Students will learn about life under Nazi rule, the devastation of the Holocaust, and WW2 combat.
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.
Browse our trips
The Nazis & the Holocaust School Trip to Amsterdam & Arnhem
School Art Trip to Amsterdam
Inspire your art students with the works of Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and more in Amsterdam's museums.
£420PP
School Science Trip to Amsterdam
Bring science to life with a visit to Space Expo, the visitor centre of the European Space Agency.
£229PP
School Religious Studies Trip to Amsterdam
Discover the tragic consequences of religious hatred during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.
£550PP
Why choose Halsbury?
We build your trip around you
Tell us your learning objectives, curriculum and budget and we’ll do the rest.
Contact usWe’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.
Read moreOur Education specialists
Laura Lucas
Tour Consultant
Paul Hudson
Tour Consultant
Laura Martin
Language Sales & Product Manager
Emma Gray da Silva
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.
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!
Learn more
01 May 2018
Here's why Amsterdam makes a great choice of destination for a school trip.
03 May 2018
Why should you include a visit to Anne Frank House on your school trip to Amsterdam?
Activities in Amsterdam that your school group will love
Anne Frank House
Take your students to the building (now a museum) where Anne Frank and her family hid during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.
Amsterdam Canal Cruises
Enjoy a cruise along Amsterdam's famous canals and take in the photogenic streets with full commentary.
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 style and has a wide range of activities for pupils.
Rembrandt Museum
The Rembrandt House Museum owns an almost complete collection of Rembrandt’s world-famous etchings.
Resistance Museum Amsterdam
The permanent, bilingual exhibition of the Resistance Museum contains artefacts that tell the story of the Dutch Resistance.
Rijksmuseum
With close to one million exhibits, Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum is the largest museum of art and history in the Netherlands.
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.
Let's chat!