Amsterdam Self-Guided Walking Tour: Rijksmuseum, Jordaan & More

Summary

Discover Amsterdam’s Landmarks & Hidden Corners on Foot

You’ll explore Amsterdam’s icons—Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House, Vondelpark—and plenty of hidden corners at your own pace. The SmartWalk gives you insider tips and fun facts as you go, so every stop feels personal. No crowds, no set schedule—just real city life and stories waiting for you.

What’s the experience like?

Rain or shine, the city’s always buzzing near Amsterdam Central Station. I started my walk here, dodging cyclists and the odd tram bell. The SmartWalk popped up on my phone—super easy to follow. You get these little nuggets of trivia at each stop, which made me pause and actually look around instead of just snapping photos.

Wandering down Damrak, the smell of fresh stroopwafels hit me before I even saw the stand. There’s a real mix of locals and tourists here, and you’ll hear at least four languages in five minutes. The route nudges you through spots like De Bijenkorf (the window displays are always changing) and over to the Westerkerk, where bells chime on the hour—kind of grounding in a busy city.

The Anne Frank House is always a bit sobering. The app shares stories that aren’t on the plaques outside, so I lingered longer than planned. Later, in Begijnhof, it was almost silent except for someone tuning a guitar nearby. If you’re into people-watching, Leiden Square is perfect—especially late afternoon when café terraces fill up.

I ended up in Vondelpark with a coffee from a kiosk near the entrance. Locals jog past or just sprawl on the grass if it’s sunny (which isn’t always, so bring a jacket). Rijksmuseum’s right at the end—if you time it right, you can catch that golden hour light on its facade. The best part? No rushing. I took breaks whenever I wanted and even found a tiny bookshop tucked behind one of the canals thanks to a tip from the app.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Amsterdam Self-Guided Walking Tour

• Start at Amsterdam Central Station
• Visit second location with trivia
• Visit third location with trivia
• Visit Damrak with trivia
• Visit Westerkerk with trivia
• Visit Anne Frank House with trivia
• Visit De Bijenkorf with trivia
• Visit eighth location with trivia
• Visit De Bijenkorf again with trivia
• Visit Begijnhof with trivia
• Visit eleventh location with trivia
• Visit twelfth location with trivia
• Visit Leiden Square (Leidseplein) with trivia
• Visit Vondelpark with trivia
• Visit De Bijenkorf again with trivia
• Visit Rijksmuseum with trivia

Top questions

Is this walking tour suitable for families with kids?

Absolutely! The route is stroller-friendly and there are plenty of stops where kids can rest or grab a snack.

Do I need internet access during the tour?

Yes, make sure your phone has a steady connection since all info comes through WhatsApp as you walk.

How long does the whole route take?

You can finish in about 2-3 hours if you keep moving, but most people take longer to enjoy each spot and grab food along the way.

Are there any discounts included?

Yes! You’ll get discount vouchers worth €20 to use at selected spots along the route.

What’s included

Your self-guided tour includes digital access to all 17 locations with trivia and local tips, €20 worth of discount vouchers, plus recommendations for hidden gems, restaurants, museums and more—all accessible via your smartphone. Wheelchair and stroller friendly too!