Magpie
5.0(20 reviews)

Rijksmuseum & Amsterdam City Center Semi-Private Tour

From€238.5
3 hours
Amsterdam, Netherlands

About this activity

Discover Amsterdam's art and history on a semi-private tour, featuring skip-the-line access to the Rijksmuseum and a guided walk through the city's historic center.

Highlights

  • Explore the Rijksmuseum's masterpieces
  • Stroll through Amsterdam's historic city center
  • Learn about Amsterdam's rich history
  • Enjoy a semi-private group experience
  • Skip-the-line access to major attractions

Full description

Immerse yourself in Amsterdam's rich art and history with this semi-private tour. Skip the lines at the renowned Rijksmuseum, home to masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer. Then, embark on a guided stroll through the city's charming streets, uncovering hidden gems and learning about Amsterdam's storied past. With a maximum of 12 participants, enjoy a personalized experience that brings the city's art and history to life.

Included / Excluded

  • Skip-the-line access to the Rijksmuseum
  • Guided tour of Amsterdam's historic city center
  • Semi-private group experience (up to 12 people)
  • Food and beverages

Itinerary

1

Split the day between the canals and cobblestones of the city’s historic center and the masterpieces hanging in the Rijksmuseum. The tour will begin at the Rijksmuseum, Holland’s version of the Louvre, and learn about the highlights of its 8000 or so objects on display, including works by iconic Dutch artists like Rembrandt. This tour will introduce first-time visitors to the impressive and expansive collection that curates Dutch history over the centuries. For those who aren’t familiar with Dutch culture, you will explore its rich and vibrant past through a selection of paintings and artifacts from the 8000 objects on display. We’ll explore familiar names like Rembrandt while discussing lesser known items like 17th century dollhouses and Vermeer’s portrait of domesticity, “The Milkmaid.” There’s even a fascinating 19th century library containing more stories than we could ever tell. By the end, you’ll have a good overview of the museum’s collection and you may even know how to pronounce its name correctly. Then after a break for lunch, The historical walk will introduce you to this capital city, known for its openness and vice as much as for its charming bridges and leaning houses. Wander the canals and get your bearings as you learn about the medieval gate and Amstel River that helped shape Amsterdam.

Duration: 2h 30mAdmission: YES
2

Starting at our designated meeting point of St Nicholas’ Basilica, we will firstly discuss the history of the city’s primary Roman Catholic Church. Built at the end of the 19th century at a time when Roman Catholics could once again profess their faith in public after three centuries of prohibition, the building is a blend of different architectural styles and artistic movements.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3

We will then make our way towards the Schreierstoren, often known as the Tower of Tears or Weeper’s Tower. Originally part of the medieval city wall of Amsterdam, this tower is mainly known for the belief that women wept there for their husbands who would leave from the port to go to war or to fish.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NO
4

We will then walk through an area known to be the Chinatown of Amsterdam. Zeedijk is a street in the old centre of Amsterdam and consists of a number of Asian markets, restaurants and shops, as well as the Zeedijk Buddhist temple, known to be the largest Chinese style Buddhist temple in Europe.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
5

From here, we will make our way to the lively nightspot and market square, Nieuwmarkt which is found in the old city centre. This spot has been a centre for commerce and socialising in Amsterdam since the 17th century as the square’s location just inside the old city gate made it a convenient spot for traders and shoppers looking for fresh produce.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
6

During our time at Nieuwmarkt, we will also see what is known as “De Waag”, a 15th century building that is one of Amsterdam’s oldest remaining non-religious buildings. Originally a city gate and part of the walls of Amsterdam, the building has also served as a guildhall, museum and firestation, among other things.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NO
7

Moving on, we will see both the Trippenhuis & Klein Trippenhuis. While the Trippenhuis is Amsterdam’s widest home, spanning an enormous 22m, the Klein Trippenhuis is one of Amsterdam’s narrowest houses located right across from the Trippenhuis.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NO
8

Step into the courtyard of the Dutch East India Company’s headquarters, the birthplace of the world’s first multinational corporation.

Duration: 5 minAdmission: NO
9

Marvel at one of the narrowest houses in Amsterdam, a reminder of how high land taxes once encouraged tall, narrow architecture

Duration: 5 minAdmission: NO
10

Amsterdam’s first purpose-built Protestant church, designed by Hendrick de Keyser. Its elegant tower is one of the city’s defining landmarks.

Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
11

Next we will pass by Rembrandt’s house, a historical building and art museum in which the Painter Rembrandt lived and worked between 1639 and 1656. The collection of the museum contains Rembrandt’s etchings and paintings of his contemporaries.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NO
12

Following, we will go to what is known as the Stopera, a building complex housing both the city hall and the Dutch National Opera and Ballet. The construction of this building was at least 60 years in the making.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NO
13

A rare 17th-century canal house located at the junction of three canals, with façades facing in three directions.

Duration: 5 minAdmission: NO
14

Following, we will see one of the oldest hofjes, or almshouses in Amsterdam, Begijnhof. It consists of a group of houses built around a secluded courtyard and garden, known to have provided homes for the Beguines – a group of unmarried women who lived together under vows of chastity. Today it is also the site of two churches.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NO
15

One of the tour’s last stop includes the Dam Square. Its notable buildings and frequent events make it one of the most well-known locations in the city, as it includes the Royal Place, New Church and National Monument.

Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
16

Admire the “Golden Bend” of the Herengracht, lined with the city’s richest and most ornate canal mansions from the Dutch Golden Age

Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
17

Pause outside the Anne Frank House, where the young diarist hid during WWII. Next door rises the Westerkerk, with the tallest church tower in Amsterdam.

Duration: 5 minAdmission: NO
18

Look up to spot quirky gable stones, carved with allegories and trade emblems, decorating some of the city’s most ornate façades.

Duration: 5 minAdmission: NO
19

Discover the largest hofje in Amsterdam, once built as almshouses around a tranquil courtyard for the city’s poor and elderly.

Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
20

A 17th-century Protestant church built for the Jordaan district. Its unusual cross-shaped floor plan reflects the new ideals of Reformation worship.

Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
21

End at one of the city’s prettiest canal corners. Visit Het Papeneiland, a brown café from 1642, said to serve the best apple pie in town.

Duration: 5 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE

Meeting point

Start Location

Unknown location

Important information

Know before you book

  • The tour is conducted in English.
  • Photography is allowed in the museum without flash.
  • The tour operates rain or shine.

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes for the city tour.
  • Bring a camera to capture the museum's art and city sights.
  • Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Stroller Accessible
  • Easy Public Transport

Good to know

  • It is imperative that you provide us with guests MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code)
  • A maximum of 8 people per tour allowed
  • Minimum numbers apply. This tour will not run without a minimum of 2 guests to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
  • Notes: Rijksmuseum may be subjected to occasional closures without previous warning from the museum management. When this occurs, we will provide guests with an appropriate alternative if the museum opening time is delayed more than 1h from the tour starting time. In these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts. Appropriate dress is required for entry into some sites on this tour. No large bags or suitcases are allowed inside the museum, only handbags or small thin bag packs are allowed through security. Due to increased security measures at many attractions some lines may form on tours with 'Skip the Line' or 'No Wait' access. Some specific rooms inside the museum are subjected to a very quiet or restricted right to speak inside, in this cases your guide will provide the information about this places before entering the specific rooms where this rule applies. Some collections may vary along the year.
  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee – Important Details We stand by our commitment to providing the best tour experience. If for any reason your experience did not meet expectations, we offer a 100% Guarantee under the following conditions: 1. Contact Us Within 24 Hours – To qualify for any potential refund or resolution, you must reach out to us within 24 hours of your tour. 2. Give Us a Chance to Make It Right – Before posting any negative reviews online, please allow us the opportunity to address your concerns. We take pride in our customer service and are committed to finding a fair solution. To request a resolution, please contact us at after tour. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to ensuring every guest has an amazing experience!

Traveler reviews

5.0
20 reviews
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What a great way to spend a day in Amsterdam

This tour comes in two parts. In the morning, you do about 2 1/2 hours in the Rijksmuseum, and in the afternoon, you walk through the city talking about how the city evolved from about the 1500s through the 1800s. This tour is semi-private, so they limit the group size, which makes it really nice as you can ask questions, but also it’s easier to get a small group closer and to stand near Tijs (the guide) — he uses a ‘whisper device’ where you have a small earpiece in one ear so even if you aren’t close, you can hear him clearly. Tijs does a great job of ‘showing not telling’ and really gives you a sense of what was happening at the time without digging into things like specific dates which get lost quickly. I really appreciate how he tended to focus us down on a few specific pieces to talk about In the afternoon we did a city walk back to rembrandts house, along the way he talked about how the city was built up and pointed out interesting parts of the city.

Q3381ZTjohnmApr 30, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Valuable museum tour

Cecilia was a knowledgeable and friendly guide. She asked for input and tailored the tour toward our interests.

emilysF3904ZHApr 8, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Great Experience at Rijksmuseum

We went on this tour “off season” so it turned out there were only three of us with our terrific guide, Monique from Babylon Tours. She was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. There is a lot to see and having a guide is invaluable.

P6212EQruthsDec 12, 2025TRIPADVISOR

Fun time

The tour guide was very knowledgeable. I don't think we would have truly understood the paintings as we did with her guidance. My teenage son was engaged the whole time and asked questions. Great time

59coridAug 10, 2025TRIPADVISOR

Incredible Tour

This was one of the best tours of an art museum I have ever been on. Our guide, Anna, was dynamic, engaging and quite funny. I learned so much about the culture, history and the art. This tour is highly recommended.

216cathygJul 3, 2025TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

It is imperative that you provide us with guests MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code) A maximum of 8 people per tour allowed Minimum numbers apply. This tour will not run without a minimum of 2 guests to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund. Notes: Rijksmuseum may be subjected to occasional closures without previous warning from the museum management. When this occurs, we will provide guests with an appropriate alternative if the museum opening time is delayed more than 1h from the tour starting time. In these cases we are unable to provide refunds or discounts. Appropriate dress is required for entry into some sites on this tour. No large bags or suitcases are allowed inside the museum, only handbags or small thin bag packs are allowed through security. Due to increased security measures at many attractions some lines may form on tours with 'Skip the Line' or 'No Wait' access. Some specific rooms inside the museum are subjected to a very quiet or restricted right to speak inside, in this cases your guide will provide the information about this places before entering the specific rooms where this rule applies. Some collections may vary along the year. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee – Important Details We stand by our commitment to providing the best tour experience. If for any reason your experience did not meet expectations, we offer a 100% Guarantee under the following conditions: 1. Contact Us Within 24 Hours – To qualify for any potential refund or resolution, you must reach out to us within 24 hours of your tour. 2. Give Us a Chance to Make It Right – Before posting any negative reviews online, please allow us the opportunity to address your concerns. We take pride in our customer service and are committed to finding a fair solution. To request a resolution, please contact us at after tour. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to ensuring every guest has an amazing experience!
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