With over 100 kilometers of canals flowing through the city, Amsterdam is often called the “Venice of the North”. Cruising along these historic waterways aboard a canal tour is one of the most popular activities for visitors to the Dutch capital. This article covers everything you need to know to make the most of an Amsterdam canal cruise.
A Brief History of Amsterdam’s Canals
Amsterdam’s canals are like a giant urban donut, with the city center as the tasty filling. Back in the 1600s, some clever Dutch folks decided to dig a bunch of semicircular waterways for trade, travel, and keeping out unwanted visitors (no offense, invading armies). The three main canals – Singel, Herengracht, and Keizersgracht – along with a few extra canals for good measure, now make up the famous “Canal Ring.” It’s like a big, beautiful, watery hug around Amsterdam’s heart. This masterpiece of engineering and architecture was so impressive that UNESCO gave it a World Heritage Site badge in 2010. Talk about making a splash in history!
Popular Types of Canal Tours
There are several options available for exploring Amsterdam by boat. Here’s an overview of some of the most popular canal tour types:
Open Boat Tours
The classic way to experience Amsterdam’s waterways is aboard an open-topped boat cruise. With 360-degree views and plenty of photographic opportunities, these popular tours include live or recorded commentary highlighting major landmarks and interesting aspects of canal history and architecture. They operate year-round with weather coverings during off-season months.
Hop-on-Hop-Off Canal Boats
Hop-on-Hop-off tours allow passengers the flexibility to disembark at any of several stops located near major attractions like the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum and Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market). At each stop you can reboard on the next boat coming by or explore the area before catching another later boat.
Small Group Cruises
For a more intimate canal experience, small group tours are limited to 6-12 passengers per boat. Knowledgeable local captains navigate through side streets on smaller boats while sharing insightful commentary and amusing anecdotes. Guest participation is encouraged.
Private Charters
Private canal charters on salon boats or classic sailboats provide the ultimate personalized tour option. Choose this bespoke service to celebrate special occasions with just your travel party aboard or rent the entire vessel out to host private events. Guests enjoy complimentary drinks and catering is available while a personal captain serves as your private guide.
Specialty Theme Tours
In addition to regular sightseeing cruises, some companies offer specialty tours like wine tasting, craft beer tours with tastings, jazz concert cruises, dinner cruises, Amsterdam light festival tours, children’s storytelling adventures and more. Themed tours reveal colorful aspects of Amsterdam’s culture, foods and nightlife from an aquatic perspective.
Do-It-Yourself Canal Boats
For the most immersive canal experience, rent a boat for your own self-guided tour. No boat driving license is required to captain these easy-to-operate electric boats with a top speed of around 6 km/hr. Boat rental facilities provide maps/audioguides. Vessel sizes available range from intimate 2-4 person boats to larger 12-person options, some with bathroom facilities on board. Most recreational rentals are allowed within city limits but cannot pass through certain locks or low bridges.
When to Take a Canal Cruise
Canal tours operate year-round with open vessels prevalent during the warmer months of April to October and glass-enclosed, climate controlled boats replacing them in winter. Peak canal cruise season aligns with the peak tourist season between April and September. Boats run more frequently with longer operating hours to accommodate heavier demand during these months.
While summer’s long days allow for leisurely evening cruises, reduced crowds during the off-season provide a tranquil atmosphere to appreciate the cityscape at your own relaxed pace. Just be prepared with warm clothing plus raingear at any time of year – Dutch weather can be notoriously changeable! Some companies close for a winter break from January to March when demand is very minimal. Private charters and boat rentals are less impacted by seasonal closures.
Notable annual events that significantly influence canal traffic and availability of tours include King’s Day in late April and the Amsterdam Light Festival from late November through most of January.
Departure Points for Canal Tours
Most canal tours in Amsterdam depart from docks clustered around the city core. Key locations to board boats include:
- Central Station: This busy transportation hub adjacent to the towering Centraal Station skyscraper has the widest selection of canal cruise options all gathered in one convenient spot. Look for tour company booths just outside the station entrance.
- Damrak: The vibrant main thoroughfare connecting Central Station to Dam Square hosts multiple boarding docks a quick stroll from one another right in the heart of town.
- AnneFrank Huis: A few small group tours leave from the dock opposite the popular Anne Frank House museum slightly south of Amsterdam’s central canal ring.
- Leidseplein: At the edge of the bustling nightlife district Leidseplein, a handful of tour companies dock cruisers close to attractions like the Hermitage Museum and Amsterdam Museum.
- Rijksmuseum: The formidable Rijksmuseum’s proximity to the boat docks facilitates easy transfers for cruise tourists to explore Amsterdam’s world famous Dutch art collection.
With most boarding areas concentrated around the city center, travelers can easily walk between various tour operators to compare offerings and departure times.
What to See on an Amsterdam Canal Cruise
Gliding silently through Amsterdam’s UNESCO protected waterways aboard a canal boat offers intriguing vantage points of key attractions you might otherwise miss from dry land. Top sights along popular cruise routes include:
Magere Brug
The iconic “Skinny Bridge” connecting Kerkstraat across the Amstel river makes countless cameos as the quintessential Dutch drawbridge on postcards and travel photos. Bridge keepers manually open it’s two wings over 20 times daily to accommodate passing boats. Watch crew members demonstrate impressive precision aligning with the narrow clearance!
Royal Palace
The magnificent former Town Hall building on Dam Square has served as the official reception palace for the Dutch monarchy since 1808 when King Louis Bonaparte took up residence there. Today the sumptuous interiors remain open for public viewing while the royal family uses it mainly for ceremonies. The neoclassical facade overlooking the Amstel makes a striking backdrop reflecting in the waters.
Nine Little Streets
The Negen Straatjes comprise a charming labyrinth of picturesque lanes harboring delightful boutiques, cafes, craft shops and galleries. Canal cruise guides highlight this trendy shopping area located between the major canals Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht.
“The Real Bridge of Sighs”
Many canal tours pass under St. Olofspoort bridge which connects two sections of the famous Amstel hotel. According to local legend, the bridge got it’s nickname “The Real Bridge of Sighs” because it was a popular spot for lovers trysts where couples would meet secretly, kissing and saying their goodbyes.
Houseboats
As you float along, admire Amsterdam’s approximately 2500 quirky houseboats lining the canals. These converted barges and ships have served as floating homes since the 1920s for those drawn to canal life despite the obvious lack of parking!
Historic Churches
Imposing waterside churches loom large over passing tour boats with their towering steeples, domes and spires. Some of the most architecturally impressive ones to look out for include Zuiderkerk, Noorderkerk, Westerkerk and Oude Kerk – Amsterdam’s oldest surviving building dating back to 1306.
This brief sampling only scratches the surface of sights highlighted along Amsterdam’s extensive canal network. Local expert commentary brings additional aspects of these and lesser known landmarks to life throughout each unique cruise experience.
Choosing Your Canal Cruise Provider
With Amsterdam’s popularity as a premier tourist destination, you’ll find no shortage of operators offering canal tours. Dozens of companies vie for business at the prime boarding docks dotting the city. How do you go about selecting the best provider for your ideal cruise experience from so many seemingly similar choices? While price and timing factor into any decision, several key considerations can assist in identifying which outfit matches your personal preferences and style of travel.
Reputation
Trusted tour companies who’ve built solid reputations based on years of experience, positive passenger reviews and fair business practices make a safer bet over fly-by-night operators. Before booking, research the company’s online feedback and accreditation through organizations like the Amsterdam Passenger Terminal and Netherlands Board of Tourism.
Vessel Size/Capacity
Bigger boats allow tour groups to swallow more passengers which translates to higher revenues. But these crowded decks also mean less comfortable space per person and a more impersonal atmosphere. For a cozier ride, seek out smaller vessels preferably capped under 20 people. Private charters provide the ultimate exclusive experience.
On-Board Amenities
Depending on your needs, look for additional features like indoor climate controlled decks for year-round comfort, sheltered seating, toilet facilities, food/beverage options, wheelchair accessibility, pedal boats, wireless audio guides or entertainment extras such as music, costumes, decorations, etc.
Flexible Hop-On-Hop-Off Style
If you prefer tour itineraries allowing freedom to hop off mid-cruise at attractions, choose operators offering this flexibility over those only providing non-stop roundtrip loops. Just confirm stop locations match your interests.
Themed Tours
Beyond standard sightseeing commentary, specialty cruises centered around topics like architecture, jazz, wine tasting or Dutch cuisine add interactive components that appeal to particular passions and preferences. Go for the bespoke tour matching your niche interest.
Budget/Value
Ticket costs can range from budget options under €10 for no-frills basic tours up to over €100+ for luxury dining/entertainment experiences. Decide what balance of amenities and inclusions fits both your budget and tangible value expectations. Don’t assume more expensive necessarily equates better quality.
Sustainable Operations
Eco-conscious travelers may favor companies consciously working towards sustainability for example through emission reduction efforts, environmentally responsible vessel maintenance, resource conservation practices or green office policies.
With over 100 canal operators in Amsterdam, the array of distinction factors above should help narrow selection down to a shortlist of top contenders matching your optimal tour criteria.
Insider Tips for Enjoying Your Canal Cruise
Follow these handy pro tips from seasoned locals for making the absolute most of your glide through glorious Amsterdam by boat:
Beat Crowds with Early Bird Specials
Most companies offer at least a couple early scheduled tours before the bulk of boats hit the waterways. Taking advantage of the first sailings of the day provides peaceful cruising and prime photo ops.
Capture Unique Perspectives
Experiment with camera positioning low to water level and try facing backwards to trail lovely Dutch gabled facades fading into the distance. Selfie sticks come in handy to include boat mates in shots against iconic backdrops.
Sit at Water Level for Optimal Views
While upper decks afford broader sightlines, the lower benches down nearer water level yield more intimacy with passing scenery at eye level including fowl and flora growing along the canal edges most seasons.
Listen to Captain’s Commentary
The real value lies in Boat captain’s colorful narration based on extensive local knowledge not found in any guidebook. Engage them with questions to unlock fascinating unknown insights.
Savor Sunset Sails
If scheduling allows, book evening cruises timed around golden hour dusk light gilding already gorgeous vistas in romantic diffused glows mirrored on glassy waters for magical photos.
Dress in Layers Year-Round
Bring adequate layers for comfort through changing conditions. Weather shifts quickly so lightweight jackets and scarves prove useful even during peak summer.
Remember Water, Snacks, Cash
hydrate beforehand since most boats lack free drinking water. Having some pocket cash on hand comes in handy for incidentals like toilet fees or spontaneous snacks from floating vendor boats.
FAQs
Many travelers prefer afternoon tours to see the landmarks glow in sunset hues. Mornings often bring sparser crowds and cooler temperatures in summer. Lunch cruises let you sightsee over a meal. For nightlife, early evenings showcase canal boats and bridges illuminated colorfully.
Yes! Do-it-yourself electric canal boats are a popular way to privately explore Amsterdam’s grachten at your own pace either self-driven or with a rental captain skippering. Several rental outlets near major boarding docks offer hourly to full-day rental options for 2-12 passenger vessels. No boat driving license or experience required.
Typically no – the boat ride itself comprises the main activity. However some specialty theme tours feature add-on experiences like cheese tastings, drinks, multi-course dinners or visits to attractions like windmills or the A’DAM tower not included with basic sightseeing tickets. Read inclusions carefully when comparing offerings.
Many boats accommodate wheelchair users with ramps/lifts, access to lower deck indoor seating and guardrails. But ultra low step-in thresholds pose challenges so calling ahead about specific accessibility needs allows operators to direct you to suitable vessels in their fleet.
Yes, food and non-alcoholic beverages may be brought on most regular canal tours so pack a snack or picnic to enjoy the views over a small meal! But do tidy up after yourself and dispose of trash off the vessel. Standard etiquette applies.
Final Takeaways
Cruising through Amsterdam’s famous canals on a boat tour is like getting a backstage pass to the city’s soul. It’s the ultimate way to spy on the Dutch capital’s secrets from the water. When you’re planning your visit, I hope my rambling guide above helps you choose the right cruise, departure point, and sights to see. I’ve thrown in some insider tips too, so you can make the most of your time on the water without getting seasick or falling overboard.
As a local who grew up on these historic canals, watching boats of all shapes and sizes pass by, I still love hopping on a cruiser myself. It’s like taking a trip down memory lane, with the changing light dancing on the water, telling stories of Amsterdam’s past and present.
I hope you’ll have a similar experience on your own floating adventure through my hometown, the Venice of the North. Just don’t forget your life jacket and motion sickness pills!
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