Amsterdam Canal Tour by Open Boat – 90 min Small Group Experience
Description
90-Minute Small Group Canal Cruise – Discover Amsterdam from the Water Escape the bustle of the city streets and experience Amsterdam from its most beautiful vantage point – the water. Join us for a 90-minute canal cruise in a small group and enjoy a relaxed, intimate journey through the city's iconic canals and hidden gems. Your local captain and guide will share fascinating stories and fun facts as you glide past historic landmarks, charming bridges, and picturesque neighborhoods. We’ll explore not only the famous waterways but also quieter, lesser-known canals that reveal the city's peaceful side. Our boat is a modern, electric, and open vessel, offering cushioned seating and a cozy, eco-friendly way to enjoy the views. With a maximum of 12 guests, you’re guaranteed a personal and comfortable experience. Drinks are available for purchase, and you're also welcome to bring your own snacks and beverages. Don’t miss the chance to see Amsterdam from this unforgettable perspective
Tour Options
Itinerary
We explore the city side of the Amstel River, here we'll show you the famous dancing houses and tell you all about our leaning buildings
Beautiful small Amsterdam with unique views
We cruise by the beautiful and iconic Munt Tower
we'll cruise cruise through this tiny canal is the southern border of De Wallen, the red light district. Here'll also see the striking building The Huis aan de Drie Grachten (House on the Three Canals)
We'll cruise pass the iconic Zuiderkerk and also see the famous dancing house
We'll cruise down the Oudezijds Voorburgwal where you'll see sights like the old Church and the ladies behind the red lights. Your guide will tell you about the history of one of the oldest areas of Amsterdam.
we'll see Amsterdam oldest church
We continue through the Kolksluis (Kolk Sluice), one of Amsterdam’s oldest locks still in function dating from the Middle Ages. Here you'll also see a some old traditional warehouses from 17th and 18th century.
We cruise along this beautiful stretch of canal that used to be the city's old boundary. The Geldersekade canal weave a tapestry of contrasts and culture, linking the historic Nieuwmarkt to the bustling Prins Hendrikkade. Flowing through the eastern edge of De Wallen, the red light district, and bordering Chinatown, it epitomizes the city's dynamic spirit.
We'll see the beautiful de Waag, a 15th-century structure situated on Nieuwmarkt square in Amsterdam. It began as a city gate integrated into the city walls. Over the centuries, its versatile role evolved, encompassing functions as diverse as a guildhall, museum, fire station, and even an anatomical theatre.
We'll cruise through this cozy and tiny canal
Your guide will tell you all about this defence medieval tower
The V.O.C. ship The Amsterdam was an 18th-century cargo ship of the Dutch East India Company.
We cruise around this beautiful piece of modern architecture
Enjoy the tranquil edges of Amsterdam's oldest park as we glide by
We cruise along the nieuwe Herengracht and cruise past the peaceful and green Botanical Gardens
We cruise over part of the Herengracht, which means gentleman canal. Here you can find the most expensive canal houses of the canal belt.
Experience the picturesque Reguliersgracht better known as the “Seven Bridges Canal”, with one of the city's most stunning views, which can only be truly appreciated from the water.
we'll cruise down the Prinsen canal where we get a chance to see a lot of different house boats and canal houses
We end back on the Amstel river, and go under the most famous bridge of Amsterdam the skinny bridge. One of the few wooden bridges left in Amsterdam.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(874)
Adam was a spectacular tour guide filled with Amsterdam history as well as the current climate of things here. I highly recommend him for a wonderfully insightful tour.
Guus was a very fine guide. He was very interested in everyone's safety and comfort. Guus pointed out the various architectural styles, the history, and the quirky nature of some of the buildings and houseboats we passed. He answered all questions thoroughly.
After many hours of research on canal tours both large and small we chose Amsterdam Adventures and we were NOT disappointed! It was SO great, exactly like the reviews described. Captain Jamie was personable and extremely informed, providing the right amount of history and context to all of the things we were seeing. I'm so happy I chose a small boat tour of only 8 or 10 people. The other boat companies looked overwhelming with the amount of people that could be on board. If you like smaller group activities, this is for you. Also, Captain Jamie took us into smaller canals that other larger boats apparently don't go or can't fit. This was an excellent evening and the 90 min was the perfect amount of time. We learned so much. I would have felt like we missed out if it was shorter like 75min that other tours offer. We chose an evening tour (around 8pm in May), which was still light outside and was the perfect way to experience the city and learn about the history. I would highly recommend Amsterdam Boat Adventure's if this is your first time visiting and want to avoid larger boats & crowds. This is a relaxing evening tour with a professional and very friendly guide (Jamie), who took the time to explain everything from the history of Amsterdam, the architecture and the building of the canals in great detail without being overwhelming. Jamie was warm & personable and the best guide we could've hoped for! Don't bother researching further, just book a great late day or evening tour with them! ~
This was a very small group which was nice It made the experience very personal The guide was well informed and told a few stories to put things in context It was a comfortable relaxing ride
Great Canal Tour !!! our guide Captain Attila was very informative and took us through many beautiful canals. I would highly recommend this tour and Captain Attila.
Very relaxing and chill canal cruise with funfacts about the city. Did the same cruise last year, and definitely recommend! Captain Griffin was also a very good captain and host for our little party of 5 people :)
Thank you for the wonderful review and for cruising with us again! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed another relaxing time on the canals with our Captain Griffin. Lovely that the tour was worth repeating and that your group of five had such an enjoyable experience on board. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back again in the future!
We had a fabulous canal tour with Atilla, who was knowledgeable and the perfect host. While the weather wasn’t ideal, it didn’t dampen our spirits. We learned and saw a great deal, gently cruising down some of the quieter canals. The small, open boat ( which did have a rain cover) made for a more cozy experience. I definitely recommend this company.
Thank you for the fantastic review and recommendation! We’re so happy to hear you had such a lovely time on the canals with Captain Attila. Wonderful that the weather didn’t get in the way of enjoying Amsterdam from the water, and that you were still able to explore some of the quieter canals in comfort. We truly appreciate your kind words and are delighted you enjoyed the cozy atmosphere of our smaller boat!
Very informative! Well worth doing Our boat operator was so knowledgeable and it made for a most enjoyable afternoon excursion
Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so happy to hear you found the tour informative and enjoyable. Lovely that your captain’s knowledge helped make the afternoon such a memorable experience.
Definitely glad we picked this boat trip (as there are so many to choose from) meeting instructions were clear, the boat was spotless with pull down canopies to keep us dry but still allowed air to circulate. Number of participants for the boat was great and meant everyone was comfortable and had great views, there were blankets to keep us warm and reasonably priced drinks to purchase. We did have to keep prompting the man hosting us to narrate the places of interest as he was very keen to know about us personally instead of the sights we wanted to know about but all was fine and he was extremely knowledgeable of the area, we would definitely do it again
Thank you for the lovely review! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed the comfortable small group atmosphere, clear meeting instructions and the facilities on board. We also appreciate your honest feedback about wanting more commentary on the sights, and we’ll be sure to take that on board. Lovely to hear the captain’s local knowledge still added to the experience and that you would join us again.
Learned a lot about the houses and how they are situated and why!! Gus was great and very accommodating.
Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed learning more about Amsterdam’s unique canal houses and their history. Lovely that our Captain Guus helped make the experience so enjoyable and accommodating.
