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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 19 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Jennifer Ceaser

With its network of tranquil canals criss-crossing the city, an Amsterdam canal boat cruise is an excellent way to see it.

Many of the boat cruises are conducted on large, enclosed or semi-enclosed boats, with taped commentaries in several languages.

Canal Hopper run tours in open 12-seater boats with no commentary (though the skipper will chat). There are two routes: one focuses mostly on the scenic western Canal Ring, the other on the medieval centre.

The ‘Hidden Treasures’ tour, which starts at Damark near the Centraal Station, takes you through the Oudeschans, along a section of the Amstel, then back through the Red Light District.

The ‘World Heritage’ tour, starting at Leidseplein, wends its way through the Jordaan (bigger canal cruise boats don’t go this way), then along some of the most attractive stretches of the Canal Ring.

Price from: £20
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 4+
When: All year around
Duration: 75 minutes

Getting there & doing it

The tours depart from ECO Tours Pier No. 6 on the Damrak and on the Leidseplein. Thereafter they are hop-on, hop-off, so you can stop to see sights along the way and linger as long as you like. Continuous tours last 75 minutes.

When to do it

Tours run all year round, seven days a week in July and August. During September to June, they only run on Thursday to Sunday. Tours don’t run in very poor weather.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Flagship Amsterdam Open Boat Canal Cruise - Local live guide with bar on board

Flagship Amsterdam Open Boat Canal Cruise - Local live guide with bar on board

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Flagship Evening canal cruise - Live guided with bar on board

Flagship Evening canal cruise - Live guided with bar on board

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Join us on one of our TripAdvisor top-rated and award-winning canal tours and experience Amsterdam's canals on our 100% electric boats. We h...

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1 hour Luxury Canal Cruise in Amsterdam (Best Day Cruise Worldwide)

1 hour Luxury Canal Cruise in Amsterdam (Best Day Cruise Worldwide)

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Whenever you want to see our beautiful city, you of course want to do it in the most relaxing way. Our boats are the best way to go. We have...

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Luxury Summer Boat Tour in Amsterdam with Bar on board

Luxury Summer Boat Tour in Amsterdam with Bar on board

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Come join us on our legendary tour. Get ready to cruise along the Amsterdam canals on our unique electric boat! With views of Amsterdam's ...

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Kimpton de Witt Amsterdam

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

A stylish yet unpretentious design hotel, housed in three 17th-century buildings, in a great city centre location.

Official star rating:

W Amsterdam

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

Swanky design hotel in the picturesque heart of the city, offering an array of bars and restaurants, plus the city’s largest rooftop pool.

Official star rating:

Canal House

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

An intimate hotel in historic canal-facing buildings, with stylishly updated interiors. One of the trendiest places to stay in Amsterdam.

Official star rating:

Hoxton Amsterdam

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

A cool, retro design complements the historical character of this wonderful, affordable canal-side bolthole.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Amsterdam

North Holland, Netherlands

Picturesque Golden Age canals, premier league art, cosy cafés, and liberal urban living combine to make Amsterdam one of Europe’s most vibrant capitals.

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

The Nine Streets

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

Stroll the city’s most stylish streets, packed with independent boutiques and vintage fashion stores, the latest Dutch and Flemish brands, and locally-made soaps and luxe toiletries.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

National Maritime Museum

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

The second-largest maritime collection in the world charts the golden age of Dutch seafaring, with interactive exhibits and memorabilia including a replica 18th-century sailing ship.

Best for ages: 13+ | £12

Hermitage Amsterdam

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

A 17th-century old people’s that is now the overseas outpost for St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum. Lavish, must-see exhibitions of exquisite treasures selected from the Hermitage’s vast collections.

Best for ages: 18+ | £22

Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

interior view of the small chapel, hidden within 3 townhouses
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Our Lord in the Attic

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One of the few remaining ‘clandestine churches’ of the 17th century, when Catholics were forced to worship in secret, this Baroque-style jewel is tucked inside the attic of a stately Red Light District canal house.

Best for ages: 18+ | £12

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Exterior view of De Bijenkorp during the daytime
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De Bijenkorf

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The Netherlands’ equivalent of Harrods, De Bijenkorf is one of the oldest and grandest department stores in Amsterdam, with over 20,000 square metres of fashion, jewellery and pretty much everything else.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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People viewing the Madame Tussauds figures
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Madame Tussauds Amsterdam

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Alongside Tussauds’ world-famous waxworks, the revamped Amsterdam boasts multi-media exhibits, and uses real-life actors and extras to add to the celebrity illusions.

Best for ages: 4+ | £19

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Exterior view of the museum during daytime
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Rembrandt House Museum

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From 1639 to 1656, Rembrandt lived and worked in this graceful townhouse, which features a recreation of his studio and period furnishings from the Golden Age; a modern addition displays his prints and lesser paintings.

Best for ages: 18+ | £13

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