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Amsterdam Tour: Explore Counterculture Gems
4.3
12 Ratings
Amsterdam
Discover Amsterdam’s counterculture with expert guides. Explore street art, squatting culture, and hidden gems in the Jordaan neighborhood. Uncover the city’s true heart.
Discover Amsterdam’s counterculture with expert guides. Explore street art, squatting culture, and hidden gems in the Jordaan neighborhood. Uncover the city’s true heart.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Dam Square - The tour begins at the National Monument on Dam Square, near the founding site of Amsterdam, and concludes at the same location.
- Royal Palace Amsterdam - Initially constructed as a town hall, this historic palace stands as the Netherlands’ most culturally significant building. A visit is highly recommended post-tour and can be…
- Dam Square - The tour begins at the National Monument on Dam Square, near the founding site of Amsterdam, and concludes at the same location.
- Royal Palace Amsterdam - Initially constructed as a town hall, this historic palace stands as the Netherlands’ most culturally significant building. A visit is highly recommended post-tour and can be arranged through the Royal Palace website.
- The Jordaan - Discover the enchanting Jordaan neighborhood in Amsterdam, rich in history and charm.
Stroll through its narrow streets, lined with inviting cafes, art studios, and unique boutiques, and learn about the tales of rebellious artists, working-class heroes, and the challenges of a past era.
- Homomonument - Although Amsterdam is renowned for its liberal stance today, it wasn’t always so. Visit Amsterdam’s Gay Monument to honor the LGBTQ individuals who faced persecution due to their gender or sexual orientation.
- Amsterdam - The tour includes stops at various sites featuring Amsterdam’s street art, graffiti, and houseboats. Since 2020, tour operators are not permitted inside the Red Light District, but the tour does cover its history and significance.
What's Included
- English-speaking guide
- Engaging storytelling by licensed guide
- An educational dive into the city’s counterculture
- English-speaking guide
- Engaging storytelling by licensed guide
- An educational dive into the city’s counterculture
What's Not Included
- Food and Beverages, (bring some water)
- Transportation (we walk everything)
- Entry into the Red Light District (tour groups are restricted from entering)
- Food and Beverages, (bring some water)
- Transportation (we walk everything)
- Entry into the Red Light District (tour groups are restricted from entering)
Additional Information
The Alternative Tour provides a unique glimpse into Amsterdam’s counterculture, exploring aspects such as the squatting movement, hippie influences, and LGBTQ history. It delves into the vibrant street art scene and leads visitors to the authentic core of the city: The Jordaan neighborhood.
Led by certified guides who are genuine Amsterdammers and true…
The Alternative Tour provides a unique glimpse into Amsterdam’s counterculture, exploring aspects such as the squatting movement, hippie influences, and LGBTQ history. It delves into the vibrant street art scene and leads visitors to the authentic core of the city: The Jordaan neighborhood.
Led by certified guides who are genuine Amsterdammers and true city ambassadors, the team is composed of history educators, culture enthusiasts, and passionate food lovers. This ensures an experience that surpasses what standard tour operators or guidebooks can offer.
In addition to discovering Amsterdam’s alternative side, the guides offer recommendations on must-visit spots, dining and wining options, and tips on avoiding tourist traps.
Join the tour to fully enjoy your Amsterdam adventure.
- Recommended for adults (topics include prostitution & soft drugs policy), or teenagers under supervision.
- No catching up with the group if you are late (please book a new time slot)
Location
National Monument
Dam
Meet us 10 minutes before the tour starts, in front of the National Monument. You'll recognize us by the white umbrella with an orange logo.
Please don't message or call us if you are late, there is no catching up with the group after the start time and the guides can't be reached during the tour.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.3
(12 Ratings)
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O5642wvjamesd
Jun 9, 2025
Great experience. Highly recommend the “Alternative” tour. - The tour was fantastic! I leaned so many things about the city. Gerben was entertaining and good company. I highly recommend the “Alternative” walking tour. Fine for teenagers.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Weddingmc2019
May 15, 2025
A walking Tour with Wit & Humour! - An amazing experience with Sergio our tour guide. With his wit, humour and interesting stories, we walked around the sights of Amsterdam listening to Sergio's every word. He was a true professional, full of empathy and caring to all his attendees, listening to their questions and requirements.
This tour was not full of facts, numbers and a guide pointing to the tourist attractions, but with true life stories and history. A wonderful experience, magical and enlighting. i left knowing more about the residents of Amsterdam, than any website.
Thank you Sergio, for being Mr Amsterdam!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wendy
May 2, 2025
Two Hours Went Fast - I did an Alternative Walking Tour today with Ana. She is an excellent guide. Informative, friendly, helpful, and fun. I chose this tour rather than an historical one and it was exactly what I wanted.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H6566kemiat
Mar 31, 2025
Fantastic Tour!! - Gerben was an amazing tour guide for us, he had amazing energy and made us laugh throughout whilst providing us with valuable and interesting information. The tour was one of our highlights of visiting Amsterdam, would recommend to everyone!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Claire-kez
Dec 14, 2024
Yeah, good! - Despite the rain the cold the wind the small committee tour was perfect to discover the history of the city by a pure Amsterdam resident named Paul ❤️
He knows the secrets of history and full of anecdotes about the alleys of bridges the inhabitants of tourists.
For a "free" ride I think it's too little paid tips compensate and it deserves much more.
Advice at the end that he was asked was appreciated.
I had to do the translation for my darling and Paul took the time to let me do it without disturbing him in his visit.
So for all this a huge Thank you 💕
See you on King's Day in April 😁
Claire & Benjamin
Review provided by Tripadvisor
M8001ydmichaelj
Jul 7, 2024
Excellent value! - Had an excellent time despite the crappy weather. Craig was informative and funny; the time passed by in a flash. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Katherinetravellingg
Mar 8, 2026
Review of two half’s - No 1 tour- Essential Amsterdam walking tour with Felipe. Excellent tour in which we could ask questions, we learned a lot and the pace was comfortable.
No 2 tour- Alternative tour with Alessio.
3/5, he often forgot what he was saying part way through and other people on the tour were constantly interrupting saying about their city etc.
We didn’t cover a lot of ground, we moved very slowly and we didn’t feel as though we learned a lot compared to the tour above.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Claudineck1491uu
Aug 10, 2025
Alternative tour of amsterdam - We bought this voucher, but the guide said afterwards: you have not paid yet. I have to pay a lot for the tour to do, so you have to pay 2 euros each to cover those costs. Then I haven't earned anything. Someone who wanted to leave he called back: you have not yet paid a tip. Although the guide was very sympathetic and gave a pleasant playful tour, I found this an unpleasant ending. I don't think tipping is normal anymore, but to say how much you have to give...then this should be better described when buying
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Caterinal2025
Jan 3, 2026
Tour cancelled without notice with last minute solution - We booked an “Alternative Tour Amsterdam | Drugs story, street art & more” via TripAdvisor, so paying one euro more than buying directly on the company’s website (freealternativetouramsterdam). So far all acceptable, however, once we arrived at the meeting point, there was no our guide and above all none of the guides really present was there to administer this type of tour. From them we were given information on the spot, informal and conflicting with the absence of our guide (and the fact that he did not respond to our messages) and, above all, we never received any official communication from either the company or TripAdvisor.
Instead, kindly, we were given the opportunity to join an ordinary walking tour (which we had already done) or receive back the money from our reservation (unclear how and how much). We opted to redo the ordinary tour and, luckily, our new guide has included in his own tour some alternative info.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
993casperj
Feb 9, 2025
Boring - The guide did not manage to be heard in our relatively small group (10 ppl).
The guide talked a lot about the (old) history of Amsterdam and did not begin on the actual subject while we where there, after 40 minutes we ended up leaving the tour, as we did not hear anything and therefore did not understand the context of the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
