Alternative Tour Amsterdam | Drugs Story, Street Art & More
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Our Alternative Tour offers an insight into Amsterdam's counterculture, like the squatting culture, hippies, and LGBTQ history. It covers the street art scene and takes us into the genuine heart of the city: The Jordaan neighborhood.
Our certified guides are real Amsterdammers and true ambassadors of the city. Our team consists of history teachers, culture vultures, and true gastronomes, making sure we can offer you an experience that is unmatched by the standard tour operator or guidebook.
On top of learning about the alternative side of Amsterdam, our guides will advise you on which places to visit while in the city, where to wine and dine, and what tourist traps to avoid.
Join us, and get the most out of your Amsterdam experience.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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)
Bookings accepted up to 5 people, larger groups will not be taken by the guide
What To Expect
Dam Square
Our tour starts at the National Monument on Dam square, close to where Amsterdam was founded. Our tour also ends here.
Royal Palace Amsterdam
Originally built as a town hall, the historic palace is the most culturally significant building of the Netherlands. A visit is highly recommended after the tour and can be booked on the Royal Palace website.
Options
Alternative Amsterdam | Drugs Story, Street Art & Counterculture
Tip-Based Alternative Tour
Duration: 2 hours: Dive into Amsterdam's historic counterculture on this English-guided tour, and tip the guide according to your experience.
What‘s Included
English-speaking guide
Engaging storytelling by licensed guide
An educational dive into the city's counterculture
Food and Beverages, (bring some water)
Transportation (we walk everything)
Entry into the Red Light District (tour groups are restricted from entering)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Review of two half’s
KatherineTravellingG,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00No 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.
Tour cancelled without notice with last minute solution
caterinal2025,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00We 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.
Alternative tour of amsterdam
claudinecK1491UU,Aug 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00We 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
Great experience. Highly recommend the “Alternative” tour.
O5642WVjamesd,Jun 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The 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.
A walking Tour with Wit & Humour!
WeddingMC2019,May 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An 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!!
Two Hours Went Fast
Wendy C,May 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I 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.
Fantastic Tour!!
H6566KEmiat,Mar 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Gerben 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!!
Boring
993casperj,Feb 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00The 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.
Yeah, good!
claire-kez,Dec 14, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Despite 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
Excellent value!
M8001YDmichaelj,Jul 7, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had an excellent time despite the crappy weather. Craig was informative and funny; the time passed by in a flash. Highly recommended!
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Operated by Guided Tour Holland