Self-guided walking tours of Amsterdam
Five self-guided walks through Amsterdam, each with a map and numbered stops. Pick a route, follow the numbers and read one line about each stop.
By Essentially Amsterdam Staff · Updated 25 October 2026
| Route | Area | Stops | Walking |
| Canal belt and the Golden Bend | Centrum, Grachtengordel | 9 | 2.3 km |
| Jordaan and the western canals | Jordaan, Westelijke Grachtengordel | 7 | 1.3 km |
| De Pijp and the Albert Cuyp market | De Pijp, Zuid | 5 | 0.7 km |
| Plantage and the eastern docks | Plantage, Oostelijke eilanden | 7 | 2.0 km |
| Noord by free ferry: NDSM and the Eye | Noord, IJ waterfront | 6 | 0.6 km + 2 ferries |
Keep exploring
Frequently asked questions
Can you do a walking tour of Amsterdam on your own?
Yes. The city centre is compact and flat, and all five routes on this page can be walked without a guide. The longest, the canal belt route, is 2.3 km between its stops.
What is the best self-guided walk for a first visit to Amsterdam?
The canal belt route takes in the Dam, the Begijnhof, the flower market, the Golden Bend of the Herengracht and the Magere Brug in 2.3 km. Add the Jordaan route on another day for the smaller canals of the west.
Is the ferry to Amsterdam Noord free?
Yes. The GVB ferries F1 to F7 across the IJ are free for pedestrians, cyclists and moped riders, according to GVB. Ferry F4 links Centraal Station with NDSM, and ferry F3 links Centraal Station with Buiksloterweg, by the Eye.
How long does each walk take?
The walking distances run from 0.6 km to 2.3 km, measured in a straight line between stops. How long you need depends on your stops: going inside a museum or the zoo can fill half a day on its own.