In a nutshell
- There are many different types of canal cruises in Amsterdam. To help you find the best one for you, we show you 6 canal cruises that are really worthwhile.
- You can choose between: classic, hop-on hop-off, evening, with food, pedal boat and private boat tour.
- Our personal favorite is the classic canal cruise with the Flagship open boat.
- At the end, we answer some frequently asked questions about canal cruises in Amsterdam.
Classic Canal Cruise with Flagship Open Boat
Suitable for? First-time visitors and if you want to discover Amsterdam from the canals in a relaxed way in a small group.
If you would like to take a classic canal cruise through Amsterdam, we recommend the Flagship Open Boat Tour.
What we love about this tour is that it doesn’t have the typical “mass processing”. You can sit back, relax and ask the guide any question you can think of.
With this tour, you also have the choice of 3 piers before booking and therefore 3 routes, all of which have their own highlights – the Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House and Central Station.
And on top of that, you also get drinks during the canal cruise. How cool is that?
A canal cruise to make you feel good. In our eyes, the trip is a totally authentic reflection of the Amsterdam way of life. That’s really a big plus.
The sailing times depend on the pier and the season. However, the boats generally sail very frequently. So you can integrate the canal cruise perfectly into your other sightseeing – even if you are only in Amsterdam for 1 day.
And if your trip falls on a rainy day in Amsterdam, there are umbrellas on board.
Advantages:
- You can choose from 6 time slots
- Very relaxed due to small group size
- Not the usual “mass processing”
- 60-minute route past great sights
- Local guide
- Live commentary
- You have the chance to ask lots of questions and get tips
- Bar on board
- Without windows you can take much nicer pictures
Disadvantages:
- Seats are limited (so book early)
- Boat is not barrier-free
Book an Amsterdam canal cruise with the Flagship open boat
Hop-on Hop-off-Boat Amsterdam
Suitable for? First-time visitors, if you have little time, if you want to plan your sightseeing precisely and with children.
The hop-on hop-off boat adapts to your sightseeing plan. How? By allowing you to hop on and off when, where and as often as you want for 24 or 48 hours.
The hop-on hop-off boat works just like the famous hop-on hop-off buses. As soon as you know what you want to see, you get off at the next stop and can continue on foot.
This makes the hop-on hop-off cruise a really good option if you have little time in Amsterdam but don’t want to miss anything.
You can combine your sightseeing with a canal cruise and get from A to B quickly.
The hop-on hop-off boat is also a great sightseeing option with children. You can take a relaxing ride along the canals and get off as soon as the kids get bored. And without throwing money out of the window.
Advantages:
- Great value for money
- Boats depart daily from 9:30 to 17:45
- Super flexible
- Many possibilities to get off
- Good with children
- Children up to 4 years travel free of charge
- Audio guide on board
- Beautiful route through the entire center
Disadvantages:
- Boat is not barrier-free
- No live commentary
- There are often many people on board
Book a ticket for the Amsterdam hop-on hop-off boat
Canal Cruise in the Evening
Suitable for? Anyone who wants to experience the classic canal route in a romantic atmosphere. The cruise is particularly popular with couples.
If you want a very special canal cruise, we recommend an evening canal cruise. It is wonderfully romantic and shows you a completely different side of Amsterdam.
At night, the canals are lit up with many small lights and some of the historic canal houses are also illuminated. Seeing this from the water is a really beautiful experience.
The evening canal cruise in Amsterdam is of course particularly popular with couples.
When booking, however, make sure that you adjust your time slot to the sunset. After all, it should be dark when you cruise the canals. Otherwise, the lights won’t work.
Advantages:
- Good value for money
- You see Amsterdam differently
- 60-minute route to great sights
- Audio guide on board
- Very romantic (great for couples)
Cons:
- Only works in the dark
- Boat is not barrier-free
- No live commentary
- No drinks on board (but you can bring your own)
Book tickets for Amsterdam canal cruise in the evening
Amsterdam Dinner Cruise
Suitable for? Anyone who wants to combine sightseeing with a delicious meal. A cool combination that saves time.
Would you like to combine a canal cruise with a delicious meal? Then we recommend the Amsterdam dinner canal cruise.
The combination of food and boat tour saves you time – which you never have enough of in Amsterdam – and you don’t have to worry about FOMO. You can’t miss a thing here.
The tour takes you along the central canals, past the most important sights in Amsterdam.
During the trip, you will be served a 4-course menu with freshly prepared dishes and drinks. This takes the touristy vibe out of the whole thing and you experience your sightseeing in an almost noble ambience.
Advantages:
- 2-hour cruise along central canals to the most important sights
- 4-course menu (choice of fish, meat or veggie)
- Good value for money
- Children up to 3 years travel free of charge
- Audio guide on board
- Very romantic (great for couples)
Cons:
- Boat is not barrier-free
- Only 1 trip per day
Book tickets for Amsterdam Dinner Cruise
Pedal Boat Canal Cruise Amsterdam
Suitable for? Anyone who enjoys sporty sightseeing and wants to cruise the canals alone. The pedal boat is also great with children.
A very special way to discover the canals of Amsterdam and a super cool Amsterdam activity is the pedal boat canal cruise.
You don’t need a specific license or passport for this. You can simply hire a pedal boat and set off. This is a great option for canal cruises in Amsterdam, especially for families with children.
You choose a rental period of 1 or 1.5 hours and adapt the route to your interests.
A really great experience on your own. And in fact, this type of canal cruise is rather unknown and therefore less crowded.
Advantages:
- You can set your own route and pace
- Combines sport, fun and sightseeing
- 1 to 1.5-hour, flexible trip
- Great canal cruise with children
- Less crowded than other canal cruises
- You keep to yourselves (1 boat for 2 to 4 people)
Disadvantages:
- Price is comparatively high for a short period of time
- There is no canopy when it rains
- Boat is not barrier-free
Book tickets for pedal boat cruise Amsterdam
Private Canal Cruises in Amsterdam
Suitable for? Groups and if you want to have your own space on a boat and a personal guide
A private boat tour in Amsterdam is particularly worthwhile if you are traveling in a group.
You then have the whole boat to yourselves and your own guide on board. He can tell you a lot about Amsterdam and the individual sights you pass.
What’s more, you are much more flexible than with shared boat tours. For example, you can stay longer at places if you particularly like them
Advantages:
- Privacy
- Less people on the boat
- You have your own guide
- You can ask as many questions as you want
- More flexibility than on shared boat tours
- Basic drinks are included, and you can bring your own drinks + food
Disadvantages:
- Expensive
- No dinner included
Book tickets for private boat tour in Amsterdam
Canal Cruises through Amsterdam as Combi-Tickets
The boat tours are and remain the absolute must-do in Amsterdam. That’s why the best canal boat cruises are also available in all kinds of different combinations with other highlights.
First of all, this is very practical because you can book your canal cruise and an Amsterdam museum or an Amsterdam city tour in one go. What’s more, you also save a few euros compared to buying individual tickets.
We have taken a look at what combinations are available and would like to introduce you to the best deals:
Canal tour and Rijksmuseum: Combine a canal tour with a visit to Amsterdam’s famous art museum.
Canal cruise and Red Lights Secret: Combine a canal cruise with a trip to the Red Light District and the Red Lights Secret Museum.
Canal cruise and Jewish Quarter: Combine a canal cruise with a tour of the Jewish Quarter in Amsterdam.
FAQ about Canal Cruises in Amsterdam
Finally, we answer frequently asked questions about canal cruises in Amsterdam and give you a few tips along the way:
Is it worth doing a canal cruise in Amsterdam?
Yes, definitely!
How much does a canal cruise in Amsterdam cost?
How much a canal cruise in Amsterdam costs depends entirely on the provider. However, you usually pay between 15 and 25 euros for a classic cruise.
For example, a trip on the Open Boat – our favorite – costs just under 22 euros.
How long does a canal cruise take?
A canal cruise in Amsterdam takes between 1 and 2 hours on average. But the journey time also depends on the provider, just like the ticket price.
Do the canal boats in Amsterdam have toilets?
Not every canal boat has a toilet. It’s best to find out in advance from the provider whether the boat has a toilet on board. Or perhaps the staff can tell you where you can go to the toilet before you set off.
Are canal cruises in Amsterdam a good idea with children?
Whether a canal cruise in Amsterdam with children is suitable depends very much on the children. Children may quickly find the boat trip boring. Unfortunately, the audio guides are often not designed for children.
The best option for a canal cruise with children is the hop-on hop-off boat. Here you can hop on and off when and where you want.
Are dogs allowed on canal cruises in Amsterdam?
Dogs are allowed on very few canal cruises. The Flagship Open Boat Tour is an exception. Dogs are welcome on board. Totally cute!
What water is in the Amsterdam canals?
Water from the IJsselmeer flows through the Amsterdam canals. Sounds refreshing at first, but you shouldn’t jump in or fall in. The canals may look picturesque, but they are super dirty.
How deep are the canals in Amsterdam?
The canals in Amsterdam have an average depth of 2.40 meters.
Does the I Amsterdam Card also include a canal cruise?
Yes, the popular I Amsterdam City Card also includes a canal cruise.
You can choose between 7 different providers:
- Blue Boat
- LOVERS
- Amsterdam Circle Line Sightseeing
- STROMMA
- Smidtje Canal Cruises
- Amsterdam Boat Cruises
- Mokum Open Boat Tours
These were our tips for the best canal cruises in Amsterdam!
Do you also have a tip or have you already taken a really cool canal cruise? Then write us a comment. We look forward to hearing from you!