
Top 5 Photography Ideas For Amsterdam
In this blog Historical Amsterdam Tours has curated some of the most iconic spots, as well as several snappy ideas to capture this vibrant old city.
We start and finish at the Herenmarkt, on the Brouwersgracht, Behind the ‘West Indisch Huis’, a 10 minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station
2,5 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)
- Westerkerk
- A visit inside a canal house
- The 'House with the Heads'
- Narrowest canal house
- Nieuwe Lutherse kerk
- oldest bridge
- crooked architecture
See Booking page
We start and finish at the Herenmarkt, on the Brouwersgracht, Behind the ‘West Indisch Huis’, a 10 minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station
2,5 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)
- Westerkerk
- A visit inside a canal house
- The 'House with the Heads'
- Narrowest canal house
- Nieuwe Lutherse kerk
- oldest bridge
- crooked architecture
See Booking page
Uncover the secrets behind Amsterdam’s iconic canal ring on our in-depth architecture tour. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a testament to Dutch ingenuity and architectural brilliance.
The Amsterdam canals are an unique urban landscape. Miles of waterways stretch out underneath hundreds of bridges, forming a ring around the medieval city center. It’s easy to get lost here. Some visitors to Amsterdam complain that all the canals look exactly the same. We – naturally – disagree and are happy to help you get your bearings of the Amsterdam canal ring.
Discover how Italian Renaissance ideals were adapted to the unique challenges of the Dutch landscape. Learn about the innovative engineering solutions that transformed a swamp into a breathtaking urban canal system.
From the early brick style to the ornate Baroque facades, witness the evolution of Amsterdam’s architecture. Our expert guides will illuminate the distinctive characteristics of each era and their impact on the city’s cityscape.
Step inside a beautifully preserved canal house and experience the opulent lifestyle of Amsterdam’s elite. Discover the intricate details of interior design, from ornate plasterwork to stunning landscapes on wall paper.
Engineering Marvels and Urban Planning
Explore the engineering feats that underpinned the creation of the canal ring. Learn about the challenges faced by architects and engineers in building on a watery foundation. Understand the urban planning principles that shaped this iconic district.
A Photographer’s Paradise
Capture the essence of Amsterdam’s architectural beauty with your camera. Our tour highlights the most photogenic spots along the canal ring, offering you the perfect opportunity to create stunning images.
Book your Canal Ring Architecture Tour today and immerse yourself in the architectural splendor of Amsterdam.
My family of 5 adults never has more than a long weekend to explore the cities of Europe and Tijs truly surpassed our expectations, This knowledgable, fun and experienced guide... read more remained with us from early morning until late at night ( I believe we would...More
I really enjoyed my morning walking tour of the canal district with Historical Tours Amsterdam. Tijs’ knowledge of the city is amazing and he explains fascinating historical details clearly... read more and with enthusiasm. I learned about the reasons why the Amsterdam skyline is as we see it now, why the canal fortifications are necessary to maintain the city and why there is a swan on top of a Protestant domed church. I now understand more about how Amsterdam expanded rapidly from medieval times onwards as trade developed and where the remnants of the old city walls can still be seen. I heard about the story behind the Multatuli statue on the oldest bridge in Amsterdam with a prison below it and the origins of fair trade coffee. Likewise the stories behind the different widths and gable-ends of the houses was so interesting; now I’ll
look at this familiar city through fresh eyes. I highly recommend Tijs as a guide who can add a fun personal touch to a tour of Amsterdam and bring history to life.
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 fascinating! His vision for the city reveals the past, the present, and create great perspectives for the future. With all the secrets of each street, you learn not only about Nederlands but also its World's Influence. Knowledge, culture, amazing angles for photos and a real lesson of lively history in just one day, I can imagine how wonderful it would be if we had the privilege to spend a week with our new Dutch Friend! Absolutely recommended, I have no doubt he will be an essential part of my tours! …
WW2 history isn’t new to me - I’m of the age that I have had the privilege to have met veterans, victims and witnesses of this horrible era in world... read more events. However, I am relatively new to life here in the Netherlands and wanted to learn of their time in this period and must say this tour by Tijs was excellent in every way.
His attitude to the events that took place in Amsterdam was respectful, clear, concise and truthful - the latter part painfully so. I wont spoil his details but we ended the tour in a very solemn place which totally tied all of his previous comments and explanations to the grim reality. So glad to have taken this tour.
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 fascinating! His vision for the city reveals the past, the present, and create great perspectives for the future. With all the secrets of each street, you learn not only about Nederlands but also its World's Influence. Knowledge, culture, amazing angles for photos and a real lesson of lively history in just one day, I can imagine how wonderful it would be if we had the privilege to spend a week with our new Dutch Friend! Absolutely recommended, I have no doubt he will be an essential part of my tours!

In this blog Historical Amsterdam Tours has curated some of the most iconic spots, as well as several snappy ideas to capture this vibrant old city.