15 Best Amsterdam Tours & Experiences 2019

Best bike tour in Amsterdam

Four friends staying in Amsterdam and we decided to do a bike tour and so happy we did. We had comfortable bikes, we had a gorgeous young guide Nicky who lived in Amsterdam and told us history points and showed us all over the city at a leisurely pace so we could enjoy the scenery and take in the sights. We would highly recommend this as great value for money and lots of fun.

Reviewed by Gay • May 09, 2019

Hidden Gems of Amsterdam Bike Tour

S

Henk is a walking library!

I was fortunate to be the only one in the tour today and thus had so much time chatting with Henk and asking questions. Henk’s tour is probably the best I’ve had in the life so far. In the 2hr walk, the introduction of the history in Amsterdam was very organized and chronological, along with the views.

I was brought back to the 17th, WWII, and living in the presence. Henk taught and reminded me that the progress and liberty we enjoy today are from a surviving and struggling past and certainly should not be forgotten.

Henk also shared lots of stories and fun facts that turned over my original thoughts. The most surprising part was probably when Henk took out his books and read the paragraphs and poem to me. It was just beautiful, as we relived in the historical moments. I almost got tears several times.

Being a tourist from Taiwan where we’ve only legalized same sex marriage very recently, I was deeply touched by the works of the pioneers in the history. I also truly appreciate the dedications of Henk that he’s trying the best to spread out the knowledge.

Top highlight of my Amsterdam trip! :)

Reviewed by strongheadwu / TripAdvisor • October 22, 2019

LGBT History Tour Amsterdam

Great opportunity to explore Amsterdam with locals!

Russian:
Прекрасный велотур по Амстердаму, за 3 часа вы успеете:
- заехать в интересные районы, в которые захочется вернуться ещё раз, и послушать истории о местных традициях
- выпить кофе в местном кафе и пообщаться с другими велотуристами со всего света
- почувствовать себя настоящим амстердамцем, потому что местные не предоставляют свою жизнь без велосипеда.

Большое спасибо организаторам тура, я многое узнал об Амстердаме и побывал в стольких местах, которые пешком не обойти!

English:
Marvelous Amsterdam bike tour, during 3 hours you will:
- visit beautiful neighborhoods that you would want to come back to and listen to stories about local traditions and history
- sip a coffee in a local place while chatting with other bike tourists all over the globe
- feel like a local, as locals can't imagine their life without a bicycle!

Many thanks to the team, I learned a lot during the tour about Amsterdam and visited so many places I would not be able to if I were on feet!

Oleg, May 2019

Reviewed by Oleg • May 06, 2019

Hidden Gems of Amsterdam Bike Tour

Delicious Food, Excellent Company

This houseboat dinner was fantastic! The food was incredibly delicious. I'm a vegetarian myself, so I loved seeing the vegetarian menu (the meat eaters in the group also loved the meal despite the traditional proteins). We had an extra large crowd the night of our dinner, but the hosts handled it splendidly. It was lovely getting to chat with the different groups from different backgrounds. Carl and Roberto were amazing hosts, and did I mention great chefs as well? There were very attentive servers and drink-refillers, and held great conversations with everyone. It was so fascinating to tour the houseboat and see their recent, beautiful renovations. The houseboat is centrally located to downtown and easy enough to find. I would definitely recommend this to a friend and partake again if I ever find myself back in the area. Thank you for a fantastic evening!

Reviewed by Waverly • January 16, 2018

Houseboat Dining in Amsterdam: Dinner on the Water

A totally alternative view of Amsterdam

I have always been very sceptical about boat tours in different cities, because they always look so commercial & touristic. The boat ride offered by Chris is totally opposite – a super relaxed way to cruise around Amsterdam and see the local life in a totally different perspective.

Besides being able to see the buildings in a much better way than walking or on bike, you can also see a lot of things happening in that vibrant city – from people shooting wedding photos on the bridges, to locals and/or tourists cruising on the canals with their friends and family, to seeing the life going on in the boat houses.

I'd say it's one of the must do things in Amsterdam and I would recommend Chris to everyone.

Image by Kalev who visited Amsterdam Private Boat Tour.

Things to do in Amsterdam. Photo by Kalev.

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Reviewed by Kalev • May 29, 2017

Amsterdam Private Boat Tour

GREAT day on the canals!

Booked a 2hr cruise with Chris, my husband, myself and our two children (5 and 3) were on the cruise. It was an unseasonably HOT day and Chris came prepared with sunscreen! He was amazing with the children and provided as much historical commentary as we would have wanted. He had drinks on board for a very reasonable price and we brought our own food. He took pictures as often as we asked/wanted. Overall, 6stars! I would take cursing with Chris anyday over being packed in a larger tour boat.... Especially when cruising with children, unobstructed views and some room to stretch out (along with drinks and food)! Cruise with Chris, you won’t regret it!

Reviewed by Jamie • April 21, 2018

Amsterdam Private 2-Hour Boat Tour

Great fun!

We had such a blast on the hidden gems tour. Guide was knowledgeable, took us to some less touristy spots like a local market (not the flower one) and the widows courtyard, had a really good understanding of history and helped us navigate bike riding in the Netherlands. Easy pace and comfy bike, even for those who don’t love bike riding. They also ended up giving us a private tour and were very accommodating when our trains delayed our meet up time. Only odd part at the end was that the guide seemed to expect a tip (which I gladly gave because he was amazing) but when you read that some European countries don’t tip, I wasn’t sure how to proceed.

Reviewed by Maggie • December 30, 2017

Hidden Gems of Amsterdam Bike Tour

Wonderful canal tour

Chris treated us to a fantastic tour of Amsterdam. It was a sunny day, quite cool (ice was forming in some places!) but we stayed warm with the help of blankets and laughter. If you want a private boat on the canals, this is the way to go. It's a different perspective from the water, and much more personal than a big tour boat. Plus you can ask Chris about the things that you are most interested in seeing and doing, favorite restaurants, bars and activities. We brought some of our own drinks, and were happy to have his cooler full of beer and wine when we ran out. Cheers to Captain Chris!

Reviewed by Kathleen • March 06, 2018

Amsterdam Private 2-Hour Boat Tour

Highlight of the trip!

Boat trip was beautiful - a definite highlight for our whole group of 6 - and Chris was not only helpful and knowledgeable but also just a fun person to spend an hour or so floating down the canals with! He made the whole process very easy and was able to enrich the trip with facts about the city and locals-only insider info. He gave us a great recommendation for a bar and restaurant and was even able to drop us off near where we were staying. I'd absolutely recommend this to anyone visiting the city. Great value for cost.

Reviewed by Katie Jane • February 16, 2017

Amsterdam Private Boat Tour

Great way to see the City and the Lights!

Chris lead an awesome tour throughout the canal system. He definitely knows all the canals by the back of his hand and had a fair amount of fun facts about Amsterdam as well. The boat was a smooth, albeit chilly, ride in the evening, but we dressed extra warmly and it really wasn't that bad! Chris was also very timely with pick-up and drop-off. I would definitely recommend this to a friend. It was one of the highlights of our time in Amsterdam for sure!

Reviewed by Waverly • January 16, 2018

Amsterdam Light Festival Private Boat Tour

Excellent Photographer and Guide

I would highly recommend Gaby, she took excellent photos of me and my girlfriend and knew all the good locations to get the best photos. For me as an awkward photo taker i was glad she even helped to pose us so that they all came out looking fantastic. She was also very reposnsive to communications and even gave us some great restaraunt recommendations in the days following our photo shoot. Absolutely great photographer and guide.

Reviewed by Andre • February 06, 2019

Amsterdam Instagram Photo Shoot

Great day, great guide

We had a beautiful time with Chris. We were looking for something mellow and not so touristy and it fit the bill perfectly. We got to see some canals where the big boats wouldn't fit. Chris told about the city, offered to take a photo of us and gave us some recommendations for the city (only when we asked, nothing unsolicited). He was easy to communicate with and arrange the pick up and drop off points. Thanks Chris!

Reviewed by Amanda • July 15, 2019

Amsterdam Private 2-Hour Boat Tour

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

I got this trip as a surprise for me and 3 friends for a joint birthday thing, it was the highlight of all of our trips in Dam!! You get to see the hidden bits of Amsterdam and always felt very safe. The ice bucket was very useful and we brought our own bread and cheese etcand alcohol on board. Chris was very relaxed and answered any questions we had- he made the trip very enjoyable!! Thank you sooo much

Reviewed by Sarah • July 19, 2019

Amsterdam Private 2-Hour Boat Tour

AMAZING EXPERIENCE

I wanted to propose to my boyfriend while in Amsterdam and was fortunate enough to find Chris. He was very kind and communicative and helped me come up with a clear plan. It could not have gone any better and now we’re engaged!
Chris was the perfect amount of informative, funny, and charming. I highly recommend his boat ride.
Also, Amsterdam at dusk into the night is nothing short of magical.

Image by Joey who visited Amsterdam Private Boat Tour.

Tour in Amsterdam: Amsterdam Private Boat Tour. Photo by Joey.

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Reviewed by Joey • September 17, 2019

Amsterdam Private Boat Tour

Fascinating and informative guided tour

Fascinating and informative guided tour about the history of the old Amsterdam neighbourhood ‘De Jordaan’. Guide Breklyn takes you to places tourists would not normally find by themselves, and some other hidden gems. Interesting places: the corridors of Willemstreet, Johnny Jordaan Square, Begijnhof (former Béguinage), Westerchurch, Homomonument, and so much more.

Reviewed by Richard • May 26, 2019

Historical Jordaan Walking Tour

Most comfortable bike seat EVER!

My husband and I went on the bike tour and were very pleased all parts of the service. The bikes were comfortable, there were frequent stops to talk about sites and culture, the guide (Charlotte) was knowledgeable approachable and shared her passion for her native city. It helped see the city from a very different perspective. Thank you. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Paula • March 28, 2017

Hidden Gems of Amsterdam Bike Tour

John is knowleadge and friendly

I participated in the one-hour city bike today afternoon, and John has a very typical American accent which is easy to understand for non-native English speaker. It will be the best way to explore the city, while you don't need to concern about getting lost.
I will be the bike tour next year if I have more spare time. Personally, I highly recommend it !!

Reviewed by Kieran • December 27, 2018

Amsterdam Sightseeing City Bike Tour

It was great, highly recommend

I booked the tour as a Christmas present for my boyfriend and we were more than satisfied! Chris, a very nice and friendly local, picked us up near our hotel and we saw all the highlights of the light festival. Chris told us interesting facts and the warm blankets kept us warm. Definitely worth it, especially if you want to have a more special boat tour!

Reviewed by Lotti • December 18, 2018

Amsterdam Light Festival Private Boat Tour

Lovely tour of Amsterdam

This was such a lovely tour! It was so nice to do a tour of the canals with just my family. Vanessa told us interesting stories as went thru the canals. With her small boat she was able to take us down some of the quieter canals that the larger tour boats can't travel down. Wet had our teenagers and Grandma with us and everyone enjoyed this tour.

Activity in Amsterdam: Historic Boat Tour of Amsterdam Canals. Photo by Jami who visited that tour.

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Reviewed by Jami • April 12, 2019

Historic Boat Tour of Amsterdam Canals

Highlight of Amsterdam visit

Amsterdam Canals tour is an amazing experience and even better when you have a boat for just you and your friends/family. The view is amazing and the sunset was just glamorous. Besides, Chris was a really friendly guide and drove us to some hidden gems as well as famous places. It was for sure the highlight of our Amsterdam visit.

Reviewed by Débora • June 23, 2018

Amsterdam Private Boat Tour