No trip to Amsterdam is complete without exploring its beautiful canals. But with so many options – from open boats and saloon boats to cruises with drinks or even pizza – it can be hard to choose. That’s why I’ve put together this guide to the best canal cruises in Amsterdam, going through thousands of reviews (so you don’t have to) and even trying out two of them myself. Here’s exactly which cruises are worth your time and money and my top picks for first-timers.
My favourite canal tour in Amsterdam
To be honest, I had a hard time deciding what kind of cruise to book. I wasn’t too concerned about drinks or cheese, but more about the type of boat. An open boat is definitely better for the views, while a saloon boat offers more comfort and is a safer choice if the weather turns bad. And believe me, Amsterdam’s weather is famously unpredictable. It’s completely normal to experience all four seasons in a single day, especially outside of summer!
In the end, I decided to book a saloon boat in advance, as I was travelling during the busy tulip season. I ended up enjoying the cruise so much that I also booked an open boat last-minute, after checking the weather forecast on a few different weather sites.
💖 My favourite canal tour in Amsterdam: Eco Boat with Live Local Skipper
What I loved: a fun open-boat canal cruise with unobstructed views on quieter, more charming canals and unlimited drinks (optional)
Although I enjoyed both cruises (both the saloon and the open boat), the open boat definitely wins for me. It wasn’t just because of the unobstructed views, but also because there were far fewer people on board. Plus, since the boat is smaller than a saloon boat, the canals we explored felt much quieter and more charming than the main routes.
The skipper was also fantastic – fun, engaging, and full of stories about Amsterdam’s history, architecture, and hidden gems. There were also drinks, including wine, beer, or soda if you’d like. And a cover was available in case the weather suddenly turned bad, so even if it had rained, we wouldn’t have ended up cruising in the rain or getting soaked.
Best canal cruises in Amsterdam (My top picks)
Most booked by our readers – Saloon Boat Tour with optional Cheese & Wine
4.6 | 30,650+ reviews – canal cruise on a 19th-century saloon boat with a local skipper-guide and unlimited cheese and wine
The best canal views – Open Boat Tour with Unlimited Drinks
4.5 | 25,400+ reviews – open boat canal cruise with fantastic views of Amsterdam’s iconic canal houses
Free canal tour – with the Amsterdam City Card
You get a free canal cruise, unlimited public transport, and free entry to top attractions, including the Rijksmuseum and Heineken Experience
Best canal cruises in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is famous for its beautiful canal network, with more than 100 kilometres of waterways winding through the city. The canals connect around 90 islands and are crossed by over 1,500 bridges. In fact, Amsterdam has more canals than Venice, which is why it’s often called the Venice of the North.
The canal tours in Amsterdam usually run along the city’s three main canals – Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht. Herengracht (the Gentlemen’s Canal) was once home to wealthy merchants and city leaders. Keizersgracht (the Emperor’s Canal) is the widest of them all, while Prinsengracht (the Prince’s Canal) is the longest and often the most scenic. Together, they form the famous Grachtengordel, or canal belt.
The most popular, unique, and highly rated boat tours are run by Flagship Amsterdam. They’re even ranked as the #1 best day cruise in the world on TripAdvisor! I tried them myself on a saloon boat and had a great experience.
For an open boat, I went with Eco Boats, and that was just as good. Honestly, you can’t really go wrong with most of the big companies. That said, if I had to point out one that comes up a bit more often in mixed or negative reviews, it would be Lovers Canal Cruises.
Visiting the city for the first time? Then check out my guide on what to see in Amsterdam in 2 days, where I share the must-see sights, my favourite places to eat, and a few hidden gems.
My best tip to avoid disappointment is to skip walking in on the spot. Instead, book your canal cruise through GetYourGuide, where you can easily check ratings and reviews. Even the best companies, like Flagship Amsterdam, have some cruises that aren’t as highly rated as others. I’d also recommend booking ahead – especially if you want a specific time or you’re travelling in high season like spring (tulip time) or summer.
Saloon Boat Cruise with optional Cheese & Wine
With over 30,000 great reviews, this saloon boat cruise is one of the most popular canal tours in Amsterdam. I’d definitely recommend booking in advance, since the best time slots sell out quickly, especially in spring and summer. This is actually one of the canal cruises I did myself, so I can personally vouch that it totally deserves its high rating.
The one-hour cruise on a traditional 19th-century saloon boat takes you through the city’s UNESCO-listed canals. Along the way, you’ll pass the Skinny Bridge, the Jordaan district, the Anne Frank House, and the Golden Bend. So you really get to see all the highlights. Plus, you can choose between two starting points – the Anne Frank House or the Central Train Station.
Even though it’s a covered saloon boat (perfect if the weather is chilly or rainy), it doesn’t feel like one of those typical tourist boats packed with dozens of people. Another big plus is the local skipper-guide. Instead of the usual pre-recorded commentary in multiple languages, you get a real person telling stories as you go. Our guide was fantastic, mixing local stories and history with plenty of humour.
You can also upgrade your cruise to include a wine and drinks option. I went for the wine and cheese package, and the portions were really generous, with local Dutch cheeses served with Groninger mustard. The drinks were unlimited, too, which was a nice bonus. Honestly, wine and cheese just make everything better!
Open Boat Cruise with Unlimited Drinks
If you’re visiting in spring or summer, this open boat canal tour is the perfect option. Being on an open boat means you get much better views of the beautiful 17th-century canal houses lining the waterways, compared to a closed saloon boat. You’ll cruise through the beautiful canal belt known as the Grachtengordel, passing some of the city’s most famous sights – the Hermitage Museum, the iconic Skinny Bridge, and the Amstel Hotel.
What I also like is that you don’t really have to worry about the weather. If it’s bad, the tour simply switches to a covered saloon boat. And if the sun is shining a bit too strongly, they even provide umbrellas so you can stay comfortable while enjoying the ride.
There are three main starting points – Anne Frank House, Central Station, or the Rijksmuseum. And if you’re in a group of more than 8 people, you can even opt for a private boat. You can also upgrade to the unlimited drinks option and enjoy beer, wine, and soft drinks.
Best Amsterdam Tours & Experiences
Heineken Experience – explore the original Heineken brewery (+ 2 free beer tastings) and learn all about the brewing process. Upgrade to Exclusive Experience for access to hidden bars and 5 beer tastings
Anne Frank Walking Tour – if you can’t get tickets to the Anne Frank House, this tour is a great alternative, bringing Anne’s story to life as you explore the Jewish Quarter
Big Bike Tour – discover the city’s highlights in 3 hours on a guided bike tour through scenic canals, Jordaan, Vondelpark, and iconic landmarks like the Anne Frank House
Evening Canal Cruise with Wine Option
This 90-minute canal cruise on a saloon boat takes you along the beautiful Prinsengracht, one of Amsterdam’s most scenic canals. It’s especially magical at night when the canal houses and bridges are all lit up and reflected in the water. Along the way, you’ll pass highlights like the Golden Bend, the Rijksmuseum, and the historic Amstel Hotel. This gives you a perfect snapshot of the city’s charm from the water.
The saloon boat has big panoramic windows, so you get great views the whole way through. You can also upgrade your cruise to include wine, beer, or soft drinks.
The only downside is that there’s no live guide. You get a pre-recorded audio guide in a few languages, which I didn’t find that engaging personally. So, if you really want to learn about the city and its history, I’d go for a daytime cruise instead. Choose this evening cruise for the magical atmosphere and to see the city beautifully illuminated at night, rather than for a history lesson.
Private Canal Tour
If you want a more special, intimate experience, this private tour is hard to beat. You get your own boat, a friendly skipper who shares stories about Amsterdam as you cruise, and the freedom to enjoy the city at your own pace. Plus, there’s Prosecco, beer, and soda on board to make the whole experience even better.
The canal tour is relaxed, personal, and a little more exclusive than the standard canal cruises. The route takes you through the city’s most iconic spots, including the Seven Bridges and the Dancing Houses. You’ll also see some smaller, quieter side canals in the Jordaan neighbourhood that bigger boats simply can’t reach.
Smoke and Lounge City Boat Cruise
For a different side of Amsterdam’s canal scene, try this smoke boat cruise. It’s an adults-only canal tour where you can bring your preferred products from one of the city’s famous coffee shops and enjoy the waterfront views with a drink in hand. It’s a unique way to experience the city’s canals beyond the usual sightseeing tours.
The cruise starts from Central Station and takes you past some of the most iconic spots, like the Seven Bridges, Skinny Bridge, the Amstel River, and the Dancing Houses. Note that it’s not a wild party boat. Instead, the atmosphere is chilled and social, more of a relaxed smoke-and-sightsee experience.
Original Pizza Dinner Cruise
If you’re looking for a fun, easy evening in Amsterdam, this pizza dinner cruise is a great choice, especially if you’re travelling with friends or family. On board, you’ll get a freshly made New York–style pizza plus unlimited wine, beer, or soda, so you can just sit back and enjoy the views. Vegetarians are covered too, with options like Margherita or Californian Veggie. For meat lovers, I’d personally go for the Pepperoni, Hawaii, or Chilli Chicken.
You’ll sail through the city’s iconic waterways, passing highlights like the Dancing Houses and the historic canal belt, the Grachtengordel. It’s especially good if you want something low-effort after a day of sightseeing – dinner, drinks, and the canals all in one.
Tulip Boat Canal Tour
If you love photography or just want those perfect social media shots, this tulip boat canal tour is made for you. You’ll glide past beautiful canal houses and bridges, all while surrounded by gorgeous, colourful tulips. Honestly, this one’s been on my bucket list for ages, and I still regret not making time for it.
During the canal cruise, you’ll pass beautiful stretches of the Amstel River, the elegant Golden Bend, and even the Anne Frank House. Imagine the kind of photos you can capture here! Arched bridges, classic canal houses, and rows of tulips in the foreground create that perfect Amsterdam postcard shot.
A small note: the flowers you see are actually plastic, but they look incredibly realistic. In photos, you honestly can’t tell the difference. Of course, fresh flowers would be ideal, but I don’t mind the switch. Otherwise, this setup would only be possible for about a month each year, and that would be a shame to miss.
Light Festival Boat Tour
If you’re in Amsterdam in winter, the Light Festival is one of those experiences you really shouldn’t miss. Running from late November through January, it completely transforms the city. The canals turn into an open-air gallery filled with glowing light installations from artists around the world. You can experience it in a few different ways, but honestly, seeing it from a canal cruise is hard to beat.
This Light Festival boat tour is a super easy (and very cosy) way to enjoy the festival. You’ll cruise along the Amstel River on a set route past the artworks, with a warm boat, blankets, and hot chocolate. Along the way, you’ll also pass highlights like the historic canal belt (Grachtengordel), the Skinny Bridge, the Dancing Houses, and more. The boat is partly covered, so there’s always a sheltered spot to escape the cold if you need it.
This year, the Light Festival runs from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027.
Best canal tours in Amsterdam
- Saloon Boat Cruise with optional Cheese & Wine
- Open Boat Cruise with Unlimited Drinks
- Evening Canal Cruise with Wine Option
- Private Canal Tour
- Smoke and Lounge City Boat Cruise
- Original Pizza Dinner Cruise
- Tulip Boat Canal Tour
- Light Festival Boat Tour
FAQs about canal cruises in Amsterdam
Amsterdam canal tours usually cost around €25, while more special experiences like dinner or drinks cruises can cost over €40.
The cheapest canal tour in Amsterdam is with Blue Boat Company. It lasts about 75 minutes, comes with an audio guide, and typically costs around €15.
The best canal cruise is with Flagship Amsterdam. They’re ranked as the #1 best day cruise in the world on TripAdvisor!
Late afternoon or sunset is ideal for the best light and atmosphere, though daytime cruises are great for clear views of the city.
Canal cruises usually depart from three main central spots – Central Station, the Anne Frank House, and the Rijksmuseum. Most operators also have several docks around the city, so it’s easy to find a boarding point that works for you.
You can book tickets online in advance through GetYourGuide (which is great for checking reviews first), or just buy them at the dock on the day. I’d go for online booking though, especially in peak season, to make sure you get your preferred time slot.
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