podtour
From the Dam to the Begijnhof
A dam gave Amsterdam its name. Walk from Dam Square to the Begijnhof through changes of rulers, faith and everyday life.
Amsterdam audio tours and self-guided walks
Amsterdam, behind the windows.
A little welcome gift
Your first city,
on Podtour.
Join the waitlist and get one whole city free when Podtour launches. You choose where.
Podtour manages your launch request with your consent. You can withdraw it and exercise your rights as explained in our privacy policy. Privacy details.
One city per person. All its Podtour routes in Spanish and English. Available at launch. Offer details.
iOSAndroidComing soon
Walk through Amsterdam, story by story
The canals trace the walk; their houses hold the stories. Discover trade, art, refuge and neighbourhoods that defended their way of life. A city to observe with equal measures of curiosity and calm.
Start with “From the Dam to the Begijnhof”. You start in the square that gave the city its name: a dam on the Amstel. Here you'll find out why Amsterdam stayed loyal to Philip II when other cities no longer were, and how it changed sides almost without bloodshed, with a hat as the signal and a pair of clean shirts sent back.
Then there’s “The Jewish Quarter: Sephardim, Spinoza and Resistance”. You start outside the house Rembrandt couldn't pay for, listed room by room with the painter standing there. Beside the Amstel, Spinoza's statue says he was born on that spot, which nobody can prove, and next to it a column remembers the Jews who organised the defence of the neighbourhood against the Dutch Nazi militia.
For another side of the city, try “Western Canals: Anne Frank and the Westerkerk”. Descartes wrote that there was no country where one could enjoy a freedom so complete. This walk puts that sentence to the test.
Keep exploring with “De Pijp: A Neighbourhood Built in a Hurry”. Outside the ring of canals, Amsterdam built a neighbourhood in a hurry for the people who kept the city running. You start on the bank of the old moat, in front of the academy where a young Mondrian very probably studied, long before he settled on his lines.
Choose by neighbourhood or by the stories that interest you: each route shows its distance, stops and approximate duration before you set off. The audio is written for walking, with a clear distinction between documented events and local legend. Download it in the app, put on your headphones and pause whenever something catches your eye. English and Spanish are included.
Start for free
From the Dam to the Begijnhof
The gateway to Amsterdam: a dam and a toll, the great city loyal to the King of Spain that changed sides in 1578, a town hall built to celebrate peace, a tower that was never finished, the afternoon of 7 May 1945, orphans who climbed like cats, and the last Catholic courtyard.
Explore the free walkFind your Amsterdam walk
The map shows where each walk starts. Choose a theme below to find the stories you like.
Loading the map…
Open a marker to see its page. Use two fingers to move the map on mobile.
Amsterdam, before you go
Canals, bridges and narrow façades invite aimless walks. Enjoy them attentively: between the water, trams and bicycles, the best place to look is a clear patch of pavement.
Before visiting Amsterdam
How many days do I need in Amsterdam?
Our Amsterdam guide has suggestions for one, two and three days. Start with one area rather than trying to fit every walk into a day; leave room for travel between neighbourhoods and any indoor visits.
Can I explore Amsterdam on foot?
Gradient. The centre is mostly flat, apart from little climbs over bridges. Underfoot. Brick, cobbles and narrow pavements can become slippery with rain and leaves.
Which Amsterdam route is free?
“From the Dam to the Begijnhof” is the free route: 12 stops over 1.07 km, with an approximate duration of 44 minutes. You can see its map and stops on the route page.
When is a good time to visit Amsterdam?
Spring and summer offer more light for walking; autumn suits a mixture of routes and museums. In April, King’s Day turns the centre orange with celebrations. Book accommodation ahead if you want that atmosphere.
Can I listen without an internet connection?
Download the audio in the app before heading out, then listen offline. Loading the online base map and calculating a new route from your location require a connection.
What languages are included?
Every route includes Spanish and British English. The English version is adapted for English-speaking travellers, rather than translated word for word.
How do I get a whole city for free?
Join the waitlist, choose a city and confirm your email address. When the app launches, we will email you with access details. No card is required. You can also try one free route in every city.
Can I buy for myself or for a group?
Yes. Your own access is included and you can choose 0–5 guests: up to 6 people including you. Each guest saves up to €0.50 on a walk, €1 on a pack or €2 on a whole city compared with buying separately. The counter shows the total before you confirm one payment.
How do I share, and when must guests accept?
After paying, share your purchase’s invitation link. Each guest opens it in Podtour and accepts their place on their own iPhone or Android phone. They must redeem it within 30 days of purchase. Unclaimed places then expire and cannot be recovered or renewed. Access accepted in time is kept. Opening the link does not use a place; one account takes just one place, and no more people can join once all places are taken.
Can I add guests after buying?
No. Choose all your guests before confirming the first purchase. Afterwards you can share the places you paid for, but you cannot increase their number or restart the 30-day deadline.
