Amsterdam Legends & History Guided Walking Tour
- 1h 30m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 2 languages
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Every city has its legends. Amsterdam has hundreds. Some are based on real events. Others grew with every generation that retold them. During this walking tour, you'll discover how history and folklore became intertwined, and why these stories still shape the city today. Together with one of our local guides, you'll explore more than ten remarkable locations in Amsterdam's historic centre, including the Begijnhof, the House with the Bloodstains and Dam Square. Unlike traditional storytelling tours, we don't stop at the legend. Drawing on years of research in archives, old newspapers and historical collections, we compare myth with historical evidence. Sometimes the legend is closer to the truth than you might expect. Sometimes reality turns out to be even more remarkable. During the tour you can also play our Urban Legend Bingo, spotting clues hidden in both the stories and the city around you. Join us and discover the Amsterdam that history books don't tell on their own.
Inclusions
What's included
- Guided walking tour with professional local guide
- A typical dutch sweet treat
- A unique souvenir
- Urban Legend bingo card
Itinerary
For the first stretch of our journey, we follow the Amstel River, where the city’s dark and mysterious past lingers along its banks. As we walk, we’ll pass beautiful historic landmarks linked to a couple urban legends.
At Rembrandtplein, elegance meets intrigue. Here, we share a story of a royal visitor whose presence stirred the city—and how a nearby tower holds the key to a legend about Amsterdam’s very beginnings.
We pass one of Amsterdam's former city gates, where you'll hear the oldest legend of the tour. It has a surprising connection to a traditional Amsterdam sweet that you'll get to taste.
Our next stop is the Rasphuis Gate, one of the few remaining traces of Amsterdam's former correctional institution. Here, you'll discover the building's remarkable past and the surprising origin of a Dutch expression that is still used today.
Next, we arrive at Spui, a lively square filled with cafes and restaurants, each with its own unique charm. Among them is one café that’s tied to a fascinating story.
Our next stop is the Begijnhof, a peaceful, hidden courtyard with an interesting past. Here, we’ll uncover an eerie story about one of its former residents. You’ll also have time to explore the serene chapel, adding a moment of reflection to this mysterious stop.
Next, we head to Rokin, a historic spot with not one, but two captivating stories. One of them, the Miracle of Amsterdam, dates back to the 13th century. This miraculous event not only shaped the city’s history but also turned Amsterdam into a renowned destination for pilgrims and tourists alike.
Dam Square, where history and legend intertwine. Here, you'll stand before the grand Royal Palace — once the city hall, now the royal residence — a masterpiece of Baroque architecture that has witnessed centuries of royal drama. Just across the square, the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) stands, its towering spire hiding an interesting tale.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
- 544
- 42
- 30
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 46 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Meet your tour guide on the stunning 'Magere Brug. The guide is visibly wearing an 'Urban Legends City Quest' tote bag.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 12 travellers
- Operated by
- Urban Legends City Quest
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
How it compares in Amsterdam
- Its from-price is 82% below the median of the 2120 experiences we list in Amsterdam.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 352 of 2120.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Amsterdam
Amsterdam rings its golden-age centre with tree-lined canals, gabled houses and bridges, packing great art and easy cycling into a compact city.
The canal ring, dug in the seventeenth century, curves around the old centre in concentric arcs: Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht, lined with tall merchants' houses. The Jordaan, just west, is a maze of small canals, courtyards, brown cafés and independent shops, and the Anne Frank House stands on the Prinsengracht at its edge.
Top-ranked sights in Amsterdam: Amstel River, Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug), Anne Frank House.
Special offers in Amsterdam
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
