Amsterdam Canal Cruise: Open Boat, Dutch Snacks & Drinks

Electric boat ride through Amsterdam’s canal ring with Dutch bites and stories

You’ll drift through Amsterdam’s historic canal ring on an electric open boat with local guides sharing stories as you snack on Dutch cheese and stroopwafels. Expect unlimited drinks, laughs with fellow travelers, quiet moments under old bridges, and glimpses into hidden corners of the city’s past: all in just 90 minutes that somehow feel longer in memory.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Rijksmuseum15m
2. Amsterdam Canal Ringpass by
3. Amstel Riverpass by
4. H’ART Museumpass by
5. Southern Churchpass by
6. Our Lord in the Attic Museumpass by
7. New Market Squarepass by
8. Emperor's Canalpass by
9. Herengrachtpass by
10. Singel Canalpass by
11. Amsterdam Central Stationpass by
12. Basilica of St. Nicholaspass by
13. Magere Brugpass by
14. Rembrandt House Museumpass by
15. National Maritime Museumpass by
16. Mint Towerpass by
17. Museum of the Canalspass by
18. Jewish Museumpass by
19. Rokinpass by
20. Old Churchpass by
21. De Bijenkorfpass by
22. Amsterdam Museumpass by
23. Hortus Botanicuspass by
24. Museum Willet-Holthuysenpass by
25. Waterlooplein Marketpass by
26. Dutch Resistance Museumpass by

Amsterdam canal cruise and sightseeing

• Dock at Rijksmuseum
• Enjoy Rijksmuseum building and exhibits
• View Rembrandt's Night Watch
• Cruise Amsterdam canals
• Pass Herengracht canal
• Pass Prinsengracht canal
• Pass Keizersgracht canal
• Pass Amstel River
• Pass Royal Theatre Carré
• Pass Hermitage Amsterdam
• Pass Blauwbrug bridge
• Pass Dutch National Opera
• Pass Zuiderkerk church
• Pass Our Lord in the Attic Museum
• Pass New Market Square
• Pass Singel Canal
• Pass Amsterdam Central Station
• Pass Basilica of St. Nicholas
• Pass Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug)
• Pass Rembrandt House Museum
• Pass National Maritime Museum
• Pass Amsterdam Red Light District
• Pass Mint Tower
• Pass Museum of the Canals
• Pass Jewish Museum
• Pass Old Church (Oude Kerk)
• Pass Museumplein square
• Pass Amsterdam Museum
• Pass Hortus Botanicus
• Pass Museum Willet-Holthuysen
• Pass Waterlooplein Market
• Pass Dutch Resistance Museum

The experience

I’ll admit, I booked this Amsterdam canal cruise mostly because I was curious if the city would feel different from the water. Turns out, it does: in a way you can’t get from just wandering the streets. The boat left right by the Rijksmuseum, which looked even grander from below, and our guide (I think his name was Bram?) had that dry Dutch humor that sneaks up on you. There were maybe 20 of us, all sorts: an older couple from Spain, some friends from Canada, and a solo traveler who kept taking Polaroids. It felt oddly cozy for being so open to the sky.

The canals themselves are quieter than I expected. You hear a soft hum from the electric motor but mostly it’s water lapping against brick walls and sometimes laughter echoing off old houses. We passed under bridges so close you could almost touch them. One was painted blue and someone had hung a string of plastic tulips across it (no idea why). Bram pointed out the Skinny Bridge and told us if you kiss there your love is supposed to last forever. Two people actually tried it and everyone clapped. The air smelled like rain on stone, even though it wasn’t raining yet. Just that dampness that hangs around Amsterdam.

I didn’t know much about Dutch snacks before this cruise but now I can say stroopwafels are dangerous if you’re not careful (I ate three). There was cheese too, sharp and crumbly, plus little bowls of pickles that made my mouth pucker. Unlimited wine and Heineken helped everyone relax. Nobody got rowdy though: Bram made sure it stayed a history tour, not a party boat. He told stories about Rembrandt living along these canals, about secret churches hidden in attic rooms (we floated past Our Lord in the Attic Museum) and how some bridges used to be so narrow only one person could cross at a time.

It went by faster than I thought: 90 minutes isn’t long when you’re watching sunlight flicker off water or listening to someone explain why Amstel beer is named after the river we were gliding down. I still think about how peaceful it felt, drifting past centuries-old houses while sharing snacks with strangers who suddenly didn’t feel like strangers anymore. If you’re looking for a day trip in Amsterdam that isn’t just ticking off museums but actually feeling part of the city for a bit… well, yeah. This is it.

What’s included

Your day includes a 1.5-hour electric open boat cruise through Amsterdam’s canals with unlimited Heineken beer and wine plus typical Dutch snacks like cheese and stroopwafels: all guided by locals who share stories along the way before returning to your starting point near the Rijksmuseum.

Options for this experience

3 options

Rijksmuseum – Open-Top BoatGuide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 20:00Boarding point: Captain Jack Amsterdam, Museumbrug 2, 1017 SG Amsterdam, Netherlands. Departure is from the Rijksmuseum (Museumbrug 1).

Rijksmuseum – Enclosed BoatGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 11:00, the last at 21:00Meeting point: Captain Jack Amsterdam, Museumbrug 2, 1017 SG Amsterdam, Netherlands

Central StationGuide in English · 10 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 19:00Boarding from Central Station: Stationsplein 18, 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 21:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish

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 today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Captain Jack Amsterdam

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5): 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.

Where does the Amsterdam canal cruise start?

The cruise departs right in front of the Rijksmuseum.

How long is the canal cruise?

The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Are drinks included during the tour?

Yes, unlimited Heineken beer and wine are included.

What kind of snacks are served on board?

You’ll get typical Dutch snacks like cheese and stroopwafels.

Is this suitable for bachelor parties or drinking groups?

No, this is a history-focused canal cruise and not intended for party groups.

Is there assistance getting into the boat?

Yes, staff will help as there’s a fairly big step onto the boat.