Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour: 27 illuminated artworks

See 27 pieces of light art drift past while the city's landmarks stay lit around you

An Amsterdam canal boat tour running until January 18 that floats you past 27 illuminated artworks installed across the city's waterways, plus the Skinny Bridge, Herengracht and other highlights. The boat departs from Central Station with a live English-speaking skipper and holds a small group of up to 28 passengers. Drinks and snacks are optional at booking. The route takes roughly 75 minutes and may shift depending on water conditions and weather.

Step-by-step itinerary

Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise

• Depart from Amsterdam Central Station
• Cruise through UNESCO-listed canals
• Pass The Dancing Houses and Seven Bridges
• View illuminated art installations
• See Basilica of St. Nicholas
• Pass NEMO Science Museum
• Listen to legend at Skinny Bridge
• View Herengracht canal houses
• Pass Haarlemmer Sluis lock
• Optional drinks and Dutch snacks

The Experience

The boat leaves right in front of Amsterdam Central Station in one of the operator's electric Eco Boats. You'll cruise past the 27 temporary light installations that make up the Amsterdam Light Festival: a chance to photograph artworks that are only in the canals until mid-January. The skipper narrates in English, and a digital booklet in eight languages (English, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, German, French and Italian) gives you guided information as you move through the water.

Beyond the festival pieces, the route takes you past the Dancing Houses, the Seven Bridges, the Basilica of St. Nicholas, and the NEMO Science Museum with its distinctive copper-green shape designed by architect Renzo Piano. You'll pass under the Skinny Bridge and cruise the Herengracht, the "Gentlemen's Canal", lined with 17th-century houses. The Haarlemmer Sluis, a 16th-century lock that still regulates water levels in a city below sea level, shows how Amsterdam has managed its relationship with water for centuries.

At checkout, you choose whether to add drinks and Dutch snacks, take one drink, or cruise without. The boat adjusts between half-open and covered depending on weather. On cold or rainy days, dress warmly. The 75-minute duration may shift based on water conditions, and the route can vary each time. The operator won TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice award in 2025.

What’s included

• Welcome snack.
• choice of drinks (unlimited with snacks, one drink, or none) at checkout.
• live guide in English and Dutch.
• digital guided information in eight languages.
• 75-minute cruise past 27 light installations, the Skinny Bridge, Herengracht, the Basilica of St. Nicholas, NEMO Science Museum and other Amsterdam highlights.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Eco Boats Amsterdam

Is this one for you?The boat route covers all 27 pieces in one afternoon without backtracking between stops, and the small group keeps sightlines clear at the rail.

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Top questions

What are the 27 light artworks I'll see on the Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour?

The Light Festival features 27 temporary illuminated pieces installed across Amsterdam's canals by different artists. They're only in place until January 18, so this tour is the main way to see them all from the water without planning separate stops. The skipper and digital booklet will guide you through them as you pass.

Does the boat go under the Skinny Bridge?

Yes. The Skinny Bridge is one of the main highlights on the route. The skipper will tell you about the bridge's legend as you pass underneath it.

Can I bring my own drinks, or do I have to buy them on the boat?

You choose at checkout: Unlimited Drinks + Dutch Snack, one drink included, or no drink. You can't bring your own alcohol aboard, but non-alcoholic options are available on all three options. Alcoholic drinks are only served to passengers 18 and over with ID.

How many people fit on the boat?

The boat holds a maximum of 28 passengers, keeping the group small enough that everyone gets a view of the water and the artworks.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The boat switches between half-open and covered depending on conditions. On cold or rainy days, wear warm, waterproof clothing: cruising on the water gets cold even in milder weather. The operator decides on the day itself which boat setup to use.

Where do I meet the boat?

The departure point is right in front of Amsterdam Central Station. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need to get there.