Hotels in Amsterdam

A quiet walking tour starting from Begijnhof – An amazing experience

One of the unique amazing experiences of Amsterdam is taking a quiet walking tour starting from Begijnhof, near a square called Spui (pronounced “spow” like “cow”). Begijnhof is a hidden courtyard of cottages originally built in the 14th-century for a group of pious, charitable women (the Beguines). As soon as you enter this area you find yourself in an absolutely different environment in a tiny village with a well-kept lawn and flower gardens, centuries-old houses, a small medieval church and tall trees whose rustling leaves sing beautiful melodies in the unusual silence.

To reach Begijnhof, you can take tram lines 1, 2 and 5 which stop just in front of the square at Spui. Tram lines 4, 9, 14, 16, 24 and 25 also have a stop at Spui, but it’s on farther east of the starting point (on the street called Rokin).

The place also Amsterdam’s oldest house (one of the city’s only two remaining wooden houses), dating from 1475. Women still live here, so groups aren’t allowed and guests are asked to visit in quiet reflection.

The walking tour from Begijnhof takes about two hours, depending on pace and the stops you take. Some precautions which you can take before you start this tour bringing an umbrella and a wind-proof jacket as the weather is Amsterdam is quite unpredictable. Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended as the walk has cobble stoned streets and sidewalks. Opt for tiny sidewalks that line these narrow alleys and canals instead of streets and before crossing intersections or hopping off the sidewalk for a better vantage point, look for bikers zipping by.