Spui Square: Our most recommended tours and activities

Amsterdam: Cultural Inner City Tour in German or English

1. Amsterdam: Cultural Inner City Tour in German or English

Visit famous sites of Amsterdam downtown and get an overview of the city on this walking tour dedicated to culture and history. Profit from tips every adventurous traveler needs to know and make the best of your trip. Find out which food you should taste and which districts can be discovered independently by bike. Listen to your guide telling you which architectural designs were popular in the past and get an idea of the people of Amsterdam. Hear stories about how merchants, salesmen, and the poor used to live in the Middle Ages, why the world of art blossomed in the Golden Era, how World War II has changed the people of the city and what it feels like to live in the tolerant, multicultural city today. Start your tour in the heart of the city at Dam Square, where Amsterdam was founded. The tour leads you past the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, the New Church Nieuwe Kerk, and past the former main post office, to Torensluis Bridge. See one of the tiniest houses of the city and learn more about the colonial times at the statue of Multatuli on Torensluis Bridge.  Stroll past romantic canal-side houses and cross Spui Square to get to the pearl of Amsterdam – Begijnhof. With its entrance hidden in a narrow side street, this very special hofje is waiting for you to be discovered. On the way back to Dam Square you will see the river that the city owes its name to: the Amstel. The city tour ends at the national monument that was originally built to remember the victims of World War II but is now a memorial to all victims who lost their lives in any war worldwide.

Amsterdam: Red Light District & City Tour German or English

2. Amsterdam: Red Light District & City Tour German or English

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Amsterdam with your professional German tour guide, and learn all about the history and culture of the charming canal city, including the exciting Red Light District. On this informative 2-hour walking tour through the beautiful little streets - numerous tips for your additional stay are included. This city tour combines two must-do tours: the Red Light District tour and the city center tour through Amsterdam's beautiful canal belt. Both are an absolute must in Amsterdam. Visit many highlights of Amsterdam's city center on this two-in-one tour, stroll past picturesque canal houses and learn why Amsterdam is considered one of the most free-spirited places in the world and what life is like today in this cosmopolitan, tolerant and multicultural city. Find out where to find the most culinary delights and which districts you should explore on your own by bike. The city is also home to the exciting Red Light District- A historically grown district indispensable in Amsterdam. Learn everything there is to know about the negotiations between punters and prostitutes, their income and expenses, such as prices, room rent, and taxation, as well as the women's safety. Discover the control mechanisms in the neighbourhood and question the structures of sex work. This tour perfectly captures all facets of Amsterdam and is therefore wonderfully suitable as an introductory tour.

Amsterdam: Walking Tour with Dutch Pancake Lunch

3. Amsterdam: Walking Tour with Dutch Pancake Lunch

For the cheese lovers, this 2.5-hour tour is the perfect way to enjoy Amsterdam. Hear the stories not commonly included in the guidebooks and go beneath the surface of the city with the help of an English or Spanish-speaking guide.  Highlights of this tour include: the first Stock Exchange in the World, a walk through Dam Square with its National Monument and Royal Palace, close to the Red Light District, the Chinese neighbourhood and Jewish Quarter, Flower Market, Dam Square, and a walk past the Royal Palace or Begijnhof.   And in the end, you will enjoy the Dutch pancake menu in a very nice restaurant with typical Dutch dishes in the city center. From the wild history of prostitution and drug decriminalization to the tragedy of Anne Frank’s story and Nazi occupation, the aim of this tour is to give you a perfect introduction to this city. Whether you visit one of Amsterdam’s famous museums or check out the cafés and bars of the Jordaan District, this tour will help you to get your bearings in this unique city and allow you to make the most out of your stay here.

Amsterdam Old City Private Walking Tour

4. Amsterdam Old City Private Walking Tour

Enjoy a private walking tour of Amsterdam with your own personal guide, and stroll through the medieval center to see parts of the old city wall. Continue along the famous canals to explore Chinatown, the former Jewish District, and the infamous Red Light District. Learn how Amsterdam was built on a reclaimed swamp, when the land was buried in mud and the harbor was almost inaccessible. Connection with the North Sea was not realised until the 19th century, but Amsterdam had already became one of the most important cities in the world. As you stroll, you will learn about its position as a major science and cultural center, and discover how in 1650 its population of 220,000 inhabitants made it the 3rd largest city in Europe. Your guide will explain key aspects of Amsterdam’s story, passing sights such as the 17th-century Oostindisch Huis, the Amsterdam headquarters of the East India Company. Discover old pawn shops and handsome merchant houses in the Jordaan district. Walk the banks of the Herengracht, one of the first 3 major canals of the city, and more.

Amsterdam: Ultimate Food and History Guided Tour

5. Amsterdam: Ultimate Food and History Guided Tour

Begin your day in the picturesque Spui district with a visit to a fourth-generation family-run business that's been creating incredible dishes since 1898. As the oldest bakery in Amsterdam, they still meticulously craft hundreds of stroopwafels each day. You'll try one as the perfect way to start off your Amsterdam food tour. Next, a stop at a historic "brown café" is an Amsterdam must, so that's exactly what you'll do next. This one in particular has been going strong since 1921 and has long been a favorite among creatives, intellectuals, and politicians. Indulge in a slice of Dutch apple pie with a coffee here, then set off on a stroll around the historic center. Your guide will share the fascinating stories behind gems that are hidden in plain sight, such as an unassuming 14th-century courtyard that was the epicenter of the 1960s part-political counterculture movement. After a delightful walk around Spui, it's time to learn what street food in Amsterdam is all about. Stop at a family-run stand that's become famous among locals for their remarkable herring and kibbeling—and try both for yourself, of course. A neighborhood staple since the 1980s, it's still run by the original owner and his son. Time for fries! At a blink-and-you'll-miss it shop that's been in business for over 70 years, you'll order up a cone of piping hot fries with a homemade sauce that adds an extra-Dutch touch. No visit to the Netherlands is complete without sampling the country's most renowned export: cheese. Cross the canal to Jordaan, a 17-century neighborhood, where you'll visit a family-owned delicatessen and try a selection of flavorful Dutch cheeses. From there, you'll follow your local foodie guide to the former home of a Dutch painter and now a cozy eatery. Decorated in the typical neighborhood style, you'll try two Dutch classics , bitterballen and stampot, with a glass of refreshing Jenever. Afterwards, you'll try something even more unique with a stop at a "tea culture club." While it may not seem like an authentic Dutch experience at first sight, you’ll learn how tea has been integral in the country's history as you savor each sip during your tasting.

Amsterdam: City Centre Walking Tour with a comedian as guide

6. Amsterdam: City Centre Walking Tour with a comedian as guide

Join a local stand-up comedian as your guide and prepare to explore the Amsterdam City Centre's renowned landmarks and picturesque streets while being treated to a dose of humor, historical knowledge, and insider insights. This isn't your ordinary tour—it's a hilarious adventure through Amsterdam's past, cultural heritage, and quirky customs. From hidden gems to well-known sights, this tour promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience. During this 1,5-hour walking tour you will learn about the historic origins of the Royal Palace, the Red Light District, the Old Church, the coffee shops, and many more, and cross the famous canals and typical Amsterdam bridges. And while you navigate Amsterdam’s cultural landscape, enjoy a super fun narrative that captures the essence of what makes Amsterdam truly unique. To give you a little glimpse of this tour: the comedian’s humorous perspective on the historic origin of the Red Light District, the Dutch coffee shops, and her personal tales of brutal Dutch customer service are all true and super funny. Do you want to bring home the precise year the Old Church in Amsterdam was built or all the fun anecdotes and stories that characterise the Dutch both in the past and present?

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What people are saying about Spui Square

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 1,350 reviews

Our guide was super sympathetic! We enjoyed a wounderful, funny and very interesting tour through some of the most beautiful streets of amsterdam. Thanks a lot for the awesome afternoon we had due to you and the local tips for food and drinks in the farewell.

We had a slightly older guide who obviously enjoyed telling and showing us a lot, e.g. B. an old seafarers' hotel - you never think of going in there alone. The tour also took a little longer than booked - as I said, it was very interesting.

Very friendly and professional guide Good and detailed historic information

Our guide was fantastic Laura I think Food was so good! Lots too :)

One of the best tour I have ever experienced… thank you