church, but we see it form the outside and have pictures of it's interior)
Chinatown

15 min

Dutch drug policies explained. Find out how this area became an absolute no go area in the 1970's and how this sparked the beginning of the infamous ‘Coffeeshops’ dedicated to the selling of Marjauana.
The Waag

10 min Admission not included

Discovering where Rembrandt painted his first major work ...and how it revolutionised the art of portrait making. We have a copy of the painting to show you all the details!
Oostindisch Huis

15 min

In a stunning 17th Century Courtyard hidden inside this building (only accessible during week-days) you will learn how Amsterdam was able to become the center of a global trading empire, making Amsterdam the richest city on the planet in the17th century (aka 'The Golden Age), and how this place, the Headquarters of the first and biggest corporation in human history, kickstarted modern-day capitalism. We discuss the good, but definitely don't shy away from darker legacy of this period.
Waterlooplein Market

15 min

The Oldest Market of Amsterdam located in the (former) Jewish Quarter, that was almost completely destroyed at the end of the Second World War - but not why who you think! Find out about the disastrous consequences of the Nazi occupation, that decimated the Jewish populations of what once was a safe haven for persecuted jews from all over Europe, and what the Amsterdammers had to do to survive the last 'hunger-winter' of the war.
The Amstel

15 min

Here, or (depending on weather / guide) at another canal we discuss why Amsterdam has canals, and the architecture of the famous canal houses: why are they so skinny, why do they lean in all kinds of directions (some of it is on purpose), why do all the houses have a hook, and why do Dutch people keep their curtains open at ALL times. Everything will be revealed!
Oudemanhuispoort

10 min

In this beautiful, hard to find former monastery, turned into hospital and now part of the University of Amsterdam we discuss the unique Dutch Bike Culture: find out why there are more bikes than people and why in the most famous, proud cycling city on the planet most of the bikes look so....ugly.
Royal Palace Amsterdam

15 min Admission not included

Learn about the very peculiar history of our Royal Palace, why and how we made the transition from a Republic to a Monarchy. Meet our current Royal Family (we have pictures), and get up to speed with the latest juicy Royal gossip! Dam square is also where the tour ends.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

We meet IN FRONT of the stock exchange on Beurplein 5. The guides will be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start of the tour, holding a yellow umbrella. You can also find directions by looking for FreeDam Tours on Google Maps.

!!ATTENTION!! It does NOT start on the nearby Dam square!

End point

We meet IN FRONT of the stock exchange on Beurplein 5. The guides will be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start of the tour, holding a yellow umbrella. You can also find directions by looking for FreeDam Tours on Google Maps.

!!ATTENTION!! It does NOT start on the nearby Dam square!

Using your ticket

MEETING POINT ADDRESS: Beursplein

DIRECTIONS: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3Kcs1JD1ffxEJMD17

(in front of the main entrance of the Euronext Stock exchange, by the statue of the bull)

Get your name checked off the guest list and sign up with one of the guides holding a yellow umbrella who will be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start of the tour.

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⚠️ PLEASE NOTE

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This is a tip-based tour, but we can't describe it this way on this platform, because we can't 'sell' you a ticket for free. The price you paid covers the booking and marketing fees for Viator, not the guide who will be giving your tour. On the day of the tour, you can tip your guide what you think the tour was worth to you. That motivates us to give you the best possible tour, and you will always get the best value for your money. You can tip cash (in €), card, or phone.

If you don't agree with this concept, we kindly ask you to cancel this booking, and you will be refunded.

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⏰ PLEASE BE ON TIME!

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If you arrive late, we may not be able to accommodate you, especially if other groups are already full. To help everything run smoothly, please aim to arrive at least 10 minutes early.

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️ BEFORE OR AFTER YOUR TOUR

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We highly recommend Bistro Berlage, located right at our meeting point inside the historic Beurs van Berlage — Amsterdam’s former commodities exchange building.

With its beautiful historic architecture, elegant interior décor, and warm atmosphere, Bistro Berlage is the perfect place for coffee, drinks, lunch, or dinner before or after your tour.

Their menu features Dutch classics with a modern twist, and as a guest of our tours, you’ll receive:

10% off all food

Simply mention that you joined a FreeDam Tours tour to receive the discount.

Reserve a table here:

https://bistroberlage.com/en/book-a-table/

Beursplein 1, Amsterdam

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qeHD7ks71cGQsFCg9

The FreeDam Tours team.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.