Boat Trips and Canal tours in Amsterdam

By Dom Bewley
Published: July 18, 2024
canal cruises

Amsterdam is a city swimming in waterways, canals, and connecting bridges. While not as damp as the likes of Venice, it's about as close as you can get without the stilts. And with so much water, one of the best ways to see the city is by boat. Whether you're looking to see all the biggest landmarks, enjoy a bottomless brunch with your friends, or have a romantic meal on the water, Amsterdam has some amazing boat trips and canal tours to experience in the city. So, which are the best? Well, read our handy list and discover for yourselves! These are our picks for the best boat trips and canal tours in Amsterdam!

Including:

  • 100 Highlights Cruise
  • Hop on-Hop off Boat Tour
  • G's Brunch Boat
  • Candelight Cruise
  • Pizza Cruise
  • and more!
Image of Water, Waterfront, Vehicle, Watercraft, Boat, Canal, Outdoors, Neighborhood, City, Barge, Metropolis, Urban, Person,

Everything, everywhere, pretty much in one go

If you want to see all the sights Amsterdam has to offer in one fell swoop, consider hopping aboard the 100 Highlights Cruise. Pack your camera and get ready to snap the likes of the Anne Frank House, Westerkerk, and so much more.

Thanks to the audio guide you'll get when you board, available in myriad languages, you'll learn all about the city and canals' history, as well as the highlights of each landmark you pass. It's the perfect introduction to Amsterdam's waterways and gives you the chance to learn about landmarks you might want to visit on land afterward!

Image of Bottle, Alcohol, Beverage, Liquor,

Hop to it

If you're hoping to see the sights up close, then check out a Hop on-Hop off boat tour instead! You're in complete control, so you board when you want, leave when you want to see one of the amazing landmarks that Amsterdam has to offer, and then hop back on the next boat to continue one. It's that easy!

You'll pass the likes of the Rijksmuseum, the Heineken Experience, A'DAM Lookout, and the Anne Frank House, which are all well worth exploring on foot.

So, if you want the freedom to go and see what you please on dry land, a Hop on-Hop off boat tour is one of the best boat trips and canal tours in Amsterdam!

Image of Food, Food Presentation, Cutlery, Fork, Knife, Dining Table, Brunch,

Boat brunch like a G

Sure, you could spend your tour of Amsterdam's canals sightseeing. Or, you could enjoy a brilliant bottomless brunch courtesy of G's Brunch Boat!

Two options await you on your watery adventure. Either pick a drink and one of the amazing brunch options from G's impressive menu. Or, go all-in on the bottomless brunch, help yourself to as many cocktails, beers, wines, or proseccos as you like, and top it all off with a meal from the menu.

Food-wise, you'll find brunch classics like Eggs Benny, and breakfast burritos alongside meatier options like chicken and waffles, chicken burgers, and salmon-topped brioche.

Then, sit in for 75 minutes of amazing views, amazing drinks, and amazing food. Does it get any better than that? Probably not.

Image of Glass, Finger, Hand, Person, Adult, Female, Woman, Baby, Alcohol, Beverage, Liquor, Wine, Wine Glass,

Romance on the waves

If you're visiting Amsterdam with that special someone, or you're a resident who wants to impress their significant other, consider a romantic canal Candlelight Cruise!

You and your muse will sit down to a delicious selection of traditional cheese and meats as your tour guide waxes lyrical about all the landmarks you pass. Sip on unlimited drinks, with beers, wines, and soft drinks on offer.

It's a great way to get the lay of the land, while enjoying the lights reflecting off of the water. And your partner's eyes, of course. Romance, right? Top stuff.

Image of Food, Food Presentation, Brunch, Pizza, Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Cup,

A pizza paradise

Boats and pizza - typically not two things you'd associate with one another, but when has that stopped humanity from making things happen? We created bacon mayonnaise, after all. So, why not see pizza and boats beautifully combine on a Pizza Cruise of Amsterdam!

Served by one of the city's favorite pizza chains in New York Pizza, you'll get to choose a pizza of your choice before you set off along Amsterdam's beautiful canals. Your guide will regale you with tales of the sights and sounds you see along the way, all while you tuck into your slices and a couple of drinks to boot.

Ideal if the sun is shining and you have a group of friends with you, this 1.5-hour tour is easily one of the best boat trips and canal tours in Amsterdam!

Image of Canal, Outdoors, Water, Boat, Vehicle, Watercraft, Arch, Bicycle, Path, Person, Boating, Water Sports, Waterfront,

Learn on the water

What if you could combine your love of water and boats with a sprinkling of learning and culture? Well, we have great news for you. You can, thanks to the Museum Line - Amsterdam's best museum cruise!

Following a set schedule, you'll glide along Amsterdam's canals, stopping off at major museums such as the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House, and the Hermitage. At each stop, you'll have the chance to explore and learn, filling your withered brain up with key information.

There'll even be the opportunity to do some shopping, should you require tributes to the in-laws back home. And all of that in one-and-a-half hours. Not bad! Not bad at all.

Image of Alcohol, Beer, Beverage, Glass, Water, Waterfront, Beer Glass, Liquor, Lager, Boat, Vehicle, Dining Table,

Sail like a semi-pirate

And finally, we'll end this list of the best boat trips and canal tours in Amsterdam with an old classic - the booze cruise. Yes, even Amsterdam's beautiful waterways are graced with these bad boys. So why not take a pub cruise and explore the more exciting parts of the city?

Your trip will take you through the red light district, where the eponymous lights will dance off of the canals. Beautiful, right? You'll also be free to drink beer, wine, and munch on a variety of snacks as you go, in case all that booze leaves you with cravings!

And that was our list of the best boat trips and canal tours in Amsterdam!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

Colorful canal houses lining an Amsterdam canal
Blog

2 Days in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most popular city destinations for its famous mix of complex history, authentic culture and fantastic social hubs. With many of its top attractions compacted into a three-square-mile city center, the Dutch capital is very popular for weekend getaways and short, whirlwind trips. Although there’s more than enough to do throughout the city to last you several weeks, two days in Amsterdam is still plenty of time to experience the best that it has to offer. Instead of putting together a linear itinerary, we’ve rounded up our best suggestions for things to do during a short trip, along with recommended visit durations to help you put together your perfect city break plan.   And why not make the most of your trip by grabbing an Amsterdam pass and save while you sightsee!
Robert Heaney
amsterdam adults
Blog

Things to do in Amsterdam for Adults

Adults, rejoice! This is a child-free zone. Leave the little rascals at home and go check out all the amazing things adults get to do in Amsterdam! In fact, to help you on your way, we've curated this list of all the city's best bits. So, read on, and discover the best things to do in Amsterdam for adults! Including: Heineken Experience The Rijksmuseum Tour de BonTon House of Bols Moco Museum and more! And that's our list of the best things to do in Amsterdam for adults! There's so much to do and see in the city, why not grab an Amsterdam pass and see it all?
Dom Bewley
shopping amsterdam
Blog

Shopping in Amsterdam Guide

Vacationing in Amsterdam and have some extra cash you want to burn through? You'll need a guide to shopping in Amsterdam. But where will you find one that you can trust? Here, of course. Just scroll down and see what an authentic guide to shopping in Amsterdam really looks like! Including: De Bijenkorf Magna Plaza Nine Little Streets Haarlemmerstraat Albert Cuyp Market and more! Image courtesy of Travel-Fr/Shutterstock Where the labels lie Let's kick off our guide to shopping in Amsterdam with the big guns. If you're the sort to drip yourself in nothing but the biggest names and designer labels, spend your money more wisely! Just kidding, no judgment here. The good news is that Amsterdam more than caters to your opulent lifestyle choices thanks to De Bijenkorf, a chain of high-end department stores. They have stores all over the Netherlands, but you'll find their massive Amsterdam branch looming over Dam Square like a wealthy obelisk. Step inside its inviting revolving doors, and you'll be blown away by the number of floors on offer. Brands carve out their own territory here, defending it fiercely from neighboring competitors. Many, like Gucci, are so 'exclusive' that you'll have to wait by a rope cordon to be let in. Like a club, but no one's dancing or having fun. Still, if it's designer brands you want, it's designer brands you'll get, with countless big names calling this mausoleum to untethered consumerism home. A massive plaza Another structure that towers over Dam Square is the appropriately titled Magna Plaza, which roughly translates to Really Massive Place. Maybe. This grandiose building mirrors London's Parliament buildings, which was by design. Inside, you'll find a more rounded shopping experience, with food stores and restaurants cohabiting with fashion brands, cosmetics shops, and jewelry boutiques. And all of that sweet, sweet shopping is backed by the Magna Plaza's stunning interiors, which give every trip a sense of regality. Your bank account will feel pretty regal, too, because shopping is addictive, and you may have a problem. If you sit in Dam Square and squint hard enough, you can pretend that Magna Plaza and De Bijenkorf are facing off against one another, determined to be the best shopping complex on the block. Don't worry; they can't hurt you. Nine streets for nine treats Away from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam Central, you'll comfortably find some of the best shopping in the city. And better yet, given the city's size, you can easily walk there from Centraal Station in about 15 minutes. The Negen Straatjes, or 'Nine Little Streets' are, well, nine streets that emanate from Amsterdam's canal ring - colloquially called 'the ring'. Walk along these revered streets, and you'll find a wealth of unique boutiques, smaller designer shops from all over the world, as well as cafes, bars, and restaurants where you can rest your burdened feet. The perfect answer to the busyness of the aforementioned department stores, these streets are as much residential zones and daytime hangout spots as they are shopping destinations. So, head there, shop to your heart's content, and breathe in all that space and calm. Nice. Image courtesy of Harry Beugelink/Shutterstock Sound the Haarlem! Just a stone's throw from Centraal Station to the west, you'll find a quirky, calm, and clean shopping paradise to rival Nine Little Lanes! It's called Haarlemmerstraat, and along with its brother Haarlemmerdijk, it's one of the city's often overlooked gems. With a whole host of boutique shops, salons, and an underrated bar scene, it's a great place to spend your day, do some shopping, eat some food, and then experience the nightlife. Plus, you're so close to the water you might as well have a wander to Amsterdam's shores - you'll find even more bars, cafes, and restaurants there! Image courtesy of AsiaTravel/Shutterstock On the cuysp of greatness Of course, department stores and packed high streets aren't the only places for you to flex your plastic. You forgot about markets, silly. No self-professed guide to shopping in Amsterdam would be worth a thing without mentioning the city's brilliant market scene. And arguably, the jewel in its market crown is the Albert Cuypmarkt. Located in trendy De Pijp, it's one of Europe's biggest open-air markets, offering visitors and would-be shoppers a whole host of foods, clothes, accessories, and even flowers. If you're staying in an Airbnb, it's the perfect place to buy fresh groceries to cook up your own delights. Or, if the hotel is taking care of all that for you, go try some of the freshly cooked foods on offer! You'll find many uniquely Dutch treats available, including stroopwafels - the country's best. Image courtesy of Tupungato/Shutterstock Hoof it up the street Fashion seekers, beware. Some of Amsterdam's best shopping can be found at PC Hooftstraat, a short walk from the city's museum district. Arguably Amsterdam's most affluent shopping district, you'll find a wealthy world of designer brands from across the globe. Need some Mulberry in your life? Jonesing for some Chanel? PC Hooftstraat's got you covered. Plus, its location is a massive bonus if you want to combine your shopping shenanigans with a little culture. The Rijksmuseum, Moco Museum, and the Van Gogh Museum are right around the corner. And let's be honest, after all that swiping, you might require some calm and inspiring sights. Image courtesy of Harry Beugelink/Shutterstock Kalvern Klien? Kinda Another of Amsterdam's famous shopping streets, Kalverstraat is a more modest shopping experience. You'll find its beginning at the foot of Dam Square, because of course you will. Dam Square - the hub of many shopping opportunities. This one is arguably the busiest on the list, so strap in for some shambling. Unlike some of the others on this list, Kalverstraat is a more typical high street affair, with sneaker shops, affordable clothing stores, and well-known cosmetic spots. Nike, Lush, and Zara are just some of the many global brands you'll find on this list. While you could spend the whole day here, we'd recommend you know where you're going, get in, and get out - it simply draws too big a crowd to be considered a fun day out. Waterloo, baby We'll end this list on a bit of an oddity. Unlike Albert Cuypmarkt, Waterloopleinmarkt is a bit of a free-for-all. This flea market lets anyone come and set up a stall to flog their undesirables, so expect garage sale energy. However, anyone who's dared enter the realm of the garage sale knows this is no sleight. In fact, you'll find things at Waterloopleinmarkt you may not find anywhere else. Bargain hunt for rare toys, antiques, furniture, and other unwanted (and unvalued) items, snap them up in a pinch, and then sell them on to become a multi-billionaire. Chin up - anything is possible. And that's our guide to shopping in Amsterdam!
Dom Bewley

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.