15 Best Amsterdam Canal Cruises

Table Of Content

• What is the Netherlands Drinking Age? Important Dutch Alcohol Laws
• Is It Necessary To Book The Tickets In Advance?
• What is the Best Time for an Amsterdam Canal Cruise?
• Read what our guests say about us
• Luxury And Environment-Friendly Canal Boat Tours
• 🥈 Best Sightseeing-Only Canal Cruise in Amsterdam (Lover's Canal)

This is a must-do if you’re bringing the entire family along, and is great for all ages! With a max passenger limit of 10 people per boat, you can feel confident you’re going to receive personalized attention and be able to have any of your questions answered by a professional. The boat’s owner will tell you all about the history of the city and offer interesting anecdotes and personal stories, as well.

What is the Netherlands Drinking Age? Important Dutch Alcohol Laws

If an evening of sipping wine and savoring cheese while floating down Amsterdam’s canals sounds great to you, then you should consider booking this boat tour. As you glide through Amsterdam’s glittering evening waterscape, you’ll be treated to your choice out of five pizza options. And to wash it all down, you can choose two complimentary drinks – pick from wine, beer, or soft drinks. Even if you already have a plan, I have local insights you don’t get from a guidebook. A call is also great if you doubt which options to choose. But the flip side is the consistently unreliable Amsterdam weather.

Is It Necessary To Book The Tickets In Advance?

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During winter, you’ll be undercover to protect yourself from the cold wind. Taylor Beal, owner and author of Traverse With Taylor, has been traveling in Europe for more than a decade and helps others explore Europe easily through amazing guides and itineraries. She has adventured through more than 20 countries, searching for the best experiences, must-try foods, and delicious beers!

What is the Best Time for an Amsterdam Canal Cruise?

A canal cruise in Amsterdam offers a unique perspective of the city’s architecture, historical landmarks, and the hustle and busle along the waterways. This open-boat cruise is perfect if you’re in the mood for a fun and casual canal tour that combines sightseeing with the relaxing vibe of a cozy bar. For those looking to experience Amsterdam’s vibrant nightlife from the city’s tranquil canals, you can book an evening canal cruise, like this one. Evening cruises offer a different perspective than day tours, highlighting the illuminated bridges and the charming interior of canal houses (because we Dutch don’t close our curtains).

If your body weight is above average we recommend you to take this boat in low hours so you probably have more space. Or to consider a boat that’s a bit more spacious with the seatings. The best time for a canal cruise in Amsterdam is during the day.

We are known for our personalised tours with experienced, local skippers. Our team is day and night at your service to make your canal cruise unforgettable. Beautiful canal houses are reflected on the water and the vibrant city life passes by you - just sit back and enjoy. After you have read our article, you will know which boat trip is perfect for you.

In summary, this is another relaxing and enjoyable canal cruise for exploring the city’s sights and learning about its history. You’re in for an amazing treat with this 60-minute canal cruise starting from Central Station, which comes with a built-in audio guide available in 12 different languages. Perfectly-timed sailings like this truly make for some of the best canal cruises in Amsterdam. Possibly, the only thing that can distract you from the beauty of this magical city is when you’re picking out your pizza on board! Five flavors are available, which you’ll pair with two drinks of your choice from a selection of wines, beers, and soft drinks.

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🥈 Best Sightseeing-Only Canal Cruise in Amsterdam (Lover's Canal)

The audio guides are interesting and high quality, but it would be better if the narrations were more frequent, longer, and identified the points of interest. Even a simple “to your left/right you can see…” would suffice. The seats are comfortably padded with pillows; however, the boats weren’t insulated well in the winter, nor were they heated, and I was cold. Disposable earbuds were provided, which was a pleasant surprise as it allowed passengers to enjoy the audio in different languages. The boats have a 20-person capacity, so it won’t feel crowded. The seats are comfortably padded with pillows, and the boats are insulated in the winter but not heated.

Public tour

He is extremely knowledgeable about Amsterdam and had a ton of offbeat insights to share, which made the tour more memorable. He was very hospitable and generous as well, sharing local cheese and beer along with his stories. Amsterdam’s first canals were dug during the Middle Ages for city defence and water management. Amsterdam’s three main canals, the Herengracht, the Keizersgracht and the Prinsengracht were dug at the same time. Meanwhile, the city had quadrupled in size and from then on Amsterdam had the most efficient waterway system in the world. As a result, Amsterdam became one of the largest merchants in the world.

Amsterdam’s canals provide a spectacular setting for an intimate evening of good food and fine wine. Marvel at illuminated city sites such as the Skinny Bridge and the Hermitage Museum as you sip on drinks and tuck into a four-course meal that is freshly prepared and cooked on board. This is followed by a trip to the island community of Marken to visit a wooden shoemaker and a cheese shop that makes cheese using traditional Dutch methods. Included in the price of this countryside excursion is a one-hour canal trip that can be used anytime during your stay in Amsterdam. Some of the best things in life are free including a complimentary Amsterdam canal cruise that comes with this half-day visit to the beautiful green-covered Dutch countryside. There was also a friendly lady serving customers food and drinks.

You’ll depart from Prins Hendrikkade 25 which is located right by Amsterdam Centraal train station. If your plans change, you can cancel this tour up to 8 hours before the scheduled departure time. On this 90-minute canal cruise, you’ll be able to enjoy eating Dutch cheese and drinking wine as you cruise along the 17th-century canals in the Dutch Capital.

You’ll be seated at a table with another pair, so if you’re looking for a romantic experience, this is not it. Rather, think of it as a chance to make new friends or engage in some interesting conversation. The only downside for some people is that there’s not much commentary during the tour. If you’re someone who loves to add a culinary twist to your travel experiences, then this Boat Cruise with Cheese & Wine Option can be a great choice. It’s also worth mentioning that this cruise is wheelchair accessible, making it a convenient choice for all travelers.

Your enchanting trip starts with a visit to the Van Gogh Museum which showcases a rich collection of works by one of the most influential painters in the history of Western art. These include Sunflowers, from 1889, The Bedroom, from 1888 and Wheatfield with Crows, from 1890. With so many canal trips to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. So that’s where we come in with our pick of the 15 best Amsterdam canal cruises. In summary, Blue boat cruises are as good as any for exploring the city’s sights and learning about its history, but I find the lack of skipper interaction with the guests to be a negative.

Our skipper was an absolute gem, a true people person who kept us entertained with jokes, interesting commentary, and pointed out key landmarks throughout the entire cruise. He was fully invested in delivering an incredible experience. De Pijp is the city’s bohemian quarter and home to some of the best bars and streetside cafes. If you’re looking for something a little more upmarket, then Jordaan is an excellent option with its gorgeous 17th-century townhouses and top-class restaurants. Oud West is another charming area with leafy parks and plenty to do.

Besides their large stores (coffee shops) they also operate a boat, offering more space then the Smoke and Lounge City tour above. Known for its authenticity and positive reviews, this cruise provides a more intimate setting. While you need to bring your products if you want to smoke cannabis, they do offer Hookah/Shisha pipes for an extra charge. It’s not my thing, but for those interested in a smoke-friendly cruise experience in Amsterdam, there are two leading operators to consider. Day cruises are fantastic for seeing all the architectural details, but nighttime is for romance.

The tour is suitable for kids but sadly this boat isn’t wheelchair accessible and those with limited mobility might find it hard to get on/off the boat. If you’re only in Amsterdam for a short time, this cruise is a great way of being able to save time by combining lunch and a cruise in one. You’ll get a good overall taster of Amsterdam, whilst tasting the freshly cooked delicious pizza.