Private and guided tours
The best Amsterdam tours
Private canal boats by day and night, a minivan highlights tour, a local guide, a cheese and beer tasting and the Royal Palace with a guide. Here is which Amsterdam tour fits you, with honest advice on what “private” really costs, how long each one lasts and where you meet.
See our 7 picks
The best Amsterdam tours for a first visit are a canal boat and a guided walk or bike ride. A private guide is worth it if you want the day planned around you. Private tours on GetYourGuide start from €84 per person for a local guide and €245 for a whole boat of up to six. All seven we list can be cancelled free up to 24 hours ahead.
- 7
- tours compared
- from €84
- lowest price per person
- ★ 4.8
- best rating with 50+ reviews (258)
- 7 of 7
- free cancellation
Our 7 picks for private tours in Amsterdam
Two private boats, three private guides, a tasting and the Royal Palace. Some prices cover your whole group and some are per person, so check the “Price is for” column.
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from €245 per group up to 6 Our top pick 1 hour 4.8 (258) reviews on GetYourGuide
Private canal tour through the smaller canals
A 1-hour boat ride just for your group, on canals the big boats can’t reach. Water, beer, soda and Prosecco are included. It leaves from Prinsengracht 375. There is no toilet on board, and a canvas roof closes in the rain.
Best for Families and groups on the water
Check availability: Private canal tour through the smaller canals on GetYourGuide -
from €245 per group up to 2 45 minutes–1.5 hours 4.8 (120) reviews on GetYourGuide
Private romantic evening boat with Prosecco
An evening boat for two, with a captain who tells stories along the way. You get a glass of Prosecco, Dutch snacks and blankets. The boat has a roof that closes, so it runs rain or shine. It leaves from Singel 446.
Best for Couples
Check availability: Private romantic evening boat with Prosecco on GetYourGuide -
from €525 per group up to 4 3 hours 4.7 (6) reviews on GetYourGuide
3-hour private highlights tour by minivan
A live guide drives your group past the main sights in a private minivan. It stops at the flower market, and you can tell the guide what interests you. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Guides speak English or Spanish.
Best for Limited walking, hotel pickup
Check availability: 3-hour private highlights tour by minivan on GetYourGuide -
from €84 per person 2–8 hours 5.0 (5) reviews on GetYourGuide
Private tour with a local guide, English or French
A local guide plans a walk around what you want to see, for 2 to 8 hours. You also get tips for food, shops and boats. It meets at De Ruijterkade 35. Museum fees and transport are not included.
Best for Your own route and pace
Check availability: Private tour with a local guide, English or French on GetYourGuide -
from €190 per person 3 hours 5.0 (2) reviews on GetYourGuide
Private cheese and beer tour
A 3-hour private food tour with a local guide. You get 4 cheese tastings, 2 craft beers or soft drinks, and entry to the Amsterdam Cheese Museum. Pickup is included. It runs rain or shine.
Best for Food lovers
Check availability: Private cheese and beer tour on GetYourGuide -
from €168 per person 1 h 30 min 5.0 (1) reviews on GetYourGuide
Private Royal Palace tour with a local guide
A 1.5-hour private tour inside the Royal Palace on Dam Square. Palace entry and the cloakroom are included. No food, drinks or video inside. The listing prices it per person while it says private for up to 6, so check the total for your group at checkout.
Best for History indoors
Check availability: Private Royal Palace tour with a local guide on GetYourGuide -
from €100 per group up to 6 2 hours New, no reviews yet
Private highlights and hidden gems with a historian
A 2-hour private walk with a historian, past big sights and quiet courtyards. A surprise local snack is included, and so is pickup. The route and pace are flexible. New on GetYourGuide, no reviews yet.
Best for Groups who like history
Check availability: Private highlights and hidden gems with a historian on GetYourGuide
Private tours in Amsterdam compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Pickup | Price is for | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private canal tour through the smaller canals | €245 per group up to 6 | 1 hour | Meeting point | Group up to 6 | Families and groups on the water | Rated 4.8 from 258 reviews, and one price covers up to six people. |
| Private romantic evening boat with Prosecco | €245 per group up to 2 | 45 minutes–1.5 hours | Meeting point | Group up to 2 | Couples | Rated 4.8 from 120 reviews, and the only evening boat here. |
| 3-hour private highlights tour by minivan | €525 per group up to 4 | 3 hours | Pickup included | Group up to 4 | Limited walking, hotel pickup | The only tour here that picks you up at your hotel and drives. Rated 4.7, from 6 reviews. |
| Private tour with a local guide, English or French | €84 per person | 2–8 hours | Meeting point | Per person | Your own route and pace | A private guide on your own route, from €84 per person. Rated 5.0, from 5 reviews. |
| Private cheese and beer tour | €190 per person | 3 hours | Pickup included | Per person | Food lovers | The only tasting tour here. Rated 5.0, from 2 reviews. |
| Private Royal Palace tour with a local guide | €168 per person | 1 h 30 min | Meeting point | Per person (check group total) | History indoors | A guide inside the palace, entry included. Rated 5.0, from 1 review. |
| Private highlights and hidden gems with a historian | €100 per group up to 6 | 2 hours | Pickup included | Group up to 6 | Groups who like history | New on GetYourGuide, no reviews yet. One price covers up to six people. |
Private canal tour through the smaller canals
€245 per group up to 61 hour 4.8 (258)
Details
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Price is for
- Group up to 6
- Who it suits
- Families and groups on the water
- Why we picked it
- Rated 4.8 from 258 reviews, and one price covers up to six people.
Private romantic evening boat with Prosecco
€245 per group up to 245 minutes–1.5 hours 4.8 (120)
Details
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Price is for
- Group up to 2
- Who it suits
- Couples
- Why we picked it
- Rated 4.8 from 120 reviews, and the only evening boat here.
3-hour private highlights tour by minivan
€525 per group up to 43 hours 4.7 (6)
Details
- Pickup
- Pickup included
- Price is for
- Group up to 4
- Who it suits
- Limited walking, hotel pickup
- Why we picked it
- The only tour here that picks you up at your hotel and drives. Rated 4.7, from 6 reviews.
Private tour with a local guide, English or French
€84 per person2–8 hours 5.0 (5)
Details
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Price is for
- Per person
- Who it suits
- Your own route and pace
- Why we picked it
- A private guide on your own route, from €84 per person. Rated 5.0, from 5 reviews.
€190 per person3 hours 5.0 (2)
Details
- Pickup
- Pickup included
- Price is for
- Per person
- Who it suits
- Food lovers
- Why we picked it
- The only tasting tour here. Rated 5.0, from 2 reviews.
Private Royal Palace tour with a local guide
€168 per person1 h 30 min 5.0 (1)
Details
- Pickup
- Meeting point
- Price is for
- Per person (check group total)
- Who it suits
- History indoors
- Why we picked it
- A guide inside the palace, entry included. Rated 5.0, from 1 review.
Private highlights and hidden gems with a historian
€100 per group up to 62 hoursNew, no reviews yet
Details
- Pickup
- Pickup included
- Price is for
- Group up to 6
- Who it suits
- Groups who like history
- Why we picked it
- New on GetYourGuide, no reviews yet. One price covers up to six people.
- All seven are private: only your group joins. The boat for six and the historian walk take up to 6 people for one price.
- All 7 offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Book a private tour in Amsterdam
A private tour means only your group joins the guide. You set the pace, and the guide answers your questions.
Check who the price covers. The two boats, the minivan and the historian walk price the whole group. The local guide, the tasting and the palace tour price each person.
Book when your date is set. All seven tours cancel free up to 24 hours ahead, so you can still change plans.
Which kind of tour fits you
Pick by who is coming and how you like to travel.
- First visit and short on time: a canal boat or a guided walk.
- Want it your way: a private guide, from €84 per person, or the historian for €100 per group.
- A couple’s evening: the private evening boat with Prosecco.
- Family with bags or limited walking: the minivan tour with hotel pickup.
- Food lovers: the cheese and beer tour, or one of the Amsterdam food tours.
Amsterdam tours by type
Walking, bike and hop-on hop-off tours, each compared on its own page.
Private tours: city highlights, local guide and historian
Three tours give you a guide just for your group. Each one starts in a different way.
The minivan tour picks you up at your hotel and lasts 3 hours, for up to 4 people. It costs from €525 per group and stops at the flower market.
The local guide tour meets at De Ruijterkade 35 and lasts 2 to 8 hours. It costs from €84 per person. Museum fees and transport are extra.
The historian tour includes pickup and lasts 2 hours, from €100 for up to 6 people. It is new, with no reviews yet.
Local tours in Amsterdam with a local guide
The local guide tour is built around you. The guide speaks English or French and shares tips for food, shops and boats.
Wear comfortable shoes. The listing says to expect a moderate amount of walking.
Architecture tours in Amsterdam: canal houses and courtyards
None of the seven is an architecture tour by name, but three come close. The historian walk goes through quiet courtyards and overlooked buildings.
The evening boat tells the story of the 17th-century canal houses. The small-canal boat passes the Seven Bridges.
Boat tours with a host
A private boat is the easiest way to see the canals with only your own group.
The small-canal boat by Rederij Paping lasts 1 hour and costs from €245 for up to six. Drinks are included, but there is no toilet on board.
The evening boat by Voyage Amsterdam is for two and costs from €245. It lasts 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, with Prosecco, snacks and blankets.
Shared boats cost much less. Amsterdam canal cruises start from €12 per person.
Tasting tours: cheese and beer
The cheese and beer tour by City Unscripted is the one tasting tour here. It lasts 3 hours and costs from €190 per person.
You get 4 cheese tastings, 2 craft beers or soft drinks and entry to the Amsterdam Cheese Museum. Pickup is included, and it runs rain or shine.
For beer alone, the Heineken Experience is an option, but it is 18 and over only.
Walking, bike and bus tours
Group tours cost far less than private ones. Our guides above compare each kind.
On a tight budget? An Amsterdam free walking tour costs you only the tip you choose to give the guide.
- Walking tours: small-group walks of the old center, from €18 to €34 per person.
- Bike tours: guided rides of 1.5 to 3 hours, from €19, with the bike included.
- Hop-on hop-off: bus and boat tickets from €28, with an audio guide, not a live guide.
Museum and history tours
The Royal Palace tour by Artsy Tours is the one museum tour here. A private guide takes you inside for 1.5 hours, from €168, with entry included.
The big museums need timed tickets. The Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum both sell entry with a start time, compared on our Amsterdam museum tickets page.
Jewish tours in Amsterdam
Two tours on our other pages go through the Jewish Quarter. A 3-hour walking tour covers the Jewish Quarter, Nieuwmarkt and Chinatown, from €33. The 3-hour big bike tour passes the synagogue and the Holocaust memorial, from €37.
Entry to the Anne Frank House is sold only on annefrank.org. The museum warns that tour sellers do not give access inside.
Amsterdam tickets: what a tour includes and what it doesn’t
Check what each tour includes before you book. The Royal Palace tour includes palace entry and the cloakroom.
The palace’s own adult ticket costs €13.50 with an audio tour. The palace also runs guided tours for €105 on weekdays and €135 on weekends, per group.
The local guide tour does not include museum fees.
Day trips from Amsterdam
Zaanse Schans is the easy day trip: about 17 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal by train.
Keukenhof is open only in spring, from 18 March to 9 May 2027.
Bruges takes a 12-hour day by tour, or about 3 hours each way by train. For a stay of two days or less, it is too much.
See all our day trips from Amsterdam.
How to pick: group size, length, budget
Pick by group size first, then length and budget.
- Group size: on a private tour, only your group joins. By city rules, guided groups in the center may have at most 15 people, from 8:00 to 22:00.
- Length: the tours last from 45 minutes to 8 hours. The boats are the shortest.
- Budget: a €245 boat for six works out at about €41 each. For two, it is about €123 each.
- Meeting point: three tours pick you up. The others meet at the address on the card.
- Rain: the small-canal boat has a canvas roof, and the evening boat has a roof that closes. The tasting runs rain or shine.
Cheap tickets for Amsterdam: the low-cost ways in
A GVB day ticket costs €10 for trams, buses, metro and ferries. The IJ ferries behind Centraal are free for people on foot.
Walking the old center costs nothing, and group walks start from €18.
Tips for booking a tour in Amsterdam
Check who the price covers
Four tours price the whole group and three price each person. The palace tour prices per person while saying private for up to 6, so check the total at checkout.
Book when your date is set
All seven tours cancel free up to 24 hours ahead, so booking early costs you nothing if plans change.
Know where you meet
The minivan, tasting and historian tours pick you up. The others meet at the address on the card, such as Prinsengracht 375 or Singel 446.
Plan for rain
The small-canal boat has a canvas roof, and the evening boat has a roof that closes. The tasting runs rain or shine.
Amsterdam tours: questions and answers
How much does a private tour in Amsterdam cost?
How long do Amsterdam tours last?
What happens if it rains on my tour?
Do any Amsterdam tours pick you up at your hotel?
More Amsterdam tours, live
More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.
See every tour with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.
Browse all on GetYourGuideSources (17)
- Royal Palace Amsterdam: visit
- Anne Frank House: tickets
- Anne Frank House: choose your ticket
- Rijksmuseum: FAQ
- Van Gogh Museum: tickets
- Heineken Experience: children and minors
- City of Amsterdam: rules for tours
- Keukenhof
- Zaanse Schans: contact and getting here
- NS International: Amsterdam - Bruges
- NS: one-way ticket
- NS: journey planner
- Schiphol: train
- GVB: prices
- GVB: the public transport company
- GetYourGuide: Private Canal Tour
- GetYourGuide: Private Royal Palace tour