Top Amsterdam Half-day Tours

Enjoy an alternative sightseeing experience of Amsterdam on an exciting bike tour of the dazzling Dutch capital. Follow a professional guide through the quaint waterways and winding cobbled streets of the city and discover an eclectic selection of sights off the conventional tourist trail. Delve into the rich history and 'coffee shop' culture of the city with your knowledgeable guide and get local recommendations from your local guide.

Cycle away from the urban noise and disappear into the countryside on this guided bike tour from Amsterdam. Visit a historical windmill, a farmhouse and factory, where you’ll sample Dutch cheese and watch how wooden clogs are made. This leisurely ride takes you along the Amstel River, past country villages and verdant fields dotted with cows. Learn about rural Dutch traditions and history, and wrap up your tour exploring Amsterdam’s parks including Vondelpark, Amsterdamse Bos and Beatrixpark.

Discover the delights and history of Zaanse Schans and the Dutch countryside on a 3-hour, small-group trip from Amsterdam. With an informative guide, admire the lush, canal-crossed Dutch landscape. Take a tour of pretty Zaanse Schans, famous for its wooden windmills and green-painted houses, and visit a cheese farm and clog-making workshop to learn about these traditional crafts. Lastly, visit a working windmill to learn how these waterside factories helped drive the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age. Numbers are limited on this tour for a small-group experience.

Experience an iconic landscape of fishing villages, windmills, and craftsmen’s shops on a small-group tour from Amsterdam into the Dutch countryside. Visit a series of traditional, restored windmills in Zaanse Schans, and walk the dikes and harbor of Volendam, a pretty port lined with bright houses and sailboats. Sample locally-make cheeses and Dutch schnapps, with time to choose a restaurant for lunch, then enjoy sweeping views of the landscape during the return trip to Amsterdam.

This small-group walking tour, limited to just 12 people, gives you an intimate and insider’s view of the beautiful city of Amsterdam. An informative guide leads your group around Amsterdam’s historical center and past top attractions including Dam Square, the Royal Palace, Nieuwmarkt, and the infamous Red Light District. During this morning stroll, learn intriguing historical background and snap photos of the UNESCO-listed canals and 17th-century gabled houses.

Experience three quintessential icons of the Dutch countryside — windmills, cheese and wooden clogs — on this 5.5 hour tour from Amsterdam. Journey to the North Holland towns of Zaanse Schans, Edam and Volendam, where you can view working windmills at an open-air museum on the Zaan River, visit a dairy farm or cheese weighing house, and step inside a clog factory. You’ll travel outside the city aboard a single-decker coach, allowing for a smaller group experience with your professional guide.

Delve into the rich tapestry of typical Dutch culture on an enriching half-day tour to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam. With a knowledgeable guide, observe traditional cheese making processes; marvel at the interior of a working windmill; try on some authentic wooden clogs for size; and admire the quaint and colorful architecture of Zaanse Schans village before returning to Amsterdam by comfortable coach. Gain fascinating insight into the unique culture of the Netherlands on this educational tour.

Pedal your way around historic Amsterdam and see the city like a local on this 3-hour guided bike tour. Cycle along Amsterdam’s scenic canal ways, landmark bridges and historic streets, and see the famous Red Light District, the bustling New Market and the lively Jordaan district. Stop along the way to admire the city’s quirky architecture and snap photos of attractions like the Old Church, the Royal Palace and the Western Church. This small-group tour has a maximum of 15 people and is suitable for all abilities.

Nibble your way through Amsterdam's international dining scene on a private tasting tour led by a local foodie guide. Learn about the international flavors that have influenced Dutch cuisine while grabbing bites at a local market, beer garden and family restaurant. Savor handpicked local delicacies including the best fish in town, a sweet ‘stroopwafel’ and artisanal cheese.

Discover the delights of Amsterdam on a private half-day walking tour of the city’s historical and cultural highlights. With a your personal guide, go to the Museum Square where the Van Gogh Museum is located; delve into the city’s renowned houseboat culture at the Houseboat Museum; and pleasure your palate with traditional Dutch snacks at Albert Cuyp, the largest street market in the Netherlands. Then, absorb the verdant beauty of Vondelpark and learn the poignant history of Anne Frank’s House on this comprehensive tour.

Enhance your sightseeing experience of Amsterdam on a 3-hour bicycle tour of the dazzling Dutch capital. With a knowledgeable guide, stray from the conventional tourist trail to explore lesser-known neighborhoods home to landmarks like the Maritime Museum and the Rikjsmuseum. Weave your way through charming districts like Jordaan; gain fascinating insight into the rich historical heritage of Amsterdam. Receive personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 12 cyclists.

See the springtime blooms of Keukenhof Gardens on a day trip from Amsterdam. Drive past the remarkable tulip fields that make the Netherlands a world-famous destination for flower lovers. A guide leads you on an informative tour of Keukenhof Gardens, including thousands of tulips, narcissi, and hyacinths artfully displayed among its ponds and pavilions. You’ll find myriad possibilities for photographing each dazzling patchwork amid the gardens’ 79 acres (32 hectares). Coach transport and admission are included in your 6-hour tour, departing in the morning or afternoon.

Don’t waste time trying to hit the Dutch food hotspots alone, only to end up in tourist traps. Instead, join this comprehensive, intimate, and off-the-beaten-path food tour through the historical Jordaan district, during which you stop at eight distinct locations. Listen as your Amsterdam-local guide explains each foodstuff—such as Poffertjes (pancakes) or Gouda cheese—as you go.

Explore Amsterdam the way it was meant to be seen—by bike! On this private tour, hop aboard a quality rental bike and follow a local guide on a personalized tour of the city's most interesting neighborhoods, scenic paths and iconic attractions. It’s a great way to soak up the sights and atmosphere in one of Europe’s most bike-friendly cities.

Learn about Amsterdam's Jewish history on this private tour. Visit what was once the Jewish Quarter, with its old Synagogue and former Jewish theater (Hollandse Schouwburg) before heading to the Anne Frank House via tram. Here you have the option of going inside to see where the famous diarist hid until she was finally captured during WWII. Tickets are not included, but we can advise you on the best way to visit after the tour.

Paddle through Holland’s Waterland area on a 5-hour canoe experience from Amsterdam. With an expert guide, travel north to Waterland, home to time-warp villages, quaint waterways and lush pastures. Then, board a canoe and paddle around the idyllic waterways. Enjoy the sound of birdsong and scents of wild plants; glide past reedbeds and weatherboarded villages, and hear about the region’s traditional way of life. Stop for a swim if the weather allows, and visit an island for a picnic of local produce. Numbers limited to 10 for a small-group experience.

See Amsterdam in a unique light on this private tour of the port city’s most notable landmarks, plus tucked-away treasures that most visitors miss. Join up with a local guide to learn the fascinating history behind highlights like the Flower Market, Red Light District, and Rembrandt’s house, and discover hidden gems that lie off the beaten tourist track for an eye-opening exploration.

Knowing the best places to experience Amsterdam’s artistic subculture can be difficult. Skip the crowded tourist attractions and discover off-the-beaten track cultural highlights on a bike tour of trendy suburbs and often-overlooked landmarks. Along the way, discover historic architecture, travel by ferry, and finish your tour at a microbrewery to re-energize with a complimentary beer and snack.

Zaanse Schans is known for its historic buildings and working windmills, but gaining intimate insight into the traditional region can be difficult on a self-led trip. Explore Zaanse Schans on a private tour from Amsterdam Centraal, and visit a clog workshop, traditional dairy, and chocolate factory for insight into the country’s industrial heritage, learning more about the neighborhood from your local guide.

Enjoy an intimate atmosphere and a dedicated guide on this private half-day tour of Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter. Your guide's commentary will focus on the story of Anne Frank and the role of the Netherlands in World War II. You'll visit the Portuguese Synagogue, the Jewish Museum, and other important Jewish landmarks. Booking a private tour means you'll have plenty of time for questions and discussion.

Skip the impersonal large-group tours and gain a rare perspective on this food and culture tour through Amsterdam’s Jordaan district. Going with a guide ensures you hear little-known anecdotes about top landmarks and get a behind-the-scenes look at hidden gem eateries loved by locals. Break up the walking tour with food and drink tastings along the way.

Find beervana on this 3-hour evening Amsterdam beer tour that avoids the tourist-traps and showcases some of Amsterdam’s quality bars. An in-the-know guide takes a small group, limited to just 12 beer nuts, around the picturesque city to popular local watering holes, including a brewery in the Red Light District and a beer hall boasting more than 200 types of frothy goodness! Along the way, sample three beers and learn about the Netherlands' beer-brewing history.

See the windmills of the River Zaan from the water and enjoy a 3-course dinner on this 4-hour small-group river cruise experience from Amsterdam. Travel to the picturesque region around the city of Zaandam, savor a glass of bubbles, and embark on a leisurely cruise along the Zaan. Pass the enchanting windmill village of Zaanse Schans; and visit three restaurants to enjoy a starter, main course and dessert. As you cruise, admire Zaandam’s wooden warehouses and cottages, and hear about the area’s industrial heritage and working mills from your skipper-guide.

Step back in time to the medieval era on this tour of the well-preserved Muiderslot Castle. No worrying about renting a car or puzzling over public transportation; round-trip rides to and from central Amsterdam are included. Once there, your small group of just seven people or fewer will embark on a guided tour with in-depth commentary from your guide. A small group tour means more attention from your guide and the chance to ask questions.