Absolutely Amsterdam - the Essential Introductory Walking Tour
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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!
Additional Info
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
What To Expect
Beurs van Berlage
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
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.
Options
Tip-Based Tour
What‘s 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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
3,983 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Sebastian was a great...
Tracey M,Jul 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Sebastian was a great tour guide. He knew all of the important facts and history of the neighborhoods. He shared personal experiences and also fun facts.
5 Stars for Jonas! Fun, Honest, and Curmudgeon-Approved
walterb158,Jul 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely Incredible Tour – A Must-Do in Amsterdam! My friend and I took the Dam Tours walking tour with Jonas, and it was hands-down the highlight of our trip. To give you some context, my friend is notoriously crabby, a total curmudgeon, and honestly doesn't like anything that doesn't come out of a bottle—and even he absolutely loved it! Jonas is a transplanted, adopted Amsterdamer originally from Switzerland, and he is the ultimate tour guide. He knows every single layer of this city's history and delivers it in a cool, fun, and highly relatable way. He never talks down to the group or sounds condescending. Instead, he seamlessly connects the past with modern society, making everything contextually relevant and fascinating. We covered so much ground, including the main square, the canals, the stock exchange, the old harbor, and the oldest tavern. Jonas walked us through the very first settlements, the mind-blowing engineering of reclaiming land, planting stilts to build the city, and the real reasons why the houses lean. He also dive deep into the religious wars that shaped Amsterdam. What I appreciated most was his honesty. He didn't just give us a pretty, whitewashed version of history. He gave us an unvarnished look at the Dutch East Indies Company, detailing how they made the city incredibly rich, but also facing their dark role in slavery head-on. He shared the heartbreaking history of the rebuilt Jewish district with total forthrightness about the horrors that happened there. We also got the real story behind the famous coffee shops—learning about the city's severe drug struggles in the 1970s and how the coffee house system was actually a successful, pragmatic compromise. From the Red Light District to the historic harbor, Jonas kept us captivated, laughing, and learning the entire time. If you want a fun, honest, and deeply interesting look at Amsterdam, book this tour and pray you get Jonas
A Greaf Tour
J7776YIroberte,Jul 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Daan was an excellent guide. I learned a lot and he offered stories unique to his experiences.
We had Samuel for our...
Audrey S,Jul 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had Samuel for our tour guide. He was so easy going and informative, also good with the occasional joke. Would highly recommend him
Very good tour!
U8245GBtomb,Jul 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dani is an amazing guide! Knowledgeable, funny, engaging, friendly and shows his love of his country!! He was great at keeping the group safe as we walked. You will be lucky if he is your guide!
Amsterdam walk
William M,Jul 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Sergio, our guide, was awesome, knew a lot about the city, kept us in the shade as temperature was close to 90. We learned a lot and saw parts of Amsterdam we likely wouldn’t on our own.
Do it!!
Jen E,Jul 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A fantastic experience!! Our guide Jaap was exceptional, super entertaining and funny. His expertise in history was impressive! We learned so much. I highly recommend doing this walking tour to get a more intimate understanding of the city, and hear of all the interesting things that you wont find in travel books.
Loved all the canals
ChrisTaylerNT,Jun 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amsterdam was such a memorable city to visit. It has a beautiful mix of canals, old buildings, bikes, museums, markets, history, and quirky little streets that make it feel very different from anywhere else. I loved wandering around, taking photos, looking in shops, and just soaking up the atmosphere. There is so much to see and do — from the Anne Frank House and Body Worlds to the Red Light District, canal areas, cafés, and day trips nearby. It can be busy, crowded, and touristy in parts, but that is also part of its energy. Amsterdam felt interesting, colourful, emotional, fun, and a little bit chaotic — in the best possible way. It is definitely a city I will remember.
Excellent walking tour with an even better tour guide
I3185NQmartina,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took the walking tour with Daan and it was superb! Daan has gift for storytelling, he kept us engaged and curious. What a great way to get to Know Amsterdam!
Fantastic tour!
michaelsQ9436SC,Jun 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Janos was engaging, energetic, and a great storyteller. He knew how to share with the tour group what they were most interested in hearing, connected with everyone throughout the tour, and made the time fly by in an instant. He is a fantastic tour guide and a strong testament to the strength of this touring group.
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Operated by FreeDam Tours