In a nutshell
- There are many different city tours in Amsterdam: canal cruises, red light district tours, food tours, bike tours and much more.
- In this article, we show you 7 special city tours with locals in Amsterdam that are guaranteed to be worth it.
- Our personal favorites are the canal cruise in Amsterdam and the Anne Frank walking tour.
Canal Cruise Amsterdam
Suitable for? First-time visitors and to get an overview of Amsterdam
The best way to get to know the city is a canal cruise on the Open Boat – our top pick for a tour in Amsterdam
Now you might be thinking: “But that’s not a city tour.” And you’re right. But in our opinion, the canal cruise is simply the better city tour in Amsterdam.
You can sit back and relax in a small group, listen to the live commentary and ask all the questions you can think of. It’s worth it even if you’re only in Amsterdam for 1 day.
Book an open boat canal cruise in Amsterdam
We show you even more canal cruises in Amsterdam here:
Amsterdam Walking Tour
Suitable for? First-time visitors and anyone who wants to learn more about Amsterdam
A walking tour of Amsterdam is the most common way to get a first overview about the city. It helps you to understand Amsterdam better and learn something about the history of the city.
You will walk around the city in a small group and the guide will show you the most important places to visit in Amsterdam. He can give you some cool travel tips for Amsterdam and you can ask lots of questions.
The tour is perfect for a deeper insight into the streets of the city and to learn how Amsterdam came to be and still works today.
Book a walking tour in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Red Light District Tour
Suitable for? Fun-seekers, night owls and anyone who doesn’t want to explore the district alone. From the age of 14!
For many people, taking a look behind the scenes of Amsterdam’s red light district has its appeal.
The Amsterdam Red Light District tour takes you right through the infamous De Wallen.
From the so-called Condomerie to coffee shops and brothels, you will see the most important spots.
Entrance to the houses and stores is not included. However, the tour offers just the right balance of fun and information.
The whole tour is packed with Amsterdam facts that you wouldn’t get on other tours.
Book Amsterdam Red Light District Tour
Read more about the Amsterdam Red Light District here:
Anne Frank & Second World War Tour
Suitable for? History fans, anyone with a thirst for knowledge and as a great alternative to the Anne Frank House. Important! You won’t visit the Anne Frank House during this tour,
This city tour in Amsterdam is a personal tip from us: the Anne Frank & World War II walking tour.
It is a good way to engage with Amsterdam’s darker past that should not be forgotten and a great alternative if the tickets for the Anne Frank House are already sold out.
The tour takes you through the Jewish quarter of Amsterdam and gives you the opportunity to visit a synagogue and the Jewish Museum.
Along the way, you will learn all about Anne Frank and her diary, the Dutch resistance during the Second World War and hidden places in the city.
Book Anne Frank & World War II walking tour
Get to Know the Coffee Shops
Suitable for? Fun-loving tasters and anyone looking for a relaxed city tour. From the age of 18!
Are you looking for an unusual and special city tour of Amsterdam? Then we recommend the guided coffee shop tour in Amsterdam with a local.
You’ll get an insight into the world of cannabis, for which Amsterdam is famous, and learn all about legalization, drug policy and history.
Along the way, you’ll visit 1 to 3 coffeeshops and get some really cool Amsterdam insider tips – and not just about the city’s best ganja hotspots.
Book an Amsterdam coffee shop tour with a local
Find out more about coffee shops here:
Food Tour Amsterdam
Suitable for? Food lovers and anyone who wants to be guided through Amsterdam’s food culture
A food tour in Amsterdam combines the city’s best and most famous food with the most important sights.
You have the opportunity to try eight dishes, from Dutch cheese and herring to fresh fries.
Meanwhile, you will walk through the flower market and the Jordaan and see the Royal Palace and the Begijnof, among other things.
Almost incidentally, the local guide will tell you all about his beloved city in amusing anecdotes.
In our opinion, there’s no more authentic way to get to know Amsterdam.
City Bike Tour Amsterdam
Suitable for? Sports enthusiasts and anyone who wants to cycle in Amsterdam
Want to ride a bike in Amsterdam like most locals do? You can do so safely with a city bike tour through Amsterdam.
While we wouldn’t recommend a solo bike tour because of the chaotic traffic, a guided bike tour is a great way to cycle through Amsterdam like the locals.
From the historic city center to the museum district to Amsterdam’s harbor, you’ll get to see it all.
And that’s what makes the bike tour so special: you get to see more spots than on a walking tour in Amsterdam.
Book a city bike tour through Amsterdam
You can find even more cool activities in Amsterdam here:
Free guided city tours in Amsterdam
Amsterdam offers so-called Free Walking Tours. These city tours are based on a pay-what-you-want principle. You pay the guide as much or as little as the tour is worth to you. Usually 5 to 10 euros.
You can book the free city tours online. We recommend these three:
Best of Amsterdam Centre Free Tour: 1,5-hour tour through the center of Amsterdam with a local guide
Red-Light Haunted History: 1-hour Murder & Mystery tour through the infamous red-light district of Amsterdam
Golden Age Canals Walking Tour: 1,5-hour journey through time along Amsterdam’s canals – from ancient times to the 17th century.
How to Find the Best City Tour in Amsterdam for You
To help you finding the right Amsterdam city tour for you, we have a few helpful tips to make your decision easier:
#1 What are you interested in?
Think in advance about what you are really interested in, how extensive the tour should be and which spots sound exciting to you and are accessible.
#2 Pay attention to the group size
Groups that are too large often mean that the tour is less clear. Often you can also ask fewer or no questions. That’s a real shame.
A guided tour in small groups offers many more advantages. You end the tour super informed and usually with great insider tips from the guides.
#3 Book a city tour in Amsterdam with a local guide
Local guides who live or even grew up in Amsterdam can answer all your questions on the tour authentically and know the coolest spots.
FAQ about City Tours in Amsterdam
How much does a city tour in Amsterdam cost?
City tours in Amsterdam cost on average around 30 to 35 euros per person. The classic canal tours in Amsterdam are cheaper at around 20 to 25 euros per person.
How long does a city tour of Amsterdam last?
How long a city tour of Amsterdam lasts depends on the provider and the tour you choose.
In most cases, you can expect it to last between 1.5 and 2 hours.
When is a city tour of Amsterdam worthwhile?
A city tour through Amsterdam is always worthwhile! Especially if you want to learn more about the city’s history or specific districts.
A tour guide can show you all the important spots and give you information that you would otherwise have to search for on the Internet.
Which city tour in Amsterdam with children?
If you are visiting Amsterdam with children, we recommend the Open Boat canal tour in Amsterdam or the walking city tour in Amsterdam from our list.
These two tours are suitable for children, cover topics that are exciting and understandable for them and offer many opportunities to look and be amazed.
But be sure to read our article Amsterdam with kids. We also mentioned the Kids Cruise from Blue Boat (tickets) there, but unfortunately we haven’t tested it ourselves.
Are there free city tours in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam offers so-called free walking tours. The city tours are based on a pay-what-you-want principle. You pay the guide as much or as little as the tour is worth to you. This is usually between 5 and 15 euros.
On GuruWalk you can search for suitable free walking tours in Amsterdam.
These were our top 7 Amsterdam city tours
Do you also know a cool city tour through Amsterdam? Leave us a comment. We look forward to hearing from you!