Amsterdam truly is a city like no other. People come from around the world to experience the unique facets of Amsterdam's society, but this is your chance to see the local culture and the way the locals live! Join us on this 2-hour walking tour as we delve into the alternative scene that makes Amsterdam a must-visit destination for people over the world.
Your Amsterdam Alternative Tour meets at the National Monument at Dam Square and ends at Museumplein.
Liberal laws
Everyone knows that Amsterdam has liberal laws around things like drug use, and on this tour, your local expert guide will help you to understand the origins of these laws and to clear up any myths around them, as well as showing you some of Amsterdam's most famous coffee shops. Beyond the drugs, Amsterdam has always been at the forefront of "living and let live"; the Netherlands was the first country in the world to recognize marriage equality, with the first same-sex wedding taking place in Amsterdam.
Alternative housing and transport
Amsterdam houseboats line the canals, and you don't have to look too far to find a squat in Amsterdam either. On the Alternative Amsterdam tour, your local expert guide will explain how these phenomena were the result of the post-WWI housing crisis, as well as telling you about how the White Bicycle Plan was created to give everyone access to bikes and to combat pollution. Your guide will also give you an insight into how Amsterdammers today fight against gentrification and urban development.
Experience contemporary art
On this tour we also take you to the Modern Contemporary (Moco) Museum where you can explore an exhibition by Banksy. Learn how Amsterdam’s street art culture fits into the social commentary of a city that is known to be open and liberal.
The Alternative Tour of Amsterdam starts in front of the National Monument in Dam Square
Uncover the myths and truths about Amsterdam's liberal drugs laws
Learn about how the Netherlands were on the forefront of marriage equality
Discover some of Amsterdam's unique housing arrangements, such as squats and houseboats
Hear about the White Bicycle Plan, which decreed that unlocked bikes should be available in the city to help combat pollution
Find out how the Amsterdam locals today fight gentrification and urban development
Get a taste of street art culture by visiting the Banksy exhibition at the Moco Museum
TOUR SCHEDULES
Today
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PHOTOS
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
Expert English-speaking local guide
Entrance to Moco Museum (optional)
Additional Information
Participants on all tours and activities (no matter which provider) in Amsterdam are subject to a €1.50 "entertainment tax". This additional cost is already included in the price of your tour. Please note that this tax is not retained by SANDEMANs, nor by the freelance guides leading your tour, but is a compulsory, additional tax that is passed on directly to the Amsterdam municipality. Thank you for your understanding
Our business is connecting great guides and smart travelers, and we're proud that so many local guides employ us to welcome travelers like you on their journey through some of the world's best cities. No two tours are alike, and the sites, stories, and length of the tour will vary depending on what your freelance guide decides is best. That's why the tours we promote never get stale or feel scripted, and why both independent guides and savvy travelers prefer SANDEMANs
Wheelchair accessible
MAP
The Amsterdam Alternative Tour starts in front of the National Monument in Dam SquareOpen in Google Maps
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Customer reviews
Very informative tour with knowledgeable tour guide
I really enjoyed the Alternative Amsterdam Walking Tour. You get all kinds of different information about the Dutch people, culture, lifestyle, history, politics, laws about drugs... This two-hour walk at a comfortable pace was perfect to get to know the city a little better.
Our guide, Rob, was really friendly and knowledgeable and always brought up some fun facts and insights. It was interesting to learn all this from someone who has been living in Amsterdam for so long and who wants to share his enthusiasm about the city with other people. Nice job! Will definitely recommend.
Our tour guide was Sam who gave the group an excellent tour was informative, charismatic and seems to have led an interesting life so was awesome at bringing some life to the alternative side of Amsterdam. Would recommend
I decided to do the "Alternative Amsterdam Tour". We ended up being a group of 6 people on the tour, incliding our tour guide Axel.
A lot of interesting facts and history about the city I didn't know and also did not expect. The main topics are drugs, housing and political movements.
Sam the tour guide was very coherent, friendly and enthusiastic; he answered any question confidently and articulately. We learned some very interesting historical, cultural and little known facts about Amsterdam. Would definetly reccomend this.
I took the 3-hour free walking tour by Robbert as well as the 2-hour alternative walking tour of Amsterdam. It was my first walking tour of Amsterdam and I enjoyed it a lot. Both the guides were very knowledgeable and I learnt a lot about the history, culture and cross-cultures of Amsterdam. This experience was worthy.
Sandemans tours have never disappointed us in any of our country visits. The alternative Amsterdam tour was not only informative, but our tour guide was so extremely friendly, charismatic, funny and knowledgeable of Amsterdam's history. We highly suggest taking this tour if you want to learn about why Amsterdam is what it is today.
Select Tours focus on a particular area or district of a city, a certain aspect of its history or culture, or take you outside the city on a day trip. Select Tours are perfect for those who have enjoyed an introduction to the city and wish to delve deeper into the stories the city has to offer. These tours often venture further afield and make use of local public transport.
As with the Free Tour, Select Tours are provided by local freelance guides in partnership with SANDEMANs NEW Europe, who bring their personal flair and expert knowledge to these specifically themed tours. Select tours have a fixed ticket price - we recommend purchasing your ticket in advance, either during a Free Tour or online.
Explore Amsterdam's most controversial neighbourhood with a private guided tour
Info & Booking
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Customise Your Private Tour!
Tell us the landmarks, stories or parts of the city you want to see, how long you have to see them and when you want to go, and we’ll build an itinerary that suits you.
Explore Amsterdam's most controversial neighbourhood with a private guided tour
Info & Booking
€ -
Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, nor the self-employed freelance guides who are the providers of the tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.
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