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Boat tours of Amsterdam’s canals

  • Amsterdam, North, Netherlands

Last updated: 15 November, 2024

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.

Logistics

Price from: £20
Minimum age: 0
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.

Who to go with: organised tours

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