Amsterdam Coffee Shop Tours

Updated: April 21, 2023

This post provides details about several Amsterdam coffee shop tours that you can take, including tips on discounts and a self-guided option.


Überblick

Before you get too far into this post, it’s important to note that coffee shops are much different in Amsterdam than in other parts of the world.

If you’re new to this whole culture, it can be helpful to take a coffee shop tour which provides information about how these locations became a hot spot for cannabis.

There are several tours available, and most of them include the opportunity to try this popular product for yourself, but it is certainly not required.

Some tours also include information about the Red Light District, which is where you’ll find a lot of the best coffee shops in Amsterdam.

If you don’t feel like taking a guided tour, you can always go on a self-guided journey to discover this side of the city on your own.

Whatever you choose to do, we recommend checking our section on coffee shop etiquette to make sure you don’t do anything foolish or illegal while you’re visiting these locations.


Guided Tours

This section covers each of the guided tours which provide a look at Amsterdam coffee shops, including some combo tours which cover both this subject and either the Red Light District or Cannabis culture.

Amsterdam Walking Tours

Coffee Shop Culture Tour

Note: This tour is currently unavailable.

If you’re curious about the cultural significance behind coffee shops in Amsterdam, this tour will explain some of the history behind how these storefronts became known less for coffee and more for other items sold.

Discover the legal history that made these locations a hotbed for cannabis culture and find out some of the do’s and don’ts of visiting a coffee shop!

While you will have the option to “see what the fuss is about” at the end of the tour, this portion of the outing is totally up to you. 

  • €80 per group of up to 4
  • Availability: Daily at 4 pm
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Receive cool stickers at the end of the tour.
  • Purchase tickets or learn more.

Ganja Coffee Shop Tour

For those who want to skip the coffee and get right to the point, this tour offers a close look at the world of cannabis in Amsterdam, including information about its history in the city and how it became legalized.

In addition to learning about these subjects, you’ll also find out which coffee shops sell the best ganja and how to order it if you’re interested.

This tour is recommended for those who are already familiar with cannabis, as there will be informal smoking breaks provided throughout the trip. 

While you’re free to join in even if you’re not used to this activity, you might find yourself a bit overwhelmed as a first-timer. 


Red Light District & Coffee Shop Tour

In addition to covering the coffee shop culture of Amsterdam, this tour will also provide a look at the Red Light District and explain the history behind both subjects.

While on this tour you’ll have the opportunity to visit the first coffee shop of Amsterdam, discover how the culture developed, learn about political issues revolving around the Red Light District and more.

Aside from the topics that you’ll learn about, you will also have a chance to see sites such as the Condomerie, Elite Street, and the Tower of Tears.


Additional Coffee Shop Tours

If you’re looking for an alternative to the services listed above, there are several different tours available in Amsterdam which include a stop at one of their famous coffee shops.

While it’s common to find combo tours that include either coverage of the Red Light District or cannabis culture, there are some outings that focus primarily on Amsterdam coffee houses.

Most of these tours will allow you to decide how far you want to go when it comes to cannabis, so you’ll have complete control over whether or not to use the information you’ll learn to do some shopping.

Tickets range from €20-€60 per person on average, depending on what it is included and which subjects are covered.

Check this list of Amsterdam Coffee Shop Tours to find one that fits both your expectations and your schedule.


Self-Guided Amsterdam Coffee Shop Tours

We have a GPS enabled Amsterdam audio guide which includes some information about the coffee shops in the city. This is an excellent alternative if you’d much rather explore and learn at your own leisure.

If you’re looking for even more details about the legality and the rules of visiting these locations, make sure to read this Amsterdam coffeeshop guide.

You can also find several great spots to visit on this list of the 15 Most Famous Coffee Shops in Amsterdam.


Discount Passes & Deals

Although you won’t find many deals on Amsterdam coffee shop tours, there is one tourist pass which includes a discount on at least one of these activities.

In addition to covering the price of tickets to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, an Amsterdam canal cruise, and an airport transfer, this pass also offers 20% off a variety of activities – including an Amsterdam coffee shop crawl!

Here are a few of the other activities and attractions which are 20% off with the Amsterdam City Pass:

For more details about this service, please read our post covering Amsterdam tourist passes.

You may also find some decent deals on Groupon, but their offerings vary throughout the year. Keep in mind that they frequently have additional coupon codes for an extra 10% - 20% off local activities!


Coffee Shop Etiquette

There are a few things you should keep in mind before going to the coffee shops in Amsterdam. The most important thing to understand is that there is a difference between a coffee shop and a koffiehuis.

Amsterdam Coffeeshop Bulldog

If you’re looking for a cup of coffee, you’ll want to visit a koffiehuis. However, visitors hoping for something more green will want to visit a coffee shop instead.

With that out of the way, here are a few additional suggestions for anyone new to the cannabis culture in Amsterdam:

  • Don’t buy too much – you can’t take it to the airport, so there’s no point in buying a lot, just get what you want for your trip.
  • No more than 5 grams – Amsterdam coffee shops won’t allow you to buy more than 5 grams each day.
  • Visit more than one coffee shop – If you’re not feeling the vibe at one location, try another shop instead!
  • Don’t get carried away – If you’re new to this, chances are it won’t take much to have a strong effect.
  • Ask questions – Before you buy anything, feel free to ask any questions you may have about the product.

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About The Author

Stephen Pickhardt

Stephen is the CEO of Free Tours by Foot and has overseen the transformation of a local walking tour company into a global tour community and traveler’s advice platform. He has personally led thousands of group tours in the US and Europe, and is an expert in trip planning and sightseeing, with a focus on budget travelers. Stephen has been published and featured in dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, BBC, Yahoo, Washington.org, and more.
Updated: April 21st, 2023
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