Amsterdam Sights and Secrets Walking Tour

Starting at our designated meeting point of St Nicholas’ Basilica, we will firstly discuss the history of the city’s primary Roman Catholic Church. Built at the end of the 19th century at a time when Roman Catholics could once again profess their faith in public after three centuries of prohibition, the building is a blend of different architectural styles and artistic movements.

We will then make our way towards the Schreierstoren, often known as the Tower of Tears or Weeper’s Tower. Originally part of the medieval city wall of Amsterdam, this tower is mainly known for the belief that women wept there for their husbands who would leave from the port to go to war or to fish.

We will then walk through an area known to be the Chinatown of Amsterdam. Zeedijk is a street in the old centre of Amsterdam and consists of a number of Asian markets, restaurants and shops, as well as the Zeedijk Buddhist temple, known to be the largest Chinese style Buddhist temple in Europe.

We will briefly walk by and discuss the Museum Our Lord in the Attic, one of the most cherished museums in Amsterdam. The attic of this bourgeois’ house conceals a secret Catholic Church originally built in 1663, when Catholics lost their right to workship in their own way.

Next we will see the monumental church De Oude Kerk (the Old Church) which dominates over the Red Light District. The Oude Kerk is the oldest and for centuries was the most important church in Amsterdam. Although it lost this title to what is known as The New Church, it remains one of the grand sights to visit.

From here, we will make our way to the lively nightspot and market square, Nieuwmarkt which is found in the old city centre. This spot has been a centre for commerce and socialising in Amsterdam since the 17th century as the square’s location just inside the old city gate made it a convenient spot for traders and shoppers looking for fresh produce.

During our time at Nieuwmarkt, we will also see what is known as “De Waag”, a 15th century building that is one of Amsterdam’s oldest remaining non-religious buildings. Originally a city gate and part of the walls of Amsterdam, the building has also served as a guildhall, museum and firestation, among other things.

Moving on, we will see both the Trippenhuis & Klein Trippenhuis. While the Trippenhuis is Amsterdam’s widest home, spanning an enormous 22m, the Klein Trippenhuis is one of Amsterdam’s narrowest houses located right across from the Trippenhuis.

We will then walk towards the Former Jewish Neighborhood, or Jodenbuurt, an area which contains many historically important buildings that are currently preserved and managed by the Jewish Cultural Quarter.

Next we will pass by Rembrandt’s house, a historical building and art museum in which the Painter Rembrandt lived and worked between 1639 and 1656. The collection of the museum contains Rembrandt’s etchings and paintings of his contemporaries.

Following, we will go to what is known as the Stopera, a building complex housing both the city hall and the Dutch National Opera and Ballet. The construction of this building was at least 60 years in the making.

You will then be taken to see the Zuiderkerk, or what is known as the Southern Church. This church is a protestant church located in the Nieuwmarkt region and was not only a major part of Rembrandt’s life, but also features in a Claude Monet painting.

Next we will walk along the Amstel River, which has been a vital part of the Netherlands since the Middle Ages. Its currents have been supplying Amsterdam with water and transportation for over 800 years.

At the river we will see two bridges, known as the Skinny Bridge and the Blue Bridge. While the Skinny Bridge is probably Amsterdam’s most famous bridge, spanning across the River Amstel from 1934, the Blue Bridge, which is not blue at all, is named after the wooden blue bridge that spun across the Amstel in the 17th century.

At the river we will see two bridges, known as the Skinny Bridge and the Blue Bridge. While the Skinny Bridge is probably Amsterdam’s most famous bridge, spanning across the River Amstel from 1934, the Blue Bridge, which is not blue at all, is named after the wooden blue bridge that spun across the Amstel in the 17th century.

Following, we will walk through one of the busiest squares in the city, Rembrandt Square. As you can tell by its name, Rembrandtplein is named after the famous Dutch painter, Rembrandt. Here you will see a bronze-cast representation of his most famous painting, The Night Watch, which was displayed as part of the celebration of the artist’s 400th birthday in 2006.

After this, we will then walk through the flower market where you will see the Munttoren (“Mind Tower”). The tower was originally part of one of the main gates in Amsterdam’s medieval city wall.

After this, we will then walk through the flower market where you will see the Munttoren (“Mind Tower”). The tower was originally part of one of the main gates in Amsterdam’s medieval city wall.

Following, we will see one of the oldest hofjes, or almshouses in Amsterdam, Begijnhof. It consists of a group of houses built around a secluded courtyard and garden, known to have provided homes for the Beguines – a group of unmarried women who lived together under vows of chastity. Today it is also the site of two churches.

Next we will pass by the Amsterdam Museum and the Walk of Art Gallery, which is free for everybody.

During the tour you will also see the Prinsengracht, a canal that runs through the centre of Amsterdam. It is the third and outermost of the three main canals of Amsterdam, forming an expansion project that took 50 years to build.

You will also wander past Westerkerk, a 17th century Dutch Protestant church. Located in the heart of Amsterdam it is the largest of its kind in the city.

One of the tour’s last stop includes the Dam Square. Its notable buildings and frequent events make it one of the most well-known locations in the city, as it includes the Royal Place, New Church and National Monument.