Private tour in Amsterdam Ian W

Amsterdam Jewish Heritage and second world war

4.9

(34) reviews

-
Hours icon 2 hours 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 2 hours 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Ian W.

5.0

Guide rating

191

Reviews

Tours delivered

3 hrs

Avg. response time

I was born in Amsterdam and give tours/work in tourism since I was 17 . When I was young I started working as an actor, after which I travelled and worked in several countries. During my travels I've worked as a tour guide in Brasil, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands. Making people enthusiastic about my town is one of my specialties. Every tour is an adventure, with 100% customer satisfaction. Over the years I have given tours and made custom programs for budget travellers , students, families, businesses and some of the most famous and influential people on the planet. I love to connect with travellers from all walks of a life. - MY SPECIALTY I specialize in giving private tours in the old city center of Amsterdam (the Red Light District) and tours about the second world war and Jewish heritage in Amsterdam. - OLD CITY CENTER & RED LIGHT DISTRICT The Red Light District is one of the most diverse and tolerant neighborhoods in the world, but it has a bad reputation. It somehow became my mission to show visitors the many beautiful sides of the oldest part of Amsterdam. This area has some of the best restaurants, bars, tasting rooms, museums, stores and nightlife of Amsterdam. - 5 STAR PRIVATE TOUR GUIDE I am a really well known 5* tour guide in the area, no tour is the same. Sometimes locals invite us inside, or we have a small cheese/chocolate tasting, or other adventure. It all depends on the wishes of the group. I mastered the talent of being able to adapt to the wishes of my groups. - ROOTS IN THE AREA My grandfather used to own one of the first bars in the old city center for black sailors. I love telling stories about multicultural Amsterdam (most multicultural city in the world and safest in Europe!), the 17th century, Red Light district as the old harbor area, second world war, tolerance towards religion, the Dutch soft drugs policy, prostitution and current changes in the neighborhood. - STORE OWNER Together with my wife (who is also a toursbylocals guide) I own a chocolate speciality shop at the oldest canal of Amsterdam. We can visit my chocolate shop during my tour. - SOME MORE ABOUT ME In Brasil I've worked with an indigenous tribe called the Pataxó, with my foundation Terra Nossa. Together we set up a lot of social, cultural and environmental programs, including a large reforestation project, which after 14 years is still run by the Pataxó tribe. My wife and me are co founders of the largest business investmentzone of the Netherlands, in the old city center of Amsterdam. We are involved in a lot of (creative and green) projects that benefit the area. -Certified Tour guide Amsterdam -Former relief worker travellers in need -Tour guide & host trainer -Tour developer -Destination developer -Local agent/destination manager - I don't guide in museums - I don't own a car but if necessary can arrange transfer. Do notice: public transport is pretty good arranged in Holland and usually cheaper.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Ian W.

Overview of your Amsterdam tour

Join me for a memorable and personal journey through Amsterdam's history and resilience. Explore Amsterdam's rich history and Jewish heritage. During this tour we will walk through the old city center and the Jewish cultural quarter, we'll discover tales of the past intertwined with Jewish culture. Hear stories of bravery during WWII, including a stop at a bar where Jewish people found refuge. In the Jewish Quarter, learn about my own family's journey and why and how the Jewish neighbourhood disappeared. During my tour we will visit several monuments and will pass by the Portuguese synagogue (please note: we don't enter during the tour). After my tour you can conclude with an optional visit to the Portuguese Synagogue , Holocaust or Jewish Museum (entry not included).

Recent Reviews

William B.United States
November 2025

What a great tour! Ian's knowledge of this history of Amsterdam is amazing. He has a passion for the Jewish heritage that energizes his presentation. And his wife's chocolate shop is the best!

Carl M.United States
August 2025

Ian was absolutely phenomenal. He was a wonderful source of history and strife which occurred during WW II in Amsterdam. Our friends with us had never used tours by locals and were amazed at the quality of Ian's tour. I highly recommend him and this tour.

Audrey S.United States
May 2025

Ian was a wonderful tour guide. He has a fascinating family story and took us to interesting areas of the city. He was easy and fun to be with! Definitely book this tour, especially if you are interested in Jewish history!

Vance K.United States
July 2024

Ian is amazing! He brought the history of Amsterdam and his and his family's Jewish roots come alive! We learned so much and didn't want our time together to end! Add to that, we enjoyed a chocolate tasting at his family's chocolate shop! If we could give him 10 stars we would. You will love spending time with him as we did.

Janet K.United States
May 2024

Ian was an excellent tour guide, adapting the agreed upon tour to the ability of some to participate as well as to the very inclement weather. What we particularly enjoyed about the tour with Ian was his animated style and fascinating anecdotes about his own history as well as the many landmarks we saw. I highly recommend his tour.

Susan K.United States
April 2024

Ian W. was prompt, energetic and incredibly knowledgeable. He's completely fluent in English and he adapted his walking tour of Amsterdam to our needs. He even took us off the beaten path to places we are sure no other of his clients have gone. We highly recommend Ian W. to anyone who wants a terrific tour of Amsterdam.

Your Amsterdam tour itinerary

We begin in the Old City Center, where you’ll hear how the first Jewish people arrived in the Netherlands. Where they came from, how they settled, and what their earliest experiences were like. Discover how Jewish communities from Amsterdam later spread across the globe, carrying their traditions and stories with them. Visit a remarkable hidden location where Jewish families – and weapons of the resistance – were concealed during WWII. Pass the Rembrandt House and continue to the former Jewish market. Walk past Amsterdam’s City Hall, and uncover the dark history behind its construction: how it rose on the ruins of Jewish homes. Learn about famous Jewish figures from Amsterdam, and understand how the Holocaust unfolded here. Explore the Jewish Cultural Quarter, and see how it was reshaped after the war. Pause for reflection at the moving Holocaust Name Monument. End the tour at either the Jewish Historical Museum or the Portuguese Synagogue (entry not included).

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Walking

Walking Tour with a pretty high activity level. Not wheelchair friendly, and unfortunately not for bad walkers.

What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Tickets: Museum tickets are not included.
Meeting location

Beursplein, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, 1012 JW, Netherlands

In front of Beursplein 5. I will be standing at the statue of the Wallstreet Bull, which is in front of the Amsterdam stock exchange.

Other details
Tour categories
History
City Highlights
Religious Sites
Tour reference number
198504
Languages
Dutch
English
Activity level
High

Traveller reviews

4.9

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Amsterdam best suited for?

This private tour in Amsterdam is ideal for travellers interested in Jewish heritage and World War II history. It's perfect for those who want to connect with a local guide, Ian W., who has Jewish roots dating back 400 years in Amsterdam. The tour offers a personal journey through the city's history and resilience, making it suitable for history enthusiasts and those looking to explore cultural narratives.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Amsterdam be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 2 hours 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 2 hours 30 minutes
Walking
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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