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World War II History Tour

World War II tour

The story of an occupied city

World War II History Tour

Book tour
Book tour

World War II tour

World War II History Tour

  • Startingpoint
    Startingpoint

    We start at the main entrance of the Concert Gebouw at the Museum square.
    End is at the Dam square

  • Duration | Distance
    Duration | Distance

    2.5 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)

  • Highlights
    Highlights

    - Nazi headquarters on Museum square
    - The Nazi Robbery bank
    - Jewish art collections
    - The Mayor's residence
    - The Halifax aircraft crash
    - Royal Palace and royal family during WWII

  • Price
    Price

    See Booking page

Schedule your
private World War II tour

More Information
Tour Reviews
  • Startingpoint
    Startingpoint

    We start at the main entrance of the Concert Gebouw at the side of the Museum square.
    End is at the Dam square

  • Duration | Distance
    Duration | Distance

    2.5 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)

  • Highlights
    Highlights

    - Nazi headquarters on Museum square
    - The Nazi Robbery bank
    - Jewish art collections
    - The Mayor's residence
    - The Halifax aircraft crash
    - Royal Palace and royal family during WWII

  • Price
    Price

    See Booking page

Book your
private World War II tour

More Information
Tour Reviews

World War II & The Holocaust in Amsterdam: A Private History Tour

Uncover the complex history of the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam (1940–1945) on this expert-led 2.5-hour walking tour. Beyond the famous landmarks, we explore the stories of the 10% of the city’s population lost during the Holocaust and the enduring scars left on the Dutch capital.


 

Beyond the Diary: The Human Stories of Resistance

While many know of Anne Frank, our tour introduces you to other pivotal figures whose courage shaped the Dutch narrative:

  1. Etty Hillesum: Walk past the home of this Jewish writer and resistance member near the Concertgebouw. Her diaries offer a profound, spiritual perspective on life under the occupation.

  2. Tony van Renterghem: Learn about Hillesum’s neighbor, a legendary Dutch war hero who transitioned from active resistance to high-level espionage.

The Royal Concierge: Hear the incredible story of the man who single-handedly protected the Royal Palace on Dam Square from Nazi seizure.


 

Fact-Checking History: Myths vs. Reality

This tour takes a scholarly approach to the “historical corruption” and common misconceptions about Amsterdam during the war. We use primary sources and raw data to address difficult questions:

  • The Resistance Myth: Why was organized resistance in Amsterdam slower to form than often portrayed?

  • The “Grey Zone” of Collaboration: How did ordinary citizens and city officials navigate the thin line between survival and complicity?

  • The Impact of the Blitz: Understand why Amsterdam was largely spared from German bombing, unlike Rotterdam, and how that shaped the occupation.


 

Key Historical Landmarks You Will Visit

LocationHistorical Significance
MuseumpleinThe starting point and site of the “Other Diary” history.
Amsterdam CanalsHow Jewish money financed a concentration camp and “Nazi-money” the resistance.
Royal Palace (Dam Square)The epicenter of the 1945 shooting tragedy and the seat of Dutch sovereignty.
National MonumentThe focal point for modern Dutch Remembrance Day (May 4th).

The Tragic Finale: Dam Square, May 7th, 1945

The war did not end cleanly for Amsterdam. We visit the exact spot where, three days after the official German surrender, a tragic shooting occurred on Dam Square. We discuss the role of Queen Wilhelmina in London and how her radio broadcasts (Radio Oranje) influenced the Dutch spirit.


 

Why This Tour?

  • Research-Driven: Our guides move past the “tourist version” of history to provide a deeper, evidence-based account.

  • Small Group Focus: We allow time for discussion on sensitive topics like the Holocaust and modern-day remembrance.

  • Hidden Geography: Discover “invisible” monuments and sites that many locals walk past every day.

Book your World War II Amsterdam Tour today to understand the city’s darkest and most heroic hours.

Tour reviews

  • star rating  Edgar was our tour guide and met us at Centraal Station. We were guided around the city for the next two hours and it was delivered in perfect English. You... read more can tell Edgar is very passionate and knowledgeable about history and art, and loves living...More

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    avatar thumb Peter B
    July 11, 2018
  • star rating  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!

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    RafaTraveller
    December 22, 2020
  • 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  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.

    tripadvisor logo
    A9225NYdaved
    March 8, 2020
  • star rating  Tijs was amazing. His knowledge is outstanding and the tour was fun, interesting and informative. We would definitely recommend him to anyone needing a tour guide in Amsterdam. He tailor... read more made the itinerary to our interests and it was an even more enjoyable than I could have imagined. All in all an unforgettable day.

    tripadvisor logo
    493merlek
    August 30, 2019

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