Amsterdam Canal Cruise: Open Boat Tour with Drinks & Local Guide

Summary

Open boat canal cruise past Anne Frank House, Magere Brug, Rijksmuseum and more

You’ll float through Amsterdam’s heart on an open boat canal cruise with a local skipper and guide, passing landmarks like Anne Frank House and Magere Brug. Sip drinks from the onboard bar (unlimited option available), listen to real city stories, and stay cozy with blankets or ponchos if needed. It’s casual, lively, and lets you see Amsterdam from right at water level.

What’s the experience like?

“You see that?” our guide Bram asked, pointing at the skinny bridge as we drifted under it — I nearly spilled my beer trying to get a better look. The canal water was so close I could almost touch it; you get this mossy smell mixed with something sweet from a bakery nearby. We’d barely left the dock near De Bijenkorf when a couple waved at us from their houseboat window (they actually smiled back when I waved, which felt weirdly nice). The electric engine was quiet enough that you could hear bikes rattling over cobblestones on shore. Someone behind me tried to pronounce ‘Herengracht’ and gave up halfway through — even Bram laughed.

I didn’t expect to feel so relaxed on an Amsterdam canal cruise, but there’s something about sitting low in an open boat, drink in hand, watching the city slide by. We passed the Anne Frank House — everyone got quiet for a second — then suddenly we were at the Homomonument and Bram told us how locals still leave flowers there. He pointed out tiny details: old hooks above windows for hauling furniture, a cat sunbathing on a windowsill by Brouwersgracht. At one point it started drizzling and they handed out ponchos without fuss. People just shrugged and kept chatting.

The tour took us along Emperor’s Canal and past the NEMO Science Museum (that green ship-shaped building — looks odd but kind of cool up close). There was this moment by the Magere Brug where lights flickered on as dusk hit, reflecting off the water in these long lines. It wasn’t dramatic or anything, just quietly beautiful. Our group swapped stories over another round from the bar; someone mentioned their grandmother used to live near Leidseplein and suddenly everyone wanted to know more about old Amsterdam pubs. I still think about that view near Westertoren — something about the light made everything feel softer.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Amsterdam canal tour and city sights

• Start canal tour by Rijksmuseum
• Pass Saint Nicolas Church
• See Weeping Tower
• View NEMO Science Museum
• Pass National Maritime Museum
• See former Navy storage luxury hotel
• Pass watchtower known as silly Jake
• View cozy Amsterdam pub
• Pass family-run diamond factory
• See Jewish Museum
• Pass Rembrandt House Museum
• View famous ballet and opera stage
• Pass Waterlooplein Market
• See French gift bridge
• Pass H’ART Museum
• View Royal theater Carré
• See iconic Magere Brug drawbridge
• Pass Herengracht canal
• View Museum Willet-Holthuysen
• Pass lively square with bars
• See FOAM Photography Museum
• Pass official mayor residence
• Visit old Heineken brewery
• View seven bridges from Reguliersgracht
• Pass Felix Meritis building
• See connecting canal
• Pass Rijksmuseum
• View Museum of the Canals
• Pass Royal Concertgebouw
• See cultural square with museums
• Pass Amsterdam pop Temple
• Pass Leidseplein square
• Pass nine picturesque streets
• View Keizersgracht canal
• Pass Houseboat Museum
• See Homomonument memorial
• Pass famous Renaissance tower
• View Westerkerk church
• Pass Anne Frank House
• Pass Brouwersgracht canal
• See Nieuwe Haarlemmersluis lock

Top questions

Is this Amsterdam canal cruise suitable for families?

Yes, children are welcome and life jackets are available for ages 0-6 free of charge.

Are drinks included on the open boat tour?

The bar is onboard with drinks for sale; there’s also an unlimited drinks option you can choose when booking.

Does the canal cruise run in bad weather?

Yes, ponchos and umbrellas are provided if it rains, plus blankets for chilly days.

Where does the Amsterdam canal cruise start?

The tour departs near De Bijenkorf in central Amsterdam.

Which landmarks do we see during the cruise?

You’ll pass Anne Frank House, Magere Brug, Herengracht, Emperor’s Canal, NEMO Science Museum, National Maritime Museum and more.

Is there a guide on board?

Yes, every boat has a local skipper and guide sharing stories throughout your trip.

Can I bring my stroller or pram onboard?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

Are service animals allowed?

Service animals are welcome aboard this Amsterdam canal cruise.

What’s included

Your day includes live guiding by a local skipper and crew as you float through Amsterdam’s canals in a 100% electric open boat. Drinks are available for purchase (or unlimited if you choose), plus cozy blankets if it gets chilly and ponchos or umbrellas if rain shows up unexpectedly. Taxes are covered too—just show up ready to relax right at water level.