If you’re looking for a leisurely way to see the sights of Amsterdam, hop on to the best Amsterdam Canal Cruise.
Amsterdam is best explored by boat, and this cruise gives you the perfect opportunity to do just that.
Purchasing the right Amsterdam Canal Cruise ticket lets you sail through all the major canals of Amsterdam, past all the iconic landmarks.
With various types of cruises and tickets available, visitors are often confused.
This article will help you choose the best Amsterdam Canal Cruise that will suit you best.
What to expect on the best Amsterdam Canal Cruise
The Best Canal Cruise in Amsterdam will take you through the city’s canals and surrounding countryside.
You can expect to see various sights, including historic buildings, bridges, and windmills.
The cruise will also likely stop at a few different spots so you can get out and explore on foot or take a short boat ride.
Amsterdam is known for its lively atmosphere; you can expect the same on an all-day cruise.
On-board friendly and accommodating staff greet tourists with music and drinks.
You can purchase food on board or bring your snacks and drinks.
Some cruises offer special events like a Dutch cheese tasting or a tour of the city’s famous red light district.
No matter what type of all-day cruise you choose, you will have a great time exploring Amsterdam by boat!
Sights during the Canal Cruise
A canal cruise is a great way to see Amsterdam’s sights.
Sailing through the slow currents of the Amstel River, you will discover the city’s history unfold in front of you.
Historic canal routes, elegant bridges and signature Dutch cobblestone streets are sights tourist relish while on the cruise.
The cruise also passed through significant attractions of the city like
- Anne Frank House
- Van Gogh Museum
- Rijksmuseum
- ARTIS
- NEMO Science Museum
- Rembrandt House Museum
- Skinny Bridge
- Seven Bridge
- Amsterdam Canal Ring
- Red light district
- Oude Kerk
- Oudezijds Kolk
- Central Station
What is the best cruise in Amsterdam?
There are various types of cruise and tour providers and the best cruise depends on your preference and budget.
The Canal Cruise in Amsterdam can range from €16 to €80, depending on the duration, time slot and inclusions of the cruise.
A classic day cruise in the canal costs €16, while a 4-course dinner cruise costs €80.
If you travel alone or want to enjoy the clear sights and learn more about the city, take a guided day cruise.
Tourists who want a more intimate experience take romantic cruises, while those who wish to cruise with only family and friends can opt for private tours.
Hop on hop off tours are the best option to get off and explore a major attraction.
Hence, the best cruise depends on the experience you wish to have.
You can find various recommended options for a canal cruise given below.
Classic Amsterdam City Canal Day Cruise
This is one of the best canal cruises in Amsterdam tickets that lets you explore the city on saloon boats.
This is the best cruise option for all solo travelers and visitors who want to enjoy clear views of the city.
On this tour, you will sail past famous sights like the Anne Frank House, the Skinny Bridge, the Canal Ring, and Golden Bend.
This 75-minute Canal Cruise has two boarding points in Stadhouderskade.
Cruises operate from 10.30 am to 4.15 pm at the Heineken Experience (Stadhouderskade 551) boarding point.
You can take cruises from 10 am to 6 pm at the Rock Hard Cafe (Stadhouderskade 501) boarding point.
Highlights of this best Canal Cruise Amsterdam tour:
- Cruise past attractions like Golden Bend, Overhoeks, Amsterdam Music Building, and Maritime Museum.
- Private audio guide
- Unique audio guide for kids called Little Pirates
- Headphones
- Snackbox (optional)
Tour prices (without Snackbox)
| Age | Tour Price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (12 to 99 years) | €16 |
| Child ticket (5 to 11 years) | €16 |
Tour prices (with Snackbox)
| Age | Tour Price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (12 to 99 years) | €25 |
| Child ticket (5 to 11 years) | €25 |
Note: Infants aged 0 to 5 enjoy free entry to the cruise.
(Tickets Currently Unavailable)
Guided Amsterdam Canal Cruise
Amsterdam locals suggest first-time visitors take a guided cruise around the canals to learn more about the city.
The guide on your cruise will provide you with fascinating information about the city and show you around hidden gems that you can explore later.
In addition, you can have a laid-back cruise tour as you sip your drinks and taste authentic Dutch cheese.
This 1 hour guided tour has two boarding points – Anne Frank House (Prinsengracht 263) and Central Station (Prins Hendrikkade 33 A)
Cruises start from 9.30 am, run till 10.30 pm and take tourists through the Amsterdam Canal Ring and most of the City’s Attractions.
On this tour, you will pass sites like
- Anne Frank House
- The Jordaan
- Prinsengracht
- Amsterdam Cheese Museum
- Amsterdam Tulip Museum
- Westerkerk
- Statue of Anne Frank
- Houseboat Museum
- Leiden Square
- Rijksmuseum
- The Amstel
- Singel
Highlights of this best Canal Cruise Amsterdam tour:
- Canal Cruise on a luxury boat
- Skipper
- Live guide
- Alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks
- Two types of Dutch cheese.
Tour prices
| Age | Tour Price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (11 to 99 years) | €35 |
| Child ticket (3 to 10 years) | €14 |
Note: Infants aged 0 to 3 enjoy free entry to the cruise.
Private Amsterdam Canal Cruise
While canal cruise boats usually take 20 to 30 tourists in rides, private boats take only 8 to 12 members in a group.
This option lets you sail with your friends and family and enjoy a customized tour.
You can also have drinks and food on board with a live guide for the best experience.
Private Amsterdam canal cruises have high demand and hence require early booking.
Prepare for the best canal cruise in Amsterdam with a calm and crowd-free experience.
Highlights of this Amsterdam Canal Cruise tour:
- Live guide and private skipper
- Unique luxury boating experience
- Amiable environment, a small group of people
Ticket prices
| Number of adult participants (5 to 99 years) | Ticket price |
|---|---|
| 1 | €210 |
| 2 | €105 |
| 3 | €70 |
| 4 | €53 |
| 5 | €42 |
| 6 to 10 | €35 |
Guided Luxury Boat Tour Amsterdam
Experience the ultimate Dutch hospitality on this 1 hour guided luxury Amsterdam Canal Cruise.
Expert captain and hostess lead this enthusiastic live tour that takes you around the city’s must-see spots.
The captain narrates the history, culture and people of Amsterdam.
This cruise operates at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 230 from 11 am to 9 pm.
While on this cruise, visitors pass by
- Red light district
- Oude Kerk
- Oudezijds Kolk
- Central Station
- NEMO Science Museum
- The National Maritime Museum
- Magere brug
- Montelbaanstoren
Highlights of this best Canal Cruise Amsterdam Ticket:
- Luxury boat for canal cruise
- Live guided tour
- Professional captain
- Blanket
- Hostess
Tour prices
| Age | Tour Price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (13 to 99 years) | €20 |
| Child ticket (4 to 12 years) | €10 |
Note: Infants aged 0 to 3 enjoy free entry to the cruise.
Dinner Cruises in Amsterdam
Dinner cruises are perfect for romantic dates and intimate nights out in Amsterdam.
You can enjoy cruising around the city and admire the nightlife sights from the water.
The boats have an onboard bar, DJ, dinner options and more.
Dinner Cruises are one of the best Amsterdam Canal Cruises.
If you do not prefer night cruises, you can also take day cruises with food and bars. You can try Dutch cheese, wine and barbecue on these cruises.
Highlights of this best Amsterdam Canal Cruise tour:
- 2-hour Amsterdam canal cruise with dinner
- Three-course meal (fish, meat or vegetarian)
- Beverages such as beer, wine, and soft drinks
Ticket prices
| Age | Ticket price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (3 to 99 years) | € 79 |
Note: Children under the age of three are admitted free of charge (provided they do not occupy their own seat)
(Tickets Currently Unavailable)
Hop-on Hop-off Cruises
Boats are the best modes of transport in Amsterdam.
If you are out sightseeing, you can get on one of the hop-on hop-off tour cruises.
After cruising through the canals, the cruise halts at one of the famous attractions in Amsterdam.
You can get off the boat, tour the landmark and then continue the cruise.
The most common stops include the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank Museum, Heineken Experience and Madame Tussauds.
Hop-on Hop-off tour prices
| Tour | Prices |
| Canal Cruise + Van Gogh Museum | €39 |
| Canal Cruise + Rijksmuseum Museum | €39 |
| Canal Cruise + Heineken Experience | €50 |
| Canal Cruise + Xtracold Ice Bar | €43 |
| Canal Cruise + Madame Tussauds | €42 |
FAQs
1. Where to buy canal cruise tickets in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam Canal Cruise tickets are available online. You can find a variety of cruises like evening, dinner, private cruises and cruises with drinks. Tickets for season cruises like light festival cruises and Keukenhof festival are also available online.
2. How much does a canal cruise cost in Amsterdam?
The cheapest Amsterdam Canal cruise Luxury cruises cost €20 to €79. A dinner cruise with a 3-course meal would cost €87. The price of the Amsterdam Canal cruise ticket depends on the inclusions, facilities, and duration.
3. What are the best Amsterdam Canal cruise tickets?
There are various tickets are tours available for Amsterdam Canal Cruise. Different tickets offer various inclusions and cruises through different routes and duration. Here are some of the best Amsterdam Canal Cruise tickets: City Canal Cruise Classic boat Cruise with live guide, drinks and Dutch cheese Open boat cruise with live guide and bar Guided luxury boat tour.
4. Do I need to book Amsterdam Canal Cruise in advance?
With millions of tourists visiting Amsterdam annually, canal cruise tickets are hard to get on the day. You might not be able to get a ticket for your preferred time slot and route if you try to book it on the same day. Hence we suggest you book your Amsterdam Canal cruise tickets online in advance.
Various tickets for Amsterdam Canal Cruise tickets
If you are planning to cruise down the Amsterdam Canals, here are the best options for you
Dinner Cruises tickets: Dinner cruises are the best way to enjoy a cruise down the Amsterdam Canal and experience Dutch cuisine.
Evening Cruises tickets: Sail through the Amsterdam Canals during sunset for the most picturesque experience.
Luxury Canal Cruises tickets: Board a luxury boat with modern amenities to cruise through the Canals of Amsterdam.
Romantic Canal cruise tickets: Get the tickets for the most romantic canal cruises in Amsterdam for the best night out or date with your partner.
Private Canal Cruises tickets: If you wish to cruise with a small group and only your friends and family, book a private Canal cruise.
Open Boat Amsterdam Canal cruise tickets: If you are taking the Amsterdam Canal Cruises for sightseeing, open boat tickets are your perfect match.
One-Hour Canal Cruise tickets: Low on time, but wish to tour the entire Amsterdam City? Get the One Hour Canal Cruise ticket for the most comprehensive tour.
Hop on Hop off tickets: Cruise through the Amsterdam Canals and past various attractions. If you wish to visit one of those attractions, hop off the boat and enjoy your tour.
Amsterdam Canal Cruises with drinks: The best way to explore the city during your vacation in Amsterdam is to take a Canal Cruise with drinks and food.
Canal Cruise from Central Station: Central Station offer various canal cruise options and is one of the most accessible port.
Amsterdam Passes: If you are touring Amsterdam and wish to visit multiple attractions, then Amsterdam Passes are your money-saver option.
Amsterdam Light Festival cruises: Hop on to the dedicated cruises to explore the annual light festival of Amsterdam that attracts millions of visitors.
Featured Image: AleksandarGeorgiev / Getty Images Signature