What is the cancellation policy for this tour?

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

How long does this tour take?

This tour lasts approximately 2 hours and a half.

Absolutely Amsterdam - the Essential Introductory Walking Tour

Q: Where does this tour start?

This tour starts at: 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!.

★★★★⯨ 4.9

2 hours and a half

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Overview

Discover the fascinating history of the most liberal city in the world with FreeDam Tours. On this unique tip-based* sightseeing & storytelling tour, you will discover how freedom and tolerance shaped the city and its people throughout the ages.

Your super-local guide will combine beautiful sightseeing with exciting storytelling, and with the clever use of pictures and maps, you will learn everything you need to know about Amsterdam in one tour: history, modern life, culture, art, fun facts, and personal stories for a unique insider’s perspective on life in Amsterdam.

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!

* Tip-based means you only pay a small booking/marketing fee to the platform and you can tip your guide directly what you think the tour was worth. That motivates us to give the best possible tour and you always get the best value for your money!

Gallery

Absolutely Amsterdam - the Essential Introductory Walking Tour — photo 1

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What's Included

✓ Included

Our guides support their tours with pictures, paintings and maps that help bring history back to life!
A unique souvenir
On the tour you will be treated to typical Dutch Cookie
Super Local Guides who are are also happy to share share their (restaurant) recommendations with you

Itinerary

Stop 1

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

Stop 2

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.

Stop 3

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)

Stop 4

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.

Stop 5

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!

Stop 6

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.

Stop 7

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.

Stop 8

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!

Stop 9

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.

Stop 10

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 & End 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

Find Hotels in Amsterdam

Good to Know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Known For:

Private and Luxury in Amsterdam, Historical Tours in Amsterdam, Best Conversion in Amsterdam, Excellent Quality in Amsterdam, Cultural Tours in Amsterdam, Walking Tours in Amsterdam

Special Instructions

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.

PLEASE NOTE:

This is a tip-based tour, but we are not allowed to describe it this way on this platform because we can't 'sell' you a ticket for free. Your price 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. And since this is the best-rated walking tour in Amsterdam, we are confident we will deliver on this promise.

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

ATTENTION - PLEASE BE ON TIME!

YOUR RESERVATION IS GUARANTEED UNTIL THE EXACT STARTING TIME OF THE TOUR, AFTER WHICH TIME WE MAY ALLOCATE YOUR SPOT TO OTHERS WITHOUT A BOOKING.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE RUNNING LATE:

5-10 minutes late:

The guides should still be at the meeting point, gathering their guests and introducing themselves and the tour.

10-20 minutes late

The 1st stop is on the bridge in front of Tony's Chocolonely Superstore on Oudebrugsteeg 15. Directions on Google Maps:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KPnQiz3ykCB83qCB9

20-30 min late

The 2nd stop is usually on a dock on Damrak, on the water. Directions on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XKxZcFVN4M1MnRsBA

Attention: some guides may have their groups at full capacity once you meet them. This means that you can join them if they still have spots left. If they tell you it's not possible, please accept their answer immediately. There are very strict rules about group sizes in Amsterdam.