Best ways to enjoy the canals in Amsterdam

The canals are the heart of Amsterdam. They are one of the reasons that this city is so magical and you cannot leave without having a taste of them – if anything because there is no way to avoid them -. However, there are many different ways to experience the canals in the Dutch capital. This post is just a way to help you enjoy them in the way that adapts most to you with a few resources to choose from.

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1. Canal tours

The most popular options for visitors are the guided canal tours. They are a great option because of their lower price, because you also get some historical facts about the city from the guide/captain and because they are very practical, since you don’t have to think about routes, looking at your Lonely Planet guide while you are sailing and they are very frequent.

You can just make a line in front of any of them, but if you want to skip the line you can book through my link on Stromma or Blue Boat (you’ll also get a discount in both). You don’t need to book a specific time, just show your tickets in the dock.

2. Special boats

The regular guided canal cruises are great and very abundant, but if you are looking for something more special, there are other kinds of cruises you can book:

• The historic boat tour, where you jump on a traditional 100 year-old boat and follow a Rembrant-focused tour while sipping on coffee or tea and eating a stroopwafel. Book with a discount here.

• A small open boat tour, that allows for a smaller group which comes with a less “touristy” experience. You can also BYOB.

• An evening cruise to enjoy the same stories as in the usual canal tour but with the magic of the lit up lights of the city and the stars above. You will get a discount if you book through this link.

• A dinner cruise in which you can enjoy a meal and some drinks while enjoying the views of the city. You have some choices between the pizza cruise, the burger cruise or the more fancy candelight cruise, where you can sample Dutch cheeses and meats.

3. Sail it yourself!

For the more daring, you can always rent your own boat, either a pedal boat or a motorized boat (check out this ecoboats).

Travel tip: Be careful while sailing your own boat because the canal tours will do nothing to avoid crashing into your little boat. I know first hand!

4. A Houseboat

Formerly, those that could not afford to buy a house in the ever more popular Amsterdam had another option: houseboats. Now, it is a very popular but expensive way to live in Amsterdam. You too can experience Amsterdam in this exciting way by having a houseboat as your accommodation. Have a look in BookaHousboat.com or even on Airbnb or these ones in Booking.com:

• Housboat B&B
• Room in a houseboat
• Private Houseboat in the center
• Houseboat in Amsterdam North
• Houseboat in Amsterdam South

If you’re on a budget, this is probably not an option, but you can still enjoy a houseboat! Check out the Housboat Museum, an initiative by houseboat owner Vincent van Loon where you can step on a renovated cargo ship from 1914 that is now a cosy living space where you can have all your questions about houseboats answered.

5. On foot or by bike

If water is not your thing or you simple don’t want to spend the money on a cruise, you can still enjoy the canals of Amsterdam. All of them are lined, at least on one side, by a walkable street. There are some areas that are a must, such as the Brouwersgracht, the Jordaan, the Nine Streets or the famous narrow houses of Damrak.

Closing statement

These are what I think the best ways to enjoy the beautiful canals of Amsterdam. Make sure you complement your itinerary with this guide of Amsterdam:

→ What to do in Amsterdam: 14 top activities in the Dutch capital

Don’t miss out on anything and save some time and money by buying your tickets in advance through Tiqets.com and skipping the lines:

In this website you will find many discounts by buying tickets to several attractions together. In particular, the I Amsterdam City Card gives you great value if you’re planning on visiting several attractions and museums during your stay. It also includes unlimited public transportation in the city, which makes your stay much easier.

You can also book day trips or specific tours in the city with Get Your Guide, or get more local by booking a private tour with Hi,hi guide, where you can talk to a local that will show you the city from their perspective.

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