Free Tour of Amsterdam's City Centre

Experience one of Europe's most beautifully preserved historical city centers on this walking tour which delves into the history, culture, and architecture of a truly unique place. Hear about how a damp swamp was transformed into a global melting pot and how the experience of the Second World War triggered a revolution in social experimentation that continues to unfold today.
Highlights include: 

• How the first inhabitants fought with the elements to create their own land 
• The social experiment of legalized prostitution and the controversial changes to the Red Light District 
• The revolutionary principles of the Dutch East India Company
• The battle of building on a swamp and the uniqueness of the city's architecture 
• Coffeeshops and the Netherlands' policy on soft drugs
• How a post-war housing crisis triggered a radical experiment in communal living 

From the square where the original inhabitants laid a dam, the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company, the Amstel River and its beautiful houseboats, the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the canal belt, and the bells of the Western Church that Anne Frank wrote about in her diary you will experience the highlights and hidden gems of a world-famous city. 

Please note that due to strict regulations on tour group sizes in Amsterdam this tour is designed for individuals and small groups up to a maximum of 6 people. Larger groups can contact me for a private tour. A group of larger than 6 which has booked under multiple reservations will not be permitted to join.