Who we are
Explore Amsterdam with local private tour guides!
Tijs, Edgar, and Marjolein are all locals who know the city inside and out.
Our tours focus on the city’s art, architecture and history. They’re an experience you won’t forget!
Book your private tour with us today!
Our guides
Historical Amsterdam Tours is a collective of private city guides.
Three Amsterdam locals with an impressive curriculum on the city’s art, architecture and history
Historical Amsterdam Tours is a collective of private city guides.
Three Amsterdam locals with an impressive curriculum on the city’s art, architecture and history
Experience the Dutch capital beyond the typical tourist trail with Historical Amsterdam Tours. We specialize in premium, curated private walking tours led by local, certified guides who are deeply passionate about the city’s vibrant culture, unique character, and rich history.
Whether you want to discover Amsterdam’s iconic landmarks or uncover hidden gems off the beaten path, our experts provide a personalized journey tailored entirely to your interests and pace.
From the architectural marvels of the historic 17th-century canal rings to the legendary Dutch Masters inside the world-class Rijksmuseum, our private tour guides deliver insightful commentary, profound historical context, and authentic local perspectives.
Why Choose Our Private Amsterdam Tours?
Expert Local Guides: Learn from university-trained art historians, certified professionals, and passionate local storytellers.
Fully Custom Itineraries: Enjoy flexible, exclusive tours designed around your specific schedule, preferences, and curiosity.
Deep Historical Context: Gain an unparalleled understanding of Amsterdam’s captivating past and present—including specialized insights into the Dutch Golden Age, financial heritage, Rembrandt, and WWII history.
For travelers seeking an authentic, engaging, and exclusive exploration of the city, Historical Amsterdam Tours offers an unforgettable experience.
Book your personalized Amsterdam private tour adventure today!
Our guides
Tijs
Owner | Guide
Meet Tijs, founder of Historical Amsterdam Tours. Leveraging his Amsterdam Tourist Office experience and academic background, he delivers insightful, personalized, small-group walking tours. Book an intimate, engaging exploration of his beloved hometown!
Edgar
Guide | Art Historian
Explore Amsterdam with Edgar, an art historian from the University of Amsterdam. Book a flexible private tour covering world-class museums, iconic canals, WWII history, and financial heritage. Enjoy an unforgettable, deeply insightful historic walk with Edgar!
Marjolein
Guide
Discover Amsterdam with Marjolein, a certified private guide born and raised in the Dutch capital. While blending archive research with personal family anecdotes, she offers highly engaging walking tours. Book your authentic local experience with Marjolein today!
Tijs
Founder | Guide
Explore the Dutch capital with Tijs, a seasoned tourism professional and the passionate founder of Historical Amsterdam Tours. Since 2015, Tijs has been sharing his deep love for his beloved hometown through insightful, highly personalized walking tours.
Leveraging his academic background and extensive experience at the official Amsterdam Tourist Office, he crafts rich, authentic itineraries for curious travelers. Tijs draws from his vast private historical library to fuel engaging narratives, bringing Amsterdam’s vibrant past and hidden stories to life.
Specializing in small-group experiences, he ensures an intimate, flexible, and enriching exploration of the city’s iconic canals and historic landmarks. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Tijs provides the local expertise and storytelling needed for an unforgettable journey through time.
Book your personalized, small-group historic Amsterdam city tour with Tijs today!
Tijs was fantastic and really opened our eyes to an amazing financial history and made the topic super interesting for all ages. Defenitelly can recomment Historical Amsterdam Tours!
Michael D
Financial History Tour
Edgar
Art Historian | Guide
Discover Amsterdam with Edgar, an expert private guide from Historical Amsterdam Tours. Holding an art history degree from the University of Amsterdam, Edgar brings unmatched intellectual depth to every custom walking tour.
Whether navigating the iconic canal rings or exploring world-class museums like the Rijksmuseum, his insightful narratives seamlessly blend art, local culture, and financial history. He also offers profound, specialized knowledge on Rembrandt and World War II history in Amsterdam.
Highly flexible, engaged, and client-focused, Edgar tailors each itinerary to your specific interests and pace. He is the ideal private guide for travelers seeking a deeper understanding of the city’s golden age and modern heritage. Don’t miss out on an unforgettable, personalized journey through the historic heart of the Dutch capital.
Book your private, tailored Amsterdam museum and canal tour with Edgar today!
Edgar was very knowledgeable about WWII in Amsterdam. His facts and stories about the resistance were very interesting. It seemed he knew a lot about the more unusual or lesser known. He did a great job intertwining this with facts about Amsterdam and its history. It was a 3 hour tour and plenty of walking but worth every step.
Deb P
World War II Amsterdam Tour
Marjolein
Art Historian | Guide
Experience the Dutch capital with Marjolein, a passionate, certified city guide born and raised in Amsterdam. Transitioning from a successful career in international corporate business, Marjolein dedicated herself to studying the city’s rich history, spending countless hours mastering its world-class museums and local archives.
As a true local expert, she brings a unique, personal touch to Historical Amsterdam Tours. Marjolein seamlessly weaves deep historical facts with engaging storytelling and heartfelt family anecdotes, offering travelers a vibrant window into the city’s past.
Highly flexible and client-focused, she specializes in creating tailor-made, intimate walking tours that connect deeply with visitors from all backgrounds. Whether you want to explore famous landmarks or uncover hidden local gems, Marjolein ensures an inspiring, authentic, and unforgettable journey through her beloved hometown.
Book your personalized private walking tour in Amsterdam with Marjolein today!
Marjolein was our tour guide. Very punctual, friendly and informative. Booked for my partner who is a finance professional and he loved it. Other positives: well structured and researched; happy to answer questions; and good value!
Sightseer778726
Financial History Tour
What others say about us
- ColinP975
Excellent bespoke tour of highlights of the Rijksmuseum. Edgar Foley was a great and knowledgable guide! He put the history of Dutch Art in the Golden Age and... read more 
May 31, 2023emmaH205UX Surprised and Delighted - What a wonderful tour - we thoroughly recommend it. Tijs was knowledgeable, full of interesting stories and extremely courteous and polite. A fascinating tour and to be able... read more
March 27, 2023muellerrike We made this tour as we prefered to get a more real-live impression of Rembrandt than just looking at his paintings in the Rijksmuseum. And Tijs fullfilled this expectation absolutely.... read more
May 23, 2022 - Hbf99 Tijs was an excellent tour guide - funny, engaging and incredibly knowledgeable. The private tour was a fantastic experience and made the museum so much more accessible to someone who... read more
May 16, 2022chrisfolwell Edgar took my colleagues + I on a tour of multiple areas of Amsterdam and shared so much history + culture with us when we walked.
I remembered so... read more
May 11, 2022Chris F A brilliant tour with a great guide - Edgar took my colleagues + I on a tour of multiple areas of Amsterdam and shared so much history + culture with us when we walked.
I remembered so... read more
May 11, 2022 - Mickiewicz K A very relaxed and experienced guide. Willing to talk and answer questions. The best investment knowledge is to buy high and sell low
August 4, 2021mickiewiczk A very relaxed and experienced guide. Willing to talk and answer questions.
The best investment knowledge is to buy high and sell low
August 4, 2021Mickiewicz K A very relaxed and experienced guide. Willing to talk and answer questions. The best investment knowledge is to buy high and
August 1, 2021 - Ramela S We’ve lived in Amsterdam for 10 years and finally took the time to learn more about the fascinating history. The financial tour did not disappoint - learning about both the... read more
July 20, 2021RTJS We’ve lived in Amsterdam for 10 years and finally took the time to learn more about the fascinating history. The financial tour did not disappoint - learning about both the... read more
July 20, 2021Ramela S We’ve lived in Amsterdam for 10 years and finally took the time to learn more about the fascinating history. The financial tour did not disappoint - learning about both the... read more
July 1, 2021 - RafaTraveller Tijs is one of the people that makes us wish the day to have more than 24 hours! :) Not only a guide who makes the fascinating Amsterdam even more... read more
December 22, 2020RafaTraveller Tijs is one of the people that makes us wish the day to have more than 24 hours! :) Not only a guide who makes the fascinating Amsterdam even more... read more
December 1, 2020A Tripadvisor Member Tijs is one of the people that makes us wish the day to have more than 24 hours! :) Not only a guide who makes the fascinating Amsterdam even more... read more
December 1, 2020
Why book a private guide?
Knowledged and experienced
A private guide can provide you with detailed information about the city's attractions and history, as well as insider tips on where to go and what to do.
Convenience
With your own private guide, you can customize your sightseeing experience according to your needs and interests. Private tours are efficient and relaxed at the same time: your tour, your pace.
Personalized Service
With an experienced private guide, you'll get personalized attention and advice. You'll be able to ask questions and learn more about Amsterdam in an intimate setting.
Access to Local Experiences
A private city guide can help you access unique local experiences that you would otherwise miss out on. From hidden gems to unique local cultural events, they can show you the best of Amsterdam.
