The 15 Best History Walking Tours in Amsterdam

1.Amsterdam: Life of Anne Frank and World War II Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 10,467 reviews · from $37Our pick

Walk Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter with guides such as Jonas, Martina, Yoshi, and Manuel, tracing Anne Frank’s family story, Dutch Resistance sites, and WWII memory. You’ll see the Portuguese Synagogue, Jewish Historical Museum, Auschwitz Monument, and Anne Frank House façade in two focused hours.

“Manuel was the most knowledgeable guide. He was enthusiastic in his delivery and wish to impart as much informationabout the history of Anne Frank's family and the Amsterdam Jewish community during WW11. He made it relevant and interactive for the teenagers and adults alike. I would thoroughly recommend him to all who have the privilege to hear him.”

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2.Amsterdam: Haunted History and Ghost Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 488 reviews · 2 hours · from $30

Join an English-speaking guide such as Sunil, Duncan, or Jan for a two-hour walk from Dam Square through Amsterdam’s darker past. Hear tales of the Spinhuis, a condemned nun, Blood Street, and the Waag, with plenty of city history alongside the ghost stories.

“Duncan was so knowledgeable and we had a fantastic time. He took us to places that we hadn’t even clocked while doing our walks around the city. The stories were great and we were still talking about the quiet place and wafer hours after the tour as it blew our minds. The bonus added extra was having Rosie with us too… made it extra special. We would recommend this tour to anyone who is planning on going to the dam as it’s worth every penny to see the history you just don’t know about”

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3.Amsterdam History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 281 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $6Top rated

Walk central Amsterdam with a guide such as Samuel, tracing the city from its founding to the Dutch Golden Age. See Dam Square, Anne Frank House, Spui, Bloemenmarkt, and the crooked Dancing Houses, with local culture, freedom, crime, and tulip fever woven into the story.

“Really nice tour, I would recommend it a hundred times! I did it with my girlfriend and we enjoyed it a lot. Such a cool guide!”

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4.Amsterdam: Highlights & History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 266 reviews · 2 hours · from $32

Spend two hours with a local guide exploring Amsterdam’s Old Town, crooked houses, China Town, Dam Square, Begijnhof, canals, the Royal Palace area, and the Flower Market. Guides such as James, Aaron, Robin, and Andrea are praised for lively stories, humor, and strong local insight.

“Aaron was very knowledgeable about the history of Amsterdam. He took the time to explain and allowed time for questions. There were only 6 people in our group.”

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5.Anne Frank and Amsterdam Jewish History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 259 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $29

Follow a licensed English-speaking guide through Amsterdam’s wartime Jewish history, from Dam Square and a hidden wartime refuge to Willem Arondeus’s memorial stone. Guides such as Iris, Stein, Tristan, and Gee bring strong storytelling and context. The two-hour walk ends outside Anne Frank House.

“Great walking tour guide brilliant and passionate really enjoyed this experience withy mates got to learn more about Anne Frank's family”

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6.Amsterdam: Ghost Walking Tour and Dark History

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 118 reviews · 2 hours · from $29

Meet Maria, Pilar, or another English-speaking guide at Nieuwe Kerk for a two-hour walk through Amsterdam’s darker past. You’ll hear ghost stories, crime tales, and real historical accounts at Dam Square, Begijnhof, Spooksteeg, Bloedstraat, and the Weeping Tower.

“Maria was such a great guide. She was great at making sure the group was all together and no one was left behind. She was a great storyteller and answered all of our questions. There was even really good conversation walking between stops. Highly recommend this tour!”

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7.Amsterdam: Iconic Canals & Historic Sights Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 90 reviews · 2 hours · from $4Best value

Join an English or Spanish-speaking local guide for a two-hour walk from Dam Square through Amsterdam’s canals, Oude Kerk, Jewish Quarter, and Begijnhof. Guides such as Craig and Adrián bring local stories, bike advice, and practical food and drink tips. Paid entries are optional.

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8.Amsterdam: Anna Frank and World War II History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 86 reviews · from $28

Walk from the H’ART museum through Amsterdam’s former Jewish district, learning about its origins, the Nazi occupation, and Anne Frank’s family. Italian-speaking guides, including Ginevra, lead the two-hour route. The tour ends near the Anne Frank House, but entry is not included.

“Molto interessante, coinvolgente, ho scoperto cose che non conoscevo”

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9.Amsterdam Private Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $156

Spend about two hours walking Amsterdam with a private English-speaking guide. See Dam Square, the Royal Palace, Begijnhof, Nieuwmarkt, Munt Tower, Spui, and the floating flower market. Guides such as Henk and Sylvia are known for clear stories and lively context.

“Our private tour with Henk was fabulous! Henk is super knowledgeable about Amsterdam’s history and took us to historical sites/important landmarks that we definitely would have missed on our own. The walking tour also helped us get familiar with the layout of Amsterdam which helped us navigate the city a bit easier thereafter. Overall, it was a wonderful tour and I highly recommend it!”

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10.Amsterdam: Anne Frank and World War II Walking Tour (TOP RATED)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 72 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $29

Spend about two hours walking Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter with a local guide such as James, Misha, Keese, or Stan. Hear Anne Frank’s story alongside the history of Jewish Amsterdam, deportation, resistance, and remembrance. The Anne Frank House is not included.

“James was extremely knowledgeable, giving us the relevant historical information and some modern perspective as well. The tour was just the right length and it left my wife and I discussing what we learned well after.”

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11.Amsterdam Haunted History and Ghost Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · from $72

Follow a local guide through Amsterdam after dark, from Nieuwe Kerk and the former Spinhuis prison to Begijnhof, Blood Street, and the Waag. Expect a two-hour walk blending ghost tales, witch trials, murders, and city history. Guides have included Sunil, Lola, Stefan, and Alexios.

“A lot of walking - wish there were a few more stories to break up the walking, but the stories chosen were interesting and the guide was very friendly.”

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12.Amsterdam Walking Tour: Urban Legends & History with local guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $23

Walk from the Magere Brug to Dam Square with guide Luuk, hearing lesser-known Amsterdam stories about nuns, criminals, secret codes, royal visitors, and the Miracle of Amsterdam. The 90-minute English tour is capped at 12 people and mixes folklore with landmarks.

“Great tour with a smart, easygoing, and informative guide - which you can tell is really passionate about history and passing/discussing the knowledge he acquired.”

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13.Ghost Walking Tour and Dark History in Amsterdam

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $36

Walk Amsterdam at 8 pm with a licensed guide such as Maria or Pilar, visiting Dam Square, Begijnhof, De Wallen, Bloedstraat, and Spooksteeg. Expect two hours of outdoor storytelling, dark history, ghost legends, and city details you could easily miss on a daytime tour.

“Maria was an amazing tour guide. The tour was a wonderful mixture of Amsterdam history, dark history, and ghost stories. Perfect Amsterdam evening adventure!”

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14.Amsterdam 2 Hour History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $30

Walk Amsterdam with a local guide in a group of no more than 10. In two hours, connect canals, De Wallen, Dam Square, Jewish history, Dutch empire, royal life, Begijnhof, and the Monet bridge. Guides such as Axel and Mark add humor, context, and useful city tips.

“This is a GREAT activity especially for newbies (like me) visiting the city for the first time. Axel was a great tour guide who gave an informative and engaging overview of Amsterdam's history and culture today - lots of fun facts I'll be annoying people with back home - while stopping at various iconic landmarks and places I probably would've missed or not known the full story of on my own. Can't recommend the Hit the Bricks/Dam Boat Guys people enough! (Also say hi to the cutest cat Koko if you get to their office/meeting point early. 😄)”

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15.Amsterdam Highlights and History Walking Tour (MUST DO)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $26

Walk central Amsterdam with an English-speaking local guide for about two hours. See Dam Square, the canal ring, Begijnhof, the Old Church, Royal Palace, and Nieuwmarkt. Guides such as Andrea, Aaron, Gio, James, and David are praised for clear stories and an easy pace.

“If we could give David 100 stars we would! He truly went above and beyond. Answered every question we asked, took interest in what we had to say, was just fun to be with! 10/10 would love any tour with him!”

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