In a nutshell
- Amsterdam has a huge number of canal cruises. To help you find the right one, we break down 6 Amsterdam canal cruises that are genuinely worth your time and money.
- Your options: classic open boat, hop-on/hop-off, evening cruise, dinner cruise, pedal boat, and harbor tour — something for every travel style.
- Our personal favorite is the classic canal cruise on an open boat — small group, live guide, drinks included.
- At the end, we answer the most frequently asked questions about canal cruises in Amsterdam.
Classic Canal Cruise with Open Boat
Best for? First-time visitors and anyone who wants to explore Amsterdam’s canals in a relaxed small group setting.
For a classic Amsterdam canal cruise, we recommend the Open Boat Tour.
What we love about this tour is that it completely skips the typical “tourist assembly line” vibe. You can sit back and totally relax — and ask your guide any question that pops into your head.
Before booking, you also get to choose from three departure points — and therefore three different routes, each with its own highlights — Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House, and Central Station.
And drinks are included during the cruise. How great is that?
A canal tour you can truly unwind on. In our eyes, that perfectly captures the Amsterdam way of life — and it’s a major plus.
Departure times vary by pier and season, but boats run very frequently overall. So you can easily fit the cruise into your sightseeing — even if you only have one day in Amsterdam.
And if your cruise falls on a rainy day in Amsterdam, there are umbrellas on board.
Pros:
- You can choose from six time slots
- Small group makes for a very relaxed experience
- No typical “tourist assembly line”
- 60-minute route past great sights
- Local guide with live commentary
- Plenty of chances to ask questions and get insider tips
- Bar on board
- No windows means much better photos
Cons:
- Spots are limited — book early
- Boat is not wheelchair accessible
Book Amsterdam Canal Cruise with Open Boat
Here’s our full review:
Hop-On/Hop-Off Boat Amsterdam
Best for? First-time visitors, anyone short on time, anyone who wants to plan their sightseeing precisely, and families with kids.
The Hop-On/Hop-Off boat adapts to your sightseeing schedule. How? By letting you hop on and off whenever, wherever, and as often as you like for 24 or 48 hours.
The Hop-On/Hop-Off boat works just like the famous Hop-On/Hop-Off buses. Once you spot something worth exploring, you hop off at the next stop and continue on foot.
That makes this Amsterdam canal tour a genuinely great option when you’re short on time but don’t want to miss a thing.
You combine your sightseeing directly with a canal cruise and get from A to B quickly.
It’s also a fantastic option with kids. You cruise the canals at a leisurely pace, and as soon as the little ones get restless, you hop off — no money wasted. You can always jump back on later.
Pros:
- Great value for money
- Boats run daily from 9:30 AM to 5:45 PM
- Super flexible
- Lots of stops to choose from
- Great with kids
- Children under 4 ride free
- Audio guide on board
- Beautiful route through the entire city center
Cons:
- Boat is not wheelchair accessible
- No live commentary
- Can get crowded on board
Book Tickets for Hop-On/Hop-Off Boat Amsterdam
We’ve got more on the Hop-On/Hop-Off right here:
Evening Canal Cruise
Best for? Anyone who wants to experience the classic canal route in a romantic setting. This cruise is especially popular with couples.
For something truly special, we recommend the evening canal cruise. It’s wonderfully romantic and shows you a completely different side of Amsterdam.
At night, the canals are dotted with small lights, and the historic canal houses are partially illuminated too. Seeing all of that from the water is a genuinely beautiful experience.
No surprise that this one is especially popular with couples.
When booking, make sure to match your time slot to the sunset. It should be dark when you’re out on the water — otherwise the lights won’t have the same magical effect.
Pros:
- Good value for money
- You see Amsterdam in a whole new light
- 60-minute route past great sights
- Audio guide on board
- Very romantic — perfect for couples
Cons:
- Only works after dark
- Boat is not wheelchair accessible
- No live commentary
- No drinks on board (you can bring your own)
Book Tickets for Amsterdam Evening Canal Cruise
Amsterdam Dinner Cruise
Best for? Anyone who wants to combine sightseeing with a great meal. A smart combo that saves you time.
Want to combine an Amsterdam canal cruise with a proper dinner? Then the Amsterdam Dinner Canal Cruise is exactly what you need.
Combining a meal with a boat tour saves you time — and in Amsterdam, time always feels scarce — so you don’t have to worry about missing out. There’s simply nothing to miss here.
The tour travels along the central canals, past the most important sights in Amsterdam.
During the cruise, you’re served a 4-course menu of freshly prepared dishes and drinks. That strips away the touristy feel and gives your sightseeing an almost upscale quality.
Pros:
- Two-hour cruise along the central canals past the top sights
- 4-course menu (choice of fish, meat, or vegetarian)
- Good value for money
- Children under 3 ride free
- Audio guide on board
- Very romantic — great for couples
Cons:
- Boat is not wheelchair accessible
- Only one departure per day
Book Tickets for Amsterdam Dinner Cruise
Pedal Boat Canal Cruise Amsterdam
Best for? Anyone who wants an active sightseeing experience and to explore the canals on their own. Pedal boats are also great with kids.
One of the most unique ways to discover Amsterdam’s canals — and a seriously fun Amsterdam activity — is the pedal boat canal cruise.
No special license or permit required. You simply rent a pedal boat and head out. This is especially a great pick for families with kids in Amsterdam.
You choose a rental duration of one or one-and-a-half hours and customize the route to whatever interests you.
A truly great experience on your own terms. And since this type of Amsterdam boat tour is less well-known, it’s also less crowded.
Pros:
- You set the route and pace
- Combines activity, fun, and sightseeing
- Flexible one to one-and-a-half hour outing
- Great option with kids
- Less crowded than other canal cruises
- Just your group (one boat for two to four people)
Cons:
- Price is comparatively high for the time you get
- No cover in case of rain
- Boat is not wheelchair accessible
Book Tickets for Pedal Boat Canal Cruise Amsterdam
Amsterdam North Harbor Tour
Best for? Amsterdam regulars who have already done a canal cruise in the center and now want to experience another part of the city from the water.
If you’ve already done an Amsterdam canal cruise but still want to get back out on the water, we highly recommend the Amsterdam Harbor Tour.
On this boat tour, you skip the city center canals entirely — instead, you drift through the harbor and the northern part of Amsterdam. And that’s genuinely fascinating.
After all, Amsterdam has always been an important port city. With all the beautiful canals and canal houses, it’s easy to forget that.
During the cruise, you’ll learn all about Amsterdam’s significant harbor history. The audio guide takes you on two little trips through time — one back into the harbor’s past, and then forward into the future, with all its exciting visions and plans.
Discovering Amsterdam from this angle, away from the regular canal routes, is a really rewarding experience.
Pros:
- You experience Amsterdam from a completely different angle
- You discover an important part of the city’s history
- Less crowded than tours in the center
- Audio guide on board
Cons:
- Harbor tours run infrequently
- Audio guide not available in all languages
- Boat is not wheelchair accessible
Book Tickets for Amsterdam Harbor Tour
Amsterdam Canal Cruises as Combo Tickets
An Amsterdam canal cruise is the ultimate must-do in the city. That’s why these popular boat tours also come in all kinds of combinations with other top highlights.
This is super convenient — you can book your canal tour and an Amsterdam museum or a city tour all in one go. And you’ll save a few dollars compared to buying individual tickets.
We’ve looked into what combinations are available and picked out the best deals:
Canal Cruise and Rijksmuseum: Combine a canal cruise with a visit to Amsterdam’s famous art museum.
Canal Cruise and Jewish Quarter: Combine a canal cruise with a walking tour through Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Canal Cruises in Amsterdam
Here are the questions we get asked most often about Amsterdam canal cruises — plus a few tips to help you make the most of your time on the water:
#1 How much does a canal cruise in Amsterdam cost?
It depends on the operator, but most classic cruises will run you between 15 and 25 euros.
The Open Boat — our top pick — costs just under 22 euros, for example.
#2 How long does an Amsterdam canal boat tour take?
Most Amsterdam canal cruises last between one and two hours. The exact duration varies by operator, so check before you book.
#3 Do canal boats in Amsterdam have restrooms on board?
Not every canal boat has a restroom on board. It’s worth checking with the operator in advance — or ask the crew where you can make a quick restroom stop before departure.
#4 Are canal boat tours in Amsterdam suitable for kids?
It really depends on the kids. Younger children may get bored fairly quickly, and the audio guides aren’t always designed with little ones in mind.
The best option for families is the hop-on/hop-off boat — you can get on and off whenever and wherever you want, so no one gets stuck.
#5 Are dogs allowed on canal boat tours in Amsterdam?
Dogs aren’t allowed on most canal cruises. The Open Boat Tour is a happy exception — four-legged passengers are welcome on board. How great is that?
#6 What kind of water flows through Amsterdam's canals?
Amsterdam’s canals are fed by water from the IJsselmeer. That might sound refreshing, but don’t be tempted to jump in. The canals may look picturesque, but they’re seriously dirty.
#7 How deep are Amsterdam's canals?
The canals in Amsterdam have an average depth of 2.40 meters — deeper than they look from the surface.
#8 Does the I Amsterdam Card include a canal cruise?
Yes! The I Amsterdam City Card includes a canal cruise. Check out our I Amsterdam City Card review for the full breakdown.
You can choose from seven different providers:
- Blue Boat
- LOVERS
- Amsterdam Circle Line Sightseeing
- STROMMA
- Smidtje Canal Cruises
- Amsterdam Boat Cruises
- Mokum Open Boat Tours
Book the I Amsterdam Card here
For more tips, also check out our Amsterdam pass comparison.
