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Book The Best Boat Tours in Amsterdam

Amsterdam City is made up of 165 canals that are 100km long and one of the major tourist attractions in the city. The concentric canal ring made up of Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht, and Jordaan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All these canals connect each part of this city, and the best way to explore is by an Amsterdam Boat Tour. Cruise through the city’s waterways on this boat tour in Amsterdam and view important landmarks around the city. From Anne Frank’s house to the Heineken factory, you will witness many famous landmarks and historic buildings on these Amsterdam Boat Tours as you float around the city on the iconic canals of Amsterdam.

Why go on an Amsterdam boat tour?

Enjoy a luxurious experience of a cruise ride and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city from the iconic canals of Amsterdam.
Explore Amsterdam’s gorgeous UNESCO Heritage Site-listed canals for which the city is known as the ‘Venice of the North.’
Admire famous landmarks such as Anne Frank’s House, the Seven Bridges, the Golden Bend, and the Dancing Houses as several historic buildings are built along the canals.
Learn fun facts about Amsterdam city, famous landmarks, and the city’s history from your live guide.
Enjoy the comforts of the Amsterdam luxury cruises as you take in the sights while indulging in snacks and drinks on the cruise.

Things to know before booking your Amsterdam boat tours

If you are on a limited budget, consider purchasing a sightseeing ticket. It usually comes with either a live guide or an audio guide, making for a well-rounded experience at an affordable price.
If you are willing to go the extra mile, check out evening or dinner boat tours. You not only get to sightsee but also enjoy delicious meals on your cruise.
Choose an Amsterdam boat tour combo ticket to make the most of your day. With this ticket, you get to go on a Amsterdam Canal Cruise coupled with the entry to the landmarks like the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, This is Holland, the Heineken Experience, Madame Tussauds, and more.
Only some of the boats are wheelchair-accessible. Make sure to check the specifics of the tickets before booking one.
While some tickets allow for free cancelation, others do not. Again, be mindful of the cancelation policy and book accordingly.

Types of Amsterdam boat tours

Canal Cruise

If you wish to see the best of Amsterdam city, including the gorgeous canals, then an Amsterdam Canal Cruise is the right choice. This type of Amsterdam boat tour is quite economical and won’t take up a lot of your time. Just decide the date and tour for your boat tour in Amsterdam and get your tickets for some fun. You can opt for Amsterdam Canal evening cruises or dinner cruises to experience Amsterdam lit up at night.

Book Amsterdam Canal Cruise

Culinary Cruise

Amsterdam Cruises with a meal are the best option for those who love to enjoy the experience of eating a luxurious meal while gliding through the waters of Amsterdam Canals on a cruise. These types of boat tours in Amsterdam allow the guests to dine and wine on the boat while enjoying the stunning sights of the city. You have many options in culinary cruises that include 4-course meals, cheese platters, pizzas, burgers, and more.

Book Dinner Cruise in Amsterdam

Combo Cruise

Looking to save a few extra bucks? Then, Amsterdam Canal Cruise Combos are the perfect choice for you. In the Combo Amsterdam Boat Tours, you can enjoy the canal cruise and get access to important attractions in the city. With these combo cruises, you can take a tour of the Rijksmuseum, the Heineken factory, and so on. These types of boat tours in Amsterdam are great for tourists who are short on time or have a fixed trip budget to stick to.

Book Amsterdam Cruise and attraction combo ticket

Best time to take an Amsterdam boat tour

Different cruise operators offer boat tours in Amsterdam throughout the day. But the best Amsterdam Canal cruise option for you depends on your budget and what you wish to see. For visitors who wish to admire the architectural beauty of Amsterdam, day boat tours in Amsterdam would be a perfect choice. On the other hand, if you want to be dazzled by the lights and illuminated bridges, then Amsterdam Canal Night Cruise is a good choice. For a romantic experience, you can choose the Amsterdam Canal Evening Cruise as well.

During the year, the best time to go on an Amsterdam Canal Cruise is April to October. These months see pleasant weather. But you can also expect higher prices and large crowds as this is the peak season in Amsterdam. Book your Amsterdam boat your between November and March to beat the crowds.

Getting to the boarding points

Although there are several boarding points for Amsterdam boat tours, the following are the most common. However, please check your ticket vouchers to confirm before booking your ticket.

Heineken Experience

Hard Rock Café

Central Station

Anne Frank House

Address: Stadhouderskade 550

By tram: 1, 7, 19, 24
Closest stop: Vijzelgracht
By metro: 52
Closest stop: Vijzelgracht

Address: Stadhouderskade 501

By metro: 52
Closest stop: Vijzelgracht
By tram: 1, 3, 7, 19
Closest stop: Rijksmuseum

Address: Prins Hendrikkade 25

By metro: 51, 53, 54
Nearest stop: Central Station
By train: Intercity, Sprinter
Closest stop: Central Station

Address: Prinsengracht 261A

By metro: 51, 53, 54
Closest stop: Central Station
By tram: 13, 17
Closest stop: Westermarkt

Highlights & sights covered on your Amsterdam boat tours

Here's a list of sights and highlights you will come across as your luxurious cruise on Amsterdam Canal takes you around the city.

Amsterdam Canals

Over the years, Amsterdam canals have been used to facilitate transport and trade. The Amsterdam Canal region was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.

Amstel River

Amstel River is the main river on which the iconic canals are built, with multiple important landmarks, bridges, and 17th-century buildings along its banks.

Magere Brug

Also known as the 'skinny bridge', Magere Brug is the famous bascule bridge over the Amstel River that connects the river banks at Kerkstraat. It was made from white-painted wood in 1934.

Negen Straatjes

De Negen Straatjes is a small neighborhood in Amsterdam consisting of nine side streets. It is located in Grachtengordel and features many shops and restaurants.

Dancing Houses

The Dancing Houses are the crooked historic houses found along the Damrak canal. These houses are an important symbol of Amsterdam’s city.

Golden Bend

The Gouden Bocht, popularly known as the Golden Bend, lies between Vijzelstraat and Leidsestraat and is home to the richest citizens of the city.

Royal Theatre Carre

It is a Neo-Renaissance theatre in Amsterdam, founded in 1887. Located next to the Amstel River, it is primarily used for pop concerts, musicals, and cabaret performances.

Hermitage Amsterdam

It is a branch of the Hermitage Museum of Russia, located on the banks of the Amstel River in Amsterdam. It features two permanent exhibitions about Russian history.

Amsterdam Light Festival

Held every year in the winter season, it is a beautiful event during which the entire city is illuminated with stunning artworks of light.

Know More

Anne Frank House

Anne Frank House is the house of the famous Jewish wartime diarist, Anne Frank. It was turned into a biographical museum in 1960.

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Maritime Museum

It is a maritime museum in Amsterdam. This museum is dedicated to the country’s maritime history and has many artifacts related to sailing and shipping.

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NEMO Museum

Located in the Oosterdokseiland, the NEMO Museum is a science center in Amsterdam. It is the largest science center in the country with five floors of hands-on exhibitions.

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Visitor tips

Visitors are recommended to book their Amsterdam Canal Cruise tickets online and in advance.
Make sure you select the correct date and time for your boat tour in Amsterdam when purchasing the tickets online.
Guests can avail full refund on canceling their tickets 48 hours before the tour.
Some Amsterdam Canal boats are not wheelchair accessible so, plan accordingly.
You can show your Amsterdam boat tour ticket voucher and Photo ID at the boarding point to start the tour.
Arrive 10-15 minutes before your selected tour time to complete all the formalities.

Frequently asked questions about Amsterdam boat tours

Q. Which is the best Amsterdam boat tour ticket option?

A. There are multiple Amsterdam Boat tour ticket options, each with a unique feature and facilities, offering a memorable experience. But if you are looking for a special boat tour on the Amsterdam Canals, the Amsterdam Canal Sightseeing Cruise or the Amsterdam Canal Dinner Cruise are great options.

Q. Are discounts available on Amsterdam boat tour tickets?

A. Yes, discounts are available on Amsterdam boat tour tickets. Along with a discounted price for children and different age groups, there are several other deals and discounts which you can avail of. For more information, make sure to check your tickets before purchasing.

Q. Which sites can we get to see if we take the Amsterdam boat tours?

A. On your boat tour in Amsterdam, you cover many important landmarks. This includes Anne Frank’s House, the Skinny Bridge, Amsterdam Canals, and more. For more information, make sure to check your tickets before purchasing.

Q. Do any of the Amsterdam boat tours inlude drinks?

A. Yes, there are Amsterdam boat tours that include drinks or have the option of buying one. For more information, make sure to check your tickets before purchasing.

Q. Do any of the Amsterdam boat tours include a live guide?

A. Yes, Amsterdam boat tours include a live guide or an audio guide. For more information, make sure to check your tickets before purchasing.

Q. How long do the Amsterdam boat tours last?

A. Amsterdam boat tours are of various duration, depending on the type of boat tour you choose. They usually lost for 1 hour, 75 mins, or 2 hours. For more information, make sure to check your tickets before purchasing.

Q. What is the validity of Amsterdam boat tour tickets?

A. The validity of the Amsterdam boat tour tickets depends on the kind of ticket you are purchasing. Most tickets are valid only on the date and time of the selected slot during booking.