Amsterdam: Body Worlds & 1-Hour Canal Cruise with Fast-Track

See inside the human body, then float past Amsterdam's canal houses in one afternoon

You get fast-track entry to Body Worlds Amsterdam and the Happiness Project exhibition, then board a 1-hour canal cruise with audio guide from your choice of three departure points. Book your cruise time in advance at the Damrak shop to guarantee your preferred slot and avoid the entry queue at the museum.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Body Worlds and canal cruise

• Enter Body Worlds Amsterdam
• See The Happiness Project exhibit
• Take 1-hour canal cruise
• View Amsterdam canal houses

The Experience

What do you actually see when you walk into Body Worlds? The exhibition sits in the heart of Amsterdam and pulls in thousands of visitors a year, but most people don't know what to expect until they're standing in front of the first display. This combo package gives you fast-track entry to skip the line, then moves you straight from the museum to the water — the 1-hour canal cruise departs from one of three Lovers locations (Central Station, Anne Frank House, or Rijksmuseum), so you pick the one that fits your day. The audio guide covers multiple languages, which matters because the museum's permanent "The Happiness Project" exhibition doesn't rely on text alone.

The canal cruise is the part that changes how you feel about Amsterdam. You're not walking past the narrow houses and houseboats; you're floating by them, seeing the water-level details — the way the buildings lean, the gardens spilling over the edges, the light hitting the windows at a different angle than street level gives you. The cruise runs for a full hour, which is long enough to actually breathe instead of rushing through a checklist. Both parts of the day are timed separately, so you'll want to book your cruise slot in advance at one of the Tours & Tickets shops (Damrak 26 is the main location) to lock in the time that works for you.

The whole experience is built for people who want to see two major Amsterdam things without arranging separate tickets, transport between them, or figuring out timing themselves. Infants sit on an adult's lap, and the package works for all fitness levels — you're not hiking or climbing, just walking through a museum and sitting on a boat.

What’s included

Your day includes fast-track entrance to Body Worlds Amsterdam with access to the Happiness Project exhibition, plus a 1-hour canal cruise with audio guide in multiple languages. You arrange your own timing between the two and choose which of the three cruise departure points works for your route.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tours & Tickets

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see two of Amsterdam's top attractions without juggling separate bookings and entry lines — the fast-track ticket and bundled cruise take the logistics off your hands, leaving you to decide how long to spend inside the museum.

Traveler reviews

4.63★★★★★★★★★★

19 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

How long does the whole experience take?

Body Worlds takes as long as you want to spend inside (typically 1.5 to 3 hours), and the canal cruise is 1 hour. You book them separately, so you control the timing between the two.

Where do the canal cruises depart from?

Three locations: Central Station (Prins Hendrikkade 20B), Anne Frank House (Leliegracht 51), or Rijksmuseum (Stadhouderskade 511). You choose which one suits your route.

Do I need to book the cruise in advance?

It's recommended. Visit the Tours & Tickets shop at Damrak 26 to reserve your specific time slot and guarantee availability.

Can I bring a baby or small child?

Yes. Infants sit on an adult's lap on the cruise. Body Worlds is suitable for all ages, though you decide what's appropriate for your child.

Is there parking or public transport nearby?

Public transportation options are available near both attractions. Amsterdam's city center is well-served by trams, buses, and bikes.

What is the Happiness Project exhibition?

It's the permanent exhibition at Body Worlds Amsterdam. The fast-track ticket includes entry to this along with the rest of the museum.