The Netherlands · DUTCH WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Stroopwafels off the iron, Delft blue under your own brush, cheese you press yourself. The 15 below say how much you actually make, how long it takes and what you take home.
At Amsterdam’s Original Stroopwafel Workshop, an English-speaking host such as Vince, Julia, or Lisa guides you through dough, waffle irons, warm syrup, and toppings. You make two XL stroopwafels, eat one with coffee or tea, and pack the other with a certificate to take home. The workshop is behind Albert Cuyp Market.
“We loved doing waffle making, was really fun and had a great host.”
At Albert Cuypstraat 194, make two traditional stroopwafels in a 45-minute English-language class. Hosts such as Morris, Rosa, Jay, Lisa, Dirk, and Vasco guide you through dough, hot-iron cooking, syrup filling, and optional decoration. Coffee or tea is included, and you can eat your waffles or take them away.
“For a 45 min workshop, this was great and it fit nicely into a busy trip. The stroopwafel was delicious and the staff was lovely. What I will say is the flour you use in this class is pre-prepared with additional ingredients so you more or less add water to the flour, knead, and then press the waffle. So if you truly want a workshop that teaches you how to make these the way you would at home, this may not be for you.”
At Bols Cocktail Experience opposite the Van Gogh Museum, you’ll explore 450 years of Genever and liqueur making with a multilingual audio guide, enjoy a cocktail in the Mirror Bar, then learn to mix two or three drinks with a professional bartender. The 1.5 to 2-hour visit suits adults who enjoy drinks, design, and hands-on fun.
“It was really fun and engaging as well as informative of how the Brand was founded. The 30 Minute Cocktail Workshop was awesome and creative and the instructor was not just funny but also polite and informative. The Cocktails from the bar were also amazing, would recommend a Blue Hawaiian from there.”
Join a small English-language group for a two-hour winter walk from Dam Square past the Royal Palace, canals, Flower Market, Begijnhof, Jordaan, and Light Festival displays. The tour ends with a stroopwafel workshop, tasting, hot chocolate, and a winter hat. Groups are capped at 15 people.
“This was an enjoyable tour where we learned a lot of information from a native tour guide! The history of the city was interesting and the architecture of the buildings was beautiful. We got to make homemade stoopwafles which were yummy!”
At Spirited Union Rum Co. in Amsterdam, you’ll tour the distillery, taste botanical rums, and make three cocktails at your own station. A professional bartender leads the 90-minute session, with George singled out for his humor and energy. It suits friends, families, birthdays, and bachelor or bachelorette parties, with a non-alcoholic option available by request.
“Very interesting workshop hosted by a person who clearly cares alot and is enthusiastic about what he's teaching people.”
At Heinen Delfts Blauw De Munt, a professional painter guides you through Delft blue pottery, practice techniques, and your own tile design. The 90-minute workshop includes coffee, tea, lemonade, and a Dutch treat. Your tile is glazed and fired afterward, ready for pickup or shipping in about 14 days.
“This was a really fun few hours, not only learning the painting techniques and choosing a template, but it was amazing to see the results after firing. Very recommended if you like drawing/painting, but any artistic ability isn't needed - it turns out gorgeous no matter what.”
Meet Fusina at her canal home near Amstel 264 for a private, two-hour Dutch pancake class. You’ll prepare bacon and apple pancakes, practice the traditional flip, then sit at her table with wine and local conversation. Expect a narrow kitchen, steep stairs, and a personal home visit rather than a large, fully equipped cooking school.
“This was an amazing experience! The host was very welcoming and the pancakes were delicious and easy to make.”
Meet Arielle at Zuiderlicht College for a relaxed, small-group perfume workshop in English. Learn scent basics, test fragrance ingredients, and create a personal perfume with one-to-one guidance. You leave with a sample spray, written formula, and linen pouch, with a 10ml bottle available for an extra €35.
“Taking this workshop, gives you that extra insight to making of perfumes and finding what scents you like. Arielle is very knowledgeable and her energy is so calming. She starts it off with breathing exercise which creates a wholesome, war and relaxed atmosphere.”
Spend three calm, creative hours with Arielle in her Amsterdam home studio, learning how scent works, exploring 20 quality ingredients, and blending a personal perfume. The small group, limited to six, suits solo visitors, couples, and curious makers. You leave with a 3ml spray and your formula, with a 10ml bottle available for €35.
“The whole experience was will prepared, filled with new information, and very engaging. Love it! So recommended.”
At Paleisstraat 107 in central Amsterdam, Annelies guides you through the Japanese art of Kintsugi. Over about two hours, you break and rebuild a plate using golden leaf glue, learning how cracks can become part of a new design. The workshop is in English, limited to six people, and includes all materials.
“Annelies was very nice and welcoming. We had a fun time learning about kintsugi and will definitely be applying it to something at home. She had items that we broke for the activity and it proabablyneoukdve been fun to bring one of our own to fix. Definitely would recommend!”
Meet photographer and university lecturer David at Amsterdam Centraal at 9:30 pm for a 90-minute small-group workshop. You’ll learn long exposure, manual settings, composition, and night-shooting technique while visiting photo spots around the Red Light District. Bring your own camera or borrow equipment, with a tripod available when needed.
“Fabulous way to explore Amsterdam with a knowledgeable, talented and enthusiastic photographer as the guide! David was a great companion and showed us some of the quieter spots for night photography. Picked up a few tips and had lots of laughs hearing David's stories. Look forward to doing another tour when I am next visiting!”
At De Kaasserie near De Hallen, you’ll make two fresh cheeses in a small English-language class of up to eight people. Learn rennet and acid coagulation, flavor one with herbs and color, taste homemade cheese with a drink, and take home both cheeses, basic tools, and recipes.
“We enjoyed every part of the experience with education and hands on creation of the cheese and spices.”
At LEERzaam Leiden, Emma guides you through making a handmade leather tote in her cozy 19th-century home workshop. Choose from leather colors and thicknesses, learn each step with one-on-one help, and finish with personal engraving. Materials, coffee, and tea are included, with vegan leather available.
“This leather purse making session was absolutely amazing! Emma ant LEERzam Leiden is absolutely lovely to work with and we very much enjoyed our time with her. The purses we made came out BEAUTIFUL! Would highly recommend this studio/Viator offering!!”
At Simonehoeve in Katwoude, you paint a decorative pair of 14 cm wooden shoes with supplied materials, templates, and guidance when needed. Afterward, your shoes are dried for transport while you can visit the cheese farm and clog factory. Snacks are included, and food and drinks are available to buy.
“Lovely experience - everyone was so kind! Loved the painting class and would recommend doing the tour prior before the buses of visitors arrive.”
At Simonehoeve, your private group learns how Dutch clogs are made, then uses traditional tools to shape a wooden shoe from a block. The work is tiring, so you may paint a blank clog-shaped beer opener instead. Finish with a tour of the cheese farm and tastings of Dutch cheese, biscuits, and fruit wine.
“it was interesting to experience using traditional tools to make a clog but too much time was needed and we were definitely not able to finish one in the allocated time. we were allowed to switch to painting a clog-shaped bottle opener halfway so we could at least bring a small souvenir home.”
Pick a canal, a gallery or a road out of town.
