Tours/Amsterdam/Amsterdam City Center Canal Cruise with Audio Guide
Viator · group up to 60 pax

Amsterdam City Center Canal Cruise with Audio Guide

3.6(862)Amsterdam1 hour
VIATOR3.8(469)TRIPADVISOR3.2(393)

Description

Step aboard a glass-topped sightseeing boat with this 1-hour Amsterdam canal cruise, and see the city sights by water. Then, cruise along the city’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed canals to see the "skinny bridge" of Magere Brug, the affluent Golden Bend district, the Anne Frank House and more, as you learn about Amsterdam’s history from an audio guide. Boats depart at frequent intervals from morning till mid-evening. Each boat tour follows a different route, so not all sights are guaranteed to be seen every time. This way, every cruise offers a unique and surprising experience.

Tour Options

From Rijksmuseum
  • Starting point: Stadhouderskade 511, 1071 ZD Amsterdam, Netherlands
From Leidsekade
  • Starting point: Rederij Lovers B.V., Leidsekade t/o 97, 1017 PN Amsterdam, Netherlands
From Central Station
  • Starting point: Rederij Lovers B.V., Prins Hendrikkade 25, 1012 TL Amsterdam, Netherlands
From Anne Frank House
  • Starting point: Lovers canal cruise Anne Frank, Leliegracht 51, 1016 GT Amsterdam, Netherlands

Itinerary

Pass by

Lovers Canal Cruises began offering boat tours in Amsterdam in the 1950s, becoming one of the city's most popular ways to explore its historic canals. With a fleet of glass-roofed boats, the company provides scenic and narrated cruises showcasing Amsterdam's architecture, bridges, and waterways.

Pass by

The Central Station in Amsterdam was designed by Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers and constructed between 1881 and 1889 on three artificial islands in the IJ lake. Its Gothic/Renaissance Revival style and iron platform roof reflect both historical grandeur and modern engineering of the time.

Pass by

The Magere Brug, or "Skinny Bridge," is a historic wooden drawbridge over the Amstel River in Amsterdam, originally built in 1691 and rebuilt in 1934 in the same traditional style. Known for its elegant design and nightly illumination, it has become one of the city's most iconic and photographed bridges.

Pass by

The Keizersgracht, named after Emperor Maximilian I, was constructed in 1612 as the widest of the main canals in Amsterdam's canal belt, showcasing grand merchant houses and reflecting the city's growing wealth.

Pass by

The Herengracht, also dug in 1612, was the most prestigious canal, home to the city's elite and lined with stately mansions known as the “Golden Bend.”

Pass by

The Prinsengracht, one of Amsterdam’s main canals, was dug in the early 17th century during the city’s major expansion known as the Grachtengordel project. Named after the Prince of Orange, it became a desirable residential area, lined with elegant canal houses and cultural landmarks.

Pass by

Amsterdam’s Red Light District, known locally as De Wallen, is the city’s oldest neighborhood, dating back to the 14th century when it served as a harbor area. Today, it’s a regulated zone combining historic buildings, legalized sex work, and a mix of tourism, nightlife, and cultural heritage.

Pass by

The Westerkerk in Amsterdam, completed in 1631, is a prime example of Dutch Renaissance architecture and is famous for its tall, ornate tower known as the Westertoren. It has played a significant role in the city’s religious and cultural life, and is also famously near Anne Frank’s house.

Pass by

The 9 Straatjes (Nine Streets) in Amsterdam is a charming neighborhood of nine narrow streets in the canal belt, known for its unique boutiques, vintage shops, and cozy cafés. Developed in the 17th century, it has become a trendy area blending historic charm with modern culture.

Pass by

The Amstel River runs through Amsterdam and was central to the city’s founding and development, giving the city its name. It has historically been a vital waterway for trade and transport, lined with iconic bridges and historic buildings along its banks.

Pass by

The Scheepvaartmuseum in Amsterdam, housed in a historic 17th-century warehouse, showcases the rich maritime history of the Netherlands with a vast collection of ships, maps, and nautical artifacts. Renovated in 2011, it offers engaging exhibitions highlighting the country’s connection to the sea.

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NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, opened in 1997 with its iconic green, ship-like structure rising above the Oosterdok. It serves as an interactive science and technology center, especially geared toward children and families, promoting hands-on learning and curiosity.

Pass by

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam was designed by architect Pierre Cuypers and officially opened in 1885, blending Gothic and Renaissance elements to house the Netherlands’ national art and history collection. It holds masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and other Dutch masters, making it a cultural landmark of international renown.

Pass by

The Nieuwmarkt in Amsterdam emerged in the 17th century as a bustling public square, built on the site of the former city wall after the demolition of the Sint Antoniespoort. Its centerpiece, the Waag building, originally served as a city gate and later as a guildhall, anchoring the square's historical and social importance.

Pass by

The Bloemenmarkt in Amsterdam was established in 1862 and is the world’s only floating flower market, with stalls set on houseboats along the Singel canal. Originally created to supply fresh flowers daily by boat, it has since become a colorful tourist attraction selling bulbs, souvenirs, and plants.

Pass by

Het IJ is a body of water and former bay in Amsterdam that connects the city to the North Sea, playing a crucial role in its maritime trade and development. Today, it serves as a vibrant waterfront area with ferries, cultural venues, and recreational activities.

Highlights

1-Hour Amsterdam Canal Cruise
Audio guide in several languages

What's included

Included
1-Hour Amsterdam Canal Cruise
Audio guide in several languages
Not included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks

Traveller Ratings

3.6
862 reviews
5
331
4
182
3
127
2
85
1
137

Important Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Check-in at Lovers 10 minutes before the reserved time
  • Children up to 3 years join for free

Reviews(862)

Z
Z1075KVchristineh
June 19, 2026
Only card payment is possible, and the staff was unfriendly.

My friend and I wanted to spontaneously take a tour with this company to get a first impression of Amsterdam. Unfortunately, the company Lovers Canal Cruise only allows payment by card and makes cash payment impossible. They rejected our offered cash without mentioning that another provider of canal tours just 15 meters away does accept cash. In response to our initial confusion about why they only accept card payments, they were unfriendly. Absolutely unprofessional and frustrating, and it is very unfortunate that there is increasing pressure to forgo cash.

Operator response

Dear Guest, Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear that your experience at the ticket office did not meet your expectations. We understand that payment preferences can be important, and we regret that this caused frustration during your visit. We do offer payments in cash for our guests. We also regret that you felt the interaction was unfriendly. This is not the experience we aim to provide, and your comments will be shared with our team for review. Kind regards

D
DanielForssell
June 17, 2026
Lovers Canal Cruises

Lovers Canal Cruises offers a lovely experience on Amsterdam's canals. Nice boat trip with nice views of the city buildings and bridges, and a smooth way to experience the city from the water. Recommended for both adults and children!

Operator response

Dear Daniel, Thank you for the kind review. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your canal cruise and the beautiful views of Amsterdam’s canals, bridges and historic buildings. Seeing the city from the water is a special experience. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you on board again in the future. Kind regards

C
canine s
June 15, 2026
Great

Excellent guide load of facts n

Operator response

Dear guest, Thank you for your kind review. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the cruise and found the guide informative with lots of interesting facts. We really appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again in the future. Kind regards

V
V6301QWABC
June 13, 2026
Captain threatened to break my arms and legs......

Today we were on the canals. We were 90% through a long tunnel, and a Lovers cruise decided to intentionally block our exit for no reason. He then rammed into our boat and forced us all the way back to the other side. The bully that he is then opened the hatch of his boat, and in front of his tour group, he screamed abuse us and threatened to 'break our arms and legs', amongst other outrageous threats. An utterly vile, unacceptable and unprovoked event... this is the face of your canal experience if you book with Lovers. This disgusting captain needs to be dismissed, if not charged.

Operator response

Dear guest, Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are very sorry to hear that you felt uncomfortable during the situation. When the boat passes under low bridges, it can indeed be dangerous to move around on deck, as there is a real risk of injury. For this reason, our captains may give strong warnings to ensure everyone’s safety. We are sorry if this came across the wrong way and made you feel attacked. This was not the intention, and we appreciate you bringing it to our attention. We will pass this review to our team so they can look into it. Kind regards

L
Lemoule_L
June 11, 2026
Very good experience...

A very good experience to discover the iconic neighborhoods of Amsterdam and have a good time with family or friends.

Operator response

Dear Guest, Thank you for the kind review. We are very happy to hear that you had a great experience on the Amsterdam City Center Canal Cruise. It is so good that you enjoyed discovering the iconic neighbourhoods of Amsterdam while spending quality time with family and friends. Thank you for sharing your experience, and we hope to welcome you on board again during a future visit. Kind regards

C
cass363
June 11, 2026
boat

It would have been very nice passing the boats of sail

Operator response

Dear Guest, Thank you for the nice review. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed the canal cruise. Experiences like these make a visit to Amsterdam even more special. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back on board again for another enjoyable cruise. Kind regards

C
Christelle_F
June 7, 2026
Very good

There are restrooms on board, friendly staff, clean boat, pleasant environment; we took the tour, it was very beautiful.

C
Chelsey_F
May 31, 2026
Simple and relaxing canal tour

There are headsets that you can listen to the history of the city. Audio comes in 18 different languages. If you’re going on a warm sunny day, bring a hat and wear sunscreen.

Operator response

Dear Chelsey, Thank you for the lovely review. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed the relaxing canal cruise and found the audio guide helpful in learning more about Amsterdam’s history. It is great that the wide choice of languages made the experience easy to follow. We hope to welcome you on board again soon. Kind regards

M
Maryury_C
May 23, 2026
We need to do it in...

We need to do it in Amsterdam to better understand its history. Which you will learn about during the tour.

Operator response

Dear Maryury, Thank you for your lovely review. We are very happy to hear you enjoyed the canal cruise and found it a good way to learn more about Amsterdam’s history. It’s great to know you had a pleasant experience on board. Kind regards

W
waterlogged65
May 21, 2026
Enjoy the view

This is a solid professional entertaining canal tour. We have done this several times on different trips to Amsterdam. Weather today was beautiful and it was a pleasant enjoyable hour with a friendly guide with a good sense of humor. You get an excellent overview of the canal system one of amsterdam,s foremost attractions. This a great way to orient to this wonderful city. Available on the Amsterdam city card. Enjoy!

Operator response

Dear guest, Thank you for your wonderful review. We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed the canal cruise and that it gave you a great overview of Amsterdam’s beautiful canal system. We hope to welcome you on board again soon. Kind regards

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