How to Take a Walking Tour of Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a vibrant city filled with fascinating museums, historical and modern architecture and a lively culture. Walking the streets of this city is sure to keep you entertained and informed.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guidebook
• Map
• Camera
• Internet access
• Walking shoes
• Journal

Self-Guided Walking Tour

1. Buy a comprehensive travel guide of Amsterdam. A good guide will have detailed maps of the city and maps of any public transportation. It should also have a bit of history about each landmark, as well as descriptions of Amsterdam's culture and people.

2. Peruse the guide looking for points of interest that appeal most to you.

3. Make a list of the places you would like to see then find them on the map.

4. Decide how much time you have to spend and plan accordingly. Most walking tours, even when you're setting your own pace, will take at least 2 to 3 hours. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes!

5. Highlight each point on your map and plan out the best route to get from A to B to C. Then, find a suitable place to begin your tour. Remember you're on foot so plan tours of sights that are reasonably close together.

6. Read about each location's history in your guide as you walk from point to point.

7. Take pictures of each landmark. Try taking pictures of things from unusual angles and distances to add interest to your photos.

8. Keep a journal of your tour, making notes about each place. Write down your first impressions, what feelings a particular place evoked or what you liked most about a sight as a way to remember the experience.

Professional-Guided Tour

9. Research Amsterdam before you go so you know what parts of the city you most want to visit.

10. Find a tour agency that provides walking tours. This is easily done by searching the Internet for walking tours. Most agencies offer various tours that cover different parts of the city. Some of the tours have themes, as well.

11. Book the tour of your choice. Generally these tours can be booked online in advance, or you can often meet at the starting point and pay on the spot. Most tours are reasonably priced and offer discounts for students and children.

12. Get directions to the starting point of the walking tour and be sure to arrive on time so you don't miss the guide.

13. Take your camera and your travel journal to record your walking tour experience.

Tips & Warnings

• The advantage of a professionally guided walking tour is the expertise of the guide. Not only does the guide know the city well, so you won't get lost, he also knows the history. If you're a history buff and love listening to stories from bygone eras, a professionally guided tour is the best choice.
• Some travel guides are available online and provide suggestions and maps for walking tours. They also give background information on each landmark you visit. This is a good way to do your own walking tour without the cost of hiring a tour guide but with the same expertise. "Frommer's" is an excellent guide book for this type of tour information and is available in both print and Internet forms.
• In Amsterdam, a fun twist on the walking tour would be a floating tour of the city. Surrounded by various canals, Amsterdam is accessible by boat and you can take a unique tour of the city by riding a water bus. This large passenger boat takes you to all the main attractions throughout the city while also showing you beautiful, waterfront views. You can buy a day pass for the water bus which will allow you to get off and on the three different bus lines as many times as you like during a 24-hour period.
• If you are a history buff, there are some excellent World War II museums in Amsterdam. The Anne Frank House exhibits where the famous young Jewish girl and her family hid during the war. You can learn all about her daily life during those years and see authentic artifacts from the time. There is also a Jewish Historical Museum housed in the remains of several Jewish synagogues. Because few Jews returned to Amsterdam after the war, the synagogues were closed. The museum highlights the history of the Jews in Holland.
• Amsterdam is known as Holland's diamond city. The diamond trade was introduced in the sixteenth century and the city quickly became one of the most important diamond centers in the world. Many diamond shops offer diamond-cutting demonstrations, and of course you can buy a diamond if it strikes your fancy and fits your budget.

Resources

• Find useful travel information at www.holland.com.