Are Canal Cruises in Amsterdam Worth it 2023: 7 Unique Tours
Are canal cruises in Amsterdam worth it?
Amsterdam is historically known for its beautiful 400 year old canal systems that cover over 60 miles of the city. However, canal cruises are extremely popular among tourists, are they just another tourist trap?
Before our trip to Amsterdam, I was wondering the same question.
No time to read the entire article? No worries, I’ve got you covered!
#1 TOP PICK
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amsterdam: Open Boat Canal Cruise
It has over 4,000 outstanding reviews and I personally booked this tour during our trip – so you can’t go wrong!
Despite this, we decided to book a canal cruise. And I am so glad that we did! We had a wonderful time exploring Amsterdam. So now I can confidently say that booking a canal cruise in Amsterdam is absolutely worth it!
Continue reading, and I will share helpful tips on booking your canal cruise, cruise boats you may want to avoid, and the seven top canal tours that offer unique experiences in Amsterdam.
My Top 3 Picks: Canal Cruises in Amsterdam
#1 TOP PICK
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amsterdam: Open Boat Canal Cruise
✔️ 4,000 outstanding reviews
✔️ I personally booked this tour
✔️ Offers open boat from March to October
#2 TOP PICK
Amsterdam Canal Cruise Cheese and Wine
✔️ Enjoy tasty Dutch cheeses and wine
✔️ Sides have an optional covering
#3 TOP PICK
Are Canal Cruises in Amsterdam Worth It
If it is your first time visiting Amsterdam, a canal cruise is absolutely worth it! In fact, it was one of the best things that we did during our time in Amsterdam. A canal cruise allows you to see the city from a different and unique perspective.
As you glide along the historic canals, you will admire the stunning architecture of the city and learn interesting facts about Amsterdam’s history. We found the cruise to be very relaxing and a must thing to do when visiting Amsterdam.
Tip: I suggest booking your tour in advance and for one of the first days you are in Amsterdam.
Top Canal Cruises in Amsterdam 2023
As one of the most popular tours to book in Amsterdam, there are numerous canal cruises and tour groups to choose from.
After personally taking a canal boat tour in Amsterdam I can tell you which tours are worth your time and money, and which tours aren’t. I have done all of the research for you and vetted the best 7 canal tours in Amsterdam all with incredible reviews!
Let’s dive in!
1. Best Basic Canal Cruise Amsterdam
⭐ RATING: 4.7 out of 5 Stars | BOOK NOW 🛶
This is my top pick for a canal cruise in Amsterdam! What makes the Amsterdam: Open Boat Canal Cruise one of the best tours is that it offers a well-rounded tour of the canals and is budget friendly.
This was the tour that we decided to book. We really enjoyed the stories and knowledge of the skipper and guide. It’s a smaller boat, so the experience and the atmosphere felt more intimate, where we could ask questions and be involved in the conversation.
“Loved loved loved it! We went right around sunset and it was perfect. Dusk with the city lights coming on! Definitely recommend and also the open boat. I had thought about the closed one in case it was cold but it would have taken away from the experience. The boat had blankets so those worked great.” -GetYourGuide traveler (see more reviews)
Another perk of this boat is that from March to October the tours are operated on open boats. Personally, I think this is what made our experience on the canals. On an open boat, you can see so much more of the surrounding canals and buildings. Also, they are not stuffy or have blurry windows you need to look through.
Other Important Details To Note:
- The tour is 60 minutes
- Refreshments are offered for a fee
- Blankets and umbrellas are provided if it is cold or rains
✅ Book the Amsterdam: Open Boat Canal Cruise here
2. Amsterdam Canal Cruise Cheese and Wine
⭐ RATING: 4.7 out of 5 Stars | BOOK NOW 🛶
Enjoy some delicious Dutch cheeses and a glass of wine on your Amsterdam canal cruise. On the Amsterdam Canal Cruise Cheese and Wine Tour you will hop aboard the classic wooden boat. Your skipper will share the local history as you sail past by the many quintessential sights. Such as the famous Skinny Bridge, Maritime Museum, Anne Frank House, and more.
“Simply great! We were served very well. There were very tasty wines; White, rosé and red. Non-alcoholic drinks were also offered. The guides were very friendly and funny. The cheese was offered with delicious, sweet mustard. We thought the tour was great… And would book it again at any time.” – Regina (read more reviews)
Other Important Details To Note:
- Unlimited cheese and wine!
- Small boat of about 20 people
- The boat is covered, but the sides have an optional covering, which makes the boat still feel open and airy.
✅ Book the Amsterdam Classic Boat Cruise With Cheese & Wine Option here
3. All You Can Drink Canal Cruise
⭐ RATING: 4.6 out of 5 Stars | BOOK NOW 🛶
For a boozy Saturday or a way to kickstart your night out in the city, you can book an all you can drink canal cruise. The Amsterdam: Canal Booze Cruise is an hour and a half open boat tour that takes you on a cruise into the heart of the city to the main canals. And of course, the drinks are unlimited!
“Such a fun activity. The captain and crew were very friendly and encouraged an energetic environment!” – Sofia (read more reviews)
Other Important Details To Note:
- Perfect tour for a small group of friends or family
- The capacity of each boat is up to 10 people
- Offers three different experiences to choose from
✅ Book the Amsterdam: Canal Booze Cruise here
4. Best Small Group Canal Cruise
⭐ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | BOOK NOW 🛶
This highly rated Amsterdam Small-Group Canal Cruise is a great option for a group cruise! As a smaller boat that only fits up to 12 people, you can enjoy an intimate experience with the captain and other travelers on your boat. And the small boat allows for unobstructed views of the canals.
On your Small Group Canal Cruise, sip on drinks from an open bar and nibble on authentic Dutch treats like bitterballen and stroopwafel as you cruise the canals.
“It was wonderful. The captain, Eric, was a true Amsterdamer. Along with being full of local knowledge, he was very entertaining. I would highly recommend it!” – Susan R. (read more reviews)
✅ Book Amsterdam Small-Group Canal Cruise Plus Snacks & Drinks here
5. Amsterdam Evening Canal Cruise
⭐ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | BOOK NOW 🛶
Finish off a perfect day in Amsterdam with an evening canal cruise. Amsterdam is beautiful in the evening, and it can be so nice to sit back and relax on the canals after an adventurous day of touring the city. You can either book your evening tour during golden hour or experience the canals at night when the bridges light up the city.
Tip: Check the weather before your cruise, I do not recommend this tour when it rains. At night it makes it very hard to see the canals.
“The stories that guides Adriana and Jiska told about the city. The beautiful lights at night. The expert and smooth ride thanks to Captain Seine. They were a great team.” – Pamela S. (read more reviews)
Other Important Details To Note:
- There is a bar on board
- Blankets are provided for those chilly night cruises
- One hour tour on a small open boat with a maximum of 15 people.
✅ Book the Amsterdam Guided Evening Canal Cruise with Bar on Board here
6. Luxury Dinner Cruise in Amsterdam
⭐ RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars | BOOK NOW 🛶
For a romantic and unique dining experience, you can book an Luxury Dinner Cruise in Amsterdam. A dinner cruise is a great way to end your day in Amsterdam with a relaxing night cruise with your special someone or a group of friends and family.
“The atmosphere was fantastic The food and service was exceptional . The canal ride at night was a whole different experience.” – Randal B. (read more reviews)
Other Important Details To Note:
- Includes three courses and an appetizer
- 3-hour cruise
- Numbers on the cruise are capped at 16 on board
✅ Book the Luxury Dinner Cruise in Amsterdam here
7. Amsterdam: Smoke & Lounge 70 Minute Boat Tour
⭐ RATING: 4.7 out of 5 Stars | BOOK NOW 🛶
Probably the only destination in the world where you can find a tour that offers a smoke lounge on a boat cruise. Experience the Amsterdam Smoke & Lounge Boat Tour for a very chill and relaxing boat ride on the canals with amazing views.
This 70-minute tour includes two free drinks, heated seats, and optional onboard hookahs (extra cost). Bring your own cannabis products. Accommodating up to 22 people, the tour showcases Amsterdam’s main canals and iconic landmarks.
“Amazing tour! The guide was very genuine and seemed very happy to share his knowledge about the city. Really enjoyed this tour and would definitely recommend booking it to anyone who is in amsterdam.” – GetYourGuide traveler (read more reviews)
*This tour is not suitable for children under the age of 18 years old
✅ Book the Amsterdam Smoke & Lounge Boat Tour here
When a Canal Cruise in Amsterdam is Not Worth It
When deciding for myself if booking a canal cruise in Amsterdam was worth it or not, I came across some negative reviews, and some of them I can agree with.
For example, there were some reviews that described the boats as “hot and stuffy.” “The plastic tops on the boat were worn and not clear, and you couldn’t see much in the boat.” Or the ride was “slow and crowded, and earphones barely worked.”
Luckily, I think by booking the right tour you can easily avoid all of these issues.
If you are booking during peak tourist season between May and August, I suggest booking your tour earlier in the day or later in the day to avoid the crowds.
Also, opt for an open boat tour of the canals, which is what we did, and I highly recommend it. It allows for better views and a more comfortable experience, avoiding the heat and stuffiness of enclosed boats.
Another tip would be to book a smaller-sized tour. A small tour group is a great way to avoid an overcrowded boat. And you can hear your tour guide and not have to rely on earphones.
Amsterdam Canal Boat Cruise FAQs
I recommend booking your tour in advance to ensure that tickets are available for the day and time of your choice. Especially during the peak tourist season between May and August. However, it is possible to purchase tickets last minute at some of the canal cruise departure locations.
A canal tour in Amsterdam is typically around $20 to $30 per person for a one-hour tour. The price depends on which canal tour you choose to book and if your tour comes with any extras like an open bar or snacks.
A canal cruise in Amsterdam is typically between an hour to an hour half long. Our tour was an hour, and we felt like it was the perfect amount of time on the canals. The tours that offer food, like the Amsterdam Dinner Canal Cruise or the Amsterdam Small-Group Canal Cruise are two hours to give you a little bit of extra time on the canals.
Booking a canal cruise in Amsterdam varies by time of day, with each option having its own advantages.
Daytime cruises offer clearer views of historic sights and landmarks, while night tours showcase the city and bridges illuminated, with fewer boats and people, creating a more serene experience.
In Conclusion: Are Canal Cruises in Amsterdam Worth It
Would you visit Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower? That is how I feel about exploring the canals in Amsterdam.
A cruise may be considered touristy, but the canals are a big part of Amsterdam’s history. I think that canal cruises in Amsterdam are worth it and you will not regret it!
Booking a canal cruise is a reasonable price, and most of the tours are only an hour long, so it does not take up a lot of time if you are only in Amsterdam for a short time. We really enjoyed our canal cruise in Amsterdam because we thought it was informative, entertaining, and a great way to see the city!
Besides the canals, there are so many more amazing things to do in Amsterdam like a food tour, exploring the 9 streets, visiting the Anne Frank House, and so much more.
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