Free cancellation
1.5-2 hours
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🇳🇱 Amsterdam
Amsterdam Hidden Courtyards Walking Tour
★4.7(1,500 verified GetYourGuide reviews)· 2 hours32 travellers viewed this in the last hour
Behind the grand facades of Amsterdam's canal houses lie some of the city's most beautiful secrets: the hofjes. These hidden courtyards, originally built as almshouses for elderly women and the poor, are quiet gardens of calm tucked away from the busy streets. Most tourists walk right past the unmarked doorways without ever knowing they are there. Your guide knows which doors to push, which bells to ring, and which residents are happy to share their space. Over two hours you will visit six to eight of these peaceful courtyards, each with its own character and history dating back to the 1400s. Between stops, you will walk along quieter canals and through neighbourhoods where the real Amsterdam still thrives. It is a completely different perspective on the city.
What makes this tour
Visit 6 to 8 secret hofjes behind canal house facades
Discover peaceful gardens hidden from tourist crowds
Learn the 600-year history of Amsterdam's almshouses
Walk along quieter canals away from the main routes
Hear stories of the women who lived in these courtyards
Small group keeps the experience intimate and respectful
What's included
- Professional English-speaking guide
- 2-hour walking tour
- Access to private courtyards
- Small group of maximum 12 people
Best for
Off-the-beaten-path explorersHistory loversPhotographers
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