Sunday, March 31, 2024

Explore Amsterdam: The 10+ Best Canal Cruises in Amsterdam

best amsterdam canal cruise

Amsterdam is widely known for the legalisation of marihuana, which you can buy at one of the many coffeeshops in Amsterdam. This boat trip is for those that want to enjoy the pleasure of smoking some on the water. During this 1-hour canal cruise, you’ll be able to watch Amsterdam drift by while enjoying your smoke. However, make sure to bring your own, as marijuana can only be sold at coffeeshops and not aboard the boat.

Fun And No Smoking Canal Tours With Food And Drinks

TourScanner’s search allows users to compare tours & travel activities’ prices in just a few clicks from hundreds of providers. When you arrive at the icebar you’ll skip the line and be able to enjoy three complimentary drinks. Also included in the price are the special clothes you will need to enjoy the sub-zero drinking experience. Combine your Amsterdam canal ride with drinks in one of the coolest places in the city, the Xtracold Icebar, which is made entirely of ice, even the glasses. With this combination ticket, you can take the tour in one go or each option separately. With a relaxed and cosy atmosphere onboard, this cruise is an excellent choice for pizza lovers and anyone seeking a memorable dining experience on Amsterdam’s scenic canals.

Conventional Canal Tours

As this boat is relatively small, your captain will drift along tiny canals many other tours can’t offer, letting you spot some fabulous hidden corners of the city unknown to many. After you jump on your electric boat, you’ll be equipped with an audio guide you can listen to in between bursts of commentary from your captain if you wish. Amsterdam is vibrant at any hour of the day, but I love witnessing the city light up when the sun goes down. Every walkway along the canal feels incredibly romantic, the cobblestone streets are full of life, and the canal houses become even more enchanting. Climb on board a super stylish ship and let your captain tell you all you need to know about Amsterdam's most alluring spots. Upgrade your experience and enjoy unlimited cheese and wine throughout your journey.

Cheapest 1-Hour Canal Tour In Amsterdam

You’ll get to see the city as it lights up and sail under the beautifully illuminated bridges such as The Skinny Bridge. Stromma’s cheese and wine cruise is a great way to experience the canals up close while enjoying an open-air ride through the picturesque waterways. This cruise departs at 8 pm each day so you’ll also get to enjoy watching Amsterdam come alive at night as the bridges and buildings illuminate. 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. During this 75-minute cruise, you’ll get to enjoy eating pizza whilst taking in the sights of Amsterdam.

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This cruise runs year-round and offers blankets to keep warm in chillier weather so that you can still see the beauty of Amsterdam from the water. Plus…a cash bar on board makes this the perfect tour to book for a relaxing afternoon seeing the city. Do you have a question about booking your Amsterdam canal cruise? Or are you already planning your trip, and do you want to know what’s on in Amsterdam during your stay?

Best Canal Cruise Tours In Amsterdam

The gardens are only open from March through to May when the flowers are in bloom and a remarkable sight. Bring a picnic with you and enjoy this al fresco feast during your three hours in this picturesque setting. This countryside excursion also includes a complimentary one-hour boat cruise of Amsterdam’s canals. 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.

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(Most locals don’t.) But of course, if you had an excellent time and believe that the skipper and/or staff provided excellent service then tips are usually 5-10% of your bill. The smaller the boat you’ll choose, the more you’ll get to see. Some of the most beautiful hidden gems are off the main canals. Make sure you’re fit enough to do so, and don’t be afraid because you will be among the large canal boats. Remember, the right cruise depends on your preferences, from the vibe you’re looking for to the type of drinks and snacks you enjoy.

Speical Cruises in Amsterdam Canal

On my recent cruise with them, I met a friendly skipper who added additional commentary, and the audio guide was engaging. Lovers is the largest operator They offer decent, large-boat cruises. These cover the main canals but not the smaller, less-visited ones. Enjoy a hassle-free way to experience major Amsterdam attractions with a cruise combo ticket that lets you skip the queues at the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum. This riveting full-day tour starts at the Rijksmuseum, which is dedicated to Dutch art and history from the Middle Ages to the present day. Watch the sights of Amsterdam slowly light up whilst enjoying a fine selection of tasty Henri Willig cheeses.

What’s the price for a canal cruise in Amsterdam?

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Amsterdam has over 150 canals to its name, with almost as many boat tours on offer, too! In fact, you’ll likely spot dozens of canal cruises gliding through the waterways from the moment you arrive. An evening canal cruise offers a romantic and enchanting atmosphere, with the city lights illuminating the canals and landmarks. It is also a good option if you want to see the sunset views in Amsterdam. It’s more relaxing, too, since fewer people are on the street than in the daytime.

best amsterdam canal cruise

Below, you’ll find a collection of the best canal cruises in Amsterdam, featuring everything from trips that will be kind to your wallet to luxurious private outings for you and your crew. You won’t find ticket offices selling small boat tours; most only sell big ones. In addition, the tours I recommended in this post are top-rated, so be sure to book them in advance.

If you’re in Amsterdam during peak season, book your cruise in the morning or late in the afternoon. The sunsets very late during summer, often not before 9 p.m., so you’ll still have enough light to take those Instagram-worthy pics without very big crowds. Which Amsterdam canal cruise is the best for you mainly depends on how much time you have, and how much of that time you want to spend on a boat. To get the experience and see the attractions I mentioned above, a simple one-hour boat trip will be enough.

It’s definitely a romantic experience to do with your partner. But even when you’re alone (or with friends), a canal cruise at night could be interesting for you. On this type of canal cruise, you’ll get on board of a large boat with other people.

Friendly, knowledgeable staff made this comfortable canal cruise very enjoyable. A perfect option for people who like fun, interactive tours and want to have local experiences. A day cruise offers better visibility, and the natural light during the day provides excellent lighting conditions for capturing the city’s beauty. "This is the cruise you should take! Why choose one of those standard tour boats when you could choose this one!! Super relaxed. It was so much fun! I highly recommend this." The evening cruise also includes an audio guide, that’s available in 19 different languages including English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and more.

Our tip is to do a night cruise during winter time, especially before Christmas. The ambiance in Amsterdam during Christmas is truly beautiful. Choosing the right canal cruise in Amsterdam should reflect your preferences and circumstances. Boarding can be challenging if moving around is more difficult due to the small stairs and low boat heights (to pass the low bridges). Smaller boats are more accessible to enter than the big ones. Besides their large stores (coffee shops) they also operate a boat, offering more space then the Smoke and Lounge City tour above.

To get cruise tickets, you need to the Lovers Canal booking office that’s located at Prins Hendrikkade 20C. However, it’s also a city where you can cycle on its canals on one of the Pedal Boats. You can explore Amsterdam canals on your own pace, and you can pick up and return your pedal boat at one of the three pick-up points. It’s definitely one of the most environmentally friendly ways to explore the canals. And a great way to explore them if you’ve enjoyed stroopwafels a bit too much during your visit to Amsterdam. From historic architecture to charming neighborhoods, Amsterdam's canals offer a unique perspective on this vibrant city.

You’ll also get to learn about the city’s history and culture from knowledgeable tour guides. Going on a boat trip allows you to explore en feel part of the city. As you cruise the canals you will see a lot of Amsterdam’s highlights. We even dare to state that your trip isn’t complete if you haven’t been on a canal cruise.

Step Aboard: The 10 Best Amsterdam Canal Cruises for 2023

best amsterdam canal cruise

Don’t let the idea of unlimited wine fool you into thinking that this is a party cruise! This tour is much more low-key and focuses on exploring the canals in comfort. If you travel as a family or with friends, joining a private tour with a guide, who is also your captain, is a great idea. Amsterdam is a canal city; it is perfect to experience it by taking the hop-on and hop-off boat service.

Best Romantic Tour: Amsterdam: Romantic Canal Tour with Bubbly

best amsterdam canal cruise

I’ll move from classic cruises to more exclusive experiences. Generally, the boats dock in front of Central Station, and you can choose the prettiest one from them. Feeling light and breezy as you drift past actual traffic from your cosy canal view of beautiful Amsterdam is pretty much Dutchness defined. Our skipper was a middle-aged gentleman who added to the experience with his informative commentary, calm storytelling style, plus a lot of back-and-forth conversations. 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.

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Do you want to discover the Amsterdam canals in privacy and learn something about her history? This private boat tour includes drinks like wine, beer, tea or coffee and has room for ten passengers. So this tour is perfect for a small group of friends or a family. The duration of this private Amsterdam boat tour is 1,5 hours and reservations are a must, as availability is limited. During this 90-minute boat tour in Amsterdam, you’ll get to see the Dutch capital from the water after sunset.

– City Canal Cruise

It can be fantastic to bring your kids, but I advise choosing shorter tours when taking a canal cruise with kids. Keep them involved, and if needed, get quiet activities for them. Both cruises allow for a unique Amsterdam experience, catering specifically to those looking to enjoy smoking in a canal setting. This tour is 90 minutes, which is a perfect time (unless you have drinks or snacks when a bit longer is better).

Best Family Tour: Amsterdam 90-Minute Private Family Canal Cruise

I joined this tour with some colleagues a few years ago, the atmosphere was cozy, and it was an evening I will never forget. If you prefer a luxury boat with a maximum of 30 guests, this tour is for you. During this cruise, you’ll get to see the NEMO Science Museum, The Royal Theatre Carré, and the 7 Bridges of Reguliersgracht. The cruise doesn’t include food or drink but you can opt to add on a snack box that’ll contain things like stroopwafels, chips, plus a drink.

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Whether you’re looking for a romantic evening tour with champagne or a family-friendly daytime tour, there’s a canal cruise for everyone. Most of these tours are suitable for all ages, and some include beer, wine, soft drinks, and food such as pizza. If you’re looking to take your Amsterdam canal tour to the next level, we highly recommend checking out this luxury dinner cruise by Amsterdam Boats. Step aboard one of the high-end saloon boats and prepare for a 3-hour boat trip on the blissful Amsterdam canals, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage.

You’ll also be guided along the canals by a local live guide aboard a classic wooden saloon boat. The tour lasts about 1 hour and during this time, you’ll cruise past a lot of Amsterdam’s best sights. This is including but is not limited to the Anne Frank House, The 7 Bridges, Jordaan District, Magere Brug, and the NEMO Science Museum. These comfortable canal boats with glass ceilings and windows give you the opportunity to view the architectural highlights Amsterdam has to offer. In fall and winter, these boats provide you with cover against the weather so you can enjoy the city without feeling cold or getting wet. Check out the local vacation days and if possible, book your canal tour just a week before (or after) everyone else is on holiday.

You’ll also get much more flexibility on the time and date you can book. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride as we take you through the best canal cruises that Amsterdam has to offer. Most of these boats include free WiFi, but if you’re visiting from outside Europe I recommend getting a local prepaid sim card.

best amsterdam canal cruise

Amsterdam City Canal Cruise

Then, take a walking tour and taste multiple Dutch foods while you engage with locals. This tour is a great way to meet some new friends in Amsterdam and see lesser-known parts of the city. Taking a canal cruise is one of the best things you can do while visiting Amsterdam. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, offer a unique perspective on Amsterdam history and architecture and a great way to see the top sights of Amsterdam by boat.

To learn how to get tickets, read my guide to getting tickets for the Anne Frank House here. If you’re going to be using the iAmsterdam City Card, you’ll need to book your tickets in person at the tour company’s office and your card must be valid for the time you book. This is fairly easy to do, and the location of these offices is included in this guide. The Hop on-Hop off cruises can also be booked for 48 hours and can be combined with a bus tour.

This boat tour takes you along some of the finest historic Amsterdam canals, while you sit back and enjoy an à la carte 3-course dinner, with your loved ones. You’re desired courses will be freshly cooked in an acclaimed riverside restaurant and can be paired with some beautiful wines. The welcoming crew of Amsterdam Boats will do anything to ensure that you’ll have a wonderful fine dining experience on the Amsterdam canals.

The friendly hosts will welcome you aboard the boat and pour you a drink of choice once the boat sets sail. During the comfortable ride on the Amsterdam canals the hosts can tell you all about the sights and surroundings. Embark on an evening canal cruise that shows off the city sights and lights. During this 90-minute cruise along the Dutch capital’s scenic waterways sip on drinks from the bar as you glide past some of its most famous and captivating sights. They include the Golden Bend and the Skinny Bridge, a beautiful river crossing that sparkles under the illumination of its many lights. This luxury canal cruise will take you on a 1-hour trip around the Amsterdam waterways.

This can be quite difficult on some of the other tours as there can be a 30cm+ high step to get out. For a more romantic experience, you could consider going on the LOVERS Evening Canal Cruise. Which is a 2-hour tour that takes you around Amsterdam’s canals as the sun sets and the city lights come alive. The illuminated bridges and buildings create a magical atmosphere, making this cruise perfect for couples or anyone looking for a memorable evening. The daytime canal cruise is included for free with the iAmsterdam City Card.

During the summer, this cruise will take place on an open-top boat where you can enjoy a 360 view of the charming canals. 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! She spends a lot of time in Scotland and Amsterdam, two of her favorite places!

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