Armitage-Tours
Personal tours start at €90 per hour for up to 4 people.
My tours are flexible and tailored to your interests, pace, and schedule. Whether you want to explore Amsterdam’s Golden Age, follow in Rembrandt’s footsteps, or discover hidden corners of the city, I’ll create an experience that fits you.
A duration of 2–3 hours is recommended for each tour.
Scroll down to explore the different tours I offer.
Amsterdam’s historic center is still very much the city Rembrandt knew. The same narrow alleys, small footbridges, and winding canals he walked 400 years ago are the ones we’ll explore together. This neighborhood has also been my home since 1999, and for 22 years I had the rare privilege of working inside Rembrandt’s own studio — the very place where he painted, taught his students, and created his etchings.
Our journey will take us to the places where Rembrandt lived, worked, and found inspiration. You’ll meet the friends and neighbors who appear in his paintings, including figures connected to his most famous work, The Night Watch. I’ll also share the inside story behind the pigments and techniques he used to create these masterpieces — insights you won’t hear on any other tour.
We begin at the Kloveniersdoelen (now the Doelen Hotel), where The Night Watch originally hung. I have the exclusive privilege of showing you a hidden 17th‑century city wall inside the building — a remarkable piece of history not included on standard tours. When available, we can even visit the room where the painting once hung, now a luxury suite featuring a life‑size reproduction of the masterpiece.
From there, we’ll visit three additional locations connected to The Night Watch and explore other sites tied to Rembrandt’s life in Amsterdam. Our walk will take us through the Old Jewish Quarter, the lively Nieuwmarkt, the iconic Red‑Light District, and Dam Square — the place where the city began more than 750 years ago.
This tour offers a rare combination of art history, personal insight, and lived experience. You’ll see Amsterdam through Rembrandt’s eyes — and through the eyes of someone who has spent decades working in his world.
Golden Age Tour
Discover the history and culture of Amsterdam during the Dutch Golden Age, a period when the city became one of the most powerful and prosperous places in the world. Our walk begins at the West India House, the headquarters of the Dutch West India Company — the organization that once controlled trade routes across the Atlantic and negotiated the exchange of New York for Suriname. Few places capture the global reach of 17th‑century Amsterdam as vividly as this one.
From there, we explore the Jordaan, once a working‑class district and now one of the city’s most charming neighborhoods. Its narrow streets are filled with art galleries, cafés, and the peaceful hidden courtyards known as hofjes, each with its own story from the past.
We continue through the Canal Belt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greatest urban planning achievements of the 17th century. These elegant waterways and merchant houses reflect the wealth, ambition, and creativity that defined Amsterdam’s Golden Age.
Our journey ends at the Royal Palace on Dam Square. Originally built as the city hall, it was later transformed into a royal residence by King Louis Napoleon. Standing here, you’ll feel the layers of history — from medieval marketplace to the political heart of the Dutch Republic.
This tour offers a vivid look at the people, places, and ideas that shaped Amsterdam at the height of its power.
Intro to Amsterdam Old Town Tour
If you want to explore the history and culture of Amsterdam, join me for an Old Town Tour through the heart of the city. We begin on Dam Square, where you’ll learn how the Royal Palace began as the city hall of the Dutch Republic — a symbol of Amsterdam’s power and ambition during the Golden Age.
From there, we step into the Begijnhof, a peaceful hidden courtyard that once housed a religious community of women. Its quiet atmosphere offers a striking contrast to the lively streets just outside its gates.
We continue along the Canal Belt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its elegant architecture and the wealth it represented in the 17th century. As we walk, we’ll pass through the old Jewish neighborhood and stop at Rembrandt’s house, where the great painter lived and worked for nearly two decades.
Our tour concludes at De Waag and the Old Church, two of the oldest and most iconic buildings in Amsterdam. Standing here, you’ll feel the layers of history — from medieval city walls to bustling marketplaces and centuries of artistic and cultural life.
This tour offers a rich, intimate look at the places and stories that shaped Amsterdam from its earliest days to the height of its Golden Age
Custom Tours
If you want to explore Amsterdam in a way that matches your interests, a custom tour is the perfect choice. Tell me which areas you’d like to visit — the old city center, the Canal Belt, the Jordaan, the Nine Streets, the Old Jewish Neighborhood, or even the Rijksmuseum — and I will design a route that highlights the best of each location.
You’ll discover the architecture, art, and traditions that shaped Amsterdam, along with the hidden corners and stories that most visitors never see. Whether you prefer a relaxed walk, a bike ride through the neighborhoods, or a scenic tour by boat, I’ll create an experience that fits your pace and curiosity.
A custom tour gives you a personal look at Amsterdam’s past and present, guided by someone who knows the city from the inside
Contact me today to book your tour and discover the beauty and charm of Amsterdam.
Testimonials
Eric was a really good guide. He knew the content very well and was able to get technical about the art and the materials. He was terrific and I would recommend him as a guide to my friends.
Joan & David, New York, New York
Eric is a very smart, easy going tour guide. He doesn’t let on how incredibly well-educated he is until it becomes obvious. Thank you for such a lovely afternoon learning so much about Rembrandt.
Rachel & Jim – Baltimore, Mayland
Eric is well qualified, speaks very clearly, answered all our questions, and was delightful company. The tour was just what I was hoping for us. I learned more than I ever expected to learn.
Carol, Page & Nathan – Richmond, Virginia
Very knowledgeable about painting techniques and the Rembrandt house. Enjoyed the walking tour.
John & Carole – Chicago, Illinois