Our guests say it best: why LGBTQ+ visitors love our Amsterdam tours
- Sanne Pols
- Apr 3
- 4 min read
Choosing a tour isn't just about what's included, it's about how it makes you feel.
For LGBTQ+ travelers, that feeling matters even more. Safety, authenticity, and connection are essential and represent core criteria when choosing an activity. I've been there myself, some "horror stories" as I'd call it. You want to enjoy your trip and your historic visit while the guide has a homophobic joke. A random person from an overcrowded tourist group is giving the look because you're with your queer partner or you look a bit too gay… Let's be honest, this is what we want to absolutely avoid when traveling!
So instead of telling you why our tours are special, we'll let our guests do it.
"We felt seen from the start"
Many travelers arrive in Amsterdam expecting acceptance, but still carry a bit of hesitation. That hesitation is sadly carried by past personal or peered awful and unsafe experiences, which can truly taint your trip. That's why this is the first topic I'll cover in this article.

Again, taking tours and doing group activities while on vacation shouldn't be a source of anxiety. It should be fun and exhilarating. Here's what one of our guests shared:
"We've traveled a lot, but this was the first time we felt completely at ease right away. It wasn’t just safe, it felt welcoming in a genuine way."
That's something we hear often, and this makes me the proudest. Knowing my guides and I can offer with LGBTOUR Amsterdam a safe haven for queer visitors and allies means everything to me and to them. Queer people share (unfortunately!) this experience of being unsure about the safety of tourist activities when vacationing, so knowing we can offer such a space in my hometown is gold.
Our tours create a space where:
You don't have to explain yourself
You can relax and be present
Your identity isn't just accepted; it's part of the experience
"It was so much more than a tour"
Another common theme? ✨Surprise. ✨
Guests often expect a walking (or biking!) tour, but leave with something deeper. Amsterdam has such a rich queer history and is still one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in the world to this day. That means the community continues to flourish and write history. Through these tours, we aspire to contribute to the queer archives of the city.
"We thought it would be informative, but it ended up being emotional in the best way. Learning the history made everything feel more meaningful."
By connecting places with stories, the city becomes more than a backdrop; it becomes alive. What's more, having queer people and allies coming from around the world during these tours makes it even richer in exchanges of stories, facts, and information we wouldn't have thought of and helps understand what realities and dynamics LGBTQ+ people face and experience wherever they live.
"We discovered places we never would have found"

Amsterdam is full of hidden gems, but they're not always easy to find. I wrote some articles about our city's queerest places to visit, but you never really have the whole sha-bang of recommendations until you get to discuss with locals face to face; and what do you know~! All LGBTOUR guides are queer, locals, and ready to share their advice and tips to navigate Amsterdam's queer hot spots like a local would.
Furthermore, on the nightlife tour, you'll actually get to experience those spaces with our queer night specialist, Ada!
"We had done research before coming, but the tour showed us spots we completely missed. It changed how we experienced the rest of our trip."
This is where local knowledge makes a real difference.
"It felt personal, not scripted"
No one wants a robotic experience. Especially in the era of AI. The real luxury now? Grounding talks, genuine connections in the real world, and off-screen time with yourself and / or your loved ones. Our guests absolutely love the open and personal touch of our tours. It gives the experience so much more value and makes them even more unique.
"Our guide shared personal stories and answered every question openly. It felt like exploring the city with a friend."
That human connection is at the heart of everything we have done, are doing, and will do in the future.

Moments that stay with you
Some experiences stand out long after the trip ends:
Standing at a historic LGBTQ+ landmark and understanding its significance
Hearing stories that aren't widely told
Connecting with fellow travelers who share similar experiences
These are the moments guests remember.
More than reviews, a pattern
When you're planning your activities during the trip, you'll probably check reviews of the various tours, museums, bars you'll visit. Nothing surprising here! Past guests are the best people to give you a genuine and unbiased idea of how a place is, and how x activity feels.
When you look at all the LGBTOUR Amsterdam reviews together, a pattern emerges:
People don't just enjoy the tour, they value it.
They leave with:
A deeper understanding of Amsterdam
A stronger connection to LGBTQ+ history
A sense of belonging
Join the hundreds of happy travelers and curious locals
If you're looking for something meaningful, authentic, and genuinely queer, you're in the right place. Choose your favorite tour, and join us!
















