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Amsterdam is a city with a long and rich history. It is also known as the "Venice of the North" and it is no wonder that this city attracts millions of tourists every year.
It is estimated that up to 50 million tourists visit Amsterdam each year, 3.5 million of them international visitors. The city's popularity among tourists is due to the Dutch capital's rich artistic heritage, picturesque canals and historic buildings dating back to the 17th century, when Amsterdam was at its richest.
Tourists and locals alike will find all kinds of attractions to explore: beautiful canals, historic buildings, bridges and even a network of cycle paths that connects most of the city.
Holland is famous for its tulips, cheese, wooden shoes and much more. Amsterdam has several museums where visitors can learn more about these Dutch traditions (such as the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House Museum or the Hermitage).
Tourists can also visit one of Amsterdam's many restaurants or simply enjoy some time in one of the many cafés.
But there is also the possibility to discover and enjoy a historical version of the city, for example the Amsterdam of the Second World War. For this, there is nothing better than the specialised and professional guides of the Free Tours that we offer you here at GuruWalk.
In 1940, Amsterdam was invaded by the Nazis. A year later, the Dutch government abandoned the city and German forces occupied it. The Germans had a plan to raze most of Amsterdam and rebuild it as a German city. However, they could not level the 17th century canal ring because it was on the UNESCO World Heritage List, so they simply blocked access to most of the city.
Therefore, a lot of damage was avoided and people managed to maintain a normal life during much of the Second World War under German occupation.
What were the key points of that historical period in the city, where were the blockades of the Nazi army's book passage for the citizens?
All these aspects and many other stories and curiosities are what you will discover thanks to our Free Tours of Amsterdam.