Skip to content
  • Home
  • About us
  • Our tours
  • Blog
  • Home
  • About us
  • Our tours
  • Blog
  • Home
  • About us
  • Our tours
  • Blog
  • Home
  • About us
  • Our tours
  • Blog

Medieval City Tour

Private Medieval Amsterdam tour

Medieval City Tour

Book tour

Private Medieval Amsterdam tour

The origins of Amsterdam

Medieval City Tour

Book tour
Book tour
  • Startingpoint
    Startingpoint

    Start in front of the Central Station, at the entrance of the IAmsterdam Visitor Centre. End point is at the Dam.

  • Duration | Distance
    Duration | Distance

    2,5 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)

  • Highlights
    Highlights

    - Old Harbour
    - Oude Kerk
    - De Waag
    - Agnieten chapel
    - Begijnhof
    - Dam

  • Price
    Price

    Available from €43,75 p.p.​

Schedule your private
Medieval Amsterdam tour

More Information
Tour Reviews
  • Startingpoint
    Startingpoint

    We Start in front of the Central Station, at the entrance of the IAmsterdam Visitors Centre.
    We end at the Dam.

  • Duration | Distance
    Duration | Distance

    2,5 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)

  • Highlights
    Highlights

    - Old Harbour
    - Oude Kerk
    - De Waag
    - Saint Agnes Chapel
    - Begijnhof
    - Dam

  • Price
    Price

    Available from €43,75 p.p.​

Book your private
Medieval Amsterdam tour

More Information
Tour Reviews

Medieval Amsterdam Tour 

On the Medieval Amsterdam Tour we dive into the earliest records of the city. You get a deeper insight on the historical center of Amsterdam. How did the city start off and what does it say about modern Amsterdam Today?

Get a better understanding of the sources of Amsterdam’s tolerance and pragmatism. Walk in the footsteps of Rembrandt; see a different side of the red light district; find the soul of the city.  Have a great first impression of Amsterdam.

The earliest history of Amsterdam

Starting in front of the Central Station we walk into the alleyways of old Amsterdam. What does the oldest document mentioning Amsterdam say about Amsterdam today? The Dam is where it all started for Amsterdam. Who were the first settlers and why did they choose this place? And how come the Dam marks both the beginning and the end of the middle ages in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam, a city emerged from a swamp

We introduce you to the architecture and urban planning of the oldest parts of Amsterdam. Why do the houses lean over and how is Amsterdam built up? Learn how the city was defended against its enemies. Also see what is left of these antique structures. 

The old harbor of Amsterdam

We aim to revive the bustling harbor front at the Amstel and IJ. Porters, carriers, seagulls, carillons, the smell of fish, tar and ropes. Why was this location so strategic for trade? Which inventions led to the growth of Amsterdam?  

Religious Amsterdam

Which role did religion play in Medieval Amsterdam? Is there a continuous tradition? How religious is Amsterdam today? Find out more about the Dutch liberal mindset towards things that are oppressed elsewhere. How does the Red Light District ‘work’ and how did it evolve over time?

Monasteries in Amsterdam 

Walk along the many former monasteries and see their current function. How is Amsterdam’s monumental heritage preserved? And what are the latest discoveries?

Legendary Amsterdam 

In the city’s oldest courtyard we talk about the legends of Amsterdam. What’s the story behind the three crosses everywhere? What miracle made Amsterdam become a major tourist destination?

End of the Middle Ages 

We can determine to the exact date on which the Middle Ages ended for Amsterdam. What happened on that day that had such a profound impact on the development of Amsterdam?

Tour reviews

  • star rating  This was a fascinating and informative tour. The shocking reality of the Second World War is so close to the surface in Amsterdam; important historical events happened on almost every... read more corner. Tijs was an excellent and knowledgable guide about this difficult subject; he told us stories of bravery and loss, acts of rebellion and resistance, of the Hunger Winter, of families in hiding and people being shot by a sniper just days after Liberation Day. I am familiar with this period of history and this city and yet I still learned many new things, so I can't recommend this tour highly enough.

    tripadvisor logo
    Traveler188590
    March 9, 2020
  • star rating  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 to see inside Huis Bartolotti was the icing on the cake! Thank you Tijs.

    tripadvisor logo
    emmaH205UX
    March 27, 2023
  • star rating  This was an amazing walking tour of Rembrandt’s steps, where he lived, about his work, the good and bad, etc. It was extremely informative and our guide was Tijs who... read more did an outstanding job. He was funny, and professional, and it was obvious he is passionate about history. Definitely worth doing!

    tripadvisor logo
    Viviana K
    January 1, 1970
  • star rating  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 much of it because it was so well-paced and shared that I've shared a lot of it with friends who have visited since!

    Thanks Edgar and thanks to Historical Amsterdam Tours!

    tripadvisor logo
    Chris F
    May 11, 2022
  • star rating  Tijs gave us a wonderful tour of Amsterdam focused on literary history. He showed us where several main Dutch Authors lived, took us to sites that inspired writers and even... read more made a 'quote' game from the books of Dutch writers. And more. He was very...More

    tripadvisor logo
    avatar thumb Joyce S
    April 4, 2019

Blog posts

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.

Read More »

Related tours

Canal Ring Architecture Tour

2,5 hours | Incl. visit Canal House

Rembrandt Walk

3 hours | Incl. Visit Rembrandt House Museum

Financial History Tour

2,5 hours | Incl. visit Bank vault

WWII Tour

2,5 hours | Incl. Holocaust Names Memorial

Rijksmuseum Tour

2,5 HOURS | Meet the Dutch Masters
OUR PARTNERS
All rights reserved: Historical Amsterdam Tours © 2022
Terms and Conditions
Chamber of Commerce: 62972510 | VAT number: NL001935557B96
Book a tour Book a tour