Dam Square: Our most recommended tours and activities

Amsterdam: Red Light District Tour in German or English

1. Amsterdam: Red Light District Tour in German or English

Discover Amsterdam's infamous Red Light District on a fun tour with a German OR English guide. Learn how much on average a prostitute earns per night, how many customers they have per shift, and which sexual acts pay the largest sums. Additionally discover the history of coffeeshops in Amsterdam, what the political situation around them looks like and how coffeeshops in Amsterdam are regarded both a blessing and a curse for the city. Choose the small-group tour with no more than 4 people that goes right into the center of the Red Light District, or opt for a public tour that tells the story of the Red Light District, visits some of its highlights, and explores other famous hotspots in the LGBTQ part of the Red Light District, Chinatown and the harbor. Red Light District Tour and Highlights Enter the heart of the Red Light District with a maximum group of 4 people plus your guide (small-group tour) or in a group of maximum 15 people (public tour). The tour highlights all the positive as well as negative aspects of the Amsterdam Red Light District, taking a critical perspective. From the National Monument on Dam Square go to Warmoestraat, one of the most famous gay streets in Amsterdam. Pass the Condomerie, a fun condom store and learn about Amsterdams contraception history. Then, go further into the heart of the district to the Prostitution Information Center (PIC) where former prostitutes are dedicated to educational work and are trying to dispel prejudices about prostitution. Directly opposite lies the Oude Kerk, the oldest church in Amsterdam and probably the only church in the world which is surrounded by prostitution. Discover more about the process of negotiations between customers and prostitutes, about their income and expenses, prices, room rental and taxes, but also about the women's security. Dive into the Red Light District’s origins and visit the harbor, the reason the red light district came about. Catch a photo opportunity in front of the “dancing houses,” one of the most picturesque spots in Amsterdam. Learn more about the history and politics of the coffeeshop business in Amsterdam, how it was established, what issues the city has to tackle and what the future of coffeeshops in Amsterdam may look like. You will get the chance to explore them at your own pace after the tour if you wish. Equip yourself with recommendations from your guide on how to keep exploring the Red Light District at your own pace. Get tips on visiting a 70s peepshow, which you can experience on your own after the tour.

Amsterdam: Cultural Inner City Tour in German or English

2. Amsterdam: Cultural Inner City Tour in German or English

Visit famous sites of Amsterdam downtown and get an overview of the city on this walking tour dedicated to culture and history. Profit from tips every adventurous traveler needs to know and make the best of your trip. Find out which food you should taste and which districts can be discovered independently by bike. Listen to your guide telling you which architectural designs were popular in the past and get an idea of the people of Amsterdam. Hear stories about how merchants, salesmen, and the poor used to live in the Middle Ages, why the world of art blossomed in the Golden Era, how World War II has changed the people of the city and what it feels like to live in the tolerant, multicultural city today. Start your tour in the heart of the city at Dam Square, where Amsterdam was founded. The tour leads you past the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, the New Church Nieuwe Kerk, and past the former main post office, to Torensluis Bridge. See one of the tiniest houses of the city and learn more about the colonial times at the statue of Multatuli on Torensluis Bridge.  Stroll past romantic canal-side houses and cross Spui Square to get to the pearl of Amsterdam – Begijnhof. With its entrance hidden in a narrow side street, this very special hofje is waiting for you to be discovered. On the way back to Dam Square you will see the river that the city owes its name to: the Amstel. The city tour ends at the national monument that was originally built to remember the victims of World War II but is now a memorial to all victims who lost their lives in any war worldwide.

Amsterdam: Red Light District Tour

3. Amsterdam: Red Light District Tour

Join this 2-hour walking tour and discover a unique insight into the Red Light District. Learn about the history of the Red Light District as you wander through the historical Old Town of Amsterdam. Explore the district and learn about its history, culture, and the daily life of its inhabitants. We'll start by exploring the area's famous red-lit windows and neon signs, learning about the legal and cultural aspects of the trade. Visit some of the district's hidden gems, including historic buildings and cultural landmarks that often go unnoticed by visitors. Throughout the tour your guide will provide you with insightful information about the district, offering a deeper understanding of this unique and often misunderstood neighborhood. As you stroll through the district's narrow streets and alleys, your guide will share fascinating stories and anecdotes about the district's past and present, including its more recent controversies. See the oldest building in Amsterdam, the canals, and beautiful old houses. While inside the Red Light District, your guide will walk you through its many alleys. Wander along the narrowest street in Amsterdam and see the first coffee shop. Finally, your tour will end at the Dam Square.

Amsterdam: Private Guided City Tour by Pedicab

4. Amsterdam: Private Guided City Tour by Pedicab

Visit of Amsterdam in Pedicab : Historical center , Newmarket, Chinatown, IJ bay, Damrak and Dam square, Munttoren, Flower market, Rembrand square, Rembrandt house, Old Jewish quarter, Herengracht, Keizergracht, Prinsengracht, Museum quarter, Jordaan.

Amsterdam: Walking Tour of the Red Light District

5. Amsterdam: Walking Tour of the Red Light District

Amsterdam's Red Light District is unique: What other countries hide or prohibit is legal in the Netherlands. Visit the neighborhood and learn all about the world's oldest profession. Meet your Spanish-speaking guide and head into the heart of Amsterdam's Red Light District on a 2-hour walking tour. The guide will answer any questions you may have and tell you about origins of the neighborhood and the status of prostitution. Walk along the Warmoesstraat (gay street) and see the Condomerie. Hear everything about the PIC (Information Centre on Prostitution), the Sex Museum, Erotic Museum, the prostitutes’ cabins, and venues that feature live sex and peep shows. Then you'll have 10 minutes of free walking time in which you can see the Oude Kerk (Old Church) area and the heart of the Red Light District on your own (due to a law, from 2020 it is not allowed to do guided tours inside the Red Light District itself). After that, walk to Chinatown and the biggest Buddhist temple in Europe with your guide.

From Brussels: Day Trip to Amsterdam

6. From Brussels: Day Trip to Amsterdam

Explore Amsterdam on a a full-day tour from Brussels. Travel in a comfortable and climate-controlled bus from a centrally-located meeting point. Follow your guide as you uncover top sights like the Royal Palace and the Nieuwe Kerk, and the Jewish Quarter. Hop aboard a spacious bus and sit back and relax on the drive from Brussels to Amsterdam. Once you arrive, begin a guided tour where the history of the city is revealed. Find out where the city was founded in the 13th century at Dam Square. Admire the Gothic architecture of the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and Dutch Baroque architecture of the Royal Palace. Venture into the oldest part of Amsterdam to see the Oude Kerk (Old Church) and wander the infamous streets of the Red Light District. Continue to De Waag to view the remains of the medieval wall before going into the Jewish Quarter where Rembrandt once lived. End your guided tour at the flower market and have 3 hours of free time discover the city on your own. Return to your meeting point in Brussels by bus.

Amsterdam: Historical Highlights Walking Tour plus Tasting

7. Amsterdam: Historical Highlights Walking Tour plus Tasting

Beginning at Dam Square, discover Amsterdam with the best local guides and hear about the city in your own language. Your expert guide will make history come alive with stories and lively commentary in your chosen language, as you stroll through the beautiful streets of Medieval and Golden Age Amsterdam on a 2-hour walking tour. Admire the architecture and hear about the city's long history of commerce and trade. Some highlights you'll pass include: The Royal Palace, The New Church, the most important canals, bridges and locks, iconic squares, Begijnhof, the Mint Tower, the Flower Market, the LGBT street and the Amstel River. To complete this tour you will also enjoy a local Dutch food tasting!

Marken, Volendam, and Edam Full-Day Tour from Amsterdam

8. Marken, Volendam, and Edam Full-Day Tour from Amsterdam

Enjoy a scenic full-day coach tour of North Holland, and discover a charming landscape of windmills, canals, picturesque villages, and locals in traditional costume. Choose the all-in option to add a few extras to your tour, including a clog-making demonstration and a boat trip. Depart from Amsterdam station for the small fishing town of Marken, renowned for its preservation of traditional Dutch culture. Take a walking tour through streets full of colorful houses. If you've chosen the all-in option, stop at a shoemaker’s studio to watch how wooden clogs are made. Next, head to Volendam by coach if you've chosen the standard option or board the Marken Express if you've chosen the all-in option for a boat trip across the beautiful IJssel Lake. On arrival in Volendam, enjoy free time to explore the shops or try on a traditional costume for a souvenir photo.  Then, enjoy a tasting at a traditional Holland cheese factory and learn how cheese is made before continuing into the heart of North Holland to Edam. Discover the history of the former shipyard and see Grote Kerk, the largest church in the Netherlands, as you stroll the cobbled streets. Next, take in the last stop on your tour, the open-air museum of Zaanse Schans. Admire its magnificent collection of historic windmills. If you opt for the all-in ticket, you can go inside one of the operating windmills to learn more about this Dutch icon of industrial architecture. Finally, marvel at the picturesque homes, wooden barns, and scenic meadows of North Holland as you travel back to Amsterdam by coach. If you prefer a smaller group, like to take your time and explore all the best of this tour, then opt for the Charm of Holland guided tour. Available on Fridays. The tourguide takes a small group to all the inclusions in the all-in tour. The Charm of Holland also includes lunch at a traditional Dutch fish taverne.

Amsterdam Small-Group Walking Tour

9. Amsterdam Small-Group Walking Tour

On this tour, you will hear stories that you would never hear otherwise. With an expert guide, you will experience the history of this city, from its start as a muddy village on the River Amstel, to how it became the most important trading city in Europe. From the wild history of prostitution and drug decriminalization to the tragedy of Anne Frank’s story and the Nazi occupation. The aim of this unique tour is to give you the perfect introduction to the city. After the tour, you will have all the time you want to explore further with fellow travelers. Whether you visit one of Amsterdam’s famous museums or check out the cafés and bars of the Jordaan District, this tour will help you to get your bearings in this often confusing city and allow you to make the most out of your stay here.

Amsterdam: Cultural Food Tour

10. Amsterdam: Cultural Food Tour

Get to know Amsterdam in the most beautiful way: from a culinary perspective. Let yourself be seduced by different tastes and get to know the food variety of the Dutch capital. During the tour you will try several delicious delicacies, which together make a full meal. Not only typical Dutch delicacies are served, but also delicious snacks that make Amsterdam what it is known for: a wonderful multi-cultural city. But it is not just eating. Dive into the life of Amsterdam between the food stops and get to know the urban development of the past centuries. Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe with its crooked canal houses. Let the charm of the small streets and the many cafes take your breath away, while your city guide will take you on a relaxed journey through her stories and explanations into all epochs of the city's history. Visit the major sightseeing hotspots in central Amsterdam and get a comprehensive overview of the city on this 2.5-hour cultural food tour.

Add dates

Dam Square

All activities

73 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 5

Immersive experiences

Go beyond Dam Square

Explore all

Other Sightseeing Options in Dam Square

Want to discover all there is to do in Dam Square? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Dam Square

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 7,072 reviews

This tour was very well organized, hitting all the key spots within the 7 hours we were together. The star of the tour would be hands down our 2 tour guides, Stef and Pia. They made this tour so light and enjoyable; I’ve never laughed so much from a tour before. Stef with his electronic piano playing, his singing with Pia, and their jokes was so fantastic. They truly worked like the perfect duo, and they whole heartedly took care of every customer with care and respect. I wish every tour had a Stef and Pia in it. I would recommend this tour in a heartbeat because of them. It also helps that the sites were all very picturesque and lovely.

More than what we expected. Stefan was well prepared an well researched. Safe option to familiarise folks who are curious but uncomfortable to walk in red light district on your own. You also pass by coffee shop if you want to try out Amsterdam coffee culture.

Had a wonderful time with Gavin. Felt like hanging out with an old friend. Wandered the streets, at snacks, heard about some history. Was an ideal way to spend a Monday afternoon in Amsterdam. Would love to do more tours with him!

Everything was great! Our driver Stef is a fantastic man! He knows how to keep the audience, joke and even play on piano! If you have possibility ask to have Stef like a driver, photograph man and bodyguard!

This was the highlight of my Amsterdam trip. Sevv was an amazing and knowledgeable guide. Highly recommend!