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Free walking tours in Amsterdam

Also known as the Venice of the North, it exudes joy and fun in its highly organized daily life. Its picturesque architecture adorns and brings its streets and canals to life. The well-maintained and fascinating houseboats distinguish this marvelous city from many others. It is welcoming, modern, and progressive, nurturing the environment and its culture at every turn.

Imbued with youth and romantic charm, it offers the opportunity to enjoy memorable strolls through the city, with hundreds of monuments to discover. This city houses more than 50 museums, which for many, are unique in their beauty and freedom.

Tolerant Amsterdam!

Discover Amsterdam with an incredible Free Walking Tour Amsterdam

Free tours in Amsterdam are the best way to discover this fascinating city. With expert and passionate guides, you can explore the main landmarks, immerse yourself in the history of the Royal Palace and the House of Rembrandt, and delve into the vibrant Red Light District and the Anne Frank House. With affordable rates, these guided experiences will take you through the culture and charm of Amsterdam. Plus, you can enjoy free cancellation and read reviews from other visitors. Don't miss out! Free tours offer you the opportunity to visit the city's most iconic places. You can admire the landscape of this charming city, visit museums and points of interest, and explore historic neighborhoods with expert local guides. You'll also find information about meeting points, cancellation policies, and additional activities. Discover Amsterdam in the most authentic and economical way. Reserve your free tour today!

Recommendations for enjoying the guided tour safely and responsibly

• Wear comfortable footwear and clothing suitable for long walks.
• Bring sunscreen and insect repellent, especially on sunny days or during the summer.
• Stay hydrated during the visit, especially on hot days.
• Follow the guide's instructions at all times and respect the rules of the places visited.
• Be cautious with personal belongings and avoid carrying unnecessary valuables.
• Respect the environment and do not damage monuments, gardens, or other places during the tour.
• Enjoy the guided tour responsibly, avoiding excessive consumption of alcohol or other substances that could disrupt the experience.

You may also be interested

Boat Ride on Amsterdam's Canals

Immerse yourself in the unique beauty and charm of Amsterdam with a relaxing boat ride on its famous canals. Enjoy wonderful panoramic views of historic buildings, picturesque bridges, and the quaint neighborhoods that line the water. Learn about the city's history and culture through informative commentary from the tour guide as you navigate Amsterdam's iconic canals. During the tour, you can admire the distinctive architecture of the buildings and savor the quiet and tranquil atmosphere of the water.

Tours of the Jewish Quarter and other iconic neighborhoods of the city

Embark on a fascinating tour of Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter and discover the rich history and vibrant culture that has shaped this part of the city. Take your time to explore the narrow streets and charming canals of the neighborhood while your guide shares stories and anecdotes about Amsterdam's Jewish community. Also, take the opportunity to explore other iconic neighborhoods of the city, such as the Jordaan and the Museum Quarter, where you can immerse yourself in their unique atmosphere and discover cultural and artistic points of interest.

Excursions near Amsterdam, like Zaanse Schans

Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city? Take an exciting day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, a charming village located just a few kilometers from the city. Discover the beauty of the typical windmills, colorful wooden buildings, and traditional cheese making. Accompanied by an expert guide, you'll learn about the history of Zaanse Schans and have the opportunity to explore its charming streets and museums. Enjoy a peaceful and picturesque day in this destination near Amsterdam that will transport you to bygone times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, you'll find answers to the most common questions. If you have any other inquiries, feel free to contact us.

What is the duration of the free tours in Amsterdam?

The duration of free tours in Amsterdam varies depending on the chosen tour. In general, most tours have a duration of approximately two hours. However, we recommend reviewing the description of each tour on our website for the most accurate information.

What is the meeting point for the free tours in Amsterdam?

The meeting point may vary depending on the tour you choose. In general, guides are usually located in central and easily accessible locations, such as recognizable squares or monuments. Once you have booked your free tour, you will receive all the information about the exact meeting point by email.

Additional information about the city, its culture, and its history

Amsterdam is a city with a rich history and a distinctive culture. Here is some additional information to help you discover more about the city and its fascinating heritage:

Cannabis Culture in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is known for its cannabis culture, where coffee shops allow controlled marijuana consumption. However, it's important to be aware of regulations and to respect the rules established in these establishments.

Bicycles, the Preferred Mode of Transport

Bicycles are one of the most popular modes of transportation in Amsterdam. The city boasts an extensive network of bike lanes and parks specially designed for cyclists to enjoy.

Artistic and Cultural Wealth

Amsterdam is home to numerous museums and art galleries, such as the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. These spaces display masterpieces from Dutch and internationally renowned artists, offering the opportunity to immerse yourself in the city's artistic and cultural richness.

Feel free to explore and immerse yourself in all that Amsterdam has to offer. Enjoy your experience on the free tours and discover the best-kept secrets of this wonderful city!

ARE YOU GOING TO VISIT A CITY NEAR Amsterdam?

Of the most liberal city in the world

Discover the fascinating history.

Maximum 15 people per group, for a truly authentic & high quality experience.

Small groups.

Amsterdam from the perspective of real, life-long locals

Informative and fun.

Everything you need to know about Amsterdam in one comprehensive tour!

From history to modern life.

Covering history to modern lifestyle, and unique personal stories you won’t hear anywhere else!

Passionate, super local guides.

Amsterdam Free Walking Tour

Sightseeing, history & cultural heritage tour, “the only free walking tour in amsterdam offering the quality of a small, high-end boutique tour”.

While most free walking tours of Amsterdam offer a quick tour of the main sights, at FreeDam Tours we really take a deep dive into Amsterdam’s unique history and culture.

We combine beautiful sightseeing with exciting storytelling and cover everything you need to know about Amsterdam in one tour. With the perfect mix of information and entertainment, covering history, modern life, and unique personal stories you won’t hear anywhere else to help you understand the essence of Amsterdam and Dutch culture.

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

Book a tour

Free Walking Tour

Your introduction to amsterdam’s history, culture & modern life.

Offered Daily / 2h 30min / Free

Private Walking Tour

Get up close and personal with amsterdam.

2h 30min / €249,-

THE BEST RATED FREE WALKING TOUR IN AMSTERDAM

Out of more than 800 tours of Amsterdam, we are proud to be The Nr.1 best-rated walking tour in Amsterdam!

Here’s a short video of what your can expect:

Truly an outstanding tour

Believe the hype. This tour is as good as everybody says. You learn a ton and it’s really interesting and fun. An amazing combination. Highly recommend! It will make the rest of your time in Amsterdam so much more interesting and meaningful once you understand more about this fascinating country and city.

Stefanie from Boston - on Guru Walk March 2024

“It will hold your attention”

We had a great time, our guide was good fun and very knowledgeable. Great way to see the city especially on your first day. There’s context given to loads of things without flooding us with historical dates

Andrea - Tripadvisor July 2023

“Lots of fun with great story telling”

This is a great tour. Lots of local information. Great stories about Amsterdam and it’s history. A little bit of everything. Very entertaining.

Emily W - Tripadvisor June 2023

“Fantastic!”

The tour was absolutely fantastic!! It was fascinating, fun and so informative. I recommend it to anybody who wants to know more about Amsterdam, you won’t be disappointed.

Maureen - Airbnb Experinces May 2023

“This was an excellent tour that far exceeded our expectations”.

Our guide was simply fantastic!! We spent about 2 hrs walking around Amsterdam in the rain getting a vast amount of information about the city, its history and current day subjects. There was not a question our guide could not answer and his delivery of the general knowledge was superb. The best guided tour I have ever had in a city!

Gitte_W - Tripadvisor May 2023

“A unique tour experience”

A great tour sharing insights and interesting facts not found on other tours. The tour covered broad areas of the city but had really interesting insights for each.

MypoboySA - Tripadvisor May 2023

“Every visitor to Amsterdam should do this tour!”

If you have not done this tour, cancel your plans and make time for it! This was not just a tour of the city but a historically enriched peek into the principles underlying Dutch culture, all delivered by an extremely knowledgeable and passionate guide. I am looking forward to taking the tour again with my friends and family that come to visit!

Keagsten - Tripadvisor - September 2022

“Best walking tour”

A great experience and a very knowledgeable tour guide. What I liked about it the most us the fact they take you to hidden places and not so obvious touristic spots. So you do have a chance to see the real Amsterdam. I strongly recommend this tour.

Fadi_H - Tripadvisor November 2023

So why walk with us?

Compelling stories.

Fascinating historic events, inspiring stories, and funny personal anecdotes. Supported by pictures, maps and paintings that bring history back to life.

Passionate local guides

Our guides are the best thing that will happen to you in Amsterdam! They are very passionate, truly local, and happy to share their knowledge with you.

Personal attention

Maximum 15 people per group so you can hear your guide clearly, engage with them personally, and get an answer to all your questions – all for a truly high quality experience.

We offer you a tour for free and if you liked it you can tip your guide how much the tour was worth to you. This motivates us to give you the best possible experience – always!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:, when does the tour run.

We have tours every day of the year, EXCEPT ON:

27 April (kings day)

How long is the tour?

It depends a little on the guide and weather, but on average the tour is 2,5 hours long. Distance covered: 2,5 km / 1.5 mi.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends in front of the Royal Palace on Dam Square.

Are there free tours in other languages except English?

No, unfortunately all our daily tours are in English. It is possible to book a private tour in Dutch or German. Click  here   for more information on our private tours.

Do I need to make a reservation?

It’s not mandatory, but we strongly suggest making a reservation (especially on days like Friday and Saturday!) since the maximum number group of people allowed on a tour is limited to 15 people. Reserving is fast and easy. If you are not able to make a reservation that means the tour is fully booked. But even in that case, there is hope: there are always some people that don’t show up for the reservation, so if you come early (15 minutes before the start) we can put you on the stand-by list and you can take the spot of someone who does not show up for their reservation.

What should I tip?

This is totally up to you, according to your possibilities and how much you enjoyed the tour.

A tour of this scope would normally cost €25-30 but in this case you decide whether the tour met your expectations and you tip accordingly. People that really enjoyed the experience usually tip their guide around €15-€20.

How do I find the guide?

Your tour guide will be at the meeting point (in front of the Stock Exchange at  Beursplein 5 ) 15 minutes before the start of the tour wearing a yellow key-cord with their name holding a big yellow umbrella.

Is the tour cancelled in case of rain?

Is the tour suitable for children.

In our opinion, yes. The tour deals with the subject of prostitution, but all the content (historical and present-day) on our tour is family-friendly. This being a walking of Amsterdam, of course, we also, but definitely not only discuss prostitution and drug policies, on the contrary. Our goal is to show you Amsterdam is so much more than that. However, every parent (and child) is different, so at the end of the day, it’s up to you. Moreover, the city of Amsterdam has banned guided tours from the Red Light District, so we will not be entering the area and seeing sex-workers.

Can I join the free tour with a larger group of 6 or more people?

No, unfortunately not. The maximum number of people allowed on a free (tips only) tour is 5 people. Bigger groups are required to book a private tour. We reserve the right to turn away multiple reservations resulting in groups bigger than 5 people. This includes different members of the same group attempting to join the tour by making several individual bookings.

Meet our guides

FreeDam Tours

FreeDam Tours is a collective of experienced guides with fresh new ideas who are (almost literally) in love with what we do. Founded in 2016 with the mission not to be the biggest, but the best walking tour company in Amsterdam.  We created the ideal formula for the best free walking tour in Amsterdam: one containing the perfect mix of historical depth to make you knowledgeable, compelling facts to make you think again, and personal anecdotes that will make you smile. A tour that speaks to the free spirit of Amsterdam – FreeDam Tours.

freedamtours

Beware of the ice monster! ...

Marine swimming. There are so many cool urban beaches in Amsterdam this year! I’m on a mission to visit all 15 this summer. Like this one at on a former marine base in front of the maritime museum. The setting is stunning and the vibe is very laid-back Amsterdam. Join our tour for this and more local secrets ...and don’t forget to pack your swimwear next time you visit Amsterdam! ☀️🏄🏻‍♂️🚣‍♀️ 👙🏖🚤⛵️☀️ #freewalkingtoursamsterdam #freedamtours #summer2020 #amsterdamtourism #amsterdamcityguide #amsterdam #amstaffsworld #amsterdamcanals #amsterdamcity #amsterdamtrip #amsterdam ...

Nice contrast of sun & clouds behind the palace this morning. But it looks like the sun is winning and it will (finally) get very warm again the coming days. Perfect weather for a walking tour! #freewalkingtouramsterdam #freedamtours #freedamtoursamsterdam #amstafflove #amsterdamworld #amsterdamview #amsterdamlove #amsterdamlife #amsterdamcity #amsterdamtrip #amsterdamtours #amsterdamtouristguide ...

Sebastian making a very important point on his tour 😉 ...

Riding the red bike in the red light district ...

The party is over ...

Autumn in Amsterdam ...

Autumn Amsterdam Orange ...

Free Walking Tour Amsterdam

General information.

Starting time

11:00 am / 6:00 pm

Tip only basis

Free walking tour Amsterdam shows you the capital and largest city of the Netherlands, located in the western part of the country. Known for its network of canals, beautiful architecture, and rich cultural heritage, Amsterdam is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The city is famous for its museums, such as the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, as well as its vibrant nightlife and coffee shops. The iconic central square, Dam Square, is surrounded by shops, restaurants, and historical buildings. Amsterdam is also home to several parks, including the Vondelpark, which is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

Meet your guide at the Dam Square.

Tip only basis. You must tip your guide at the end of the tour. It is recommended to tip from 10 to 20 euros per person.

Free walking tour Amsterdam starts at the Dam Square, the heart of the city, where you can admire the stunning Royal Palace and National Monument. From there, we’ll head towards the Red Light District, a unique and historic neighborhood that has been a hub of Amsterdam’s nightlife for centuries. Our next stop is the beautiful Oude Kerk (Old Church), which is the oldest building in the city and one of the most stunning examples of Gothic architecture in the Netherlands.

Read more...

Afterwards, we’ll stroll along the picturesque canals, passing by charming house boats, iconic bridges, and lively markets. We’ll also visit the Jordaan neighborhood, a charming residential area known for its narrow streets, lovely parks, and cultural heritage. Our final stop is the Anne Frank House, a museum dedicated to the Jewish girl who wrote a diary about her experiences during the Holocaust. Here, you’ll learn about the inspiring story of Anne Frank and her family, and get a glimpse into what life was like for the Jewish people during World War II.

Throughout the tour, your guide will provide insight into the city’s history, culture, and daily life, making this a unique and educational experience for visitors of all ages.

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum of participants.

The maximum of participants is 15 people.

Can I book a private walking tour?

Yes, you can book a private walking tour by contacting us straight via email.

Can I bring my children?

Yes, in Free Tour Amsterdam everyone is welcome.

What should I bring?

Check out the weather on the day of the tour to make sure you bring an umbrella in case it’s raining. Bring comfortable shoes, cash and a big smile.

Free Walking Tour Amsterdam

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Amsterdam Red Light District Walking Tours

This free, self-guided walking tour will introduce you to the historic sites and the modern attractions of De Wallen, Amsterdam’s oldest neighborhood.

• Additional Recommendations
• Each Stop on the Tour
• Other Stops in the Area
• Questions Answered

It's here that you'll find the famous Red Light District. But there's so much more to the area than just that, and you'll find many of these sites on our audio walking tour.

AUDIO TOUR We offer an audio tour of the Red Light District, one researched, written, and recorded by one of our tour guides.

The route is a little less than 2 kilometers or just over a mile. If you just walk and listen, you’d be done within an hour. But of course, feel free to stop and spend time along the way. The tour can be done as your own pace.

The tour begins in Dam Square, near the Royal Palace where lots of public transit options visit. It’s less than a ten-minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station, and the Rokin stop on the North-South Line of the metro is even closer.

Here’s a sample of the tour .

• Purchase an audio tour  – $2.99
• Get a confirmation email with .mp3, .pdf, and embeddable Google Map
• Enjoy the tour(s).

ADDITIONAL TOUR-RELATED RECOMMENDATIONS

We can also recommend pay-what-you-will guided tours of Amsterdam .

A few of the museums and historic sites we pass along the way are included in tourist concession passes.

The most common all-inclusive pass, I Amsterdam, includes the Nieuwe Kerk, the café In De Waag, the Red Light Secrets Museum, the Oude Kerk, and Our Lord in the Attic Church, as well as many other attractions in other parts of the city.

Some of these passes offer free or reduced public transit, too. We have a blog post breaking down each Amsterdam Tourist Pass option to help you pick the best one for your plans.

And we can also help you with more ideas for things to do in Amsterdam, including boat and bike tours, live music, free activities, food, music, and museums:

EACH STOP ON THE TOUR

Below each stop on our audio tour is listed, along with information you might find of interest.

We hope you enjoy a visit to one of the oldest parts of the city and the many interesting sites along the way.

1. National Monument and Dam Square

You’re in the oldest and one of the most active parts of Amsterdam, and it’s in this central location that the people of the city chose to honor their war dead.

The National Monument is a cenotaph – an empty tomb – representing Dutch people killed during multiple wars, beginning with World War II, and it’s a gathering point on the annual Remembrance Day on May 4 th .

The space that surrounds the monument is Dam Square. It’s named for a dam in the Amstel River that was built at the site around 1270, giving the city its name.

The Amstel used to run through this square, but that part of the river was filled in, and the water today disperses between the neighborhood’s canals. Because of the river, trade in the area first gathered around this spot.

The largest building in the square, on its west side, is the Royal Palace , built as a city hall in 1655.

At that time, Amsterdam was the center of business, technology, and art in Europe.

This period, the Dutch Golden Age brought about many of the Netherlands’ most famous contributions to science and art.

Amsterdam in that era also became the home of the world’s first stock exchange and the largest company in the world.

You can explore most of the palace on weekends.

It’s open Friday from 12-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11 am - 5 pm. Tickets are 10 Euros, 9 for students, and free for those under 18. Audio guides are available for free.

To the right of the palace is the Nieuwe Kerk, or the New Church.

It’s Nieuwe because it was completed in 1408, compared with the Old Church or Oude Kerk, built in the early 1200s, which we’ll see later.

Today it’s mainly an art and concert space. Current events are listed on the Nieuwe Kerk website .

2. Condomerie

This street, Warmoesstraat, is De Wallen in a nutshell – a mix of historic buildings, tourist amenities, gay and leather bars, sex shops, and art space (W139, right next door).

And nothing says Red Light District like a boutique condom shop.

You’ll see a frankness and positivity about sex here – think cute smiling condom mascots – that’s par for the course in the neighborhood.

The shop opened in 1987 with a mission in mind. The AIDS crisis was underway, and access to and good information about condoms could save lives.

Employees here are trained and ready to have an unabashed conversation about customers’ specific needs in terms of fit, allergy, personal taste, and more – something you can’t expect from a typical pharmacy clerk.

3. Magic Mushrooms

This is one of De Wallen’s many smart shops, which carry smoking paraphernalia, health food items, and resources for growing cannabis (which residents of Holland can legally do, up to five plants per person).

The name of this particular shop is a little misleading.

Places like this can sell some naturally occurring mind-altering substances, like peyote, mescaline, salvia, ayahuasca, and magic fungi – but not magic mushrooms.

As of 2008, they’re categorized as hard drugs, alongside things like cocaine and LSD. 

But the specific wording of the law left out what is commonly called truffles – underground fungi with the same active ingredient and similar effects to their mushroom counterparts.

The philosophy of Dutch drug law is a harm reduction approach, categorizing certain substances as “soft drugs” and regulating them much like what you’d see for alcohol in many countries.

The idea is that this separates the markets for soft drugs and hard drugs, making it less likely that people will find their way from the less dangerous to the more dangerous stuff.

4. Dollebegihnensteeg

This alley is one of the areas where window prostitution is practiced.

Again, if you’re here during work hours, please bear in mind that taking pictures of the people working in the windows will get you dirty looks at the very least.

Window prostitution is one form of sex work that can legally take in Holland.

A sex worker who operates out of one of the windows rents the window for a shift, for something in the area of 100 to 150 Euros.

In the course of a day, she may make much more than that or barely break even, depending on the season.

If a prospective client approaches the door, she can open it to discuss prices and services. A closed shade means the room is in use.

A red light over the window indicates a cisgender woman; blue lights indicate transgender women.

Male sex workers tend to operate online, outside the legal framework, and as of 2024, there’s one all-male brothel in the city.

Legal or at least unpunished sex work has a much longer history in De Wallen than legal drugs do. In some periods it’s been regulated, while in others it’s been officially banned but tolerated in certain forms.

As of 2000, the law recognizes sex workers as a legitimate part of the workforce.

The current system, as with drugs, is mainly about harm reduction.

Legalization and regulation, the notion goes, help to separate consensual sex work by people who have chosen it as a career from the kind of international human trafficking that exists outside the law in cities around the world.

The same law that legalized sex work in 2000 also increased penalties for coercing someone into it.

5. The Bullgog

This is a coffee shop in the Dutch sense of the term, meaning a place that sells small amounts of cannabis. That’s separate from a coffee house or a café, where you can actually buy coffee.

This one is the oldest coffee shop in the country, and its founder, Henk de Vries, is responsible for the potentially confusing choice of names. He chose the name “coffee shop” for the ambiance it suggested – a cosmopolitan place to meet, hang out, and talk.

He started by selling matchboxes of cannabis at a music festival in the 1970s before it was decriminalized. He noticed that with enough popular support and the Dutch culture of soft enforcement, police could be persuaded to leave him alone.

A few years later, he opened this business and relied on the same gentleness to keep his doors open. While the business was running, Dutch law changed to list cannabis as a soft drug, to decriminalize possession of small amounts, and to allow establishments like his to sell it under highly regulated conditions.

As of 2024, “small amounts” means under five grams, so that’s the maximum purchase and the most it’s legal to carry. It’s meant to be consumed on the property and they aren’t allowed to sell alcohol or tobacco or other drugs.

And customers must be 18 or older. It’s also illegal to advertise cannabis – so if you visit one of these establishments, you have to ask for the menu.

As you walk toward the next destination, you’ll pass by a few of the Bulldog’s sister locations offering drinks, food, and souvenirs.

6. Cannabis College

At Cannabis College , you can find the same easygoing, informative attitude we saw earlier at the Condomerie. It’s a nonprofit information center, free to enter, and operating since 1997.

They have a small public library of cannabis-related material; you can take a quiz and receive a cannabis diploma; they offer workshops to train coffee shop staff and non-professional enthusiasts; and they maintain an indoor garden, where growers can talk about nutrients, pest prevention, and anything a different kind of gardener might think about for roses or petunias.

Current law allows possession of five plants, so the garden here consists of five very large plants. Their website lists any events or talks they may be holding.

The college is open from 11 am-7 pm daily.

7. Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum

The Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum consists of two buildings, located a short walk apart from each other, each with the museum’s name on the front.

The one further from Cannabis College is the main part of the museum and its home since 1987. That part covers the history of cannabis as seen through art, culture, science, business, religion, law, and medicine.

You’ll see exhibits about popular misconceptions, smoking devices from many times and places, and again, live plants.

The other building, just a few doors down from Cannabis College, is the Hemp Gallery. Certain types of the plant produce some of the toughest natural fibers in the world, used in clothing, modern plastics, and the rigging of ships.

Ships powered the Dutch Golden Age, and hemp kept ships moving, so it’s safe to say that without the cannabis plant, Amsterdam wouldn’t be nearly the city it is today.

Tickets are 9 Euros. Audio guides are available for free and are an essential aid to understanding the museum. It’s open 10 am-8 pm daily. Learn more about the Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum.

8. Voc/Dutch East India Company

This is the former corporate headquarters of the Dutch East India Company. It’s a large building, especially for Amsterdam, and between 1602 and 1799, the company inside became larger than any that had ever existed before it.

In Dutch, the company is referred to as the VOC, the initials of its full Dutch name. You’d see those letters on nearly anything the company created. The company had its own corporate logo (one of the first in the world), along with its own flag and its own military.

It was also the first company to officially issue shares to the public. In many ways, it was a predecessor to the huge multinational corporations of today.

The company financed expeditions to various parts of Asia for trade goods, especially spices, but also silk, coffee, and porcelain. It also financed wars to seize land and build plantations, and built cities, installed governments, and tried and executed people who undermined its interests in the lands it controlled.

This made the Netherlands one of Europe’s major colonial powers. Dutch holdings at the peak of the Dutch Empire included parts of modern Canada and the United States, South America, the Caribbean, southern Africa, and south and southeast Asia.

You can find Dutch place names in New Zealand and Australia. And the Dutch were the only Europeans who could trade with or even visit Japan for over 200 years.

9. Kloveniersburgwal

A couple of notable buildings stand on either side of this canal. On one side, at number 29, is the Trippenhuis, the largest residence in Amsterdam, today the home of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences.

From the street, you can see its long, Classical stone façade with decorative cannons at the top and chimneys shaped like huge, ornamented mortars. The Trip brothers, who originally shared the house, were arms dealers.

Local popular legend has it that after this house was built in 1662, someone wished aloud that they could have a house as wide as just the front door of the Trippenhuis. And on the other side of the canal at number 26, you can see that very house, a white building slightly shorter than its neighbors and only two and a half meters wide.

The canal here is called the Kloveniersburgwal, a name meaning “city wall of the Kloveniers,” who were municipal guards. Many of Amsterdam’s canals used to be moats that bordered city walls, which gave the red-light district the name De Wallen or “the walls.”

As medieval Amsterdam slowly grew, new walls were built and new canals dug, while the old walls were torn down and the old canals came to be used for transport.

In the Dutch Golden Age in the 17 th century, the city saw massive growth, and most of the modern canals were built within a single century. Today about a quarter of the city’s surface is water.

Besides defense and transport, the canals have served other purposes: they help prevent floods, they’re home to more than two thousand houseboats, and they provide a place for canal boat tours . We have some recommendations here.

The Dutch word “waag” is related to the English word “weigh,” and this building was a weighing house. It’s the oldest secular building in Amsterdam, begun in 1488.

Originally, it was one of the gates allowing passage through the city walls. In the 17 th century, when the walls along the Kloveniersburgwal canal were torn down, the gate house was left behind to become the place where goods brought into the city were weighed for taxing. The filled-in portion of the canal around it became this square, called Niewmarkt.

Today Nieuwmarkt is mainly restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes, but on the weekend, the old street market atmosphere still comes back to life. Throughout the year there’s a Saturday food market from 9 am to 5 pm, and if you’re here between the same hours on Sunday between May and October, you’ll find an antiques and crafts market.

The Waag also became the home of several trade guilds in the 17th century. You can find signs over three of the entrances indicating which trade occupied the portion that the door led to.

The building has been restored to its 17 th -century design, and you can experience it with the help of In De Waag, the restaurant and café located inside. For the price of an upscale meal or just a coffee or a drink, you can get some historic atmosphere, including lighting mostly by candles in the evening.

11. Fo Guang Shan He Hua Temple

This is a Buddhist temple, the largest traditionally built one in Europe, and a hub of Amsterdam’s Chinatown.

While the Netherlands has a long history of trade in Asia, it was only in the early 20 th century that Chinese people began to live here, most of them arriving in connection with the shipping industry.

These new arrivals settled into a neighborhood that at the time mainly served sailors – you can still see some old seedy sailor bars further along this street.

The temple includes classic design elements, like the three-arched gate – a central arch for clergy and two outer arches for lay people – plus the Chinese zodiac figurines along the gate’s roof and a statue of the bodhisattva Guanyin inside.

On the less traditional side, if you look to the left and right of the main building, you’ll see twin structures, built as part of the temple complex, that combine traditional Chinese decoration with the basic shape of a Dutch townhouse.

Visitors are welcome during open hours. Those are Tuesday through Saturday, 12-5 pm, and Sunday, 10 am-5 pm. Half-hour guided tours are offered, with no reservation necessary, on Saturdays at 2, 3, and 4 pm. Events, including celebrations of Chinese holidays, are on their website .

12. Red Light Tax

Red Light Tax is what it sounds like – a tax office for sex workers.

Even in a place like Amsterdam where sex work is legal, life in the industry is financially complicated. Each sex worker is their own small business, they have complex regulations to follow, and moral attitudes can make it hard for them to get bank accounts and other financial services.

On top of that, most sex workers are not native Dutch, so they carry on business in a language that isn’t their first. The translation is one of the popular services Red Light Tax offers.

OTHER STOPS IN THE AREA

There are plenty of other interesting things to see in the area. Below are a few you might find of interest.

Don't forget to check and see which ones might be included in one of the tourist passes .

13. Erotic Museum

Take a moment to appreciate the garish neon sign that says “ Erotic Museum ” on this building. Then look further up and a little right of center and you’ll see a small plaque with a caption reading “God is mijn Burgh” – God is my castle. This combination of historic piety and present notoriety is classic De Wallen.

As for the museum behind those signs, it doesn’t always live up to visitors’ expectations of “erotic,” or “museum” for that matter.

It’s a collection of curiosities – ancient erotic art, vintage sex toys from various parts of the world, modern art in the vein of a topless Mona Lisa, a collection of drawings by John Lennon, and a room decorated like Alice in Wonderland where you can watch a sexualized Snow White cartoon.

It’s open Sunday to Thursday 11 am to 1 pm, and Friday and Saturday 11 am to 2 pm. Admission is 7 Euros.

14. Red Light Secrets - Museum of Prostitution

Red Light Secrets is a museum about sex work. The building is a former brothel, including the bedrooms, S&M spaces, the office, the red-lit windows, and the lost and found, where you can see items that customers left behind – like dentures.

Visitors to the museum are guided by twelve audio stories, first-person accounts from sex workers about their time on the job.

This is the only place in the neighborhood that welcomes photos of the red-light windows, and visitors are offered the chance to pose in them.

Another popular feature is a confessional where visitors can write down fantasies or embarrassing secrets – with the possibility that they’ll be posted on the museum’s Instagram page (anonymously, of course).

Tickets are 12.50 Euros. It’s open Sunday through Thursday, 11 am-6 pm, and Friday and Saturday 12-8:15 pm. The last admission is fifteen minutes before closing. The minimum age of admission is 16. Purchase tickets or learn more .

This small metal structure near the canal is one of Amsterdam’s public toilets. They were installed in the mid-19 th century to accommodate a small number of male public workers, and the system hasn’t been updated much to reflect the very large number of visitors of multiple sexes exploring the streets today.

This kind is known as a pee curl. The kindest thing that can be said about them is that they save lives. Men out on the town can be tempted to do to what Amsterdammers call “wild peeing” – that is, using the canals for one of their oldest purposes.

Besides being illegal, wild peeing is dangerous. A few people drown in the canals every year, and inevitably, a portion of that number is men with their pants unzipped. A pee curl may not be inviting, but it’s better than death.

For women, though, neither the canals nor the pee curls have much to offer. A small number of modern public toilets, a few pee curls with some special hardware to accommodate women standing up, and the toilets in businesses – which you generally have to pay to access – is the extent of what’s available.

For some added entertainment, the online reviews of this particular pee curl are worth a read.

16. Bronze Breastplate Sculpture

This one is easy to miss – it’s a small bronze sculpture, flat on the ground, among the cobblestones near the wall of the church, of a hand on a breast. Even here, in the halo around Amsterdam’s oldest church, the Red Light District is still the Red Light District.

This may seem like the stuff of pranks, but the fact that it’s been here undisturbed since 1993 is a hint that the city knows and permits its presence. In fact, it’s part of a series of bronze sculptures by an anonymous artist, mostly located in Amsterdam.

Another one is a large sculpture of a violinist coming up through the floor of the local opera house – something that would have been hard to place without permission and collaboration.

The official line is that the artist is a medical professional who prefers anonymity, but plenty of theories are out there as to the identity of the real creator, including former Queen Beatrix, who is a sculptor.

17. The Old Church

The Oude Kerk or Old Church is the oldest building in Amsterdam, begun in the early 13 th century. Since that time, it’s been given many renovations and expansions in various styles.

It’s much simpler inside than outside. Apart from some beautiful stained glass, the graves that mark the 10,000 burials in the church floor, and some impressive musical artifacts – 39 bells and four organs – you wouldn’t see the richness that’s typical in churches of this age.

That’s because of the Dutch Reformation, which turned this from a Catholic church to a Dutch Reformed church in 1578. Reformers raided churches and destroyed objects they considered unholy, including saint icons and elaborate altars – anything that might distract from the language of the sermon.

In some places, pipe organs were among the things destroyed. But this church became famous for organ music and for the career of a particular organist and composer, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck.

Organs in Dutch churches were often paid for by cities, sometimes with taxes that were still strong in the memory of the very citizens stripping the icons from the church.

And after the Reformation, cities went on to maintain organs and organists at their own expense, even when clergy weren’t always fond of the fact.

Today, the church is an art space, used for installations and music events. It’s open Monday through Saturday, 10 am-6 pm. On Sundays, the church holds services in the morning and is open to the public from 1-5:30 pm.

Tickets are 12 Euros for adults with price cuts available. Access to an audio tour is included with the cost of entrance. Their website can tell you what’s on right now.

18. Prostitution Information Center

This is one of many buildings around the church and not the most obvious one – you’ll know it by the letters PIC in the window.

The Prostitution Information Center is a bit like the Red Light Secrets Museum we saw earlier – a place that offers a calm, humanizing, insider perspective on the real lives of sex workers. Staff at the center are usually current or former sex workers themselves.

It’s founded in 1994 by former sex worker Mariska Majoor. She’s also responsible for the installation of Belle, the statue you may have seen on the side of the church, not far from the bronze cobblestone, of a woman standing in a doorway, with a caption reading, “Respect sex workers all over the world.”

Inside, the PIC has a café atmosphere – there are drinks on offer and sometimes pie – with some space to sit down and peruse their reading material.

There’s also a model room, to offer a sense of the spaces that Amsterdam’s sex workers spend their day in. And there’s a shop with books and other educational materials for sale, along with t-shirts, condoms, magnets, and miniatures of Belle.

They’re open Wednesday through Saturday, 2:30-5:30 pm. At 5:30 on those same days, they offer a tour of the neighborhood focused on the subject of sex work. It’s 25 Euros per person, with no reservation required. Special presentations are also held here intermittently; you’ll find those and more information on their website .

19. Ons' Lieve Heer Op Solder (Our Lord in the Attic Museum)

Our Lord in the Attic is a museum, a home, and a church all in one building located on Oudezijds Voorburgwal.

The museum office is the modern building on the right; the home and church are in the building on the left. The home was built in 1630, and the church was added in 1663, the year Catholic services were banned.

Even after the ban, Catholics didn’t all convert or disappear, and it’s still a major religion in the Netherlands today. Rather than comply, Catholics went underground, or rather overground – in this case, into an attic.

The word “attic” might give you humble expectations for what waits upstairs. But the church occupies not just the attic, but also the top two floors. It’s large enough to fit an organ, a living space for the priest, and 150 people.

While the entrance was behind a secret door, it would have been impossible to hide this many people coming and going from the house every Sunday, not to mention the conspicuously missing top two floors. As with soft drugs and sex work in their own eras, Catholicism became a thing that was officially banned by the state, but in a way that went unenforced as long as it was kept inconspicuous.

The house is still furnished as it would have been in the 17 th century when it was the home of a rich merchant. The exhibits introduce a visitor to the daily life of the era as well as the history of religious freedom in the Netherlands.

It’s open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 1 to 6 pm. The museum also includes a shop and café. Admission is 8 Euros for adults or 4 Euros for 18 and under.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED ABOUT THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT

Tourists often have questions about the Red Light District and we've answered some of the most popular ones below.

What is the Most Famous Street in the Red Light District?

Something few tourists know is that there are 3 red light districts in Amsterdam.

The most famous one, and the one most tourists call the Red Light District, is known as De Wallen. This is where hundreds of windowed brothels line the streets. You'll find this on Oudezijds Voorburgwal, Oudezijds Achterburgwal, and some connect alleys.

The second largest, which has about 65 windows, is Singelgebied, near the corner of Spuistraat and the Singel Canal. This is in a quiet tree-lined neighborhood and is much less lively than De Wallen.

The smallest is Ruysdaelkade. This one, which has about 40 windows, tends to be frequented by locals. You won't find many tourists there.

Are There Rules in the Red Light District?

It’s easy to think that anything goes in the Red Light District (De Wallen). But there are some rules worth knowing.

As with many tourist neighborhoods, watch out for pickpockets. They are likely the biggest threat to tourists.

Marijuana and alcohol are both easy to find here, but it isn’t legal to consume them outside or to walk around under the heavy influence of either one.

In fact, in March of 2023, new rules were introduced meant to crack down on the "nuisance behavior" caused by drunken tourists. There is currently a curfew that closes the doors of sex businesses at 3 am rather than 6 am, something sex workers are currently protesting.

There is also a proposal that would restrict alcohol sales and smoking on the street.

Sex work is legal, but taking pictures of sex workers standing in brothel windows is strongly frowned upon. You don't want to take out your camera and get in trouble.

It's also considered rude to tap on the widows, to stand and stare at the workers, or to shout out insults.

And while there’s a lot to look at, do check the ground once in a while to make sure you aren’t walking in a bike lane.

Especially at night, there will be loads of bouncers calling out to you to come inside and enjoy the 18+ entertainment and attractions (things such as peep shows, live sex shows, and strip shows). Some shows are rather dodgy though, so feel free to ignore the calls and keep walking.

You may also find street dealers offering to sell you drugs. The city has launched a campaign against dealers, and many arrests have been made in recent years. There's too much chance of getting bad drugs, robbery, and getting scammed by dealers to risk getting involved in a transaction

Do You Need Cash in the Red Light District?

For those visiting sex workers, yes, cash is needed. They do not tend to accept credit cards.

Other than that though, there's no cost to walk through the streets of the Red Light District.

What is the Best Time to Visit the Red Light District

The answer to this question has many answers.

A walking tour past many of the sites listed in our audio tour can take place any time of day. Note that the later it gets, the more likely you'll run into rowdy groups of bachelor parties and people who have been imbibing. However, an afternoon or early evening tour works just fine.

For those wanting to partake in other activities in the area, many sex workers start their job at midnight. There's a current regulation that closes them at 3 am, but historically they have been open until 6 am.

Sex shops tend to open around 10 am and noon and close between 8 pm and 9 pm.

Sex shows have varying hours. The Moulin Rouge is either open between 2 pm and 2 am, or 8 pm and 2 am. Cassa Rosso opens around 7 pm and closes between 2 am and 3 am. You'll want to check online for the most recent schedules.

Is the Red Light District Safe

Yes. Many people live and work there so there are always loads of people around. There are often many police officers as well.

As mentioned above, pickpockets are likely the biggest threat to tourists.

Can Anyone Go to the Red Light District

Yes. These are normal streets, along canals, surrounded by homes and businesses.

The streets are full of tourists. Some are interested in the tourist attractions in the neighborhood. Others in hoping to see the famous red windows. Others are there to hire sex workers and go to shows.

Can You Avoid the Red Light District

Absolutely. However, if seeing sex workers is what bothers you, you might find it better to walk through the area during the day. As mentioned above, there are many sites worth visiting that have nothing to do with the sex industry.

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Free Amsterdam Original Walking Tour

Explore Amsterdam through a Different Lens

The city of Amsterdam is a beautiful place to visit if you’re looking for a vibrant and urban location. The city is popular and receives an influx of visitors all year round. The city is a beautiful mix of urban and traditional, visible all through its streets.

From the historic buildings to the museums and art, the list of places to visit on this Free Amsterdam walking tour is endless. If you’re looking for a city that’s super welcoming to its visitors, with a calm ambiance then you would love Amsterdam.

This Free Amsterdam Walking Tour will expose you to the rich history of this city and the beautiful architecture that dots its landscape. This Free Amsterdam original walking tour takes you through all the highlights of the city as our tour guides thrill you with the history of it all.

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Free Walking Tour Amsterdam

Explore amsterdam through the eyes of a local, free  amsterdam walking tour.

Free Walking Tours Amsterdam tells you the best stories that Amsterdam has to offer. Discover why Amsterdam is known as the most liberal city in the world. How did this small fishing village become so important in the 17th century? As Dutch guides, we will tell you all about Dutch culture and its typical food.

Since Amsterdam has so much to offer, we offer different tours. Firstly, we have the Classic Tour which covers 17th-century history and is the most general and popular tour that we have. We have the Food Tour , during which we discuss and taste tasty and weird Dutch staples and snacks. The Alternative Tour shows you a different side of Amsterdam's culture, with more focus on Amsterdam's subculture, street art, and drug policy.

The Dark Side Tour of Amsterdam is an evening tour that explores the haunted history of medieval Amsterdam about the city's urban legends and grim past.  The Anne Frank Tour is about the life of Anne Frank in Amsterdam before the Second World War and during the war when in hiding. What did see hear and fear for all those years? The newest tour we have is the Instadam tour where we go on a picture safari in Amsterdam. An interactive tour full of tips and tricks.

With its cute narrow streets and alluring alleys, Amsterdam is great for a walking tour. We show you around where bus tours or boat tours can’t reach. Dutch guides show you all the interesting sites of Amsterdam and give you a great local perspective of the city.

It is like taking a walk with a local friend, book now and explore Amsterdam as an Amsterdammer!

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Discover Amsterdam with a local guide in a memorable walking tour

Amsterdam, the vibrant capital of the Netherlands, is a must-visit destination in Europe. With its iconic canals, rich history, and free spirit, it offers a unique blend of culture and adventure. Join us on our guided walking tours and uncover the city’s best-kept secrets with a passionate local guide who will take you beyond the usual tourist spots.

Our Free Tour of Amsterdam starts in the iconic Dam Square and takes you through the city’s most notable sights. You’ll have the chance to take photos of the canals, bridges, and typical Amsterdam houses, explore the Jewish Quarter, find hidden churches with fascinating stories, learn about the Dutch biking culture that defines local life, and discover the hidden Begijnhof of Amsterdam, one of the city’s most peaceful and beautiful spots.

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Amsterdam is a wonderful city to visit. From canals to museums, there is something for everyone. There are many museums for those interested in art and culture, such as the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. For those interested in history, there is the Anne Frank House and the Amsterdam Historical Museum. And for those looking for a day out with the family, don't forget the zoo and aquarium! And for those looking for something more impressive, surprising and exciting, the Red Light District of the Dutch city.  To make sure you don't miss a single detail of this neighbourhood, there's nothing better than the professional and specialised guidance of the Amsterdam Red Light District Free Tours that we offer here at GuruWalk. The Dutch view on prostitution is that it should be legalised and regulated to the extent that there should be no exploitation of women or children. The main objective is to protect women and children from exploitation by pimps, clients and other parties. This would also reduce the number of people forced into prostitution.  An example of this social opinion about prostitution is the Red Light District in Amsterdam, a district where you can walk through the main streets and look in the windows of brothels where prostitutes are the main attraction, visit sex shops or attend shows in BDSM venues, for example.  Another big attraction in this district or in the nearby Wallen district are the coffee shops.  Coffee shops with a "special" offer in which the consumption of soft drugs such as Cannabis is allowed.  The Dutch population is considerably more positive about soft drugs than other Europeans. A 2018 survey found that the Netherlands had the highest approval rate for soft drugs among 15 European countries. It was followed by the Czech Republic and Poland, which scored 43% and 42% respectively. And this reality is palpable in the aforementioned Coffee Shops, where you can accompany your coffee with a cannabis brownie. 

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Complete Amsterdam Walking Tour

Overview of the tour in Amsterdam

The Complete Amsterdam walking tour is led by a guide qualified to graduate level and with more than 2 years of guiding experience in Amsterdam. We explain the story of a city that has been called the birthplace of liberalism, touching on the Dutch Golden Age, The Dutch East India Company, prostitution, marijuana, protest movements, riots, the history of the Amsterdam Jewish Community and a host of other subjects to explain how Amsterdam has become famed as one of the most tolerant cities in the world. We have looked into using robot guides, but they lack his good looks and charm. Join the Complete Amsterdam Walking Tour for an awesome introduction to the Dutch capital!

This activity includes:

• Red Light District
• Nieuwemarkt
• Jewish Quarter
• Classic Dutch Town House
• Famous Dancing Houses
• At least one free Dutch Snack!

Meeting point

Beursplein Water Fountain

You can find the tour guide, holding a sign saying "InContext Tours", next to the water fountain on Beursplein. He will be male, with brown hair, and pretty handsome according to his grandmother. This is opposite the Amsterdam Exchange, south of the Beurs Van Berlage and north of the bike parking facilities, in the middle of the large square. Please do not try to avoid this by making multiple bookings - if it is apparent that you are a single group with multiple bookings, you will not be allowed to take the tour and will be refused service on the day.

Things to note

Please note that we have a cancellation policy, which you can find detailed below. InContext Tours would like to apologize for this policy - sadly it has become necessary owing to very large numbers of no-shows to our tours. Weather in Amsterdam is changeable - please check the weather forecast and dress appropriately! An umbrella never hurts. Please note that with our apologies, owing to our entry to the Red Light district and the more advanced subject matter of the tour, it is not suitable for children. Guests to the city with children under the age of 18 are strongly advised not to take the tour.

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts. Late cancellation or your non-arrival is not refundable.

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