Discover the intriguing financial history of Amsterdam
We unravel the fascinating stories behind the world’s first stock market, global monopolies, massive speculative bubbles, WWII bank heists and surprising Dutch connections to early American history.
Duration: 2.5 Hours
Max. 15 guests
In English & Dutch
Start: Beursplein, in front of Bistro Berlage, end: Spui square
2.5 hours (starting at 10am or 2pm) | ~3 km or 1.4 miles
From €24,49 per person (with 15 persons). For exact prices, see the booking module.
Interesting and accessible to everyone aged 8 to 88.
Minimum 1, maximum 15
Full refund if cancelled earlier than 48 hours; 50% refund if cancelled within 48 hours; tours run rain or shine.
Discover Amsterdam from a completely new perspective on an engaging walking tour through the cradle of modern capitalism. Designed for curious travelers, culture enthusiasts, and history lovers, this 2.5-hour experience reveals how a small canal city became the birthplace of global finance.
What to Expect
Led by a specialist historian guide, you’ll explore the historic city center and uncover the origins of the world’s first stock exchange, corporate monopolies, and famous speculative bubbles like Tulip Mania.
- Architectural Marvels: Decode the stone facades of the Golden Bend along the Herengracht canal, where Golden Age merchants built their grand mansions.
- Global Connections: Trace the Dutch financial influence on early American history and examine the complex economic realities of Amsterdam during WWII.
- Exclusive Access: Depending on the day of your visit, step into the 17th-century courtyard of the Dutch East India Company (V.O.C.) headquarters or descend into a secure, 100-year-old subterranean bank vault from 1926.
With group sizes capped at 15 guests, this tour offers an intimate, conversational environment where you can ask questions and explore at a comfortable pace. Follow the money through Amsterdam’s historic streets and gain a deeper understanding of the monetary systems that shape our modern world.
Itinerary
Euronext Stock Exchange
Discover where modern trading began as you explore the site of the world’s very first public stock exchange and corporate initial public offerings.
Dam Square
Uncover the bustling civic heart where early merchants met and laid the foundation for Amsterdam’s rise as a financial capital, thanks to the world’s first central bank.
East India Company (V.O.C.) Headquarters
Step inside the courtyard of the world’s first multinational corporation to learn how global trade monopolies and shared equities were originally forged.
City Bank of Loan
Examine one of the world’s oldest municipal pawnshops, founded in 1614 to provide fair credit and stability to everyday citizens during economic hardship.
Flower Market
Trace the origins of speculative bubbles while exploring the historic trade of tulips, where market frenzy famously drove prices to astronomical heights.
100-Year-Old Subterranean Bank Vault
Examine one of the world’s oldest municipal pawnshops, founded in 1614 to provide fair credit and stability to everyday citizens during economic hardship.
The Golden Bend
See the most prestigious part of the Amsterdam canal ring. The banking houses on this bend formed the financial heart of Europe for 200 years.
Jan Willink’s house
A sneak peek inside the banking house of Jan Willink: the banker who provided the crucial loan to the rebellious thirteen colonies in North America to finance their independence.
These stops and more financial topics on the Financial History Tour
Don’t take our word for it. What others say about our tours
Our guests are our ambassadors. Over 130 5-star reviews on Tripadvisor, great ratings on various other platforms online and – most important – hundreds of happy visitors every year. Will you be the next to share a wonderful experience?
We booked the Financial History Tour as a team activity, and it was a great experience-especially as we’re all finance professionals. Tijs was very friendly, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable, and he brought Amsterdam’s financial history to life in a really engaging way.We booked the Financial History Tour as a team activity, and it was a great experience-especially as we’re all finance professionals. Tijs was very friendly, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable, and he brought Amsterdam’s financial history to life in a really engaging way.
My wife and I took the Financi History Tour with Edgar.. Edgar was an excellent tour guide. He was extremely knowledgeable sbout the financial history of Amsterdam, where the stock market had its roots. I would highly recommend this tour for people interested in financial historty of the innovarive Dutch.
Tijs was fantastic and really opened our eyes to an amazing financial history and made the topic super interesting for all ages
Greatly enjoyed the tour and discussions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Combos
Combine the Financial History Tour on the same day with a discount of 25% on the second tour. You can select the second tour in the booking module online.
Financial History Tour + Old Harbour Tour
Combine your Financial History Tour with the Old Harbour Tour to get a truly comprehensive picture of Amsterdam as a hub of entrepreneurship and seafaring—a role the city continues to play to this day.
Financial History Tour + Amsterdam Architecture Walk
Combine the Financial History Tour with the Amsterdam Architecture Tour for greater insight into how the city’s mercantile DNA is reflected in its brickwork.
