Botanical Amsterdam: Hortus, Hermitage Gardens & Hidden Courtyards: Walking Tour

A nature-infused walking tour through secret gardens, lush courtyards, and Amsterdam’s greenest gems

OVERVIEW

Escape the city crowds and step into the serene, green heart of Amsterdam. This slow-paced walking tour blends botany, beauty, and history in some of the city’s most charming hidden corners. You’ll begin at the legendary Hortus Botanicus — one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world — where rare tropical plants and centuries-old trees whisper stories of exploration and science. From there, follow a leafy path past the tranquil gardens of the Hermitage Amsterdam and into secluded hofjes (inner courtyards) once reserved for monks and the elderly. Along the way, your guide will share stories about herbal medicine, 17th-century garden design, and the role of green space in city life. This is Amsterdam at its calmest and most refined — ideal for aesthetes, couples, and garden lovers.

Best for: Couples, garden lovers, architecture and history enthusiasts

HIGHLIGHTS

• Guided visit to Hortus Botanicus with its palm house, butterfly garden, and ancient greenhouses

• Secret entrance into the Hermitage courtyard gardens and Amstel river-side blooms

• Walk through hidden hofjes — enclosed gardens with historic charm and silence

• Stories of medicinal plants, early scientific voyages, and botanical discoveries

• Optional herbal tea break in a picturesque garden café

ITINERARY

Meet at Hortus Botanicus entrance, introduction to the garden’s history

Guided exploration of Hortus: greenhouses, palms, butterflies, hidden corners

Walk along the Amstel to Hermitage garden, hidden botanical stories

Discover two enclosed hofjes — their social and green legacy

End of tour near Waterlooplein with suggestions for lunch or a garden café stop

DURATION

Short-tour(3 - 4 hours)

Includes:

• Entry to Hortus Botanicus

• Expert local guide

• Courtyard access

Excludes:

• Additional meals

• Personal purchases

• Insurance

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