Free Walking Tours in Amsterdam

There are 4 types of free walking tours in Amsterdam, a city centre tour, a tour of alternative Amsterdam, a food tour as well as a tour of the Red Light District.   

In this post, we explain all of your options, including tour schedules and what you will see on each tour. 

Amsterdam Virtual Walking Tour

OVERVIEW AND SCHEDULE

Free walking tours are technically free – there’s no set upfront fee.

(NOTE: The City of Amsterdam now requires a mandatory tour tax of €1.50 per participant)

They end up being pay-what-you-wish tours, as it is recommended that you pay what you felt the tour was worth at the end of the walk with your guide.

According to online reviews, most guests pay anywhere from €5 – €15 per person. 

Every company offers a city centre tour, but there is also one company offering a free alternative Amsterdam, a free food tour as well as a free Red Light District tour.   

Keep in mind that these free walking tours are popular due to their reputations and affordability. Therefore, some are geared more toward the younger, backpacking crowd.

If you want to avoid a younger-skewing tour, you might want to consider a small-group walking tour. 

TIP: If you’re waiting to check in to your accommodations or are on your way to the airport, why not use a luggage storage service during your tour?

Tourist Attraction Discount Passes

When you purchase one of these passes you’ll get bundled discounts on multiple popular Amsterdam attractions, including free tours of the city’s historic center as well as the Red Light District.  

  • The Holland Pass options include both a City Centre and a Red Light District small group tour. 
  • The Amsterdam Pass also has a Red Light District walk, as well as a City Centre, walk included. 

CITY CENTER TOURS

These pay-what-you-wish walking tours concentrate on Amsterdam’s city center. We list 3 companies below plus our own free, GPS-led audio tour.

All 3 are well-reviewed companies. The first company is our favorite but the 2nd company offers the most times throughout the day.

As we mentioned in the previous section, if you are considering either the Amsterdam Pass or the Holland Pass, you already have a completely free tour included in both passes.

GPS-Led Audio Tour

We’ve recorded one of our tour guides as he gives his Intro to Amsterdam tour and have put it on a GPS-led audio tour app. Listen to a sample.

Here is how it works:

  1. Download our free Amsterdam walking tour app on (iTunes) or (Android).
  2. Download any audio tour.
  3. Enjoy the tour.

Sandemans New Europe

This pay-what-you-wish tour will last about 3 hours and take you through Dam Square, past Anne Frank House, and give you the short highlights of the Red Light District.

You’ll get to know the city with a thorough overview. They have 7 start times throughout the day.

You can learn more or book their free tour here.

This company also offers several other affordable walking tours.

FreeDam Tours

Another highly rated tour company offering a 2.5 – 3-hour walk with an enthusiastic, local guide.

They offer two tours every day, one at 11:00 am and another at 14:00 (2 pm).

You can book the tours here.

Classic Amsterdam Tour

This walking tour always has local Dutch guides leading 2-hour walks of the city center. Tours operate at 10:30 am, 13:30 (1:30 pm) and 16:00 (4 pm).

Think of this as an intro to Amerstdam Tour. The tours cover the Royale Palace, drug policies, history of trade, and an overview of the Red Light District.

The City of Amsterdam limits tours to 15 participants, so space is limited.

All operate on the pay-what-you-wish model.

NOTE: If you are a tour guide or sightseeing company in Amsterdam and you would like to have your tours listed here, let us know.

 

RED LIGHT DISTRICT TOURS

The Red Light District of Amsterdam is world-famous and the subject of much fascination. Here are a few free tours that focus on this district. 

 

Tourist Attraction Discount Passes

When you purchase one of these passes you’ll get bundled discounts on multiple popular Amsterdam attractions, including free tours of the Red Light District.  

Self-Guided Tour

Learn about the Red Light District at your leisure with a free audio tour. You can go at your own pace and start whenever you want.

Free Amsterdam Tours

Learn the when, how, and why of the city’s Red Light District on Free Amsterdam Tours’ walk through this neighborhood.

This tour was running daily at 16:00 (4 pm), however, the tour is currently not running.

Paid Small Group Tours

If you’re looking for a more personalized tour, you can pay for a small-group tour of the Red Light District with a number of companies.

Self-Guided Exploration Game

Although it’s not technically a tour, this game will have you exploring the Red Light District and looking for clues to solve a mystery as you discover the area.

This service isn’t free, but the price is reasonable and close to what you might tip a guide for a pay-what-you-wish walking tour.

Download or learn more about the game.

NOTE: If you are a tour guide or sightseeing company in Amsterdam and you would like to have your tours listed here, let us know.

 

ALTERNATIVE AMSTERDAM

Looking for something a bit more unique and different? These alternative Amsterdam tours usually have a different theme than the usual history-and-culture tours. 

Free Amsterdam Tours

If you’re interested in learning about more than just the most popular tourist destinations, this Free Alternative Tour of Amsterdam is a good option.

You’ll learn about Dutch traditions, restaurants, street art, and the UNESCO canal belt.

Departs daily at 13:30 (1:30 pm).

Self-Guided Exploration Game

This isn’t really a tour, but if you’re looking for an interesting way to discover some of the most notable locations in the city, you may want to consider one of these games.

There is currently just one other mystery game in addition to the Red Light District game which offers an alternative look at Amsterdam:

These games aren’t free, but at €10-€15, they’re definitely in the range of what one might tip a guide for a pay-what-you-wish walking tour.

NOTE: If you are a tour guide or sightseeing company in Amsterdam and you would like to have your tours listed here, let us know.

 

FREE FOOD TOURS

These food tours are also pay-what-you-wish to attend! Free samples are handed out throughout the tour.

Keep in mind, however, that you should have cash on hand if you want to purchase more of your favorite treats.

Free Food Tours in Amsterdam

Free Amsterdam Tours

Discover why Amsterdammers eat 17 kilos of cheese a year, what are bitterballen or kroketten, and when do we eat it, what is a typical Dutch dinner, and where can you get the best chocolate from Amsterdam?

The tour is pay-what-you-wish (and the samples are included). It runs every day at 10:30 am.

The City of Amsterdam limits tours to 15 participants, so space is limited. 

 

FREE TOURS IN OTHER CITIES

Enjoy free walking tours in other cities around the world with Free Tours by Foot and our recommended companies.

Here are just a few.

Europe