Nr1 Best Rated Walking Tour of Amsterdam on TripAdvisor

Nr1 Best Rated Walking Tour of Amsterdam on TripAdvisor

Discover the fascinating history of the most liberal city in the world with FreeDam Tours - the best-rated walking tour in Amsterdam!

On this unique tip-based 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 cover 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 walking tour means you can join this tour basically for free (you will only be charged the booking and marketing fees) after which you tip your guide what you think the tour was worth. That motivates us to give you the best tour and you get the best possible value!

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Oude Kerk, Oudekerksplein 23, 1012 GX Amsterdam The Netherlands

Here we discuss the birth of Amsterdam and 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.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Museum Ons'Lieve Heer Op Solder, Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38, 1012 GD Amsterdam The Netherlands

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)

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Red Light District (De Wallen), Red Light District (De Wallen), Amsterdam, North Holland Province

(please note: some guides choose to spend more, or less time here depending on the group) Here we discuss 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.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Chinatown, Chinatown, Amsterdam, North Holland Province

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.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: De Waag, Nieuwmarkt, 1012 Amsterdam The Netherlands

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!

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Oostindisch Huis, Oude Hoogstraat 24, 1012 CE Amsterdam The Netherlands

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 be 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.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Waterlooplein Market, behind the Amsterdam Townhall, Amsterdam The Netherlands

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.


Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: The Amstel, Amsterdam The Netherlands

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!

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Oudemanhuispoort, Amsterdam The Netherlands

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.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Begijnhof, Gedempte Begijnensloot, 1012 RM Amsterdam The Netherlands

(please note: not every guide is able to fit this place in his/her itinerary). One of the most suggestive and special places in Amsterdam, a true haven of peace in the center, which catapults you back in time. A stunning hidden Courtyard, flanked by perfectly preserved dwellings overlooking a communal garden, where the Beguines lived: pious women who chose to dedicate their lives to assisting those most needy during the period of the Protestant Reformation. The last Beguine died in 1971, and today the Begijnhof is still inhabited by single women. In it you will also find the Oldest Church of England outside of England and a hidden Catholic Church. At number 34 you can also is the Houten Huys, the oldest wooden house existing in the city, built in 1420. We recommend everybody to visit this place, with- or without your guide!

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Royal Palace Amsterdam, Dam, 1012 RJ Amsterdam The Netherlands

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.

Duration: 15 minutes