Amsterdam Canal Cruise: Golden Age Canals with Drinks & Cheese

Drift past Anne Frank House and the Mint Tower while your guide brings Amsterdam's 17th-century story to life.

A 1-hour covered saloon boat cruise through Amsterdam's UNESCO-listed Golden Age canals with a live English-speaking skipper and guide who shares the history and stories of the city's landmarks. You can book the standard tour or add unlimited drinks (wine, beer, soft drinks) and Dutch cheese. The boat departs from either the Jordaan or Central Station depending on your chosen option, and passes the Anne Frank House, Westerkerk, Rijksmuseum, Magere Brug, and the Mint Tower among other sights.

Step-by-step itinerary

Classic Amsterdam canal boat cruise

• Board classic saloon boat
• Sail through Golden Age canals
• Pass Maritime Museum and Golden Bend
• See Anne Frank House and Westerkerk
• View Royal Theatre Carré and Rijksmuseum
• Cruise along Prinsengracht and Amstel River
• Pass Mint Tower and Magere Brug
• Enjoy live guide commentary

The experience

The boat is a classic covered saloon, which means you stay dry and warm even when the Dutch weather turns chilly. Bring a jacket anyway, as it's colder on the water. Your skipper and live guide steer through the three main canals (Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht) that form concentric rings around the city, dug during the Dutch Golden Age and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the route you'll pass 1,550 monumental buildings, each one a piece of Amsterdam's 400-year-old story.

The guide points out landmarks as you move through the water: the Anne Frank House on the Prinsengracht, where the family hid during World War II; the Westerkerk, the Reformed church that stands next to the Jordaan neighborhood; the Rijksmuseum, visible from the canal with its collection of Rembrandt and Vermeer paintings; and the Magere Brug, the wooden drawbridge on the Amstel that was once so narrow two people could barely pass. The Mint Tower, built in the 1480s as part of the medieval city wall and later used to mint coins, rises above the water as well. The guide answers questions and offers recommendations for the rest of your stay, so this is not a passive float. You shape the conversation.

If you choose the option with drinks and cheese, the skipper and crew bring unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks, plus Dutch cheese, aboard. The standard tour includes only the cruise and the guide's commentary. Either way, the boat holds a friendly atmosphere and works for all fitness levels, though there is a fairly big step up into the boat. The crew will assist you. Infants under 3 travel free. No toilets are on board, so plan accordingly. The exact departure point and the specific sights you pass may shift slightly depending on which option you book (Jordaan or Central Station), so confirm the details when you reserve.

What’s included

• 1-hour covered saloon boat cruise through the UNESCO-listed Golden Age canals.
• experienced skipper and live English-speaking guide who shares Amsterdam's history and landmarks.
• friendly atmosphere and unique experience on a luxury boat.
• Dutch cheese and unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks if you choose that option at checkout.

Options for this experience

4 options

Boarding at Central Station, drinks sold onboardGuide in English · 37 departure times: the first at 10:30, the last at 23:55Departs from the Central Station waterfront, with drinks available for purchase on the boat and no cheese included.

Boarding at Anne Frank House, drinks sold onboardGuide in English · 37 departure times: the first at 10:30, the last at 23:55Departs from the Anne Frank House canal side, with drinks available for purchase on the boat and no cheese included.

Boarding at Anne Frank House, cheese and drinks includedGuide in English · 37 departure times: the first at 10:30, the last at 23:55Departs from the Anne Frank House canal side, with wine, beer and soft drinks plus cheese included.

Boarding at Central Station, cheese and drinks includedGuide in English · 37 departure times: the first at 10:30, the last at 23:55Departs from the Central Station waterfront, with wine, beer and soft drinks plus cheese included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day37 departure times: the first at 10:30, the last at 23:55

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 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 today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Flagship Amsterdam

Is this one for you?Book the standard tour if you want the guide's stories and the canal views without the extra cost of drinks and cheese. Choose the drinks and cheese option if you'd like to settle in with a glass of wine or beer and snacks while the guide talks, turning the hour into a more leisurely float through the city.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 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 is the Prinsengracht building where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II. The boat sails past it on the canal, and your guide shares the history of the house and the family's time there.

What are the Golden Age canals and why are they UNESCO-listed?

The three main canals (Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht) were dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age and form concentric rings around Amsterdam. They are surrounded by 1,550 monumental buildings and were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010 because they represent a unique urban planning achievement and are central to Amsterdam's identity as the "Venice of the North."

Is there a toilet on the boat?

No, there are no toilets on board, so plan your visit accordingly and use facilities before you board.

What should I wear for the cruise?

Bring warm clothing and a jacket. It is colder on the water than on land, and the Dutch weather can be chilly, so dress in layers even if the day feels mild on shore.

Which departure point should I choose?

You can depart from the Jordaan neighborhood or Central Station depending on which option you select at checkout. Each itinerary has its own charm and passes slightly different sights along the route. Contact the operator for details on what each departure includes.