The 15 Canal Cruises in the Netherlands That Earn Their Price

1.Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks & Bites option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30,518 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $18Our pick

Spend about an hour on Amsterdam’s canals aboard a small electric boat, with live English commentary from guides such as Sophia, Arnoud, or Stef. Pass the Jordaan, Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Skinny Bridge, and 15 Bridges. Choose the drinks and bites option carefully, since inclusions vary by departure.

“Stef and care were awesome tour guides, very informative answered many questions we had, hospitality easily a 15/10, 100% recomend booking at 4:15 for more money as you see the canals in day light and night light, thank you both for making our night we truly enjoyed every aspect”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Heated Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Bite

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21,431 reviews · 1 - 1.5 hours · from $18

See Amsterdam from its canals on a quiet electric boat with a live English-speaking skipper and host. You’ll pass the Anne Frank House, Skinny Bridge, Hermitage Museum, Amstel Hotel, and Golden Bend. Choose unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and a small snack portion.

“Good Craic over all and they gave me a free drink for winning one if their quizzes”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.75 Minute City Canal Cruise with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 19,938 reviews · 1h 15m · from $18

Cruise Amsterdam’s historic canals for 75 minutes, passing the Anne Frank House, Westerkerk, Magere Brug, Rijksmuseum, NEMO, and more. Choose a snackbox, use audio commentary in 19 languages, or give children the Fresh Water Pirate story and booklet. Captain Brian may add lively local commentary.

“Lovely boat trip. Seeing Amsterdam from the canal is a must”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.City Centre Canal Cruise including Audioguide

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 16,901 reviews · 1 hour · from $17

See Amsterdam from the water on a one-hour city-centre cruise with audio commentary in 19 languages. Choose from four departure points near Central Station, Anne Frank House, Leidseplein, or the Rijksmuseum. Heated boats, evening sailings, and friendly captains make this an easy first look at the city.

“We enjoyed this cruise in the evening time. Very kind and courteous guides who gave us lots of insight as we went. Was good at night but would also like to do the same cruise in the day time as well. This cruise if worth your time and money!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Covered Canal Booze Cruise with Unlimited Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 5,435 reviews · 1 hour · from $18

Join a maximum of 26 people on a covered Amsterdam canal boat, with a skipper and English-speaking host. Choose two drinks or unlimited beer, wine, and soda, then cruise past the Amstel, Seven Bridges, Herengracht, and Prinsengracht.

“Laurens and Yelly were superb, excellent knowledge and a few jokes here and there. Highly recommend 👍”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.City Canal Cruise and Heineken Experience Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,367 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Start with a 75-minute canal cruise past Amsterdam’s historic bridges, museums, and modern waterfront, then visit the Heineken Experience at your reserved time. The brewery visit is mostly self-guided, interactive, and includes two drinks. Both activities are for ages 18 and up.

“The staff was amazing. We loved jordaan and Luca! Super friendly and helpful!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Open Boat with Unlimited Drinks Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,976 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $21

See Amsterdam from a small electric boat with a captain-guide at the wheel. You’ll pass Westerkerk, Jordaan canals, the Hermitage Museum, bridges, and historic canal houses. Guides such as Detrik, Luuc, Matt, and Anthony are praised for their stories. Add unlimited drinks if you want a more social ride.

“Brilliant, fun and informative. The guide was very good. We enjoyed every minute. We learnt a lot and had a laugh as well”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Amsterdam Newest Canal Cruise with local guide and small group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,735 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $21

Cruise Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canal ring for about an hour in a small boat carrying up to 28 people. Local skippers such as Mark, Alfred, JJ, and Eddie explain the city’s landmarks, while blankets, ponchos, umbrellas, and optional drinks help in changing weather.

“Really enjoyed our trip . Mark was a great tour guide. This tour is really worth it. Would definitely recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Van Gogh Museum Ticket and City Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,899 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Start at the Van Gogh Museum for a timed visit through the artist’s life and work, then use your open ticket for a 75-minute Blue Boat canal cruise. Audio commentary comes in 21 languages, and the covered boat works well in changeable weather. Snack boxes are available with selected options.

“Loved the museum I wasn’t met at my meet pint so made my own way to location”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Amsterdam Evening Canal Cruise with Live Guide and Onboard Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,619 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $24

Spend about an hour on an electric evening boat with a live English-speaking guide, passing Westerkerk, the Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum, and Magere Brug. Buy beer, wine, sodas, or cocktails onboard. Routes and boat styles vary by departure point, so dress warmly and check the meeting details.

“Good experience. The guide was amazing. We enjoyed a lot but need more facilities on boat. Overall good.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Van Gogh Museum Ticket & Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,304 reviews · 1 day · from $47

Visit the Van Gogh Museum at a reserved entry time, then cruise Amsterdam’s historic canals for one hour with multilingual audio commentary. See Sunflowers, Almond Blossoms, Westerkerk, the Negen Straatjes, and Magere Brug. Reserve your cruise time at a Tours & Tickets shop.

“Everything was good. The audio tool could probably guide the listener with left/right directions.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.German Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3,134 reviews · 1 hour · from $25

Settle into a small electric canal boat at Sea Palace for a one-hour German-language cruise through Amsterdam’s canal belt, the Amstel, Magere Brug, Jewish Quarter, and quieter waterways. Choose the drinks option for unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and water. Guide Sanja has earned special praise for her humor and clear explanations.

Check availability →Read our full review

13.City Canal Cruise and Heineken Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,133 reviews · 3 hours · from $44

Visit Heineken’s original Amsterdam brewery for a self-guided, interactive tour with two beers or soft drinks, then cruise the Canal Belt for one hour with GPS commentary in 19 languages. Book the boat time separately before you go.

“Very interactive experience. The beer will never taste as fresh as it does from the factory itself.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.City Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,895 reviews · 1 - 1.5 hours · from $22

You’ll cruise Utrecht’s Oudegracht in a covered boat with a Dutch or English-speaking captain and multilingual audio commentary. See Dom Tower, ancient canal houses, wharf cellars, the outer moat, Zocherpark, the Railway Museum, and Hoog Catharijne from the water. Allow about an hour.

“Lovely, would recommend perhaps the offer of coffee on board.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Heated Canal Cruise Including Audioguide

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,773 reviews · 1 hour - 75 minutes · from $15Best value

Cruise Amsterdam’s canal belt from Central Station, Damrak, or the Rijksmuseum. A heated boat, onboard toilet, Wi-Fi, and multilingual audio guide make this a practical all-weather introduction, with extra time and city sights on the Rijksmuseum departure.

“Boat was lovely and quiet and our guide "Rudolph" was brilliant. Thanks Rudolph :)”

Check availability →Read our full review