Description: Their prominent presence on the urban landscape means that Amsterdam's canals are hard to ignore – and why would you want to? They add unique beauty to the city and are ideal for transportation too. Canal tours, of which there are many, wend through the city and show off museums, homes, attractions and other unusual features. Embarking areas are clustered around tourist attractions, and prices vary, so shop around before settling on a company. Tours usually last an hour or so. Special dinner cruises, romantic excursions, and museum jaunts can be arranged, and canal bikes allow you to explore the waters on your own.

 

Description: DE PIJP. This interactive attraction is housed in the 19th-century brewery that Heineken built and occupied until 1988. Visitors are educated about the brewery's history, taken on a tour of the bottling process, and provided details about how beer is brewed and matured. Much of the original brewing equipment remains, and folks can test their knowledge of beer trivia along the way. There's also the opportunity to visit the stables of Heineken's iconic Shire horses. At the end of the tour, complimentary samples of the famous beer can be had at the Tasting Bar.

 

Description: If you want to go Dutch and prefer DIY tours at your own pace, rent a bicycle from one of MacBike's outlets and pick up one of their English-language bike tour leaflets with various themed suggestions for trips in and around the city. You can choose from a nighttime gay tour to a pedal to the architecturally-rich Eastern Docklands, a ride out in the countryside to the picturesque Oude Kerk a/d Amstel or to the windmills at Zaanse Schans.

 

Description: OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. All year round, fiercely proud 'Amsterdammers' over the age of 55 lead informal walks through the city on a route of their choosing. Tours last two to three hours and are an exceptional way of garnering information on the city, often first-hand as the guides share their own personal memories from living in the city. Starting point is Amsterdam Historic Museum's restaurant, David & Goliath, and tours must be reserved at least one day in advance by phone (Mon-Fri 1pm-4pm) or by booking online. Although it's voluntary a small donation is requested.

 

Description: CENTRAL CANAL RING. The most beautiful way to see Amsterdam is from the canals and there is no shortage of plastic tourist boats doing the rounds, blasting out pre-recorded snippets of information in various languages. For a more personal and unique trip, consider parting with a small donation to this non-profit organization which is dedicated to preserving historic Dutch boats. Tours (on request) last around an hour and are taken by enthusiastic locals on small craft which seat up to 10. They're informal and relaxed and guests are encouraged to bring something to eat, drink or smoke... Meet at the Boom Chicago Bar. Reservations are necessary.

 

Description: OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. These sightseeing tours are onboard converted American school buses which have a transparent roof and are deemed eco-friendly. They're ideal if you don't have much time and want a two-hour fix of the major highlights, such as the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum. Audio guides are fed through headphones in 15 languages; tours include a visit to Gassan Diamonds factory. Additionally, your ticket enables you to have discounts to – and jump the queues at – various museums and other attractions. Even McDonalds, if you really must...

 

Description: Every weekend from mid-April to mid-October, UHGT leads informative three-hour English-language tours which take a peak inside some of the city's most resplendent canal houses (including those built during the flourishing Golden Age), as well as their equally stunning gardens, hidden behind their façades. For the rest of the year, the organization offers a variety of tailor-made programs for groups of 2 to 100. Reservations are necessary.

 

Description: OLD CENTER / RED LIGHT DISTRICT. This inexpensive daily walking tour of the Red Light District and historic inner city shoots straight from the hip to give you the lowdown on what really makes Amsterdam so unique and renowned throughout the world. As well as a hefty dose of history, the ubiquitous bicycles and bridges, it delves into more controversial aspects of the city such as the coffeeshop culture and red light profession. Tours depart from the VOC Café within the Schreierstoren ('Sharp Angle Tower', aka 'Tower of Tears'), a remnant of the city's defense wall, dating from circa 1487. The company also organizes bike tours and tours for individuals; see the website for more information.