Tours/Amsterdam/Amsterdam Canal Tour by Open Boat – 90 min Small Group Experience
Viator · group up to 12 pax

Amsterdam Canal Tour by Open Boat – 90 min Small Group Experience

4.9(902)Amsterdam1 hour
VIATOR4.9(177)TRIPADVISOR5.0(725)

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

Amsterdam Canal Tour by Open Boat – 90 min Small Group Experience

Itinerary

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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

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Beautiful small Amsterdam with unique views

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We cruise by the beautiful and iconic Munt Tower

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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)

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We'll cruise pass the iconic Zuiderkerk and also see the famous dancing house

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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.

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we'll see Amsterdam oldest church

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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.

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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.

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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.

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We'll cruise through this cozy and tiny canal

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Your guide will tell you all about this defence medieval tower

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The V.O.C. ship The Amsterdam was an 18th-century cargo ship of the Dutch East India Company.

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We cruise around this beautiful piece of modern architecture

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Enjoy the tranquil edges of Amsterdam's oldest park as we glide by

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We cruise along the nieuwe Herengracht and cruise past the peaceful and green Botanical Gardens

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We cruise over part of the Herengracht, which means gentleman canal. Here you can find the most expensive canal houses of the canal belt.

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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.

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we'll cruise down the Prinsen canal where we get a chance to see a lot of different house boats and canal houses

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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

Life vest (upon request)
90-minute canal cruise in small group
English speaking guide
Blanket
Rain canopy on rainy days

What's included

Included
Life vest (upon request)
90-minute canal cruise in small group
English speaking guide
Blanket
Rain canopy on rainy days
Not included
Prices are as follows: Small Beer € 3,- and a glass of Rose or White Wine € 4,-
Bottle of Water: € 2,50
Can of Soda cost € 2,50

Traveller Ratings

4.9
902 reviews
5
868
4
19
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11
2
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1
2

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(902)

R
rhondanA4765WN
August 8, 2026
Relaxing way to see canals

Nice relaxing way to see the canals. Our guide was super knowledgeable and very friendly. Would definitely recommend

J
Julia_V
August 5, 2026
Must-do boat tour!

Captain Eddie was an amazing tour guide. Really fun and relaxing 90-min experience seeing beautiful Amsterdam. Captain Eddie was a great and knowledgeable host, and also knew when to pause the commentary and let the magnificence of the scenery take center stage. Highly recommend!

G
GrandTour33451382084
August 5, 2026
Fantastic experience

What a magnificent experience this cruise on the Amsterdam canals was. Our captain Eddie was incredible and treated us to very interesting commentary and anecdotes. A very good time that I highly recommend.

S
swantjek797
August 2, 2026
Look and marvel

A nice, informative trip with funny stories about the city, its history, and its residents.

Operator response

Vielen Dank für Ihre nette Bewertung! Wir freuen uns, dass Ihnen die Grachtenrundfahrt und die Mischung aus Informationen und unterhaltsamen Geschichten über Amsterdam gefallen haben.

M
miriamdafoe
August 2, 2026
Great experience!

Wonderful guide with good sense of humor. Very informational! Highly recommend!

Operator response

Thank you for the wonderful review and recommendation! We’re so happy to hear you had such a great experience on the canals.

F
Finafee
August 1, 2026
Highly recommended.

It was a wonderful canal cruise in a small boat with a great skipper, Eddie, who is very well-informed, had a lot to tell, and was able to answer questions. Our dog was also welcome. Drinks were available for purchase on board, but could also be brought along. It was a very relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommended!

Operator response

Vielen Dank für diese wunderbare Bewertung und Empfehlung! Es freut uns sehr zu hören, dass ihr eine so schöne und entspannte Grachtenfahrt mit Captain Eddie hattet. Toll, dass seine Geschichten, sein Wissen und seine Antworten auf eure Fragen die Tour so interessant gemacht haben.

J
Julie_T
July 31, 2026
Captain Julia is AWESOME!!

Captain Julia is absolutely awesome and so knowledgeable, funny and very articulate. Captain Julia made our canal cruise tour a true delight!

Operator response

Thank you for the fantastic review Julie! We’re so happy to hear you had such a delightful canal cruise with our Captain Julia. Lovely that her knowledge, humour and clear storytelling made the tour so enjoyable.

S
Sandra_C
July 30, 2026
Fun Day

We went on the Amsterdam Canal Tour by Open Boat, July 23. It was a small group. Our captain, Joe, had us introduce ourselves with a brief comment about ourselves before the tour began. When the boat started moving Joe told us how the canals came to be, and how Amsterdam got its name. He talked about interesting sites as we made our way through the canals. We all shouted out questions along the way, and Joe gladly answered them. It’s a fun informative 90 minutes. We’re glad we didn’t miss this tour!

Operator response

Thank you for the fabulous review Sandra! We’re so happy to hear you had such a fun and informative boat tour with our Captain João. Lovely that the small-group setting made it easy to introduce yourselves, ask questions and enjoy the stories along the way. We’re glad João’s explanations about the canals, Amsterdam’s name and the sights helped make the cruise such a memorable part of your visit!

A
A1152YBphilippeg
July 29, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A very beautiful cruise with Captain Julia 👩‍✈️ who is the best of the best. All she is missing now is the cap.

Operator response

Merci beaucoup pour votre superbe avis ! Nous sommes ravis que vous ayez passé une très belle croisière avec Captain Julia.

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GoPlaces57212178322
July 29, 2026
Comfortable and a lot information!

Super nice tour with excellent driver/guide. Attila told about history and other facts about the sights that we saw. Boat is enough small to discuss with him and ask questions. I highly recommend this instead of the big boats.

Operator response

Thank you for the wonderful review and recommendation! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed the comfortable small boat tour with our Captain Attila. Glad his stories about Amsterdam’s history and the sights along the way made the cruise informative. We truly appreciate your kind words and are glad you enjoyed our more personal alternative to the big canal boats!

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