1700+ Reviews
13000+ Happy
Guests
1700+ Reviews
13000+ Happy
Guests
Meet the locals who make Amsterdam what it is. A tour like no other — real
stories, real connection, memories for a lifetime.
I was halfway across a canal bridge when it hit me:
Amsterdam isn’t something you look at.
It’s people you meet.
That’s this tour.
Instead of shuffling from landmark to landmark like a polite little herd, you get swept into real stories told by the people who actually live here — the ones who know why the city runs on bikes, blunt honesty, and apple pie that could end a diplomatic crisis.
You meet them. You taste things. You hear the kind of truth guidebooks won’t touch.
And suddenly history stops being facts and starts being feelings.
The city stops being a postcard and starts being a person.
If that’s your kind of adventure… you’ll fit right in.
Our tours regularly sell out year-round. To get your preferred dates and to avoid
missing out, we highly recommend booking as soon as possible.
Imagine arriving in Amsterdam not as “Tourist #47 with a map,” but as a friend-of-a-friend getting the real introduction. The kind where someone waves you over and says, “Come on, I’ll show you my city.”
We start near the Anne Frank House, wander into the Jordaan’s cosy maze of courtyards and crooked houses, and before you know it, you’re laughing with people you met ten minutes ago. A local bikes past balancing seven grocery bags and a small miracle — very on-brand.
And then you meet the heart of the tour: real Amsterdammers.
An activist.
One of Amsterdam’s best storytellers.
A coffeeshop owner.
The man behind the flower bikes.
A former sex worker.
They hand you their Amsterdam — messy, funny, honest, human. The version you’ll never get from a postcard rack.
Somewhere along the way, apple pie happens. Drinks appear. Someone asks a question that makes the whole group go quiet for a second, in the good way. History sneaks in through the side door — migration, rebellion, freedom — but in small, human-sized pieces you actually remember.
Yes, it’s a walking tour. You’ll understand the neighbourhoods, the city layout, all that good stuff.
But it’s the upgraded model — café stops, meet-and-greets, connection, the works. As one guest said, “It’s like a walking tour… but pimped.”
Even the “I hate tours” people tell us, “Four hours sounded scary, but honestly? I didn’t want it to end.”
By the final stop — a warm, no-nonsense brown café in the Old Town — you don’t feel like you did a tour.
You feel like Amsterdam invited you into its living room.
If that’s the version you want, you’re in the right place.
This is where the “Humans” in Humans of Amsterdam kicks in.
You meet two real Amsterdammers who share a slice of their life. It might be the legendary Flower Bike Man, a former sex worker, a refugee advocate, a coffeeshop owner, a local artist or the owner of what we call “the most honest bar in Amsterdam.”
They talk, you ask questions, and suddenly Amsterdam is not an idea, it is people.
Short version: less lecture, more living room.
From the Jordaan to the canal belt to the Old City Centre, you move through centuries of history without ever feeling like you are stuck in a classroom.
Amsterdam’s journey from rebellious trading town to progressive capital shows up in stories of smugglers, free thinkers, everyday workers and the people who fought for their place in this city. You get the history you need to understand what you are seeing – just in a way that feels alive.
Halfway through, it is time for a break your future self remembers: warm Dutch apple pie and a drink of your choice.
This is more than a sugar break. It is your gezelligheid moment – the Dutch word for that cosy, connected, “I like these people” feeling.
Guests often say they left the table knowing more about each other than they expected and feeling a surprising warmth toward humanity.
Yes, we talk about the Red Light District and cannabis. No, not like a stag-do brochure.
You hear how centuries of pragmatism, debate and compromise shaped Amsterdam’s “live and let live” mentality. You get nuance: the tension, the challenges, the human side behind the headlines.
Many guests say this is where they finally understood why Amsterdam is the way it is – and felt more respect for the complexity behind its famous freedoms
The Jordaan is Amsterdam in close up: narrow streets, tiny bridges, music drifting out of windows, neighbours who still stop to talk.
We weave through this neighbourhood, over canals and through courtyards, then end the tour in a brown café that feels like stepping into the city’s memory. It is the perfect setting for one last drink, one last story and that moment of “I am really going to miss this place.
Our guides do not march ahead waving a flag.
They walk with you, ask where you are from, connect threads between past and present and share their own relationship with the city. You are encouraged to ask, challenge, laugh and share your own perspective.
By the time you say goodbye, your guide feels less like “the guide” and more like a local friend you are already planning to send people to.
We could tell you how great our tours are—but our guests do it better. Here are their video testimonials after joining our tours.
This was, by far, the best tour we’ve ever done, and we’ve tried all kinds in many different countries. Alexandra isn’t just a wonderful guide — she’s a unique human being. The tour
We wish we had done this on our first day in Amsterdam! It gave us such a deep appreciation for the people, history, and culture of the city. Xina, our guide, felt
This exceptional private city tour left us absolutely awe-struck — the highlight of our company trip! Alexandra showed us her Amsterdam, full of heart and
I booked this last minute to fight jet lag and it turned into one of the best afternoons I’ve ever had while traveling. Alexandra was a delightful storyteller who wove the history of Amsterdam into the lives of the people who live here now.
This was one of my favorite things I did in Amsterdam! Meeting locals, sharing food and drinks, and hearing their stories made it unforgettable. I was traveling solo and still felt completely included. The guide
This is the best way to experience Amsterdam authentically! Our guide Adam brought the city to life through storytelling and local encounters that felt incredibly real. It’s not a standard tour — it’s a true cultural experience.
Alexandra was a wonderful guide. Her love and knowledge of Amsterdam really show. This tour is truly one of a kind — an inside look at the city and the people who make it special. A must-do for anyone who values real connection.
Each encounter was a treasure trove of stories and perspectives that brought the city to life. The people we met — artists, locals, and dreamers — were the true gems
Come see what all the buzz is about and contact us! We can’t wait to meet you!
Local guides who actually live here — real stories, real opinions, zero scripts.
Small groups, genuine connection, and reviews from people who don’t hand out praise lightly.
No dry history lectures — just why it mattered to real people then and why it still matters now.
From first message to last canal goodbye, you deal with humans who help you figure it out.
Cancellation Policy Cancel or reschedule free of charge up to 24 hours before your tour for a full refund or a new date. Within 24 hours, refunds and free rescheduling aren’t possible — but you’re always welcome to book a new tour.
Flexible Cancellation: Cancel or reschedule with all the flexibility up to 24 hours in advance of the tour.
Great Tour Guarantee: If you don’t have a great tour, let us know and we promise to make it right with a full refund or voucher for a future visit.
Short answer: yes. Longer answer: here is why.
We know this tour sits at a higher price point and it is four hours long. That alone can bring up doubts. “Is it too long?”
“Is it just talking?”
“Is it basically therapy with apple pie?”
Here is what it actually is:
We designed the format very intentionally, so the afternoon has a rhythm: walk, listen, see, sit, taste, talk, meet, walk a bit more, reflect. Guests often say they stopped checking the time completely.
We have had plenty of people who normally hate walking tours show up a bit sceptical and leave saying, “I was stressed about four hours, but honestly, I could have kept going all day.”
If you just want quick highlights and a checklist, our Hello Amsterdam tour is probably a better fit.
If you want to learn the city’s history and culture in depth and meet the people behind it, this tour is absolutely worth it.
You are paying not only for time, but for access: to locals, to stories, to carefully chosen stops and to a format that has been refined over years.
Yes. This is Amsterdam. If we stopped for rain, we would have no tours and very sad guides.
We run in rain, shine and everything in between. What changes is the route and how we use indoor spaces. Your guide balances outdoor walking with cosy café and indoor stops so you are not just standing in the wind listening to history.
Around a quarter of the tour is indoors, and we often stretch that when the weather needs a hug. Good shoes, a decent jacket and the promise of warm apple pie go a long way.
They do different jobs. Ideally, you do both.
A boat tour gives you a beautiful overview of the canals and architecture. You sit, you float, you look. It is great when you first arrive or when your feet need a break.
This walking tour is for when you want to understand the city.
For culture, people and context, walking wins. Many guests do a boat tour and then tell us, “This is what made everything I saw from the water make sense.
Yes, there are several seated breaks built in.
We sit during the café stop with apple pie and drinks, and there are other moments where we find benches, low walls or café chairs to give legs a break while the stories continue. The pace is relaxed and your guide checks in on the group as you go.
That said, in total it is still about 8,900 steps over four hours, on cobblestones and bridges. If you are comfortable with that amount of gentle walking with breaks, you should be fine. If you are unsure, feel free to email us with your situation and we will happily advise.
For public tours, we keep it intentionally small: max 10 guests.
That size allows for:
For private tours, groups can be larger. The city of Amsterdam has regulations on group sizes in the centre, so we divide bigger groups across multiple guides and stagger routes if needed. You still get the same style and content, just multiplied.
If you are the kind of traveller who wants more than “we saw the canals and a museum,” then yes, this is one of the best ways you can spend four hours here.
In one afternoon you get:
Many guests tell us they wish they had done it on their first day because it changed the way they experienced everything that came after. If you only have one day and want to feel like you truly met Amsterdam, this tour is a very good bet
Here’s what your 4-hour adventure actually feels like:
Stop 1 — Homomonument / Westerkerk
We kick off near the Anne Frank House and the worlds first gay monument — where history and humanity basically hold hands. Your guide gives you a warm welcome, a quick “here’s what we’re doing,” and sets the vibe: real stories, real laughs, real connection. No academic droning. Promise.
Stop 2 — Coffeeshop Paradox
Amsterdam’s most unbothered coffeeshop. This is where you learn how the Dutch manage to be relaxed and rule-followers at the same time. Soft drug policy? Wildly logical. Paradox? Absolutely. Entertaining? Always.
Stop 3 — The Jordaan
We wander into the Jordaan — all cozy streets, hidden courtyards, and the kind of charm that makes you think, “Yes, I could live here,” even though you just got lost on the way to breakfast.
Stop 4 — Egelantiersgracht
Your camera roll is about to explode. The “dancing houses” lean like they’ve had a long night out, and somehow the whole city is still standing. Mostly upright. Mostly.
Stop 5 — Prinsengracht
History, but make it human. No fact-dumping. Just juicy stories of rebels, trade empires, and why Amsterdam has always been a magnet for free thinkers and misfits (the best kind).
Stop 6 — The Local Shop with a Story
This stop is pure joy. The owner’s tale is part comedy, part heart, part “only in Amsterdam.” You’ll want to bottle their energy and take it home.
Stop 7 — A 200-Year-Old Brown Café
Time to sit, sip, and wonder why Dutch apple pie isn’t an international religion. You get a drink of your choice and a quick, fun story sharing game where you learn the one Dutch word that basically sums up the entire country’s personality.
Stop 8 — Bicycle Culture
Why are there more bikes than people? How does everyone survive without helmets? Why is no one stressed? All your questions, answered — plus a peek into the heart of Dutch equality and efficiency.
Stop 9 — Old City Centre & Red Light District
We explore the Red Light District from the “let’s be informed adults” angle. Because of city rules, we don’t walk past the windows — but trust me, the stories behind this area are far more fascinating than anything neon.
Stop 10 — The Most Honest Bar in Amsterdam
We end at a warm, scruffy, soul-filled community bar owned by Fer — one of our beloved Amsterdammers. His story ties the whole day together with a bow. A slightly crooked, wonderfully human bow.
Throughout the tour, you’ll meet two real Amsterdammers — different every time — who share their own slice of life in this city.
Not the polished version.
The real one.
The one you’ll remember long after your feet stop walking.
If this sounds like your kind of day… you’re our kind of person.
We work with a small circle of locals who are all very different and all very real. They are not actors and they are not reading from a script.
Depending on the day, you might meet:
Who you meet depends on who is free that day. We also make sure we pay them for their time and energy, so this is a true exchange, not a favour. No two tours are the same, which is part of the magic.
You do not need to. Tipping is entirely up to you.
Your guide gives you their full presence and energy regardless. If, after four hours together, you feel like “this was worth more than I paid,” then a 5–10% tip is a lovely way to say thank you. Some guests tip, some do not. Both are fine.
Yes, but with some nuance.
We recommend it mainly for ages 12 and up, because we talk about the Red Light District and cannabis quite openly and at an adult level. Teenagers usually get a lot out of it and often ask some of the best questions.
For younger children, four hours can be long and the topics may feel heavy or irrelevant. In that case, our Hello Amsterdam Family Walking Tour is usually the better fit: same storytelling quality, more games and content tailored to kids.
Then talk to us.
You can email hello@whoisamsterdam.com with anything you are still wondering: accessibility, pace, weather, content, whether it fits your group dynamic, how to combine it with other activities.
We are happy to think along with you and help you decide if Humans of Amsterdam is your tour – or gently point you to another one of ours that might fit even better