Canal Cruise in Amsterdam - The Ultimate Guide

A canal cruise is the best way to discover the beautiful old town of Amsterdam. The perspective from the canal opens up completely new views as you glide across the water. In our guide, you'll learn what you should consider for an enjoyable experience.

There are many ways to discover Amsterdam via the canals. They say there are almost 100 providers. From the somewhat silly water bike, to pedal boats, to luxurious private boats - we present you the most sensible canal trips with the best value for money.

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.

• »  The Most Beautiful Canal Cruises - Our top 5 in Amsterdam
• »  The Essentials at a Glance - Booking, Prices and Tickets
• »  Routes and Tour Operators - Overview With Map
• »  Our Conclusion - Is a Canal Cruise in Amsterdam Worth It?

Read on and find out all about our 5 favourite boat tours: pizza cruise, candlelight cruise or cocktail cruise - in Amsterdam you'll find lots of unusual tours that you won't forget.

Our Top 5 - The Best Canal Cruise in Amsterdam

It's early evening - the city finally comes to rest. The perfect time for a romantic candlelight cruise. In Amsterdam you can find boat tours on many different themes - here is our overview.

You duck and think to yourself - how are we going to get under this bridge? It's a matter of just a few centimeters - but don't worry: The canal boats are built extra flat. Click on one of the pictures to learn more about a canal cruise.

To be honest, we found it difficult to decide on one ride. There are so many classics that you want to try them all. Our tip: Even an inexpensive round trip with a traditional cruise line is a great experience. More on this in the next part.

Tickets and Reservation - Essentials at a Glance

Boat tours through the beautiful old town offer an affordable and thrilling way to discover the city. We'll guide you step by step on what to look for when making your choice.

The picturesque waterways run through the city like lifelines and tell stories from centuries ago. In the past, the canals were used to transport goods. Today, they enable sightseeing and recreation for locals and visitors alike.

Canal Cruise at a Fair Price - Our Recommendations

From the inexpensive round trip with audio commentary for €15 to the luxury tour with candlelight dinner or all-inclusive bar, everything is possible. Roughly speaking, the boat trips can be divided into the following types:

• Canal cruise - 1-hour canal trip in a canal boat with a glass roof. Our tip for a beautiful city tour at a fair price. There is always a guide on board who will give you entertaining stories and information about Amsterdam. Well-known providers are P. Kooij and Lovers, for example. Prices are around 15€.
• Hop-on – hop-off boats - Like buses on the water, so to speak. The boats run the whole day on two lines, every 20 - 30 minutes. Get in or out at any station. This way, you can explore the sights one by one, without bursting your feet. 25€ per day. All information below.
• Special canal cruises - These adventure tours are suitable if you have a little more time and want to enjoy life on the canals. Everything is possible - candle-light dinner, museum tour and also some unusual variants like the pancake cruise. Prices between 20€ and 120€ (See previous section for more information).

For the one-hour city tours, there are several providers with different docks around the old town. You can get in every full or half hour. We have marked all the docks on our map.

You can simply walk past these piers and hop on. If you want to avoid waiting times at the ticket office or are planning a special boat trip, we recommend that you book online in advance.

Another popular way to discover the city is by hop-on hop-off canal boats. Think of them as buses on the water: Simply hop on and glide comfortably to the next attraction. With so much traffic in the city centre, these boat lines are a real insider tip.

Hop-On – Hop-Off Boats - Buses on the Water

The canal buses take a fixed route. Stops are conveniently located at places of interest and important points. With a day ticket, you can get in or out at any time.

We recommend the boats of the provider Stromma. The modern boats run on two lines, every 20 - 30 minutes. The main dock in the center is marked above on the map. Here, you will find an overview with all routes and stops.

Stay tuned: In the next part, you'll find out all about traditional tour operators and special canal boats that can only be found in Amsterdam. We also reveal which providers we can recommend.

Docks and Canal Cruise Lines - Providers at a Glance

Flagship, Blue Boat, Kooij and Lovers - there are four traditional boat companies in Amsterdam that specialise in canal cruises. In the following section, we present typical routes and the most important providers.

The main stops are strategically located in the historic city centre (see map above). The stops at the central station are easy to reach and offer a wide choice.

Things are a little quieter at the Rokin and Leidseplein

There you will find the piers of the Blue Boat and Kooij cruise lines. In addition, other small stops in the city area offer convenient access to sights and museums. Here is an overview of our favourite providers:

In addition to the location, the cruise companies differ in their offers: From inexpensive round trips in large boats with glass roofs to luxurious tours in saloon boats or open boats.

Classic saloon boats are a symbol of Amsterdam's traditional boating culture. Often crafted from high-quality wood, they exude a nostalgic elegance, reminiscent of a bygone era. Their interiors are usually adorned with fine woods, brass details, and luxurious seating, reflecting a sense of opulent history.

On the other hand, there are the modern glass-roofed tour boats, which have become increasingly popular in recent decades. Their main feature is the transparent roof, which gives you a 360-degree view of the canals and the buildings above, regardless of the weather.

Classic Saloon Boats vs. Tour Boats With Glass Roof

Modern boats are often more spacious and can accommodate more passengers. While saloon boats offer a more intimate and more luxurious experience, round-trip boats with glass roofs guarantee an unobstructed view and are ideal for larger groups and tourist excursions.

Read on: In the next section, we share some personal experiences and reveal whether it's worth taking a boat trip through the canals of Amsterdam.

Your Tour Recommendations

Conclusion - Is a Canal Cruise in Amsterdam Worth It?

You've probably already figured it out: We loved it and we think a canal cruise is THE activity you should definitely plan for your visit to Amsterdam. But there were also some negative points with various providers...

There are now so many creative and high-quality offers that it can be difficult to make a decision. Our personal experiences should help you make the right choice:

• Language Options - We really appreciated the opportunity to enjoy the tour in our own native language. This greatly enhanced the experience, especially for members of our group who are not fluent in Dutch. We found the ride with English live commentary to be the best.
• Informative Content - We totally underestimated how exciting history can be when you see and feel the original sites in all their glory. We were able to experience the exciting city history live, without tiring our feet.
• Evening Tours - We highly recommend the early evening tours: Particularly for their quieter and more romantic atmosphere. The city lights and less crowded canals made our tour more enjoyable and relaxing.
• Friendly Staff - Dedicated staff, empathetic interaction with children and wild sailor's stories from the captain - we have always been very lucky with our crew on our trips.

We didn't like that so much:

• Tour Duration - On a slightly cheaper tour, we were disappointed that the actual duration was shorter than advertised. Upon inquiry, we were told that a canal was closed, and that's why the tour was shorter.
• Interest in History Required - If you're not interested in the city's history, a standard tour might be a bit boring for you. Instead, consider booking a special tour with a program.
• Open vs. Closed Boats - We simply had a better view in the open boats. Most of our team preferred the rides in these boats - of course, only if the weather was good.

That was our big overview of canal cruises in Amsterdam. Do you have any questions or tips for other travellers? Or would you like to tell us something else? We look forward to your comment.

Finally, a reading recommendation: Have you read our article about the canals of Amsterdam? These vital arteries of the city have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010. We introduce our favorite canals and share exciting insider tips about the unique canal system.

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