Self-guided walking tour Amsterdam: canals and historic highlights

This self-guided walking tour Amsterdam takes you past canals, parks and monuments, from bustling Central Station to quiet Muiderpoort.

Table of contents hide

1 Discover Amsterdam’s history on a self-guided walking tour

2 This is what to expext from the self-guided Amsterdam walking tour

3 Best time of year to do this walk

4 Book your trip to Amsterdam

5 Read more about The Netherlands

Discover Amsterdam’s history on a self-guided walking tour

I lived in Amsterdam for twelve years and often spent my weekends exploring on foot. The route I’ll share here is an official NS walk, a Dutch railway walking route that connects two stations. It combines the famous canals with some of the city’s lesser known but deeply historic places.

Practical info

This self guided walking tour runs from Amsterdam Central Station to Muiderpoort Station. It is about 11 kilometers long, but you can easily shorten it thanks to tram, bus and metro stops along the way. Plan 3 to 4 hours depending on breaks and sightseeing.

It is best to start early in the morning, as the canals tend to get crowded after 11 a.m. Along the way you will pass Oosterpark, several museums and plenty of cafés. Directions and a GPX file can be found on the NS website. The information there is only in Dutch, but if you click Download GPX you will get the file, and Download de routekaart gives you a PDF map of the walk.

The Westerborkpad

Part of this walk overlaps with the Westerborkpad, a 342-kilometer long-distance trail that begins in Amsterdam and ends at the former Westerbork transit camp. During World War II, thousands of Jews were deported from the Hollandse Schouwburg and Muiderpoort Station. Following this route is not only a great way to explore the city, but also to reflect on this history.

This is what to expext from the self-guided Amsterdam walking tour

On an overcast Sunday morning I leave Amsterdam Central Station to start the self guided walking tour Amsterdam. In front of the station there is the usual sea of bicycles and travelers, but at this early hour it is still quiet enough to set off at my own pace.

From Central Station to the canals

The red and white markings of the route are easy to spot on traffic signs and lampposts. They even include a small image of barbed wire, a reminder that this is not just any trail.

Within a few minutes I reach the Brouwersgracht, one of the most beautiful canals in the city. From here the route winds along the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht. Although I lived in Amsterdam for more than ten years, I usually saw the city from my bike, focused on avoiding tourists. Walking here gives me the chance to pause and really look at the narrow canal houses, the historic facades and the bridges.

At some point you will walk by the Anne Frank House, one of the most famous sights in Amsterdam. There is usually a long line at the entrance, so it is smart to buy your ticket online in advance. It is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you only have 48 hours in Amsterdam.

The walk continues past the Westerkerk, one of the city’s most beautiful churches, and into the area known as the 9 Streets. This is a cozy neighborhood with small shops and cafés, perfect for a short break.

Since it is still early, I keep following the Herengracht and enjoy the occasional vistas across to the other canals. Even on a grey day, the city is a joy to walk through.

Rembrandt Square & Hermitage

Before I know it I arrive at Rembrandt Square. The statues on the square, inspired by Rembrandt’s Night Watch, are still impressive to see and make a great photo stop.

Statue of Rembrandt on the Rembrandt Square

In this area you will also find plenty of shops. So if you are looking for souvenirs from Amsterdam, this is the place to get them. If you are hungry, you can also head to the nearby Rokin where Adam & Siam is located, one of the nicest restaurants in Amsterdam.

I continue towards the Amstel River, where the sun gently breaks through the clouds. The light makes the canal houses look even more beautiful.

From here the route takes me past several University of Amsterdam buildings and through the Oudemanshuispoort, a covered passageway famous for its book market. Because it is Sunday morning there are no vendors, but I make a note to come back another time.

The stretch between the Oudemanshuispoort and the Stopera is one of the most beautiful parts of the walk. The view of the Zuiderkerk tower from here is truly magnificent.

Walking past the Stopera I follow the Amstel River towards the H’ART Museum, formerly the Hermitage. If you have the time this museum is definitely worth a visit. You can also continue a little further along the river to see the Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge), one of the most iconic bridges in Amsterdam.

From the Plantage neighborhood to the Westerborkpad

From the H’ART Museum the connection with the Westerborkpad becomes increasingly clear. The museum is close to Waterlooplein and the Jewish Historical Museum, in what was once the Jewish Quarter. Many Jewish families settled here in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Later, the more affluent moved to neighborhoods like the Plantage and Transvaal. From the H’ART Museum I walk past the Hortus Botanicus into the Plantage neighborhood.

It immediately feels different here compared to downtown. There are far fewer tourists and a remarkable amount of greenery. Along the way I see beautiful vistas and quiet streets.

This neighborhood is also home to Artis Zoo, which covers almost half the district. Every time I pass I am surprised by how large the grounds actually are.

Not much later I arrive at the official starting point of the Westerborkpad: the Hollandsche Schouwburg. During World War II Jews were forced to report here before being deported. It remains a haunting place that still gives me goose bumps. The building is now a museum, so if you want to learn more it is definitely worth a visit.

From the Plantage Middenlaan I continue past Artis (fortunately no escaped lions today) and the Wereldmuseum towards Oosterpark. This is one of the most beautiful parks in Amsterdam and a wonderful place to escape the traffic and enjoy the greenery.

On Transvaalplein people were gathered before being deported. Today it is just an ordinary square with a playground, but history is still tangible here. On several facades you can see signs recalling the events of those years. It really affects me. This history must be preserved, because this is something we should never have to experience again.

Informational signs in the Transvaal neighborhood

From Transvaalplein it is only a short walk to Muiderpoort Station. From here I take the train back to Amsterdam Central. This walk left a deep impression and I know I want to explore my own city on foot more often.

Best time of year to do this walk

You can enjoy this self guided walking tour Amsterdam all year round. In spring and summer it can be quite busy along the canals, but those seasons are perfect to combine the walk with a break in one of the city’s beautiful parks. Autumn is a wonderful time if you want to see the leaves changing colors. And in winter this walk is one of the best things to do in Amsterdam in winter, especially on a crisp sunny day.

Book your trip to Amsterdam

Did you enjoy reading about this historic self-guided walking tour in Amsterdam? Great! Planning a trip to Amsterdam is easy, whether you are visiting for a weekend or a longer stay. Here are some practical tips to organize your journey:

✈️ Flights to Amsterdam – Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the main gateway. You can easily compare flights with Skyscanner. From the airport it takes only 15 minutes by train to Central Station.

🚍 Public transport – Trains, trams, buses and metro connect the entire city. Tickets are available at stations or on board trams and buses, usually by debit or credit card. For unlimited travel, consider the Amsterdam Travel Ticket.

🛏️ Accommodation – Amsterdam has a wide range of hotels in every neighborhood. You can find great places to stay in Amsterdam or simply compare options on Booking.com. A few favorites are:

Volkshotel – hip hotel in Amsterdam East with a rooftop terrace
The Social Hub Amsterdam West – modern hotel near Sloterplas
Amsterdam Wiechmann Hotel – characterful hotel on the Prinsengracht

🎫 Tickets & passes – If you plan to visit several attractions, the I amsterdam City Card is a convenient option. It includes free entry to major museums, unlimited public transport and even a canal cruise. Alternatively, you can book individual tickets via GetYourGuide or Tiqets.

Self-guided walking tour Amsterdam: canals and historic highlights