If you’re visiting the city of canals, knowing about the best boat tours in Amsterdam is essential. There are tons of canal cruises for you to experience in Amsterdam. Once you’ve explored the city lanes on the bicycle, it’s time to experience the city through its famous canals. Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, family, or with your partner, there are multiple boat tour options suitable for all. Amsterdam is brimming with quaint and stunning waterways that will sweeten your sightseeing experience with amazing views.
A trip to the Netherlands’ capital is incomplete without Amsterdam boat tours. There are a variety of boats and cruises to choose from that can be customized to suit your experience. From intimate and romantic cruise tours to wild party boat tours, Amsterdam has got it all. Most boat rides offer free audio guides in multiple languages for tourists to make the most of their sightseeing adventures. The cruises and boats are designed to provide a comfortable and fun experience to visitors. Catch the beautiful sunset with an evening cruise ride or admire the twinkling city lights with a nighttime tour. You can also enjoy music, delicious meals, and cocktails, which will be served by friendly crew members.
People Also Ask About Cruises & Boat tours in Amsterdam
-
Which are the best Boat and Cruise Tours in Amsterdam?
1. Amsterdam Canal Cruise: Soak in the surrounding beauty of Amsterdam while sailing on the stunning Amsterdam canal cruise. This boat tour is among the many popular canal boat tours in Amsterdam that lets you witness the famous landmark buildings from a new perspective. Learn about the historic canal routes in the city on your tours such as Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht with a multilingual audio guide. Capture beautiful architectural marvels with your cameras as you sail across the canal across the city.
Location: Prins Hendrikkade 25, 1012 TM Amsterdam, Netherlands
Timing: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Monday-Sunday)
Duration: 1 hour (approx.)
2. Amsterdam: Evening Canal Cruise: Spruce up your evenings with the best boat tours in Amsterdam. An evening canal cruise is perfect for couples who are looking for a romantic evening getaway. A group of friends or family members can also enjoy the evening cruise in Amsterdam. Watch the colorful city lights shimmer as you sail across the city on the cruise. Also, learn about the city’s development via an audio guide that’s available in more than 20 languages while sipping on delicious drinks.
Location: Stadhouderskade 501, 1071 ZD Amsterdam, Netherlands
Timing: 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
3. Amsterdam: Light Festival Boat Tour: The Light Festival boat tour is one of the best Amsterdam boat tours to experience. Be prepared to be amazed and awestruck by the gorgeous light installations while sailing on the canal at night. You will find marvelous and colorful light artworks spread across the land and waterways on your light festival boat tour. Admire the beautiful light artworks and well-lit monuments while sitting in the cozy heated boat and experience the stunning Amsterdam light festival with your loved ones.
Location: Stadhouderskade 501, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Timing: 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
4. Amsterdam: Sightseeing Canal Cruise: Opting for canal boat tours in Amsterdam for sightseeing is a great way to witness the popular tourist attractions. Hop on the cruise for a fun-filled and informative cruise around the city’s significant canal routes. You will find many boats that are well-equipped with all essential safety gear and audio guides in multiple languages to guide the tourists about all the famous landmarks. You can choose from a range of the best boat tours in Amsterdam for an exciting adventure.
Location: Prins Hendrikkade 25, 1012 TM Amsterdam, Netherlands
Timing: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Monday-Sunday)
Duration: 1 hour (approx.)
5. Rijksmuseum Tickets with Canal Cruise Amsterdam: Get the best of both worlds with your Rijksmuseum and canal cruise tickets combo. This exciting combo package lets you jump the line for entering the largest museum in the Netherlands along with a 90-minute boat ride on the canal. It’s a great outing adventure for families.
Location: Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Timing: 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:00 AM, 12:30 AM, 1:00 AM, 1:30 AM, 2:00 AM, 2:30 AM, 3:00 AM, 3:30 AM
Duration: 3 Hours (Approx.)
6. Zaanse Schans Windmill Village Boat Trip: Aboard the luxurious cruise ship for your trip to the Zaanse Schans Windmill village. A trip to the Zaanse Schans village is one of the best canal boat tours in Amsterdam to experience with your loved ones. Enjoy the scenic journey as you sail across the city crossing significant places such as the Wilhemina lock and Zaandam city. Once you have arrived, explore the old warehouses, bakery shops, museums, cheese factories, windmills, and stunning wooden houses of the village.
Location: Ms. van Riemsdijkweg (opposite nr. 45), Amsterdam-North (NDSM wharf)
Timing: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Saturday)
Duration: 6 hours
7. Smoke & Lounge Boat Tour in Amsterdam: Bring your friends along for one of the most happening Amsterdam boat tours. The smoke and lounge boat tour is perfect for friend groups looking to unwind and share some stories over a few drinks and smoke. Enjoy this more than one-hour tour on the canals while sailing across the city along with a guided tour. Groove to the music with your buddies as you cross several historic monuments and bridges. Remember to capture these priceless moments that you’ll cherish for years to come.
Location: Oudezijds Voorburgwal, 1012 GJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Timing: 1:00 PM Onwards
Duration: 70 minutes (approx.)
8. Romantic Canal Tour with Bubbly: Looking for the best boat tours in Amsterdam for couples? Take a romantic canal tour for a beautiful evening with your partner. Sail across the UNESCO World Heritage Site canal district while sipping on some delicious Prosecco and cheese. It is the perfect way to make the most of Amsterdam boat tours with your loved one as you both watch the sun go down and city lights come to life sailing on the canal.
Location: Herengracht 124, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Timing: 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:00 PM
Duration: 50 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
9. Amsterdam: 1-Hour Canal Cruise with GPS Audio Guide: Embark on a GPS audio-guided tour of Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canal districts. This one-hour boat ride will not only offer amazing views of the merchant houses and Amsterdam’s marvelous architecture but also give you a deep insight into Dutch history. Admire the architecture of Amsterdam’s golden age and the canal routes that were used for trading shipments. You will find a variety of the best boat tours in Amsterdam that will offer interesting insights and views of the top attractions.
Location: Prins Hendrikkade 25, 1012 TM Amsterdam, Netherlands
Timing: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Monday-Sunday)
Duration: 1 hour (approx.)
10. Amsterdam: 75 Min. Canal Cruise Experience: While cycling around the city is a very popular activity amongst tourists in Amsterdam, another great way to explore the top attractions is to take a canal cruise. Hop on board the cruise and witness the city from a new perspective as you set sail across the old canal routes. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal districts while also admiring the 16th and 17th-century architecture of the buildings. Marvel at the iconic Amsterdam bridges on the journey.
Location: Stadhouderskade 501, Amsterdam (opposite the Hard Rock Cafe)
Timing: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) -
What are the top attractions to see in Amsterdam while cruising?
1. Rijksmuseum: Take a deep dive into the world of rich art and culture of Dutch history with a visit to the Rijksmuseum followed by a cruise. Admire over 8,000 artifacts inside the museum.
2. Heineken Experience: Enjoy a guided tour of the original Heineken factory and a cruise ride with a single ticket. Indulge in a beer-tasting session during your visit to the Heineken factory.
3. Van Gogh Museum: Discover the lesser-known artworks of the famous artist Van Gogh at the Van Gogh Museum. Learn about the artist’s early life and unwind with a scenic cruise on the canal.
4. Red Light District: Visit the largest Red Light District area in Europe on your trip to Amsterdam. Sail on a cruise and get an insight into the lives of sex workers and their stories.
5. Madame Tussauds: Admire wax figures of celebrities at the Madame Tussauds with a combo tour of the canal district. Discover historic trivia about the Dutch capital with a guided canal boat tour. -
What are the best outdoor activities to do in Amsterdam?
1. Cycle through the countryside: Amsterdam is known for its bike-friendly routes and a large number of bike rentals. It is a great way to explore the countryside while cycling with your friends or your partner.
2. Take a walk through the Amsterdam forest: Nature lovers can take a break from the city noise and take a tranquil walk in the Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest). It is also one of the largest urban parks in Europe.
3. Sail on a boat through the canal: Choose from a range of Amsterdam boat tours and personalize your cruising experience. The classic audio-guided canal cruise is among the most popular and best boat tours in Amsterdam.
4. Ice skate during winter: If you’re visiting Amsterdam during the winter, make the most of your trip with an ice-skating adventure. Outdoor ice rinks offer beautiful views of the city lights that enhance your experience.
5. Stroll around Amsterdam’s outdoor markets: There’s no better way to experience the local culture of the city than visiting the local markets. Walk around the outdoor markets and shop for some local items in Amsterdam. -
Is a canal cruise worth it in Amsterdam?
Taking a canal cruise in Amsterdam is certainly worth it. There are many best boat tours in Amsterdam to choose from. You will find suitable experiences for friends, family, and couples.
-
What is the best month to go to Amsterdam?
If you wish to witness Amsterdam in all its glory, May to August are the best months to visit. Although it's the peak season, the experience is surely worth it.
-
What are the best activities and attractions in Amsterdam that you can book via Thrillophilia?
The following are the best attractions and activities in Amsterdam that you can book via Thrillophilia:
- 1H
- 1H
- 4H
- 2H
Amsterdam Top Attractions
Places To Visit In Amsterdam
Designed by the Dutch architect Wim Quist, the Cobra Museum of Modern Art is a world of fundamental artwork collection from the artists belonging to the avant-garde Cobra art movement, like Asger Jorn, Constant, Corneille, Karel Appel, and Pierre Alechinsky. The museum displays permanent and several other temporary exhibitions of modern art, the collection of which is regularly supplemented with own purchases, donations, and long-term loans. Some of the best exhibitions held at the Cobra Museum of Modern Art are Cobra and North Africa, Visions from Ukraine, Corneille 100, and Cosmogony. Besides this, the Cobra Museum hosts different kinds of activities for children so they can learn about the Cobra Movement through interactive and engaging sessions. Some of the best activities offered by the Cobra Museum of Modern Art are Atelier CoBrA, CoBrA Workshop for Adults, Guided Tours, BSO Special: Cobra Drawing Tour, and Birthday Party at Atelier CoBrA. The children can participate in the BSO Special: Cobra Drawing Tour or celebrate their birthday parties at Atelier Cobra.Also Checkout: Amsterdam Nightlife
Constructed in 1864, the Tropenmuseum, or the Tropical Museum is one of the most beautiful museum buildings in the Netherlands that houses a vast collection of about 175000 objects representing world cultures. Located in the city center of Amsterdam in Oosterpark, this museum gives insight into the everyday life and diverse cultures of people from across the globe.When you enter the museum, you will come across an imposing central Light Hall that provides a wide glimpse of the offerings of the museum. The exhibits of the museum include eight permanent exhibitions and several other temporary exhibitions that narrate a different human story. These stories are attributed to universal human themes, like celebrating, decorating, fighting, mourning, or praying. Each of the exhibits of the museum will make you feel curious about the enormous cultural diversity in the world. The museum teaches you the fact that no matter what the difference is, we are all human beings. Besides exhibitions, the Tropenmuseum also conducts tours and workshops to provide an interactive experience for visitors.Not only adults but kids can also spend a wonderful time in the Tropenmuseum Junior, which is the oldest children’s museum in the Netherlands. This part of the museum lets children see, touch, experience, and participate to stimulate an open view of the world.Also Checkout: Amsterdam Nightlife
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is home to a vast collection of Vincent Van Gogh’s artworks in the world that is a retreat to the eyes of art lovers. This museum includes the personal effects of the artist, along with his 200 paintings and 500 drawings. You will also find his contemporaries, like Bernard-Van Gogh’s renowned works, ‘The Potato Eaters’ and ‘Wheatfield with Crows’. Gaugin, Monet, Toulouse-Lautrec. Visitors can learn about the driving ideas and ambitions of the artist through the letters and drawings while from the paintings one can know about the conjecture of his life. The Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam portrays the fundamental events in Van Gogh’s life and stories that led to the inspiration and success of the Van Gogh Museum. You can also walk through the galleries to behold the sight of some of the most notable artworks of Vincent Van Gogh, like The Almond Blossom, The Bedroom Sunflowers, The Potato Eaters, and much more. Being displayed since 2014, visitors can also have a look at the temporary exhibitions that took inspiration from the works of Van Gogh, including the landscapes of Vincent Van Gogh and the Impressionists named the Compressed Landscapes by Jan Robert Leegte.Also Checkout: Museums in Amsterdam
More Amsterdam Attractions
Amsterdam Travel Guides
More on Amsterdam Tourism
Popular Cruises & Boat tours Destinations
