Walking tours

Interesting walking tours

The Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board (ATCB) has issued a number of interesting walking tours. These are designed to allow visitors to get to know the Centre, the Jordaan, Jewish Amsterdam and the Pijp. The length of these walking tours vary from two to 3.5 hours. The richly illustrated full-colour booklets also contain a removable city map.

Walking through Amsterdam's City Centre

Highlights of the Amsterdam Centre walking tour include renowned sites such as the icon of modern Dutch architecture: the Beurs van Berlage; the late gothic Nieuwe Kerk (church), where crown prince Willem Alexander married Maxima; the Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace); various theatres on the Leidseplein; the impressive Rijksmuseum; the Spiegel quarter, with scores of antique shops and galleries; the Gouden Bocht on the Herengracht, the Tuschinski Theater – the most stunning cinema in the Netherlands; the Rembrandtplein; and the Magere Brug (skinny bridge) over the Amstel River.

Strolling through the Jordaan district

The Jordaan is the most sung about neighbourhood of Amsterdam and is famous for its cafés, restaurants, shops, markets, narrow streets and - most of all - its atmosphere. The Jordaan was once a typical working-class neighbourhood but over the years has been descended upon by students, artisans and other life-loving bohemians. The walking tour takes you to various courtyards such as the Claes Claeszhofje and the Karthuizerhof, through the Noordermarkt with the bustling farmers market every Saturday, past the Anne Frank house and to the recently restored Westertoren – the symbol of the Jordaan (although not technically part of the neighbourhood).

Walking tour of the former Jewish Quarter

From the 17th century until 1940, Amsterdam was one of the most prominent Jewish centres of Europe. This walking tour through the former Jewish Quarter will lead you through relics of this rich history. The tour begins and ends at the Jewish Historical Museum, housed in four former synagogues, and reputed to be one of the most beautiful museums of its kind. Along the route, visitors will become acquainted with the Gassan Diamonds building, the Rembrandthuis Museum, the Waterlooplein market, the Portuguese-Israeli retirement home, the Russian shul, the Auschwitz monument on the Wertheimplantsoen, the Hollandsche Schouwburg (former theatre), the Ashkenazi Jewish society girls orphanage, the Dokwerker (dock worker) memorial statue and the Portuguese Synagogue – once the largest synagogue in the world.

Walking tour through the Plantage district

The Plantage calls itself the “green museum district” and features lots of attractions that are fun for all ages!  In between visiting the many cultural attractions and museums, you’ll wander past green avenues and canals, former warehouses and open squares.  This district is made up of a variety neighbourhoods,  including the lively old Jewish quarter surrounding the Waterlooplein, (Waterloo square) where you can find diamond cutter Gassan Diamonds.  You’ll discover the stately green heart of the area on the Plantage Middenlaan, the Artis zoo, and a colourful multicultural neighbourhood between the Tropenmuseum (Museum of the Tropics) and the Dappermarkt . The guidebook is full of fun anecdotes about the district and the audio tour lets you experience stories from real people that live and work in the Plantage.

Strolling through the Pijp

With the walk 'Discovering the Latin Quarter of Amsterdam', you can explore every aspect of this neighbourhood on foot. Formerly a quarter for the working classes, the Pijp is a dynamic melting pot of cultures and nationalities. The area is full of fantastic cafés, restaurants, coffee shops and bars. The route is described in a handy booklet, which is available free at all public libraries, downloadable from the internet, or for €1.00 at the VVV tourist information offices.

• Download the walking tour here.