Art & History Walking Tour

Though not "central" to this walking tour, the Central Station is the biggest transportation hub in Amsterdam and the main access point from outside of the city. So it makes a good starting point.

Central Station was built between 1881 and 1889 and was designed by Petrus J.H. Cuypers, the famous Dutch architect who also designed the Rijksmuseum.

Across the street is a small white building that houses a tourist center. Staff should be able to answer your questions and you also can purchase an I amsterdam City Card, which can save you some money if you plan to visit several sites within a few days (the card includes several free museum passes and a canal ride).

Ready to see all that this amazing city has to offer? Then head down Damrak, one of Amsterdam's main thoroughfares.
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Prins Hendrikkade 73

A five-minute stroll from the Central Station will land you at Dam Square, always bustling with activity. The square was created in the 13th century after the Amstel River was dammed to avoid floods; it gained a laid-back reputation for hippies in the 1960s.

Today it is one of the first stops for any tourist. Vendors sell their wares at the square and demonstrations and rallies occur frequently. Whatever happens to be going on, Dam Square is sure to be full of excitement.

To the east of Dam Square stands the National Monument Statue, which was built in memory of the Dutch soldiers who died fighting in World War II. It was erected in 1956 and contains soil from all of Holland's provinces.

While standing in Dam Square, it is hard to miss the Royal Palace (Koninklijk Palace), which stands prominently on its western side. The palace was built in the 17th century but no longer houses the Dutch royal family, although it is still used for receptions.

Next to the Royal Palace you will find the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk). This Gothic-style church was constructed around 1400, but many changes have been made throughout the years. It escaped two large fires in 1421 and 1452 but was mostly destroyed in a later fire, after which it was reconstructed.

Members of the royal family have been inaugurated here for the past 200 years, and the Prince of Orange and Princess Maxima were married under its roof in 2002.

There are usually special exhibits inside, but regardless you should look inside to admire the altar, nave, pipe organ and stained-glass windows.

To reach the Anne Frank House, walk down Raadhuisstraat (behind the Royal Palace) and turn right after about 5 blocks onto Prinsengracht.

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Hours
Daily 10am-6pm (Thursdays to 10pm)
Closed Dec. 25, Jan. 1
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Admission
Free
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Ask before taking pictures

No trip to Amsterdam is complete without a tour of the Anne Frank house, which is full of history and emotional stories.

Anne Frank lived with her family and several family friends in the annex for more than two years during World War II. The building originally served as Otto Frank's (Anne's father) business and a movable bookcase was used to hide the entrance to the annex.

Only one other person knew of their hiding place and supplied the family with food, news and support for as long as possible until the secret was told and the house was raided on Aug. 4, 1944. All those hiding in the annex were sent to different concentration camps. Only Otto survived, returning later to the house.

Anne kept a thorough diary, which offers a remarkable tale through the eyes of a young girl, telling her daily stories, thoughts, dreams and experiences, including the famous line, "despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart".

Today the house serves as a museum, telling the story of those who lived there. You can read quotes from Anne's diary, and see photographs and other belongings once owned by the Frank family.

During peak tourist season, the line can be long, so arrive early. It is also more difficult to look through the house at your own pace; it becomes more of a walking museum where you continuously move slowly throughout the rooms, only pausing briefly.

After your visit walk back towards Dam square but turn right just before reaching the Royal Palace. After a couple of blocks you will see the Amsterdam Museum.

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Prinsengracht 263-267
020-556-7100
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Admission
Adults €8.50
Kids 10-17 €4
Kids 10 and younger Free
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Hours
March 15-Sept. 14
Daily 9am-9pm (Saturdays to 10pm)
Sept. 15-March 14
Daily 9am-7pm (Satudays to 9pm)

Formerly the Amsterdam Historical Museum, this building was once the city orphanage. It was built in the 15th century and remodeled in the 17th century.

This museum should be one of your first stops to gain an appreciation for the history of Amsterdam and the important role this trade city played in Europe's development.

Inside you will find history, paintings, prints, models and more, all explaining how the small town became one of the most important cities in Europe and the world.
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Kalverstraat 92
020-523-1822
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Admission
Adults €10
Kids 6-18 €5
Kids 5 and younger Free
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Hours
Monday-Friday 10am-5pm
Saturday-Sunday 11am-5pm
Closed Dec. 25, Jan. 1, April 30

Home to the famous Dutch painter from 1639 to 1660, this house is now a museum documenting Rembrandt's life and career in Amsterdam; his story is especially tragic.

Rembrandt purchased the house when he was 33 for a very large amount of money (13,000 guilders). He was at the peak of his popularity (although he did not know it) and was the most famous painter in the city. He lived in the house with his wife, Saskia, and their four children.

Saskia died in 1642, and only one of his sons survived to adulthood, though he died before Rembrandt. Rembrandt's career began to fail. He was not able to pay his debts, so his house and all possessions were sold in 1658.

Today the inside of the home is mostly a reconstruction of Rembrandt's everyday life, but you will learn about his obsession with strange, foreign animals and goods from around the world, which decorate the museum.
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Jodenbreestraat 4
020-520-0400
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Admission
Adults €7.50
Kids 6-15 €1.50
Kids 6 and younger Free
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Hours
Monday-Sunday 10am-5pm (Friday to 9pm)
Closed Jan. 1

The Old Church (Oude Kerk) was originally built in the early 13th century, but it has stood in its present Gothic state since the 14th century.

As its name implies, the church is the oldest church in Amsterdam and deserves a look inside to appreciate the light through the high windows and the medieval furnishings.
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Oudekerksplein 23
020-625-8284
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Admission
Adults €5
Students €4
Kids younger than 13 Free
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Hours
Monday-Saturday 11am-5pm
Sunday 1-5pm
Closed Dec. 25, Jan. 1

The Church of St. Nicolas (or St. Nicolaaskerk) was designed by architect Adrianus Bleijs and completed in 1887. It was built with a blend of Neo-Baroque and Neo-Renaissance styles, with two towers and a large rose window decorating the facade. This large church faces the Amsterdam Central Station.

This Catholic church was built to replace the many small, secret Catholic churches throughout the city that were forced to remain secret due to religious intolerance.

The church is devoted to St. Nicolas, the patron saint of sailers and seamen, which is appropriate for one of the former trade capitals of the world. The church's dome and two towers can be seen from all over Amsterdam, its presence can help you orient yourself while on the city's many small streets and canals. If you get lost, you should be able to find your way back to the train station thanks to St. Nicholas Church.

Today the church is highly active, with regular services and three choirs, two of which sing every Saturday at 5pm for anyone who wants to listen.
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Prins Hendrikkade 73
020-624-8749
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Hours
Monday, Saturday Noon-3pm
Tuesday-Friday 11am-4pm

The Van Gogh Museum is another critical stop while in Amsterdam. Not only does the museum house the world's largest collection of van Gogh's paintings, but they are also beautifully organized into five distinct periods reflecting changes in the Impressionist's life and work.

The periods are (in order): the Netherlands, Paris, Arles, Saint-Remy and Auvers-sur-Oise. Each is complete with interesting information about the paintings, van Gogh's life and the culture at the time in each of the cities where he lived and worked.
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Paulus Potterstraat 7
020-570-5200
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Adults €14
17 and younger Free
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Hours
Daily 10am-6pm
Closed Jan. 1

The Rijksmuseum (or National Museum) is the largest museum in all of Holland, based on the number items in the collection, the building, and its budget, with around 1 million visitors annually. The museum is known and respected worldwide for its collections and is a must-see for any art lover visiting Amsterdam for the first time. Be sure not to miss the amazing Rembrant collection while here.

The museum was started in 1800 in The Hague and moved to Amsterdam in 1808 on orders of king Louis Bonaparte (Napoleon's brother).

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Jan Luijkenstraat 1
020-674-7000
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Admission
Adults €12.50
18 and younger Free
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Hours
Daily 9am-6pm
Closed Jan. 1

The Heineken Experience is located in the old Heineken brewery, built in 1867. It was Heineken's first brewery until 1988, when the company moved out of the main part of the city.

Today you can take tours of the brewery and learn about the Heineken family and tradition, and of course, sample some beer.
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Stadhouderskade 78
020-523-9222
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Admission
Adults €16
Kids 8-15 €12
Kids younger than 8 Free
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Hours
Daily 11am-7pm

Everyone loves a fun science museum and NEMO is no exception. With its regularly changing exhibits you will be entertained even if you have visited before. There are areas for children of all ages, a media lab where you can produce music and videos, and all sorts of fun gadgets for adults as well.
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Oosterdok 2
020-531-3233
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Admission
Infant to 3 Free
4 and older €12.50
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Hours
Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm
Closed Dec. 25, Jan. 1, April 30