Join Onno on this journey through time and explore the known and hidden gems of historic Amsterdam!

On 27 October 1275, the count of Holland mentioned a small settlement on the Amstel River (‘Amestelledamme’) and its people for the first time. Count Floris V granted them the freedom to transport their goods through the county of Holland without paying taxes. This privilege is seen as the basis for Amsterdam’s rise and bloom as a trade superpower in the 17th century. From 1300 to 1700 the city built its (in)famous trade network and grew from 1000 to 200.000 inhabitants, absorbing many customs from near and afar. Walking through the historic center of Amsterdam, this history is never far.

During this walk, our Dutch teacher and historian Onno will take you on a journey through time. From the Dam – the very dam in the river where the first inhabitants lived – we follow the traces of the urban expansions. We’ll pass by the facades of buildings as Sweelinck, Spinoza, and Rembrandt saw them. We cross canals dug by the generations that built the city. We look for the remains of low and high culture, the rich and the poor, slavery and freedom. In 2 hours, you’ll explore both the known and hidden gems of historic Amsterdam.

Saturday, 14 November 2026, 12:30-14:30
Tickets: €30,-

We will start the tour and finish at Dam Square (near the white lion statue that’s closer to the entrance of de Bijenkorf Amsterdam).

The tour will be in Dutch and is suitable for learners who have completed the A2 level. When you register for the event, please let us know your current level in the remarks.

*Historic Amsterdam and Discover the Jewish quarter tours can also be booked as private tours and are available in Dutch or English. For more information or to make a booking, please contact info@taalhuisamsterdam.nl.