See the sights of Amsterdam’s famous seaport on a 1-hour canal cruise. Discover why the canals of Amsterdam have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and compare contemporary architecture with the boatyards and warehouses of the Golden Age.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Duration 75 minutes: Check availability to see starting times.
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Driver
Audio guide included: English, Spanish, Turkish, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Thai, Hebrew, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Arabic, Russian, Korean

Highlights

Learn the vibrant history of Amsterdam from its historic waterways
See old boatyards and warehouses of the "Golden Age"
Cruise the Canal Belt, and see monuments such as the Westerkerk and Anne Frank House
Compare the modern architecture of the IJ lake with the old houses of the city center
Sail around the fashionable Amsterdam-Noord district

Full description

Learn the vibrant history of Amsterdam from its historic waterways on a 1-hour canal cruise that takes in more than 100 highlights! Board the boat by the Stromma Central Station or the Rijksmuseum in the city center, and set sail from the IJ waterfront. The on board commentary will explain the city’s emergence in the 13th century, to the merchants of the Dutch East India Company that led to the so-called “Golden Age.” See some of today’s modern architecture as you cruise around the southernmost part of fashionable Amsterdam-Noord. Sail past old warehouses, dockyards, and boatyards. Cruise under enchanting bridges from the past and present. Watch the centuries merge as you experience Amsterdam in its purest form - as a seaport. Along the way, you will pass many of Amsterdam’s most famous monuments, and discover why UNESCO declared the city’s canals a World Heritage Site.

Includes

Canal cruise
Audio guide

Tips

Meeting point

Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Important information

Know before you go

This tour will take place rain or shine
Canal Cruise from Rijksmuseum takes 75 minutes
Canal Cruise from Damrak takes 60 minutes

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 470 reviews

Review summary

Guide
4.6/5
Transportation
4.6/5
Value for money
4.2/5
Safety
4.6/5

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Very nice, we paid 12 euros per person, we were only 10 people on board. the audio guide worked very well and the weather was nice (that was before the Eunice storm....) ballad of a specific time not 75 minutes as sold, but it's the same for all operators, well nothing to say for 12 balls...!

February 24, 2022

Very enjoyable

We liked the whole experience. The audio guide what spot on on the details. We would've liked the audio time to be better timed with the attractions, meaning it always started a little too early and by the time we arrived to each attraction, you had already forgot some details the audio guide mentioned. But, otherwise, the ride was very nice. Recommended!

August 28, 2017

Good way to get an idea of the city

Canal cruises are popular in Amsterdam but honestly, nothing super special for me. I think this is because the bridges are very low in Amsterdam and so the boats are quite low to be able to go under the bridges. This also means the view you are offered is from a very low point. Because of the unreliable weather, cruises boats are all covered. There is no deck. Everyone sits in the cafe style boat, 4 people around each table. It's a good first experience but I would not repeat it. Compared to cruise experiences in Berlin, Paris and Prague this was nothing special at all.

August 27, 2013

Amsterdam: Highlights Canal Cruise

Amsterdam: Highlights Canal Cruise

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Very enjoyable

Good way to get an idea of the city