Best Canal Boat Tours in Amsterdam: 8 Unique Amsterdam Canal Tours!

Looking for the best canal boat tours in Amsterdam? You just found them!

The picturesque canals of Amsterdam are one of the most distinctive sights in the world, and exploring the unique architecture of the Dutch capital from the water is one of the best ways to discover this beautiful city.

There are hundreds of different boats that cruise up and down the Amsterdam canals every day, so how do you choose the right Amsterdam canal cruise for you?

In this article I have listed some of the best Amsterdam canal boat cruises, including the classic canal cruises, as well as more unique ones like private cruises, party boats, and ones that include food and drinks.

I’ve also included some useful tips on how to make the most of your Amsterdam canal cruise, as well as where to book it and how to find the best deals.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive in, and find the perfect Amsterdam canal tour for you!

How to book your Amsterdam Canal Boat Tour

If you’re only spending a few days in Amsterdam, and want to do one of the more unique canal cruises, then I highly recommend booking online beforehand on a platform like GetYourGuide.

Especially if you’re travelling during high season, this will guarantee you have your spot confirmed at the time you want it.

If you’re spending longer in Amsterdam, or just want to do one of the basic canal cruises, then you’ll be fine also booking on the spot. The bigger boats have shops from which you can purchase tickets just by the dock.

That’s how we booked ours. We just rocked up and booked it on the moment for a boat trip setting off 5 minutes later and had a great time.

It’s worth noting that when I checked on GetYourGuide, same day cruises had a last minute 20% discount, which wasn’t available when you booked in person.

However there was a cut-off time, and we couldn’t book online the next one that was just about to set off, but would have had to do it later in the day, so we ended up paying a bit more in person for the time we wanted.

If you don’t have a strict Amsterdam itinerary, you could book your canal cruise online last minute, as that’s when you will find the best deals.

Best canal boat tours in Amsterdam

Classic City Canal Cruise

This 75-minute Amsterdam boat canal tour provides a good overview of the city and its historic canals.

It’s a good option for pretty much anyone, but perhaps might be a little touristy for couples or those who prefer to travel independently.

There’s a free audio guide for everyone, which will tell you the history of the city as you cruise around, as well as a booklet for children, so it’s a good choice for families in Amsterdam.

The canal boat tour passes by highlights of the city centre including the Maritime Museum, the Overhoeks (the newest part of Amsterdam) and the Golden Bend.

The boat is covered, so you won’t have to worry if it’s raining (but then again, there’s a chance you won’t see much if the windows fog up).

Overall, it’s a nice, entry-level way to see Amsterdam from its canals. Plus, it’s super affordable!

Click here to purchase your Amsterdam City Canal Cruise, or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

 

Red-Light District Pub Crawl and Booze Boat Tour

This small boat canal tour of Amsterdam bills itself as the chance to connect with likeminded people, as well as the water and the city.

It is a “smoke-friendly luxury boat cruise” after all, so it’s all about chilling out as you cruise around the canals in a compact lounge boat with sofa seating and shisha pipes.

The cruise begins in the Red Light District, so you’ll have to make your way here from wherever you’re staying in Amsterdam, and whisks you past some of the most popular sights in the city.

You’ll sail through the Prinsegracht canals, the River Amstel itself and past the Dancing Houses. The boat has room for 22 people and is covered with openable windows, so it’s breezy in summertime and cosy in winter. 

Click here to book your boozy Amsterdam canal cruise, or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

 

Romantic Private Canal Tour and Prosecco & Snacks

Complete with prosecco and snacks, this private open-boat canal tour in Amsterdam is ideal for a couple. It’s a romantic boat tour option that’s made even more cosy in winter with heated seats and snuggly blankets.

Whether you’re in Amsterdam on holiday or if it’s a special occasion, booking a tour like this is going to be way more your speed than a booze boat, I’d imagine!

As you float along the canals, under historic monuments like the wooden Skinny Bridge among others, the guide will tell stories from the city.

You’ll also pass by elegant 17th-century canal houses on the tour, giving the already special tour a picturesque atmosphere.

This Amsterdam boat tour has two different meeting points, depending on whether you book the 50 or the 90-minute version of the tour.

Click here to book your romantic private canal tour in Amsterdam, or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

 

Private BBQ Cruise with Personal Chef & Drinks

If you’re looking for private canal boat tours, Amsterdam certainly has plenty of options.

But if you don’t want something romantic, and instead you’re looking to hang out with your friends on holiday, then this particular private tour is a great option.

Complete with a personal chef who’ll cook your (vegetarian!) food, this is a 2-hour journey in a stylishly decked-out boat.

Best of all for those who are in the city for good times, there’s unlimited wine and beer (and soft drinks) available for the duration.

It’s the ideal Amsterdam canal boat tour to see the sights, eat tasty food, and get silly with your friends!

Click here to book your private BBQ canal cruise in Amsterdam! Or check out prices & availability in the calendar below.

 

Evening Canal Cruise

For added atmosphere, you should check out an evening cruise along Amsterdam’s canals.

The street lights, illuminated monuments and light reflections in the canals make this 90-minute cruise a simply magical experience.

It’s a really memorable way to start the evening, before heading out to dinner and drinks elsewhere in the city.

This option is also quite affordable, making it great for couples travelling on a budget who want to experience a romantic side to the city.

There’s also a commentary as you’re touring around, so you can catch a glimpse of Amsterdam’s top sights in a different light and learn as you go.

Check out prices & availability for your evening canal cruise in Amsterdam on GetYourGuide, Viator or in the calendar below!

 

Covered Booze Cruise with Unlimited Drinks

As far as Amsterdam canal boat tours go, booze boats are pretty popular. That’s probably because, like this one, they’re very affordable and include an open bar with unlimited alcoholic beverages.

Travelling by boat around Amsterdam’s centuries-old canals allows you to see the city in a different light, and it feels a lot more freeing doing so away from the streets packed with tourists.

Combined with the free wine and beer, the boat tour — complete with a knowledgeable local guide — is made even more fun. It’s a great option if you’re on holiday in Amsterdam with a group of friends.

Fittingly, it begins along the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, a canal that runs through the heart of De Wallen (Amsterdam’s Red Light District).

Check out prices & availability for your booze canal cruise in Amsterdam on GetYourGuide, Viator or in the calendar below!

 

Far from a booze boat, this gourmet experience is definitely luxury canal cruise.

The price includes alcoholic drinks and snacks, allowing you to embark on a cheese and wine adventure as you explore the city from its storied canals. Ideal for couples or a small group of friends who like things fancy, I’d say!

Aboard the chic wooden boat, you’ll be whisked from one of two meeting points for an hour of elevated boat touring.

The staff aboard are local guides, and will fill you in on the history and stories of Amsterdam as you float along the canals.

Check out prices & availability for your wine & cheese canal cruise in Amsterdam on GetYourGuide, Viator or in the calendar below!

 

Small Open Boat Canal Tour in Amsterdam

For an intimate option, you can’t beat this particularly charming Amsterdam canal boat ride.

The small group tour is limited to 12 people, meaning you get a more personal experience from the skipper-guide as you sail around the UNESCO-recognised Grachtengordel (Canal Ring).

As well as being a chance to see Amsterdam without the massive tourist crowds, it’s also a chance to learn specifically about the canals and how they have shaped the city over the centuries.

It’s a nice option for couples or solo travellers who don’t want a party boat experience. The tour begins on the Nieuwe Keizersgracht canal, and will drop you off back at the meeting point.

Another advantage of the small group tours is that the smaller boats can cruise through smaller canals, and show you the beauty of Amsterdam beyond the main sights.

Check out prices & availability for your small boat canal tour in Amsterdam!

Is a canal tour in Amsterdam worth it?

In my opinion, yes. It might be a very touristy activity, but seeing the unique Amsterdam architecture from the canal is incredibly picturesque.

If you’re travelling to Europe in winter or autumn, it can also be a good rainy day activity, as many of the boats are covered. You can still tour the city without getting soaked in the rain.

It also doesn’t have to be an expensive activity. While some of the cruises (eg. the private boat tour or the dinner cruises) are more expensive, the basic canal cruise is very affordable.

So regardless of how long you’re spending in Amsterdam, exploring Amsterdam’s many canals by boat is one of, if not the best experience you can have in the city.

You will see all of the best sights of Amsterdam from the comfort of a traditional canal boat, while also listening to audio commentary about the city’s history.

Final thoughts on the best Amsterdam canal boat cruise

There you have it, the ultimate compilation of the best canal cruises in Amsterdam! Have you been on a canal cruise in Amsterdam before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

Amsterdam is one of the most popular weekend destinations in Europe, as well as a must-see on any Europe bucket list, and it’s easy to see why.

Its beautiful canals and distinctive architecture are something you won’t see anywhere else in the world. And seeing them from the water is a great way to experience Amsterdam.

During a canal cruise you won’t be able to see all of the main sights of Amsterdam, for example the Anne Frank House, the Hermitage Museum or the Van Gogh Museum, for the simple reason that they’re not on a canal.

However it’s still a unique experience, which you are sure to love.

I hope you found my guide to the best Amsterdam canal cruises useful, and that it will help you find the best boat tour for you. If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below!

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