LGBTQ+ History Tour

From hidden lives to gay marriage: get the full arc of Amsterdam’s rainbow history

The stories our guide told were engaging, varied, inspiring, and revealed different aspects of LGBTQ history through the lives and experiences of different people. We also got to know about the historical context and public laws relating to the LGBTQ community. Altogether, it left us with a different sense and feeling for the city. Highly recommended!

Giedre, Google review

Our Amsterdam pride tour covers the spectrum of gender identity and sexual orientation

Why did the world’s first legal gay marriage happen in Amsterdam? To answer that question, our tour explores stories of individual people from the Middle Ages through today. Their experiences challenge preconceptions and broaden our understanding of gay history. We inspire LGBTQIA+ travelers and locals alike with the stories of people throughout history who stood in their identity. 

Our guides are trained storytellers who believe we connect with places through the people who’ve lived there. This tour of queer Amsterdam is the antidote to gay and lesbian Amsterdam tours that make it sound as though LGBTQIA+ history is limited to the L and the G – or that it began in the 20th century!

Join us for a broader view of the ‘gay capital’.

Amsterdam’s gay pride neighborhood

This small-group tour goes through the Canal Belt (a UNESCO World Heritage site), which is the epicenter of Amsterdam’s famous canal parade and street parties. Along the way, we explore some wild history, from the way lavender wreaths brought about the Homomonument’s pink triangle to the way a 17th-century medical misunderstanding may have given cover to cis lesbian and bisexual women. 

See Amsterdam’s most beautiful neighborhood while hearing about some of its LGBTQ+ badasses.

Queer-friendly things to do in Amsterdam

The tour starts in front of the historic queer bar Lellebel, and we point out some fun queer-friendly places along the way, from the heart of LGBTQ+ bars and clubs to the Pink Point information kiosk for travelers. At the end, we share a recommendation list to help you get a local’s view of LGBTQIA+ Amsterdam.

Storytelling Walk Page.

Duration

Hours
0

Minimum

People
0

Maximum

People
3
Storytelling Walk Page.

Price Per Adult

Euros *
0
Storytelling Walk Page.

Price Per Youth

Euros **
0
Storytelling Walk Page.

Private Tour from

Euros ***
0

* Stadspas holder or a student? Contact us for a discount.
** Youth = Under 18. This tour mentions violence, sex and some difficult topics.
*** Your own private LGBTQ+ History Tour, starting at €250 for up to 5 guests (max. 15 guests)

Traveling Solo? Fill out our form, and we’ll let you know if you can book a spot on an upcoming tour!

Select a date and time to book your tour!

Select a date and time to book your tour!

Storytelling Walk Page.

Duration

Hours
0

Minimum

People
0

Maximum

People
3
Storytelling Walk Page.

Price Per Adult

Euros *
0
Storytelling Walk Page.

Price Per Youth

Euros **
0
Storytelling Walk Page.

Private Tour from

Euros ***
0

* Stadspas holder or a student? Contact us for a discount.
** Youth = Under 18. This tour mentions violence, sex and some difficult topics.
*** Your own private LGBTQ+ History Tour, starting at €250 for up to 5 guests (max. 15 guests)

Traveling Solo? Fill out our form, and we’ll let you know if you can book a spot on an upcoming tour!

We’re excited to share this event in Dutch LGBTQIA+ history:

Why is this inscription embarrassing for the most famous Dutch classical playwright, a man known as the Prince of Poets? What scandal happened beyond this arch? And how is this spot connected to a good old-fashioned lesbian love triangle?

LGBTQ+ History Tour stop the City Theater

We’re excited to share this event in Dutch LGBTQIA+ history:

LGBTQ+ History Tour stop the City Theater

Why is this inscription embarrassing for the most famous Dutch classical playwright, a man known as the Prince of Poets? What scandal happened beyond this arch? And how is this spot connected to a good old-fashioned lesbian love triangle?

Wheelchair Accessibility

This tour is wheelchair-friendly and step-free. However, throughout the route, there are some bridges and roads with an incline. Please see the photos below. Should you require any assistance during the tour, our guide will be happy to help you.
 
You can find additional resources for wheelchair accessibility in Amsterdam via our partners at Able Amsterdam.

Tour Distance: 2.7 km | 1.68 mi

Need a sample first?

We hear you.

Schedule

Thursdays

Fridays

Saturdays

Minimum of 2 guests per tour.

Having trouble finding a single ticket at the time you want? Invite a friend and open a tour at that time!

You can also fill out our form, and we’ll let you know if you can book a spot on an upcoming tour.

Pro Tip: We post Instagram and Facebook stories 2 days in advance if we have any openings in a scheduled tour.

Interested in a different time and have a group of three or more? Contact us!

Considerations

Tours go rain or shine.

(But if looks too dicey, we’ll contact you in advance.)

This walking tour is two hours and goes through the Canal Belt from Rembrandtplein to the Torensluis.

Wear good walking shoes and dress for the weather.

Meeting Point

In front of Café Lellebel at Utrechtsestraat 4, just off of Rembrandtplein

For FAQ's sake...

Click here or email us to request a different time.

The tour goes through the UNESCO World Heritage Canal Belt, including stops in Rembrandtplein, Munttoren, the Kalverstraat, the Westerkerk, the Homomonument, and the Torensluis.

The per-person ticket is a public group tour, where other people may join you on your walking tour. The private tour is just for you and your friends/family.

The tour is entertaining and empowering. The following topics are discussed, but nothing is explicit. In covering the span of queer history, some stories include homophobia and state violence. The tour also includes the full LGBTQIA community, so sexual orientation, the gender spectrum, asexuality, and intersex people are all discussed.

For now, our public tours (the per-person tickets) are only available in English. For Spanish, German, or Dutch, please email us.

Our tour began with the question: why did the world’s first gay marriage happen in Amsterdam? Knowing queer Amsterdam’s history made it even more inspiring, as did the stories of the people who made it happen.

Our stories cover major events in Amsterdam’s queer history while our route covers some of today’s hotspots. We start at Lellebel: Queer Bar and pass the nightlife center of the Reguliersdwarsstraat on our way to the home of Amsterdam Pride.

Amsterdam has a great queer nightlife. At the end of the tour, we share a recommendation page with some places to check out.

Looking for something else?