Amsterdam Canal Tour by Open Boat – 90 min Small Group Experience
Description
90-Minute Small Group Canal Cruise – Discover Amsterdam from the Water Escape the bustle of the city streets and experience Amsterdam from its most beautiful vantage point – the water. Join us for a 90-minute canal cruise in a small group and enjoy a relaxed, intimate journey through the city's iconic canals and hidden gems. Your local captain and guide will share fascinating stories and fun facts as you glide past historic landmarks, charming bridges, and picturesque neighborhoods. We’ll explore not only the famous waterways but also quieter, lesser-known canals that reveal the city's peaceful side. Our boat is a modern, electric, and open vessel, offering cushioned seating and a cozy, eco-friendly way to enjoy the views. With a maximum of 12 guests, you’re guaranteed a personal and comfortable experience. Drinks are available for purchase, and you're also welcome to bring your own snacks and beverages. Don’t miss the chance to see Amsterdam from this unforgettable perspective
Tour Options
Itinerary
We explore the city side of the Amstel River, here we'll show you the famous dancing houses and tell you all about our leaning buildings
Beautiful small Amsterdam with unique views
We cruise by the beautiful and iconic Munt Tower
we'll cruise cruise through this tiny canal is the southern border of De Wallen, the red light district. Here'll also see the striking building The Huis aan de Drie Grachten (House on the Three Canals)
We'll cruise pass the iconic Zuiderkerk and also see the famous dancing house
We'll cruise down the Oudezijds Voorburgwal where you'll see sights like the old Church and the ladies behind the red lights. Your guide will tell you about the history of one of the oldest areas of Amsterdam.
we'll see Amsterdam oldest church
We continue through the Kolksluis (Kolk Sluice), one of Amsterdam’s oldest locks still in function dating from the Middle Ages. Here you'll also see a some old traditional warehouses from 17th and 18th century.
We cruise along this beautiful stretch of canal that used to be the city's old boundary. The Geldersekade canal weave a tapestry of contrasts and culture, linking the historic Nieuwmarkt to the bustling Prins Hendrikkade. Flowing through the eastern edge of De Wallen, the red light district, and bordering Chinatown, it epitomizes the city's dynamic spirit.
We'll see the beautiful de Waag, a 15th-century structure situated on Nieuwmarkt square in Amsterdam. It began as a city gate integrated into the city walls. Over the centuries, its versatile role evolved, encompassing functions as diverse as a guildhall, museum, fire station, and even an anatomical theatre.
We'll cruise through this cozy and tiny canal
Your guide will tell you all about this defence medieval tower
The V.O.C. ship The Amsterdam was an 18th-century cargo ship of the Dutch East India Company.
We cruise around this beautiful piece of modern architecture
Enjoy the tranquil edges of Amsterdam's oldest park as we glide by
We cruise along the nieuwe Herengracht and cruise past the peaceful and green Botanical Gardens
We cruise over part of the Herengracht, which means gentleman canal. Here you can find the most expensive canal houses of the canal belt.
Experience the picturesque Reguliersgracht better known as the “Seven Bridges Canal”, with one of the city's most stunning views, which can only be truly appreciated from the water.
we'll cruise down the Prinsen canal where we get a chance to see a lot of different house boats and canal houses
We end back on the Amstel river, and go under the most famous bridge of Amsterdam the skinny bridge. One of the few wooden bridges left in Amsterdam.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(913)
Captain Atilla was such a great guide. He shared stories from his own explorations of Amsterdam and took us to quieter places as well as the hustle and bustle . Showcasing the beauty of Amsterdam from the water while sharing his wealth of information about the different districts, architecture and history. It was a smooth ride through a beautiful city. And our captain made it extra fun. We had a full tour, 12 people but it wasn’t crowded. And Atilla would pause at particularly scenic areas so we could stand to get even better view and pictures. Lovely time on the water. Would highly recommend the tour.
Joe was an amazing guide with a wealth of knowledge. We learned a lot and enjoyed the relaxing ride through the canals.
Thank you for the lovely review Tracy! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed such a peaceful and relaxing canal ride with our Captain João. Glad his knowledge made the tour interesting and that you learned a lot along the way.
We went to the 10:30 tour and it was lovely! If you're looking for a little family owned operation, a more intimate / small group adventure, and great tour guides (Captain Julia is the best and only female guide of the group!), this is a great choice. Highly recommend.
Thank you for the wonderful review and recommendation Ashley! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed the canal tour with our Captain Julia. Glad the small, family-owned feel and more intimate group setting made the experience such a lovely choice for you. We’re also delighted that Julia’s guiding stood out, and we truly appreciate your kind words!
I booked as I did not want the tourist trap options (despite being a tourist!) and wanted to understand more about the city. We attended as a party of three. Travelling as a lone parent with my two sons 12 and 15 , we were with three couples and our captain, Jamie. we all really enjoyed the experience and I can’t recommend it enough for any parties - my sons loved it, I did and I would do it again next time I visit with or without them. It was informative, stylish, relaxing and interesting to see the city from the canal and Jamie was kind, chilled and knowledgeable. The boys loved that he showed us the primary school he attended- a true local and we all valued his love and insights of his city greatly. Highly recommended
Thank you for the fabulous review and recommendation! We’re so happy to hear you and your sons had such a great experience with our Captain Jamie. Lovely the cruise felt local, relaxing and informative, and that it offered the more personal alternative you were looking for. It’s lovely to know Jamie’s stories, including showing you the primary school he attended, helped share his love for Amsterdam in such an authentic way. We truly appreciate your kind words and would be very happy to welcome you and your family back on board next time you visit!
Jamie was a very knowledgeable and friendly local host. The trip was really enjoyable and would highly recommend it if you’re after a small group boat trip, as opposed to the larger tourist boat trips.
Thank you for the lovely review and recommendation Nicola! We’re so happy to hear you had such an enjoyable trip with our Captain Jamie. Glad his friendly local knowledge made the cruise interesting, and that the small-group setting felt like a good alternative to the larger tourist boats.
Very relaxing and comprehensive tour of the city's waterways with a pleasant and very informative guide. The boat is equipped with sun shades for hot weather and a store of reasonably priced drinks including water, cold beer, and chilled rosé
Thank you for the lovely review and recommendation John! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed the relaxing and informative tour of Amsterdam’s canals. Glad the sun shades helped keep the boat comfortable in hot weather, and that the drinks on board were appreciated too.
Super nice tour with Guus, who made it a very custom experience with great crowd interaction, exactly what we hoped for.
Thank you for the lovely review Alex! We’re so happy to hear you had such a nice tour with our Captain Guus. Glad his crowd interaction and personal approach made the cruise feel custom and exactly what you were hoping for.
Lovely evening cruise around Amsterdam’s canals with just 9 of us in the boat with Skipper Atilla. And what a well-informed, entertaining and thoroughly laid back guide he is. Can’t recommend this experience highly enough. Thank you Amsterdam Boat Adventures and Captain Atilla for a memorable evening.
Thank you for the lovely review and recommendation! We’re so happy to hear you had such a relaxing and informative evening cruise with our Captain Attila. Glad the small group made the experience feel personal, and that his well-informed, entertaining and laid-back guiding helped make the evening so memorable.
What a nice, comfortable, easy and funny boat trip through the canals of Amsterdam. Our whole family enjoyed it very much and loved to listen to cäptn Julias hints and storys. Worth every Euro.
Thank you for the lovely review! We’re so happy to hear your whole family enjoyed such a relaxed and comfortable canal trip with our Captain Julia. Glad her stories and tips made the tour fun and memorable.
Great tour! Julia did a great job to show us the sights. Our 11 months old enjoyed it and got to take a great nap on mom.
Thank you for the lovely review Danika! We’re so happy to hear you had such a great tour with our Captain Julia. Glad she could show you the sights and that your 11-month-old enjoyed a good nap.
