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Guide Joran
Our guide Nick and his guests having fun on a tour :)
Founder & Guide Sergio
Doelen Hotel
Our guide in front of the Old Church in the Red Light District

Introductory Walking Tour in Amsterdam

By FreeDam Tours
4.9 out of 5
Free cancellation available
Price is $5 per adult
See tickets
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 2h 30m
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
Overview

Discover the fascinating history of the most liberal city in the world with FreeDam Tours. On this unique tip-based* 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!

Minimum age: 16

Activity location

  • Beurs van Berlage
    • Damrak 243, Next to the Bijenkorf
    • 1012, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, The Netherlands

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Beursplein 5
    • 5 Beursplein
    • 1012 JW, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Check availability

Tip-Based Tour
  • Activity duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes2h 30m2h 30m
  • English
Language options: English
Starting time: 2:00pm
Price details
$5.42 x 1 Adult$5.42
Total
Price is $5.42

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's includedA unique souvenir
  • What's includedWhat's includedOn the tour you will be treated to typical Dutch Cookie
  • What's includedWhat's includedSuper Local Guides who are are also happy to share share their (restaurant) recommendations with you
  • What's includedWhat's includedOur guides support their tours with pictures, paintings and maps that help bring history back to life!

Know before you book

  • 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

Activity itinerary

Beurs van Berlage
  • 20m
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.
Damrak
  • 15m
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.
Museum Ons'Lieve Heer Op Solder
  • 15m
  • Admission ticket 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
  • 15m
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.
In de Waag
  • 10m
  • Admission ticket 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
  • 15m
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
  • 15m
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
  • 15m
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
  • 10m
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
  • 15m
  • Admission ticket 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.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIESBeurs van Berlage
    • Damrak 243, Next to the Bijenkorf
    • 1012, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, The Netherlands

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLEBeursplein 5
    • 5 Beursplein
    • 1012 JW, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

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