rembrandt house museum

Rembrandt's Amsterdam Tour

Follow in the footsteps of Rembrandt and experience Amsterdam through his eyes

The Finer Details
Rembrandt van Rijn was arguably the greatest Dutch painter, and his life (1606-1669) provides a unique lens through which to understand the Dutch Golden Age (a subject we explore further on our Dutch Golden Age Tour). On this 3-hour Rembrandt in Amsterdam Tour, an art historian or scholar will lead us through the historic neighborhoods where Rembrandt and his clients lived, taking us back to a heady era of prosperity, expansion, and growth for the Netherlands.

From the Rembrandt House Museum...

We’ll begin our tour in the Rembrandt House Museum, a small space dedicated to the artist and his time. In those days, there was a great diversity of religious groups living side-by-side in Amsterdam. Rembrandt himself hailed from a Catholic and Protestant household, and his clients included Jews, Mennonites, and Calvinists, among others. This makes his artwork ideal as a kind of textbook, prompting a conversation about Dutch tolerance and how it laid the groundwork for the country’s social and economic success during the 17th century.

...to the Streets of the City

As we leave the museum and re-enter the streets of Amsterdam, we’ll make our way to the Nieuwmarkt, Waag, and East India House. These colonial sites connect Rembrandt to the 17th-century economic boom when the Dutch dominated world trade, particularly in Asia—many of his best-known paintings, such as The Night Watch, portray significant figures of the time. (To see that painting in person, by the way, we highly recommend a Rijksmuseum Tour.)

Rembrandt in Amsterdam

Along our route, we’ll also visit a number of squares, side streets, and historical buildings, each of which relates to the Golden Age or to Rembrandt himself. As we build a conversational portrait of Amsterdam during this period, we’ll place Rembrandt’s story in a greater context, helping us to understand his remarkable ability to reflect his time and surroundings.

FAQ

Is this tour suitable for kids?
This tour isn’t part of our family portfolio, but we do have some family-friendly guides who might be able to lead your tour and could adapt the presentation to suit children.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?
Unfortunately, due to the limitations of the old building that houses the Rembrandt House, it is only partially accessible to people with mobility issues. There is now an elevator in the museum, but there are no lifts or other facilities in Rembrandt’s 17th-century house. As this area within the museum isn’t accessible, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend this tour for people with mobility issues. Please get in touch, and we’d be happy to discuss alternatives.
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Where You’ll Go

From iconic landmarks to tucked-away local favorites, these are the places you’ll explore and experience firsthand with your Expert.

  • Nieuwmarkt
  • Waag
  • Rembrandt House
What’s Included As Standard
Here’s a look at what your tour covers, plus anything you’ll want to consider arranging separately, so you can plan with confidence.
Included
  • English-speaking expert guide
    Tours led in English, offering you unbroken understanding throughout.
  • Intentionally sized groups
    A smaller group means more time for conversations and questions.
  • Tickets and entrance fees
    All entry tickets included (unless clearly stated otherwise).
  • Headsets
    Headsets are included on tours that need them, so every word can be heard.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
    We encourage tipping as a way to thank your guide after your experience.
  • Food and drink
    Refreshments are only included during a tour when clearly noted.
  • Transportation to and from the meeting point
    Guests organize pre- and post-tour transport themselves - this service can be added by request.
  • Hotel pickup or drop-off
    Unless noted, travel to or from accommodation isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
Where You'll Explore
Map of Rembrandt's Amsterdam Tour general meeting point area

Make the Most of Your Tour

Some helpful advice for getting the most from your experience, from practical prep to small on-the-day tips.

Dos:
  • Wear comfortable footwear
  • Check the weather and dress appropriately
  • Bring a bottle of water (no glass)
  • Feel free to ask your Expert anything
Don'ts:
  • Bring firearms or weapons
  • Bring sharp objects (e.g. knives, swiss army knives, switchblades, hiking sticks)
  • Dress inappropriately to enter religious sites or sacred monuments
Any questions? You can always contact us.

Don’t just take our word for it

97 Reviews

Jurgen was great. He is friendly and knowledgeable. Will definitely recommend to our travel agent.

Our guide Jurgen was very knowledgable, very considerate of what we wished to learn and adjusted his tour to our interests. We learned a lot, enjoyed our time with him and would have been happy to spend another 3 hours learning from him.

Alette was both and outstanding and knowledgeable artistic historian and guide . She was receptive to our personal needs , desire for more time in the house/ museum and shared many details supplemented with photos and additional facts fromher historic knowledge base which we greatly appreciated. We hope to be blessed w/ hearing / seeing her in the future on additional tours ! Best of luck and would recommend her highly in any future travels !

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