Top 15 History Walking Tours in the Netherlands

1.Haunted History and Ghost Walking Tour

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

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 silent nun at Begijnhof, Blood Street, and the Waag. Expect more historical storytelling than jump scares, with small groups and occasional extra stops.

“Duncan was great! He really did his research and was able to answer any additional questions we had. We learned a lot about Amsterdam and were satisfied with the tour. Thank you!”

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2.Historical Highlights Walking Tour with Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 381 reviews · 2 hours · from $34

Start at Dam Square and follow a local guide through Amsterdam’s medieval center and Golden Age canals. You’ll pass the Royal Palace, Begijnhof, Mint Tower, Flower Market, LGBT street, and Amstel River. Guides such as Mike, Sebastian, Ronald, and Elena have led engaging tours in seven languages. A Dutch tasting is included, though its delivery has varied.

“Edwin was wonderful. He even made sure we knew how to get back to the city center. He was very knowledgeable and told us very interesting things about the history of of Amsterdam.”

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3.Amsterdam History Walking Tour

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

Join SideWalks for a two-hour English walking tour through central Amsterdam. Guide Samuel brings the city’s origins, Golden Age, canal houses, Dutch culture, Red Light District, tulip fever, and prison history to life. The small group is capped at 10, and the walk ends at the famous Dancing Houses.

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4.Highlights & History Walking Tour

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

Walk Amsterdam’s old center with a local guide for two hours, from the Old Church and Chinatown to Dam Square, Begijnhof, the canals, and Flower Market. Expect stories about trade, crooked houses, Dutch culture, and the red-light district. Groups are limited to eight, with English, German, or Spanish guides. Guides such as Aaron, James, Robin, and Aarre are praised for humor and local insight.

“Aaron is a superb guide. Just the right mix of history, humour and cultural oddities in the tour to keep you engaged throughout. I learnt a lot but even if you're not after a factual 2 hours it's still a fun experience”

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5.Anne Frank and Amsterdam Jewish History Walking Tour

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

Walk from Dam Square to the Anne Frank House with a licensed English-speaking guide. Along the way, hear about wartime Amsterdam, Jewish life, resistance figures, and the Frank family. Guides such as Iris, Stein, Tristan, Gee, and Madeline have led recent tours. Entry to the Anne Frank House is not included.

“Amazing tour despite the rain. Our guide was super knowledgeable, told the story in an explosive way and was very friendly.”

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6.Rotterdam: Highlights, Gems, Architecture & History Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 191 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $48

Walk Rotterdam with local guides Yoreh or Elmer, linking the old harbor, WWII destruction, bold modern buildings, Cube Houses, and Markthal. Expect about 5 kilometers, 11,000 steps, visual story cards, a stroopwafel stop, photo tips, and practical advice on food and sights. Choose two hours for an overview or three for more detail.

“Yoreh kept us thoroughly entertained and engaged during the three-hour walking tour. I learned so much about Rotterdam's history and attractions. He also recommended good locations to take photos and places to eat. I have taken a lot of guided tours and this was one of the best. Wear good walking shoes; you will need them!”

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7.Ghost Walking Tour and Dark History

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

Meet your English-speaking guide at Nieuwe Kerk for a two-hour walk through Dam Square, Begijnhof, Kalverstraat, the Oudezijds canal district, Bloedstraat, Spooksteeg, and Prins Hendrikkade. Guides including Maria, Marie, and Pilar mix ghost stories with Amsterdam history, strange disappearances, and unsolved crimes.

“Excellent tour, good information and great guide, Maria was awesome. I recommend this tour to have a different view of the city.”

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8.Iconic Canals & Historic Sights Walking Tour

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

Spend two hours walking from Dam Square through Amsterdam’s oldest center, the Red Light District, Jewish Quarter, canals, and Begijnhof. An English or Spanish-speaking guide such as Adrián or Craig explains the city’s past, bike culture, hidden courtyards, and wartime stories. Paid attractions are optional, and comfortable shoes are essential.

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9.Anna Frank and World War II History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 86 reviews · from $28

Follow an Italian-speaking guide through Amsterdam’s former Jewish district, from its 1600 origins to Nazi occupation and the Holocaust. Guide Ginevra is praised for her clear, passionate storytelling. The two-hour walk ends outside the Anne Frank House, but entry costs extra.

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

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10.Amsterdam Private Historical Walking Tour

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

Walk from Dam Square through Amsterdam’s historic center with a private English-speaking guide. See the Royal Palace, New Church, Begijnhof, Munt Tower, Nieuwmarkt, Bloemenmarkt, Spui, and the Jordaan area near the Anne Frank House. Guides such as Henk and Sylvia bring history, politics, art, and local food advice into a compact two-hour route.

“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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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 witch trials, murder tales, a condemned nun, and stories of dissection, mixed with city history and humor. Guides have included Sunil, Lola, Alexios, and Stefan.

“**⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five-Star Experience!** We are from the US and recently did the Haunted History and Ghost Tour of Amsterdam. Stefan, our guide, was incredibly knowledgeable about the history of Amsterdam, and his storytelling was nothing short of amazing! My family had an incredible time and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the tour. Highly recommend!”

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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

Follow guide Luuk from the Skinny Bridge to Dam Square on a 90-minute walk through Amsterdam’s legends and lesser-known history. Hear tales of nuns, criminals, royal visitors, encrypted messages, and the Miracle of Amsterdam, with time at the Begijnhof chapel. Groups are capped at 12 and the tour runs in English.

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13.Ghost Walking Tour and Dark History in Amsterdam

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

Walk central Amsterdam at 8 p.m. with guides such as Maria or Pilar, hearing ghost stories and dark historical accounts at Dam Square, Begijnhof, the Red Light District, Bloedstraat, and Spooksteeg. The two-hour tour stays outdoors, keeps groups to 15 people, and ends near Amsterdam Centraal.

“Really enjoyed Maria’s explanation at all the spots she took us. Very informative and interesting historical ghost tour.”

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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 for two hours, visiting the canal belt, De Wallen, Dam Square, the Jewish Quarter, Begijnhof, and the Monet bridge. Guides such as Axel and Mark have led the tour. Expect history, humor, practical city tips, and a group capped at 10 people.

“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 Amsterdam’s historic center with a local English-speaking guide for about two hours. You’ll connect Dam Square, the canal ring, Begijnhof, Old Church, Royal Palace, and Nieuwmarkt through stories about Dutch culture and city life. Groups are capped at 15, with guides such as Gio, Aaron, Andrea, Aarre, David, and James leading recent tours.

“Loved the tour, learned some fascinating things and saw some wonderful historic sights. I can definitely recommend this to anyone visiting the city!”

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