Amsterdam Canal Cruise: 1-Hour Boat Tour on Electric Luxury Boats

Electric boats, a skipper's narration, the Herengracht and Amstel River, and the Magere Brug all in one hour.

A 1-hour canal boat tour in Amsterdam aboard a 100% electric luxury vessel with a live English-speaking guide, departing from the Jordaan neighborhood and passing the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Mint Tower, and the city's UNESCO-listed 17th-century canal ring. The boat is open-air in summer and covered in rain or cold weather. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase at the onboard bar. Blankets are provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Amsterdam luxury canal cruise experience

• Board luxury electric boat
• Enjoy 1-hour canal cruise
• View historic Amsterdam sights
• Listen to crew's historical commentary
• Purchase drinks at onboard bar
• Experience open or saloon boat depending on weather

The experience

The boat leaves from the Jordaan, the neighborhood named after the river Jordan and bordered by the Prinsengracht canal. A skipper and live guide board with you, and for the next hour they narrate the sights as the electric boat moves through Amsterdam's three main canals (the Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht), which were dug in the 17th century and now form concentric belts around the city. These canals and the 1,550 monumental buildings along them were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.

The route passes the Anne Frank House on the Prinsengracht, where the guide explains its role during World War II. You'll see the Westerkerk, a Reformed church in the western part of the canal ring, and the Rijksmuseum, which you view from the water as the boat sails along the Prinsengracht. The Mint Tower, originally a medieval city gate called the Regulierstoren, comes into view, as does the Magere Brug: a wooden drawbridge across the Amstel River so narrow that two pedestrians once struggled to pass each other. The Amstel itself, the biggest canal, is where Amsterdam was founded when fishermen built a dam and called it Amstel-re-dam. On summer days when the weather is sunny and dry, you ride on an open boat. If rain or cold arrives, the boat is covered and heated.

An onboard bar sells drinks and snacks throughout the tour. Blankets are available if the water is chilly: the operator notes it's colder on the water and recommends warm clothing. The stewards in orange shirts are there to help you board (there's a fairly big step into the boat) and answer questions. If you've booked one of the adult-only options, you may have access to unlimited drinks or a Rijksmuseum add-on. Otherwise, purchases are à la carte.

What’s included

• Live English-speaking guide and skipper narrating the sights.
• onboard bar with drinks and snacks available for purchase.
• blankets provided.
• covered or open-air boat depending on weather.

Options for this experience

4 options

Central Station departure, no drinks or bitesGuide in English · 38 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 22:15Departs from Prins Hendrikkade near Central Station; drinks and bites are not included, but the onboard bar sells beverages.

Anne Frank stop, no drinks or bitesGuide in English · 40 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 23:00Departs from Prinsengracht near the Anne Frank House; drinks and bites are not included, but the bar sells beverages.

Rijksmuseum cruise for adults only, no drinks or bitesGuide in English · 37 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 22:00Adults-only cruise from Museumbrug near the Rijksmuseum; drinks and bites are not included, but the onboard bar sells beverages.

Unlimited drinks and small bites from Central St.Guide in English · 38 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 22:15Unlimited drinks with beer, wine and soft drinks, plus small bites; cocktails are not included. Departs from Prins Hendrikkade.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day40 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 23:00

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Flagship Amsterdam

Is this one for you?Book the standard option if you want to see the canals and landmarks without committing to extras; choose the unlimited drinks option if you're 18+ and want to sip throughout the hour; the Rijksmuseum add-on (18+ only) works if you'd like a museum ticket bundled in, though the boat passes the building from the water rather than entering it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What is the Anne Frank House and why does the boat pass it?

The Anne Frank House on the Prinsengracht was the refuge where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II. The boat sails past it as part of the canal route, and the guide explains its historical significance.

Will I be cold or wet on the boat?

The boat is open-air in summer when weather is sunny and dry, but it's covered and heated if rain or cold arrives. Blankets are provided, and the operator advises bringing warm clothing because it's colder on the water than on land.

What canals and landmarks does the tour pass?

The tour passes the three main 17th-century canals (Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht), and sails along the Amstel River. You see the Anne Frank House, Westerkerk, Rijksmuseum, Mint Tower, and the Magere Brug, a historic wooden drawbridge.

Can I buy drinks or food on the boat?

Yes, an onboard bar sells drinks and snacks throughout the tour. Some ticket options include unlimited drinks. Otherwise, purchases are available à la carte.

How do I board the boat, and is it accessible?

There's a fairly big step into the boat, and stewards in orange shirts will assist you. Infants in prams or strollers can ride, and service animals are allowed. The operator notes the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If rain or cold weather arrives, the boat is covered and heated. The operator will move you to one of the beautiful, warm saloon boats to keep the tour comfortable.