
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 at the main entrance of the Concert Gebouw at the Museum square.
End is at the Dam square
2.5 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)
- 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
See Booking page
We start at the main entrance of the Concert Gebouw at the side of the Museum square.
End is at the Dam square
2.5 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)
- 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
See Booking page
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.
While many know of Anne Frank, our tour introduces you to other pivotal figures whose courage shaped the Dutch narrative:
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.
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.
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.
| Location | Historical Significance |
| Museumplein | The starting point and site of the “Other Diary” history. |
| Amsterdam Canals | How 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 Monument | The focal point for modern Dutch Remembrance Day (May 4th). |
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.
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.
Living in Amsterdam I read quite a bit about its history. However, during the history of expats tour Tijs knew how to surpise me with interesting details I didn't know... read more before. Time was flying! Thanks!
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! …
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 financial innovations of the Dutch, but also the uncomfortable truths in its history.
Thank you, Thijs, for the engaging tour!
Amazing experience! Tijs took us through the history, like coming back in the past. Walking in the streets, listening at his storytelling was an incredible experience. Such a passionate guide!... read more We learned a lot about the culture, the past and the present. Can't wait to...More
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 isn’t an art expert. Would 100% recommend!

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.