Why a canal cruise is the best introduction to Amsterdam
This city built on water is known for its fascinating history, iconic architecture and sights that date back to its Golden Age beginnings. We tried ou...
Order your canal cruise ticket
Check out the best boat tours in Amsterdam
Besides providing a stunning backdrop to the city’s historical centre, floating down Amsterdam’s canals is one of the most memorable ways to discover the city's sights and attractions. Whether you’re a first-time or frequent visitor, everything in Amsterdam seems a bit more magical when viewed from a boat.
Most canal cruises take around an hour, in which you'll explore Amsterdam's UNESCO protected canal ring and discover plenty of interesting facts about the city along the way. As well as the excellent one-hour options, other types of canal cruises available include practical hop-on-hop-off services, romantic candle-lit tours, child-friendly adventures and intimate guided boat tours for smaller groups.
A few of the best-known operators include Stromma, Blue Boat, and Lovers. If you’d like to break up your canal cruise with some sightseeing, then the ‘hop-on hop-off’ service is an excellent option.
Amsterdam canal cruising
Cruising the canals in Amsterdam
5 alternative ways to tour Amsterdam's canals
21
Mar
2017
Canal cruises are one of the most popular ways to see Amsterdam. But not all canal tours are created equal. From refugee tours to boozy brunch boats, ...
UNESCO World Heritage List
In August 2010, Amsterdam’s 17th-century Canal Ring was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, raising the total number of listed sites in the Nethe...
The history of a world monument
It’s not only the proud residents of Amsterdam who believe their Canal Ring is unique. The fame of the city's 17th-century canals has stretched far be...
Canal tours & excursions
Be it by boat, bike, bus or on foot, there are many ways to explore Amsterdam's Canal Ring.
Amsterdam: City of canals
Alongside tulips and windmills, the global image of Amsterdam is one of a city entwined with water. Since its development in the 17th century, Amsterd...
