School trips to Amsterdam

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Our school trips to Amsterdam offer students the opportunity to explore the exciting capital of the Netherlands and one of Europe's cultural highlights!

Famous for its charming canals, Amsterdam is also a vibrant city of atmospheric narrow lanes, quirky shops, restaurants and cafes. But it’s also a hugely important centre for art, particularly for those interested in the Dutch Masters.

The diversity of the city makes it a great destination for groups interested in religious studies. And for historians, there is plenty to discover here with regard to the Nazis and the Holocaust. But perhaps more surprising is the city’s suitability for science trips – nearby Noordwijk is home to Space Expo, the visitor centre of the European Space Agency. Whatever your reason for visiting Amsterdam, we’ll tailor your itinerary to ensure it meets your specific learning objectives.

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Why visit Amsterdam?

Explore life under Nazi occupation

If your history students are studying the Second World War, particularly the Nazis and the Holocaust,then our curriculum-linked school trips could help them to understand what life under the Nazi occupation was like.

Before the Second World War, Amsterdam had a large Jewish community. Then, under the Nazis, 60,000 Jews living in Amsterdam were deported to Nazi concentration camps, where most were murdered. There are many stories of Dutch citizens sheltering Jews, putting themselves at risk, including Corrie ten Boom and those who sheltered Anne Frank and her family. On our school trips to Amsterdam, your students will discover their stories.

Amsterdam has several fantastic museums dedicated to this period in Dutch history, where your students will learn more about the Jewish community in the city, the resistance movement and the country’s eventual liberation. We can also arrange for your group to visit Kamp Vught, a concentration camp designed to house prisoners during their transit to Auschwitz.

Discover incredible art

Amsterdam is an excellent choice of destination for art students, especially for groups interested in Dutch Golden Age painting and Rembrandt, the work of Vincent van Gogh, and contemporary Dutch art.

No art trip would be complete without a visit to the Rijksmuseum, which is home to the largest and most important collection of classical Dutch art. Much of Rembrandt’s work can be seen here, and you can further your students’ knowledge of Amsterdam’s most famous son with a visit to the Rembrandt Museum.

Vincent van Gogh only lived in Amsterdam for a short period, but the museum dedicated to his work (Van Gogh Museum) is well worth a visit, as is the museum next door. The Stedelijk Museum is the city’s most important modern art museum.

Inspire your young scientists

Looking for a school trip to inspire your young scientists and help them understand how important science is to everyday life? Then Amsterdam could be the perfect destination for you!

The Netherlands is home to some incredible science museums, many of which are in the Amsterdam area. Take a journey through the human body at the Corpus Museum, get stuck into some hands-on experiments at the Science Centre Delft, and don astronaut suits to step onto the surface of the moon at Space Expo, the visitor centre of the European Space Agency!

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Why Halsbury Education trips?

We build your trip around you

Tell us your learning objectives, curriculum and budget and we’ll do the rest.

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We’re trusted for a reason

We’re members of ABTA, ABTOT and the School Travel Forum. We also hold an ATOL and the LOtC Quality Badge.

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Our Education specialists

Laura Lucas

Tour Consultant

Tom Moorhouse

Tour Consultant

Gaynor Mayor

Education Sales & Product Manager

Laura Martin

Language Sales & Product Manager

Emma Gray da Silva

Tour Consultant

Lou Della Rocca

Tour Consultant

Gail Biggins

Tour Consultant

Judit Eleod

Tour Consultant

Paul Hudson

Tour Consultant

Michelle Hallam

Tour Consultant

Caroline Hill

Tour Consultant

Gayle Flude

Tour Consultant

Jodi Swift

Tour Consultant

Will Jehu

Tour Consultant

Vanessa Barbosa

Tour Consultant

Meet our education specialists and get to know more about the people committed to making your school trip the best it can be. 

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Learn more about Amsterdam school trips

Read some of our latest blogs covering school trips to Amsterdam.

Activities in Amsterdam that your school group will love

Anne Frank House

One of the most poignant visits in Amsterdam; this unremarkable building is where Anne Frank and seven members of her

Amsterdam Canal Cruises

Almost certainly the best way to see Amsterdam’s photogenic streets is from its famous canals. There are many different routes

Van Gogh Museum

Holding the world's largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh, this museum charts the development of van Gogh's artistic

Rembrandt Museum

The Rembrandt House Museum owns an almost complete collection of Rembrandt’s world-famous etchings. A changing selection is on permanent display

Resistance Museum Amsterdam

The permanent, bilingual exhibition of the Resistance Museum contains artefacts that tell the story of the Dutch Resistance. False ID

Rijksmuseum

With close to one million exhibits, Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum is the largest museum of art and history in the Netherlands. It

Amsterdam Arena

Amsterdam Arena opened on 14 August 1996. From that day on, the Netherlands has had a multifunctional stadium in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam Canal Cruises

Almost certainly the best way to see Amsterdam’s photogenic streets is from its famous canals. There are many different routes

Van Gogh Museum

Holding the world's largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh, this museum charts the development of van Gogh's artistic

Anne Frank House

One of the most poignant visits in Amsterdam; this unremarkable building is where Anne Frank and seven members of her

De Efteling Theme Park

Welcome to a world full of adventure, excitement and romance, where you will find one surprise after another. This theme

Omniversum (Imax Cinema)

The Omniversum offers you an unique experience with the IMAX films being projected onto the impressive 840m² giant dome. The

The Pancake Bakery

The Pancake Bakery began as a small pancake restaurant with a basic menu. In 1980 the owner introduced several changes

Walibi World

Walibi World guarantees a day full of exciting moments for everyone. Do you like adventuring or just sensation? You will

FAQs

How long should we spend in Amsterdam?
In order to make the most of everything Amsterdam has to offer, we would strongly recommend planning to spend around four days in the city on your next school trip.
What's the best time of the year to visit Amsterdam on a school trip?
Groups can visit Amsterdam any time of year. Naturally, in winter, the weather is a factor to consider. Meanwhile, in summer, there are more crowds to contend with. But nonetheless, Amsterdam is a suitable destination all year round.
How do you get to Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is reachable via coach with a ferry crossing over the English Channel. Most school groups can depart from their school in the morning and reach Amsterdam by the afternoon or early evening.
What's the best way to get around Amsterdam?
As you most likely will have travelled to Amsterdam by coach, you will be able to use your coach throughout your trip if required.
Which visits are a must on a school trip to Amsterdam?
Whether you're visiting Amsterdam to learn more about the Nazis and the Holocaust or not, we would highly recommend a visit to the Anne Frank House. You should also endeavour to take a boat trip along the city's famous canals - we think it's the best way to see Amsterdam! And if your group is interested in art, we would highly recommend a visit to the Van Gogh Museum.
Are there any free things to do in Amsterdam?
Yes, one of our favourite free things to do in Amsterdam is simply to explore the city centre. For lovely views across the eastern docklands area, you could head up to the rooftop terrace of the NEMO Science Museum. And the lovely Rijksmuseum Gardens are also free to the public.
Can I arrange a cross-curricular school trip to Amsterdam?
Yes, Amsterdam is a fantastic destination for a number of subjects, including history, art, science, religious studies and music, making it a great choice for a cross-curricular school tour.

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