Get the real Amsterdam experience in 2 days

Day 1

Private Amsterdam Highlights & Jordaan Walking Tour (3 hours)

During this 3-hour private Amsterdam walking tour, you will get to know a lot about the history and culture of Amsterdam, and what makes our city so special. We will take you to all of the must-see places like the Royal Palace. But we will also show you some other spectacular, hidden locations that most rushed tourists don’t get to see! We will walk in the picturesque Jordaan neighborhood, famous for its beautiful old houses, tiny bridges, and hidden courtyards. Your local private guide will explain how the city was built and how the Amsterdammers live in it nowadays.

Evening private Amsterdam canal cruise tour (1.5 or 2.5 hours)

A private canal cruise is great for soaking in the lights and sights while sitting back and relaxing after all of that walking! Amsterdam’s canals, or grachten in Dutch, are a UNESCO World Heritage site and you will see why when you’re on the boat, chartered by your own private captain.

The basic private canal cruise is 1.5 hours long, or you can choose to extend it to 2.5 hours at extra cost to enjoy a delicious 3-course fine dining dinner or delicious wood-oven pizza.

On arrival day, please let us know if you need a private airport transfer to your hotel.

Day 2

Private Amsterdam Museum Tour (3 hours)

There is no better way to spend 3 hours in Amsterdam – or anywhere else – than on a private museum tour with a specialist guide. Guided by an experienced museum specialist, you will first visit and walk around the Van Gogh Museum where you will get close to his paintings and learn everything about the materials, techniques, and inspiration that made him the greatest Dutch artist. You will then walk with your museum guide to the grand Rijksmuseum just next door. In this impressive museum, you can walk, explore, and admire the work of the most famous Golden Age painters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals, and more.

Anne Frank House Tour (at your own pace)

Take your time and discover how Anne Frank and her family lived for two years in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War Two. During her hiding, Anne Frank chronicled life in the Secret Annex through her diary, expressing her thoughts, feelings, and hopes. The Nazis discovered the family and Anne died at the end of the war in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Anne’s writings profoundly impacted her father, Otto Frank who survived the war and who later published her diary as Het Achterhuis (The Secret Annex) in 1947. The book has since been translated into 70 languages and adapted for stage and screen, sharing Anne’s story with the world. In 1960, the Secret Annex was opened as the Anne Frank House, a museum dedicated to her memory and a poignant reminder of the dangers of discrimination and hatred.

Note: Private guides are not permitted in the Anne Frank House. We can purchase tickets for you.

Experience the best of Amsterdam and countryside in 3 days

Day 1 of 3

Private Amsterdam Highlights & Jordaan Walking Tour (3 hours)

During this 3-hour private Amsterdam walking tour, you will get to know a lot about the history and culture of Amsterdam, and what makes our city so special. We will take you to all of the must-see places like the Royal Palace. But we will also show you some other spectacular, hidden locations that most rushed tourists don’t get to see! We will walk in the picturesque Jordaan neighborhood, famous for its beautiful old houses, tiny bridges, and hidden courtyards. Your local private guide will explain how the city was built and how the Amsterdammers live in it nowadays.

Evening private Amsterdam canal cruise tour (1.5 or 2.5 hours)

A private canal cruise is great for soaking in the lights and sights while sitting back and relaxing after all of that walking! Amsterdam’s canals, or grachten in Dutch, are a UNESCO World Heritage site and you will see why when you’re on the boat, chartered by your own private captain listening to stories from your local guide.

The basic private canal cruise is 1.5 hours long, or you can choose to extend it to 2.5 hours at extra cost to enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner or pizza.

Day 2 of 3

Private Amsterdam Countryside Tour (7 hours in car & walking)

Want to get away from the crowds? Then a private Amsterdam countryside tour to see the windmills and idyllic Dutch landscape is a must! You will stroll through quaint fishing villages, taste the most delicious Dutch cheese and go inside a centuries-old working windmill.

We also explore the Beemster polder, a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its perfect design and how well it helped us Dutch to manage water in the past…and still to this day! If you like cycling, then we will make sure to enjoy a scenic bike ride too. We also visit a cheese and clog farm where you will learn about these famous Dutch products and, of course, taste the delicious aged cheeses.

This will be much more than just a sightseeing tour...it’s a real dive into Dutch history, culture and landscapes. A truly memorable experience!

Day 3 of 3

Private Amsterdam Museum Tour (3 hours)

There is no better way to spend 3 hours in Amsterdam – or anywhere else – than on a private museum tour with a specialist guide. Guided by an experienced museum specialist, you will first visit and walk around the Van Gogh Museum where you will get close to his paintings and learn everything about the materials, techniques, and inspiration that made him the greatest Dutch artist. You will then walk with your museum guide to the grand Rijksmuseum just next door. In this impressive museum, you can walk, explore, and admire the work of the most famous Golden Age painters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals, and more.

Anne Frank House Tour (at your own pace)

Take your time and discover how Anne Frank and her family lived for two years in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War Two. During her two years in hiding, Anne Frank chronicled life in the Secret Annex through her diary, expressing her thoughts, feelings, and hopes. The Nazis discovered the family and Anne died at the end of the war in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Anne’s writings profoundly impacted her surviving father, Otto Frank, who later published her diary as Het Achterhuis (The Secret Annex) in 1947. The book has since been translated into 70 languages and adapted for stage and screen, sharing Anne’s story with the world. In 1960, the Secret Annex was opened as the Anne Frank House, a museum dedicated to her memory and a poignant reminder of the dangers of discrimination and hatred. Otto Frank remained deeply involved with the museum until his passing in 1980, hoping to inspire future generations through Anne’s words. Note: Private guides are not permitted in the Anne Frank House. We can purchase tickets for you.

On departure day, please let us know if you need a private airport transfer to your hotel.

Explore Amsterdam, Dutch countryside and Bruges (Belgium) in 4 days

Day 1 of 4

Private Amsterdam Highlights & Jordaan Walking Tour (3 hours)

During this 3-hour private Amsterdam walking tour, you will get to know a lot about the history and culture of Amsterdam, and what makes our city so special. We will take you to all of the must-see places like the Royal Palace. But we will also show you some other spectacular, hidden locations that most rushed tourists don’t get to see! We will walk in the picturesque Jordaan neighborhood, famous for its beautiful old houses, tiny bridges, and hidden courtyards. Your local private guide will explain how the city was built and how the Amsterdammers live in it nowadays.

Evening private Amsterdam canal cruise tour (1.5 or 2.5 hours)

A private canal cruise is great for soaking in the lights and sights while sitting back and relaxing after all of that walking! Amsterdam’s canals, or grachten in Dutch, are a UNESCO World Heritage site and you will see why when you’re on the boat, chartered by your own private captain listening to stories from your local guide.

The basic private canal cruise is 1.5 hours long, or you can choose to extend it to 2.5 hours at extra cost to enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner or pizza.

Day 2 of 4

Private Amsterdam Countryside Tour (7 hours in car & walking)

Want to get away from the crowds? Then a private Amsterdam countryside tour to see the windmills and idyllic Dutch landscape is a must! You will stroll through quaint fishing villages, taste the most delicious Dutch cheese and go inside a centuries-old working windmill.

We also explore the Beemster polder, a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its perfect design and how well it helped us Dutch to manage water in the past…and still to this day! If you like cycling, then we will make sure to enjoy a scenic bike ride too. We also visit a cheese and clog farm where you will learn about these famous Dutch products and, of course, taste the delicious aged cheeses.

This will be much more than just a sightseeing tour...it’s a real dive into Dutch history, culture and landscapes. A truly memorable experience!

Day 3 of 4

Private Amsterdam Museum Tour (3 hours)

There is no better way to spend 3 hours in Amsterdam – or anywhere else – than on a private museum tour with a specialist guide. Guided by an experienced museum specialist, you will first visit and walk around the Van Gogh Museum where you will get close to his paintings and learn everything about the materials, techniques, and inspiration that made him the greatest Dutch artist. You will then walk with your museum guide to the grand Rijksmuseum just next door. In this impressive museum, you can walk, explore, and admire the work of the most famous Golden Age painters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals, and more.

Anne Frank House Tour (at your own pace)

Take your time and discover how Anne Frank and her family lived for two years in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War Two. During her two years in hiding, Anne Frank chronicled life in the Secret Annex through her diary, expressing her thoughts, feelings, and hopes. The Nazis discovered the family and Anne died at the end of the war in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Anne’s writings profoundly impacted her surviving father, Otto Frank, who later published her diary as Het Achterhuis (The Secret Annex) in 1947. The book has since been translated into 70 languages and adapted for stage and screen, sharing Anne’s story with the world. In 1960, the Secret Annex was opened as the Anne Frank House, a museum dedicated to her memory and a poignant reminder of the dangers of discrimination and hatred. Otto Frank remained deeply involved with the museum until his passing in 1980, hoping to inspire future generations through Anne’s words. Note: Private guides are not permitted in the Anne Frank House. We can purchase tickets for you.

Day 4 of 4

Full-day private drive to Belgium & 2-hour walking tour in Bruges

We hate to admit it, but The Netherlands is not the only beautiful country in this part of Europe. In collaboration with experienced local private guides in Belgium, we organize a special tour to the breathtakingly quaint historical town of Bruges. Its combination of medieval buildings and dreamy canals earned the city the nickname, ‘Venice of the North’. In fact, the city is so amazing that UNESCO added the entire city center to its World Heritage list in 2000.

We leave Amsterdam early in the morning for the drive south, where you will enjoy a 2-hour private walking tour with a local Flemish guide, as well as lunch in Bruges. After lunch, you have some time for leisurely exploring. You will return to Amsterdam around 6:00pm in the evening.

On departure day, please let us know if you need a private airport transfer to your hotel.

Be sure to check out our other two most popular private tour packages if you prefer less than 4 days!

The Perfect Introduction Tour! Amsterdam Highlights and the Jordaan

If it’s your first time visiting Amsterdam and you want to learn how to navigate the city and see its most famous locations with a local insider, this is the private tour for you! During this short private walking tour, you will get to know a lot about the history and culture of Amsterdam, and what makes our city so special.

We will take you to all of the must-see places like the Royal Palace. But we will also show you some other spectacular, hidden locations that most rushed tourists don’t get to see!

We visit the picturesque grachtengordel, or canal ring – a UNESCO World Heritage site – before taking a walk in the Jordaan neighborhood, famous for its beautiful old houses, tiny bridges, and hidden courtyards. You will be taken back in time on this walk. Your private guide will explain how the city was built and how the Amsterdammers live in it nowadays.

The suggested time for this perfect introduction private walking tour is 3 hours.

And if you’d like to explore the city of Amsterdam even further, why not consider one of our other Amsterdam tours, bike tours, or museum tours?

We like to take our guests to places where the locals go…

During this private tour, you visit the Jordaan neighborhood, famous for its beautiful old houses, charming canals, and hidden courtyard (called ‘hofjes’), which take you back in time. You will then sneak away from the touristy area and visit Amsterdam’s #1 hidden gems – Bickerseiland (Bicker’s Island) and Prinseneiland (Prince’s Island), an old wharf area. Nowadays, it’s a stunningly restored residential area that is extremely peaceful, despite its central location. 

From here we will take the ferry to the NDSM, an old shipping wharf in Amsterdam North (Noord) full of funky street art projects, bars, restaurants, and more.

At the end, you can enjoy a well-deserved drink from this northern part of Amsterdam with great views over the city from here!

Recommended time for this favorite private walking tour is approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.

Private Tour of the Red Light District and Old Amsterdam

Amsterdam for the Curious

The Red Light District is perhaps the most notorious tourist destination in Amsterdam, offering visitors the opportunity to indulge in as much or as little of the city’s infamous nightlife as they like. The first things that spring to mind when one thinks of this area are, of course, the red-lit windows and soft drugs.

Indeed, the first records of prostitution in the area date back to the 15th century, when many sailors would come into port and look for “entertainment” near the harbor.

But the red light district is so much more than just a collection of bars and coffeeshops. It’s a unique area with a rich history, offering visitors the opportunity to explore its labyrinthine streets.

During our 2-hour private walking tour* of the red light district, we will give you a lot of insight into the history, culture, and the best-kept secrets of this dynamic area while admiring beautiful monumental buildings such as the Old Church (Oude Kerk) and the Weigh House (De Waag) on the Nieuwmarkt.

*Note: This tour is preferably in the evenings and not suitable for kids/families. It is for max 4 people at a time.

This private tour can be easily combined with our other Amsterdam city walking or cycling tours. Have a look!

Jewish Quarter Private Walking Tour

Amsterdam is the city that has the largest diversity in the world when it comes to communities, ethnic groups, and religions! Immigrants from all over built this successful and liberal city. Jews have been part of this process since the early days. Around 1650 a group of prominent Sephardic Jews started building a synagogue at the Daniel Meijerplein near the former Jewish quarter of Amsterdam; at the time it was the largest synagogue in the world. Opposite this stunning temple sits a complex of three synagogues built by Ashkenazi Jews. It now houses the Amsterdam Jewish Historical Museum.

During our Jewish history private walking tour, you will go through the Jewish old town with a local insider, get to know about the people that inhabited this place and how they played an important role in the history of Amsterdam.

Did you know some of these Jewish Amsterdam history facts?

• Amsterdam is also known as Mokum, the yiddish word for town

• Six of Amsterdam’s city mayors have been Jewish, the most recent being Job Cohen (2001-2010)

• The beautiful Tuschinski theater combining Art Nouveau, Art Deco and other modern architectural design was commissioned by Polish-Jewish-Dutch businessman, Abraham Icek Tuschinski

• Today’s Jewish community in the city is around 20,000 people.

And if you’d like to explore the city of Amsterdam even further, why not consider one of our other private Amsterdam tours, bike tours, or museum tours?

A Taste of Dutch Culture Tour OR the Strictly Art Tour

Amsterdam has museums with outstanding collections that you should discover! That is why Toms Travel Tours offers private museum tours you don’t want to miss.

In the Taste of Dutch Culture Tour, you will walk through the oldest part of town, including the Dam square with its beautiful Koninklijk Paleis (‘Royal Palace’) and De Nieuwe Kerk (‘New Church’). Once you’ve admired these striking old buildings, we will visit the Begijnhof, the most beautiful and oldest hidden courtyard in Amsterdam. We will also walk along the ‘grachtengordel’, or canal ring, and have a look at the important residential houses of the Golden Age. Finally, we will head to the Museumplein (‘Museum Square’), where the most famous museums (Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, and Rijksmuseum) are located. If time allows, we will enjoy a stroll in one of the city’s most beautiful parks, the Vondelpark. If you would like, you can add on an optional visit to the Rijksmuseum. This private walking cultural tour is 3 hours without the museum visit, and 4.5 with the museum visit.

The Strictly Art Tour is for true art enthusiasts. There is no better way to spend 3 hours in Amsterdam – or anywhere else – than in an art museum. Guided by an experienced museum specialist, you will first visit the Van Gogh Museum where you will get close to his paintings and learn everything about the materials, techniques, and inspiration that made him the greatest Dutch artist. You will then walk with your museum guide to the grand Rijksmuseum just next door. In this impressive museum, you can admire the work of the most famous Golden Age painters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals, and more. If the tour is in the afternoon, we will first visit the Rijksmuseum and then the Van Gogh Museum. You can also choose to visit just one of the two museums for 1 or 2 hours.

Of course, if you wish to visit one of the other 400+ museums in the Netherlands, just let us know and we will accommodate you!

There are more than 400 museums dispersed throughout the Netherlands, with over 90 of them in Amsterdam alone. Here is a list of the most important museums, canal houses, churches and art galleries in Amsterdam! Let us know if you would like to add one of these or another to your private tour.

Art

Hermitage Amsterdam

Stedelijk Museum

MOCO Museum

EYE Film Institute

Rembrandt House Museum

FOAM Photography Museum

History & culture

Scheepvaart (Maritime) Museum

Royal Palace Amsterdam

Dutch Resistance Museum

Allard Pierson Museum

Tropenmuseum

Jewish Historical Museum

National Holocaust Museum

With kids

Jewish Historical Museum for kids

Artis Royal Zoo

Micropia

NEMO Science Museum

Churches/temples

Nieuwe Kerk

Oude Kerk

Portuguese Synagogue

Houses

Ons' Lieve Heer Op Solder

Museum van Loon

Houseboat Museum

Others

Tip: If you are thinking of visiting 4 or more museums in The Netherlands, you should consider purchasing a Museumjaarkaart.

Active Amsterdam Tours - See the sights by bike

Did you know that Amsterdam has more bikes than people and that only inside the city there are 400 kilometers of separate cycling paths? Amsterdam is the city of bikes! And by cruising the city on two wheels, you will feel like a real local.

Amsterdam can also be very busy and messy, and that's why our private guides want to take care of you. We will navigate the city and show you how to cycle through Amsterdam like a pro.

We offer 2 main bike tours in and around Amsterdam, as described below.

Private bike tour of Amsterdam highlights

The first popular cycling tour covers the highlights of the bustling Amsterdam city center, taking approximately 3 hours.

You will stop by the Dam Palace and Vondelpark, Museum Square, visit the Jordaan and De Pijp neighborhoods, cycle along the winding canals, see the centuries-old churches and a historic windmill, and more.

We will also take you a little off the beaten track. If you don't have much time in our city and want to know all about it or if you like the adrenaline rush, this is a tour for you!

Don’t miss our 9 tips for cycling in Amsterdam too.

Amsterdam bike tour away from the crowds

The second cycling tour takes us away from the city and to the small, picturesque fishing village of Durgerdam. We first make a stop in the trendy NDSM area of Amsterdam before heading to the city’s green and watery outskirts. We will cycle about 20km (~12 miles) on this tour, so get ready to sweat a little!

This tour takes about 4 hours from start to finish.

If you’re up for a cycling adventure farther outside of the city, we can also give you an impression of the Dutch countryside by cycling in, to, and around surrounding villages. Just ask!

And if you plan to visit Amsterdam in spring (approx. mid-April to early April), you cannot miss a bike tour in the tulip fields from Amsterdam!