15 Best Amsterdam Canal Cruises

Table Of Content

• Wine & Cheese Cruise in Amsterdam
• When is the Amsterdam Light Festival?
• Explore, envision, invest: Dive into luxury living at Hyde Park’s open house
• 🥉 Also-Great Amsterdam Canal Cruise with Optional Unlimited Cheese/Drinks (Flagship)
• This Virtual Open Day will let you tour one of Rotterdam’s top international schools
• Friendship Amsterdam Canal Boat Tours
• Stromma Canal Tour Amsterdam

Which one is the best canal tour for you is up to you to decide. Obviously, during the day you’ll see more and have better opportunities to take good pictures. However, if you are visiting Amsterdam with the love of your life, there’s nothing as romantic as cruising the canals at night! One of the best-known boating companies in Amsterdam is Lovers Canal Cruises. The boats depart from multiple locations throughout the city, they depart regularly every 20 to 30 minutes.

Wine & Cheese Cruise in Amsterdam

We found the boats to look brand-new, and are in excellent condition. It actually is one of the more luxurious boats we’ve seen, with the wooden sitting area sporting traditional windows and padded seats. Start out in Jordaan, which is a great place to explore if you want to escape the crowds and general hustle-and-bustle of the city. Travel eSims – If your phone supports an eSim, I recommend using Airalo. They sell eSims based on country, region, and even global ones!

When is the Amsterdam Light Festival?

Treat them to a romantic dinner cruise on the water in Amsterdam, which offers delicious, professionally prepared cuisine complete with classy drinks. There was also a friendly lady serving customers food and drinks. If you’re a first-time visitor, then you’ll want to stay close to the city center, and there are plenty of options. When it comes to the best canal tours in Amsterdam for big groups, it’s hard to argue that anything can top this BBQ cruise. 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.

Explore, envision, invest: Dive into luxury living at Hyde Park’s open house

And to wash it all down, you can choose two complimentary drinks – pick from wine, beer, or soft drinks. 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.

🥉 Also-Great Amsterdam Canal Cruise with Optional Unlimited Cheese/Drinks (Flagship)

With this option, you can choose between passes for the bus, boat, or both, though the boat pass is definitely the way to go for a unique and convenient Amsterdam adventure. From fresh pizzas to bottomless pancakes, the Dutch certainly know how to keep their visitors well-fed! In addition to the seemingly endless supply of pancakes provided, this tour is distinct from many other boat rides in that it focuses on a different part of Amsterdam.

This Virtual Open Day will let you tour one of Rotterdam’s top international schools

One of the best ways to see Amsterdam is from a canal cruise. There’s just something magical about floating down the calm waters as you pass by centuries-old buildings and under beautiful bridges. Amsterdam is one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world, and it’s no wonder why.

Personally, I’d book the basic ticket without the food and drinks unless you’re a cheese addict. I recommend going in the summer season during the day to eliminate the risk of dark, cold, or rain ruining your experience. 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.

Does my I amsterdam City Card include a free canal cruise?

Sure, there’s also the option to do the tour without any add-on, but I highly recommend paying a bit more and going for the option with cheese and drinks included. The larger canal boats usually have toilets where as the smaller, more intimate tours are on boats without a toilet. On the tour booking sites, they normally specify what facilities are available. As the captain navigates the 17th-century waterways and the candles flicker in the night air, savour a glass of wine or soft drink, Dutch cheeses, pickled cucumbers and other snacks. Your leisurely return journey will take you through the Canal Belt of the Amstel River and under bridges festooned with lights. The gardens are only open from March through to May when the flowers are in bloom and a remarkable sight.

Stromma Canal Tour Amsterdam

Best Europe river cruises for 2023 - The Independent

Best Europe river cruises for 2023.

Posted: Tue, 27 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Lasting 2 hours long, it’s a fantastic way to have fun, eat some delicious traditional snacks, and enjoy the views without the crowds. Located right in front of the Museum for Photography, you’ll meet up with your guide where you and the rest of your group will be escorted to the boat. Booking Tours – When I am booking tours, I use GetYourGuide or Viator. Both have great selections of guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and the Amsterdam city pass. For tours run by locals, AirBnB Experiences has some great selections as well.

You can also sign up for Jack’s Flight Club to be alerted to cheap deals if you’re happy to travel anywhere. The unlimited drinks option is 32.50 euros (about $35 USD), but if you’re on a budget you could save money by booking the off-peak option here. 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.

There is a choice of six pizza types and also included in the price of this 90-minute cruise are unlimited soft drinks, beer and wine. On this tour, you can cruise along Amsterdam’s beautiful canals in an all-electric luxury boat for an hour. During the tour, a local guide will tell you about the city’s history, and point out interesting sights as you pass by. If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam, you simply cannot miss out on exploring the city’s famous canals which are a UNESCO World Heritage Sight. A canal boat tour is one of the best ways to get a unique and beautiful view of Amsterdam from the water.

This is as personal as you can get before booking a private cruise. It also comes at a higher price tag of around €80 per person. The tour lasts longer than any other, has live commentary, and includes drinks. A small upgrade would be buying a semi-open boat ticket from Lovers.

After being in Amsterdam for Christmas a few years ago, I can 10/10 recommend doing a nighttime canal cruise to see the Amsterdam Light Festival! While you can certainly walk or bike around the city and view them, there’s something special about seeing them from the water. Look no further than hopping aboard a small-group canal cruise with Rederij De Wester. Each year, the Amsterdam Light Festival transforms the city center into a magical winter wonderland. Artists from all over the world create unique works of art out of lights, decorating streets and canals alike. Hop into a luxurious sloop (one-mast sailboat) complete with heated seats and blankets and marvel at the stunning light displays around the city.

The history alone is fascinating, but then incorporate its delicious food, endless nightlife activities, beautiful architecture, and stunning canals and it’s incredible. The wheelchair access is only available for certain time slots, and you can find an up-to-date list on their website here. Wheelchair access is only available from the Hard RockCafé departure point so make sure to book tickets from this departure point. You should also book in advance, so they have enough time to make sure they have a wheelchair-accessible boat for your cruise.

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. This tour goes beyond the traditional sightseeing experience, offering an intimate journey down Amsterdam’s beautiful canals in a small electric boat. But with many options to choose from, selecting a canal cruise can be a tad bit overwhelming. That’s why I’ve done the hard work and curated a list of the best canal cruises in Amsterdam for you. With the huge number of options, it’s important to pick the right canal tour.

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. Those Dam Boat Guys offer a unique and fun canal cruise experience on a small, open boat. The tours are led by friendly and knowledgeable guides who will provide you with interesting information about the city’s history and culture. The boats only hold up to 8 passengers, so this is a great option if you want a smaller less crowded cruise. Whilst you cruise around and enjoy taking in the sights in Amsterdam.