“Believe me my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” – Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows
For many Amsterdam visitors, a canal cruise is high on the list of things to experience in the Dutch capital. No matter what your age or fitness level, it’s a great way to float around the 17th-century grachtengordel – the UNESCO Heritage site that gives the city its distinctive half-moon shape – without getting run over by a bike.
But not all canal cruises are created equal. Amsterdammers love messing about in boats and local companies have developed numerous ways to share their maritime passion with tourists. Today’s options include classic, classy, cannabis-friendly and carb-fuelled canal cruises, as well as those that incorporate romance, virtual reality, irreverent banter and hop-on/hop-off convenience. While this overview is far from exhaustive, it should whet your appetite for seeing Amsterdam from the water.
Whether you’re looking for relaxed sightseeing, proposal-worthy romance, cultural immersion, wine and gastronomy, or something more offbeat, there’s an Amsterdam canal cruise designed for you.
Lovers: The Orange-Roofed Classic
If you’ve ever visited Amsterdam, you’ve surely seen long orange boats from Lovers’ glass-roofed fleet afloat on local canals. The 75-year-old company is the “chain restaurant” of canal cruises — big, consistent and dependable. For those who want a classic overview of the city backed by a decades-old tourism machine, it’s the perfect fit.
From a company that’s been running cruises since the 1950s you can expect frequent departures, multiple departure points, combi-deals, and the inevitable tourist crowd.
The hour-long day or evening cruises in comfortable covered or semi-covered boats are best for first-timers, families, budget travelers, and visitors who want a no-frills, “see all the highlights” experience. While the audio guide may be dry, it’s available in 19 languages. In addition to their classic canal cruises, Lovers offers evening jaunts that combine sightseeing with wine and gastronomy. Options include New York pizza, wine and cheese, and four-course dinner cruises.
De Pannenkoekenboot: A Buffet Attached To A Boat
When in Amsterdam, do as the Dutch do: eat pannenkoeken (a lighter, more crepe-like version of American pancakes).
On this all-you-can-eat moving buffet operated by Lovers, you’ll feast on traditional Dutch pannenkoeken topped with baked apples, freshly-cooked bacon, chocolate sprinkles, and other sweet and savory goodies on a 75-minute cruise along the IJ River.
Rather than the 17th-century mansions of the inner canal ring, the backdrop for De Pannenkoekenboot cruises is Amsterdam’s modern waterfront north of Central Station. As staff deliver a seemingly endless supply of pancakes to your table, you’ll pass such iconic contemporary structures as the 22-story A’DAM Tower, the spaceship-like EYE Film Museum, and This is Holland, the 3D film experience that might make you dizzier than any boat ride.
But sightseeing is not really the focus of a family-oriented, syrup-laden floating feast that can be loud and sticky. If you’re looking for contemplative canal-gazing or historic narration, De Pannenkoekenboot is not for you. For stomach-filling value on a sturdy, covered vessel with a toilet and an onboard ball pit where little ones can burn off the sugar rush, it’s ideal.
Pure Boats: Cozy And Curated
If you’re in the mood for a more intimate sail narrated by a captain knowledgeable about Amsterdam’s history and culture, a Pure Boats cruise may be your best option.
Hosted on restored, electric-powered vessels that look like they belong in a design magazine rather than a tourist pamphlet, the company specializes in private and small-group cruises, including tailored excursions for proposals, anniversaries and weddings.
Catering is possible for everything from an intimate brunch to a five-course floating dinner.
Billed as “the superyacht of the canals,” Pure Boats’ largest vessel is the eye-catching Stan Huygens, favorite boat of legendary beer mogul Freddy Heineken. With leather booth seating, two bars with Heineken on tap, a kitchen, and (bullet proof) windows that can be lowered on sunny days, it’s perfect for upscale cruising, as well as a seated dinner for up to 32 guests. Equally spacious is Pure Spirit, flagship of the fleet, with lounge seating for up to 25, an onboard bar, pop-up canopy, and a toilet.
On the other end of the scale, there’s Lucy, a hand-crafted Edwardian boat that might have guided yachts of the early 20th century into port on the Thames. Restored to provide an upscale experience for up to six, it’s perfect for cozy culinary cruises and serious romance. Slightly larger are Geertje, with a pop-up canopy and seating for 10, and Schollevaar, a renovated salon boat with a stylized deck with seating for up to 12. All vessels in Pure Boats’ fleet feature heated inside space, as well as outdoor seating for sunny days.
Those Dam Boat Guys: Rebels With a Cause (Fun)
Irreverent banter replaces scripted monologues on Those Dam Boat Guys’ cheeky, 90-minute meanders through Amsterdam’s canal belt. The company’s sassy website is your first clue this is not your staid grandma’s kinda cruise, noting “only assholes hope for wet weather” when storming the Dutch capital. But even when it rains, these tours operate on boats with cover-up options.
If you’re after a cookie-cutter cruise with “one size fits all” commentary, keep looking. For something less scripted and more comedic improv, this is the ticket.
Rather than canned BS, you’ll hear stories from the heart from captains who sound more like your chatty mate than a walking history textbook.
Since they’re encouraged to choose their own routes (within reason), no two tours are exactly the same. Boats are small, with space for just 8–10, so you’ll feel like you’re hanging out with friends rather than being herded about with strangers. Bring your own snacks, drinks and smokes – tobacco or whatever.
Book a whole boat for birthdays, stag/hen parties or other special occasions with the charmingly titled “Strangers Are Gross” ticket. Start the party at the departure point: Cafe de Knoop, the self-described lovechild of Cafe de Spuyt and Those Dam Boat Guys.
Smokeboat: Come For The Vibes, Stay For The Views
In an infamously permissive city, an equally infamous cannabis-friendly canal cruise has been helping tourists get high on Amsterdam highlights since 2013. Clearly not for the faint of lung, families with young kids or history buffs insistent on coherent narratives, but for those who want to drink, float and smoke, this is the one.
Designed for those over 18 who prioritize mellow vibes over narrated views, Smokeboat’s hour-long cruises take a “no information, only relaxation” approach. No posh snacks, craft beers or insightful commentary; just the mellow euphoria of seeing Amsterdam from the water with a gaggle of strangers and a soundtrack of laughter and reggae beats.
Photo credit: Smokeboat
Bring your own joints or roll ‘em on the boat with legally purchased cannabis and Smokeboat’s grinders and papers. Four boats in the fleet are heated in cold weather but can be opened up on nice days. Departures are from either coffeeshop Basjoe or the Victoria Hotel. In addition to shared group cruises, Smokeboat offers private tours for up to 20.
VR Voyage: Time Travel on a Boat
For history buffs, gadget nerds, and anyone who appreciates new technology, VR Voyage might be the best way to see the Amsterdam of today, as well as yesteryear, from the water.
As one of the newest entries into Amsterdam’s canal cruise market, the concept uses VR headsets to overlay scenes from the Dutch Golden Age – the most influential period in the history of the Netherlands – on the modern city. During most of the 75-minute tour, the headset is off so you can take in the scenery and enjoy a welcome drink while your captain delivers lore about Dutch history.
At seven stops, you’ll don the headset and — whoosh — you’re back in the 17th century, smelling virtual spices, dodging virtual horse carts, and seeing Amsterdam as it was 400 years ago.
The concept is the first product of Commanditaire Vennootschap XR Visuals Factory, a young company that uses VR technology to instill history lessons into local tourism. As a gimmick with a brain, it’s fun, novel, and a must-see for anyone who wants bragging rights about being the first on their block to experience one of Amsterdam’s newest attractions.
Boarding is near Leidseplein, on the jetty next to Lido Bar & Kitchen. All boats in the fleet are converted ships with onboard heating. Human and audio narration are available in Dutch and English.
Cultuur Ferry: Culture Meets Connection
If you’re visiting on a weekend in July or August and want to see multiple attractions in a single day, Cultuur Ferry is a fun, practical and leisurely way to move around.
More hop-on hop-off shuttle than sightseeing cruise, it’s a great value for museum crawlers who want cultural context while traveling through the canal ring from Central Station and along the Oosterdok to Museumplein and Waterlooplein.
On a loop that takes about two and a half hours to complete, Cultuur Ferry makes five stops with easy access to more than 30 cultural hotspots. If you have the energy, you might visit NEMO or Artis Zoo, hop over to the Jewish Quarter, and finish on Museumplein. Along the way, hear museum guides.tell stories about local history, cultural institutions and secret gems in the city.
Hardly a party boat or vehicle for romance, Cultuur Ferry is less about lounging and more about scenic transport with curated commentary. As a sustainable alternative to trams and buses, it’s perfect for culture vultures, museum hoppers, and people who like to plan. Tickets for specific windows are valid for 24 hours from when they’re first scanned.
Which Cruise Floats Your Boat?
So there you have it – a roundup of ways to cruise past Amsterdam’s gabled mansions and historic monuments on its iconic canals.
Whether you’re with friends, a date, or on a solo mission, there’s an option designed for you, from classic, romantic and sophisticated to rowdy, hedonistic, high-tech and educational.
To rewind, there’s Lovers for convenience without quirks and those who speak neither English nor Dutch, De Pannenkoekenboot for family fun and carb loading, Pure Boats for tailored intimacy, Those Dam Boat Guys for irreverent banter, Smokeboat for 420-friendly vibes, VR Voyage for a trip to 17th-century Amsterdam without the plague, and Cultuur Ferry for museum-crawlers who want cultural context with their commute.
Whichever cruise you choose, some of your experience will depend on the charisma of the guide (if you’re on a human-narrated cruise), the chemistry of the group, and of course, the weather. If you’re allergic to drizzle, choose operators with enclosed, heated boats, e.g., Pure Boats, Lovers and VR Voyage.
For photographers and Insta-intent travelers, time of day matters. Mornings are quiet with little traffic on the water. During the “twilight hour,” at dawn and just before sunset, canal houses are particularly beautiful. On evening cruises, bridges and monuments come alive with lights, making for stunning images.
If you want to captain your own vessel with your own crew, renting an entire boat can be more fun and less costly than booking individual tickets. With zero skipper demanding you stay on route, no narrator distracting you with fun facts you’re likely to forget, and no one stopping you from pausing for a mid-cruise beer on land, you’ll gain a sense of freedom you might not have when someone else steers the boat.
As long as you’re over 18, you’ll need no fancy maritime credentials to pilot a craft from Mokumboot, Canal Motorboats or Eco Boats Amsterdam.
Bring your own drinks and snacks, they’ll provide a map. Ahoy, mates!
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