Private tour in Amsterdam Esther V

See the best of Amsterdam: the glorious Canal Ring and the charming Jordaan District, Private Tour with a Certified Guide

5.0

(24) reviews

-
Hours icon 3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 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 3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 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

Esther V.

5.0

Guide rating

52

Reviews

Tours delivered

3 hrs

Avg. response time

Hoi. My name is Esther, and I am a professional, certified (!) and licensed native Dutch (!) guide who loves travel, culture and art. I was born and raised in the Netherlands, and have been living in Amsterdam for over 30 years, so I can offer you a truely local experience! I thoroughly enjoy guiding in one of the most delightful cities in the world. Strolling along Amsterdams picturesque canals and streets is an amazing and surprising relaxing experience, and one of my favourite things to do. As a writer of many articles and books on history and culture, I have mastered the art of storytelling. After I finished my European Studies at the University of Amsterdam, I travelled the world as a tourleader. This vast international experience has given me refreshing insights into the Dutch culture and its astounding history and heritage. The pride that the Dutch take in their country is expressed by the famous saying: If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much :) As a certified guide, I always try to bring Amsterdams unique history, its famous inhabitants and breathtakingly beautiful works of art to life by telling engaging stories. By doing so, I offer my guests a profound and enjoyable experience. Besides, I love to show them how to look at paintings and architecture by pointing out details, by giving context and by explaining techniques and macro developments. There is so much beauty to behold, and so much to see and experience in the city, that it might be overwhelming if you don't know where to look and where to go. The Rijksmuseum tour is one of my favourites as well, since I am a great art lover with an academic background in Art History. Besides in Amsterdam, I am also guiding tours in the lovely Zaanse Schans windmill village just north of the city. Here you can get a sense of the countryside, with Dutch skies competing with green Zaan houses, quaint shops, museums and iconic windmills for your attention. Another place where I offer guided tours, is Haarlem. This gorgeous medieval town is only 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam, and has a lot to offer. It has not yet been discovered by mass tourism. If you enjoy elegant, picturesque small villages and towns surrounded by the bucolic Waterland countryside I can really recommend joining me on a tour to Edam and Broek in Waterland, just north of Amsterdam. The nice thing about my job, is that every tour is different, due to the interaction with my guests and the questions they ask me. I work professionally as a guide, am a certified member of the European Guide Association (FEG), am ANVR, IVOR and GUIDOR certified, and have executed tours for many local tourcompanies and for renown international (rivercruise)companies. I would love to show you the best Amsterdam and its surroundings have to offer. It is my mission to deliver an unforgettable experience with a smile! Of course, your tour can be customized to your preferences. Please contact me in case you have questions or special requests. I am looking forward to meeting you one day in my beautiful city! - Master of Arts in European Studies at the University of Amsterdam - GUIDOR, ANVR, IVOR certified (not just a member) after passing thorough exams - Member of FEG, European Guides Association - Purchased license to guide in the historic centre of Amsterdam I am not a driver. Please note, very often my afternoon tours can start earlier than 2 pm, it depends on the end time of my morning tour and this varies per day. Please send me a message if you wish an earlier start of your afternoon tour.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Esther V.

Overview of your Amsterdam tour

This interesting and extensive 3-hr tour with a professional and certified Dutch guide shows you the best Amsterdam has to offer, and brings the city to life. It takes you on a journey from the historic medieval heart of the city to the beautiful 17th Century UNESCO World Heritage Canal Ring and the picturesque Jordaan district. First, you can marvel at the 8th Wonder of the World (the Royal Palace) on Dam square, hear about how the Dutch invented the stock market, and see the oldest harbour in the medieval town. From there, we will discover the most charming and picturesque canals of the Golden Age, and enjoy the cozy atmosphere of the Jordaan district. This former slum is now restored, and has become one of the prettiest parts of town. Then we will continue towards the Anne Frank house and the Westerkerk church on the Prinsengracht, where you can learn about the moving history of the family Frank. Afterwards, we will visit the elegant Nine Streets area to end the tour around Dam square.

Recent Reviews

Joel K.United States
3 weeks ago

Esther was great, we walked at our pace, learned a lot and had fun exploring the various neighborhoods

Joe L.United States
July 2026

ESTHER WAS excellent and I highly recommend her to anyone seeking a group or small personalised tour. She knows the history, the navigation and small details that sometimes go unnoticed. Brava Esther...we really enjoyed being with you and learning from you! Joe and Beth

Derek M.United States
July 2026

Esther was great! Friendly and with great information on our first morning in Amsterdam. She took us to some beautiful gardens that we would have never found on our own. Highly recommend!

Susan F.United States
May 2026

Esther was outstanding! At the beginning of our tour she outlined the morning plan and asked if we wanted to make any adjustments. She was extremely knowledgeable and thoroughly explained everything we saw on the tour. We had a delightful morning with her and if we came back to Amsterdam we would definitely reach out to her again.

Susan M.United States
February 2026

Would highly recommend Esther. Very attentive to the pace of our party. One had mobility issues and needed to stop more which Esther picked up on quickly. She also asked questions before we started the tour so she could adjust the route and not duplicate locations so we were going to see the next day. That really helped us explore more of the city. We were two females age 61 and 63 on a private tour.

Suzanne G.United States
November 2025

Esther was an amazing tour guide! She is a wealth of information and tailored her pace to my parents speed and interests. This tour was a great introduction to Amsterdam, its history and beauty. I highly recommend this tour and Esther on your visit.

Your Amsterdam tour itinerary

- We start the tour in the heart of the city on the Dam square, and see the historic harbour. - We pass the historic coastline towards the lively Haarlemmerstraat street, the Brouwersgracht and the three main canals. - Then we can enjoy the glorious 17th century canal ring, which is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and consists of the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht. - Then we will visit the Noordermarkt and the cozy Jordaan district. - We see the Anne Frank House and the Wester Church (from the outside). - We walk through the elegant Nine Streets area - Then we end around the Dam Square. - The itinerary and starting/end point of the tour can be adjusted to your wishes. - Larger groups are possible for a surcharge - Please note, very often my afternoon tours can start earlier than 2 pm, it depends on the end time of my morning tour and this varies per day. Please send me a message if you wish an earlier start of your afternoon tour.

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

By foot

What's included
Other: 21% VAT and entertainment tax from the Municipality of Amsterdam are also included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses.
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

9 Dam, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, 1012 JS, Netherlands

On Dam square, in front of the Krasnapolsky Hotel.

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Architecture
History
City Highlights
Art And Culture
Tour reference number
870311
Languages
English
German
Dutch
Activity level
Light
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Amsterdam best suited for?

This private tour in Amsterdam is perfect for travellers interested in exploring the city's rich history and beautiful architecture. It's ideal for those who want to experience the UNESCO World Heritage Canal Ring and the charming Jordaan District with a certified guide. The tour is also kid-friendly, making it a great option for families.

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?

Is transportation included?

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

What languages is this tour offered in?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 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 3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 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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