Private Rembrandt Walking Tour in Amsterdam
New To The Site!
Amsterdam, Netherlands
2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Overview
Step into the world of Rembrandt on this private walking tour through historic Amsterdam. Explore the places where the iconic artist lived, worked, and was laid to rest—as well as the homes, markets, churches, and streets connected to the people he painted: merchants, guild members, family, and neighbors. Along the way, your guide—an expert in Golden Age art and a longtime Amsterdam resident—shares her rich insights not only into Rembrandt’s life and work, but also into the Dutch Golden Age and its lasting impact on the city. On top of that you’ll gain a local’s perspective on how Rembrandt's legacy still resonates in today’s culture.
Unlike other tours where guides vary, this experience is always led by the same passionate Dutch local you can read about in the reviews, ensuring a consistent, personal, and in-depth journey. This tour is a unique way to connect past and present through the story of Amsterdam’s most famous painter.
What's Included
- Private guide
- Bottled water
Meeting Location
Meeting point
Nieuwmarkt
1012 BX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
End point
Prinsengracht
1016 GW Amsterdam, Netherlands
At the Westerkerk church in Ring of Canals West.
What To Expect
Nieuwmarkt
After meeting your guide and getting acquainted, your journey begins at Nieuwmarkt, one of Amsterdam’s oldest and most historic squares. At its center stands De Waag, a medieval gatehouse later transformed into a weigh house and guild hall. Among the guilds based here was the Saint Luke’s Guild, the official painters’ guild. As an independent master, Rembrandt was required to be a member and likely attended meetings in this very building. De Waag also housed the Surgeons’ Guild, which Rembrandt famously portrayed in The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, believed to depict an event held inside. Your guide will bring to life how these institutions shaped the careers and clientele of Golden Age artists. From bustling market days to public events and guild gatherings, Nieuwmarkt offers a vivid lens into the world Rembrandt inhabited and helped define.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Trippenhuis
Next, you’ll visit the impressive Trippenhuis, a grand canal house built in 1660 for the wealthy Trip brothers—famous arms dealers and prominent figures of Amsterdam’s Golden Age. The building stands out for its elegant neoclassical ornate style, symbolizing the wealth and status of its owners. This is the house of Rembrandt’s patrons—he painted three members of the Trip family, capturing their power and influence in his portraits. The Trip family’s weapons were instrumental during the Eighty Years’ War, playing a key role in the Netherlands’ struggle for sovereignty and religious freedom. Your guide will explain how families like the Trips shaped Amsterdam’s social and economic fabric and contributed to the formation of the Dutch nation-state. Rembrandt’s art immortalized their legacy.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Zuiderkerkstoren
Next, you’ll visit the Zuiderkerk (Southern Church), a key landmark closely tied to Rembrandt’s personal life and the community he was part of. Designed by the renowned architect Hendrik de Keyser, a pivotal figure of the Dutch Golden Age, the church was built in the early 17th century as one of Amsterdam’s first Protestant churches after the Reformation. De Keyser - both as a sculptor and architect -played a major role in shaping the country's cultural identity during a time when the Netherlands was emerging as a sovereign nation following the struggle for independence. Several of Rembrandt’s children were buried here, a poignant reminder of his personal losses. As you stand before the church, your guide will share stories about Rembrandt’s family, the faith that shaped the period, and how these influences are reflected in his art. The Zuiderkerk offers a deeply human insight into the life of Amsterdam’s greatest master beyond his paintings.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
museum Rembrandthuis
Next, you’ll see the impressive Rembrandt House Museum, the grand canal house where Rembrandt lived during the peak of his career. While you won’t go inside, the striking façade alone speaks volumes about his success and status as one of Amsterdam’s leading artists. Located in an upscale part of the Jewish Quarter, the house overlooks the bustling harbor, giving Rembrandt access to goods arriving from all over the world—spices, textiles, artworks, and exotic treasures that fueled his fascination with beauty and detail. The vibrant port placed the world at his doorstep, inspiring many elements in his work. Rembrandt is also believed to have used local Jewish residents as models for his historical and biblical figures. Nearby, a small independent Black community added to the area’s rich cultural tapestry.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Waterlooplein Market
Next, you’ll stroll through Waterlooplein Market, Amsterdam’s famous flea market located in the heart of the Jewish Quarter near Rembrandt’s home. Rembrandt was known to frequent markets like this and local auction houses, constantly searching for intriguing objects to add to his extensive cabinet of curiosities. His collection included exotic items, antiques, and artworks that fascinated him and inspired his creativity. However, his passion for collecting sometimes led him to overspend, a factor that contributed to his eventual bankruptcy. As you explore the vibrant market area, your guide will share how these everyday scenes and eclectic treasures shaped Rembrandt’s art and life.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Staalstraat
Next, you’ll visit Staalstraat, a historic street in Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter. Here you can see a building that once belonged to the Clothmaker’s Guild officials who commissioned Rembrandt’s renowned group portrait, The Syndics of the Clothmaker’s Guild. The painting served as an important ornament for their guild office, reflecting the pride and prosperity of Amsterdam’s thriving textile industry during the Dutch Golden Age. From the middle of Staalstraat, you’ll enjoy an iconic view of the Zuiderkerk, which was later famously painted by Monet. This stop offers insight into the vibrant commercial and cultural world that inspired Rembrandt.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Kloveniersburgwal, Amsterdam
Next, you’ll visit Kloveniersburgwal, a historic canal that once ran alongside Amsterdam’s medieval city wall. Although the wall itself no longer exists and the civic guardsmen’s premises here were destroyed by fire long ago, a commemorative plaque marks this important site. This location was once the headquarters for the civic guardsmen, who were responsible for protecting the city during the Middle Ages and Dutch Golden Age. These guardsmen commissioned Rembrandt to paint their famous group portrait, The Night Watch, which originally hung in the dining room of their guild hall at this spot. Your guide will share the story behind the commission, the painting’s rich symbolism, and the role the guards played in Amsterdam’s defense.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Dam Square
Next, you’ll arrive at Dam Square, the historic heart of Amsterdam and a key site in Rembrandt’s world. Here stands the grand former Town Hall, now the Royal Palace, a powerful symbol of Amsterdam’s civic pride during the Dutch Golden Age. Rembrandt was commissioned to paint The Conspiracy of Claudius Civilis for this very building—a monumental work meant to celebrate Dutch resistance and independence. Although the painting was later removed, it remains one of his most dramatic and politically charged works.
Dam Square was also the site of public executions, including that of Elsje Christiaens, a young Danish woman whose tragic story captured Rembrandt’s attention. He sketched her lifeless body shortly after her execution, creating a hauntingly empathetic study. Your guide will share how these events—official, artistic, and deeply human—reveal the layered complexity of life in Golden Age Amsterdam and Rembrandt’s unique gaze on it all.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Grachtengordel-West
Now you’ll explore the Grachtengordel, Amsterdam’s famous canal belt, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a defining symbol of the city’s Golden Age prosperity. As you walk along the stately canals of Grachtengordel-West, you’ll see the elegant architecture and grandeur of 17th-century merchant houses—built during a time when Amsterdam was a global hub of trade, culture, and power. Among them stands House De Dolphijn, a striking residence once home to Frans Banning Cocq, the captain of the civic guards and the central figure in Rembrandt’s The Night Watch. Your guide will point out how the canal district reflects the ambitions of the city’s elite and how Rembrandt’s portraits captured not only their likenesses, but their public image and civic roles. This part of the tour offers a vivid sense of the wealth, structure, and elegance of Rembrandt’s Amsterdam.
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Westerkerk
Your tour concludes at the Westerkerk, one of Amsterdam’s most iconic Protestant churches and the final resting place of Rembrandt van Rijn. Although he died in poverty in 1669, Rembrandt was buried inside the church—an unusual honor for someone without means. At that time, burial within a church was typically reserved for the wealthy or well-connected. That Rembrandt received this privilege suggests that his name still held significance, and perhaps that acquaintances or former patrons ensured he was given a modest but respectful burial. The exact location of his grave has long since been lost. As you stand before the church, your guide will reflect on the contrast between his quiet, anonymous burial and the immense legacy he left behind. It’s a moving and thoughtful conclusion to the life story of one of the greatest painters the world has ever known.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
The Jordaan
Your walk continues into the Jordaan, now one of Amsterdam’s most desirable and picturesque neighborhoods—but in the 17th century, it had a very different character. After declaring bankruptcy in 1656, Rembrandt was forced to leave his grand home in the upscale part of the Jewish Quarter and move to this more modest district on the city’s western edge. At the time, the Jordaan was a densely populated, working-class area known for its small-scale entrepreneurship, factories, and craft workshops, but also marked by poverty and crowded living conditions. Though no longer living in comfort, Rembrandt remained active as an artist during this period. As you explore the Jordaan’s narrow streets and canals, your guide will offer insights into his final years and how the neighborhood reflects a very different side of Golden Age Amsterdam.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for participants who have trouble walking and standing for 2,5 hours
- Mobility aids are not available
- Not recommended for participants who use a walker
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Frequently Asked Questions
(7)Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Private Rembrandt Walking Tour in Amsterdam?
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-460280P9
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.
Filter by:
Q:
What is the cancellation policy for the Private Rembrandt Walking Tour in Amsterdam?
A:Apr 2025
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CEST).
Q:
What's included in the price?
A:
Apr 2025
The following is included:
- Private guide.
The following is NOT included:
- Bottled water.
Q:
What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025
Q:
What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025
Q:
My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:
If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025
Q:
Is this an accessible tour?
A:Apr 2025
Accessibility information for the Private Rembrandt Walking Tour in Amsterdam is as follows:
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for participants who have trouble walking and standing for 2,5 hours
- Mobility aids are not available
- Not recommended for participants who use a walker
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Q:
Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Private Rembrandt Walking Tour in Amsterdam will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Private guide
- Bottled water
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for participants who have trouble walking and standing for 2,5 hours
- Mobility aids are not available
- Not recommended for participants who use a walker
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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