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10 Useful Tips for A Memorable Experience – OUR CROSSINGS
Last Updated on the 7th of August, 2025
A trip to Amsterdam is not complete without a visit to the world-famous canals of the city.
Amsterdam’s 165 canals have a total length of 75 km. They were built during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century to enhance the city’s transportation system and foster trade relations.
Today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site defines Amsterdam’s landscape and going on a boat ride is one of the best ways to appreciate this urban canal ring and waterways, as everything in and around the city seems more magical when you set eyes on it from the boat.
A tour around the network of canals also provides a glimpse into the city’s past and present, as well as fantastic photo options, especially as you nip under the city’s many charming bridges and pass by elegant 17th-century mansions and various neighbourhoods.
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As we glided past the former homes of Dutch traders, sipping on a glass of juice and nibbling on cheese, we passed the city’s most famous landmarks — including the Jordaan neighbourhood and the Rijksmuseum — and listened to our guide share insight into Amsterdam’s rich trading history and culture.
The private cruise took us through Amsterdam’s iconic canals on an electric saloon boat, which was a more relaxing experience compared to our very first boat ride, which was together with dozens of other tourists.
The entire experience was intimate and educational, and the level of service was top-notch.
Instead of a pre-recorded audio guide, you have to listen to a regular tourist boat. Our skipper – a quite charismatic gentleman – was an English-speaking local guide who knew all the ins and outs of Amsterdam and could tell us everything we wanted to know.
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Tips And Recommendations for a Fun Boat Tour in Amsterdam
You’ll find no shortage of canal boat tours in Amsterdam, and in truth, most of them offer fantastic experiences, but some stand out for different reasons.
Whether you choose to join a group tour, make your own ride or hire a private boat, our recommendations and tips will come in handy.
Different Boat Tours To Choose From
Choosing the right tour can be overwhelming as there are so many options, each offering a unique experience – luxury or budget-friendly, day or night, small group or large boats?
Which canal tour is the best will most likely depend on your budget and itinerary. Here are the ones you can choose from:
- Classic 1-Hour Canal Tour – This is a quick and convenient way to see the canals. Lovers and Storma are the leading companies for cheap and cheerful rides, as they can accommodate more people.
- Environment-Friendly Canal Boat Tours – These are perfect if you wish to avoid noisy rides and opt for an electric boat instead. Additionally, you get to fish plastic out of the canals while cruising through Amsterdam.
- Pedal Boat – If you wish to have a unique experience riding the canals, why not book a pedal boat for some fun and exercise? This way, you are in charge of the route and can explore Amsterdam at your own pace.
- Hop-on and Hop-Off Canal Boat Ride – an all-day hop-on, hop-off tour gives you transportation and flexibility to explore the canals as you can choose to hop on and off at any of the 7 stops along the route.
- Private Canal Tours With A Tour Guide – One of the best ways to see the city is on a private tour, as you will get to see hidden gems and spectacular canals that other big boat tours just can’t reach.
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Book Your Boat Tour In Advance
By booking a tour in advance, you get to compare prices, read reviews, secure a spot on the boat and know exactly what you get.
There are many tours to pick from, and it can be quite overwhelming to choose the right one when booking online.
It gets even tougher when you arrive in the city and are faced with dozens of different companies offering tours from various locations at various durations and prices.
Another reason why we advise you to book in advance is that boats fill up pretty fast, especially from April to September, when the tourist crowds descend on the city.
- How to book – To make a reservation online, simply select the date and time you want to depart, as well as indicate how many people are in your group.
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Avoid Weekends and Peak Times
Because taking a boat ride in the city is one of the top things to do, canals in Amsterdam can get terribly crowded with boats of all shapes and sizes zigzagging left and right, especially on weekends or holidays.
If the weather is nice and sunny, locals take out their boats for a ride too, so at times, on sunny summer weekends, canals look like a beehive.
For a more relaxed experience, we took a canal cruise on a weekday late in the afternoon. Not only was it much quieter on and around the canals, but we also didn’t get stuck in a ‘traffic jam’ on the canals.
- Tip – Strive to book a ride for early in the morning (9-10.30 AM) or late in the afternoon ( 4-5 PM)
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Dress Accordingly
With open boats, fluctuating weather and potential rain, you’ll want to dress practically and in layers for the seasonal weather, as you may encounter drops in temperature and wind.
A jacket or an extra sweater will provide warmth if it’s breezy, while scarves, hats and gloves are a must for fall and spring trips.
If you are visiting during the summer, make sure to pack sunscreen and sunglasses.
The summer temperatures may not be as harsh as in other parts of Europe, but you’ll want to protect yourself from the sun’s rays as you can still get a bad sunburn.
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Opt For an Open-Boat Tour
To feel the full sensation of gliding under a low bridge, we suggest you book an open boat tour, as you won’t be encumbered by a glass roof over the boat, which makes viewing and taking pictures a lot better!
Also, many of the open boats have an onboard bar, so you get to order a drink, sit back, and take in the beauty of the city.
We’ve taken a closed-roof boat tour on a few occasions, too, and while it wasn’t a bad overall experience despite the sunny weather, the windows were only partially open, and we had obstructed views.
Those passengers who arrived last didn’t get a window seat and therefore couldn’t see much.
So nowadays, we always opt for an open boat ride as all the comfortably padded seats are along the side, which means everyone gets to enjoy the views.
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Go on a Boat Cruise At the Beginning Of Your Trip
If you are going to Amsterdam for the very first time, go on a boat tour at the beginning of the trip, as it is a fantastic introduction to the city and a great way to get your bearings.
Not only is a boat tour a great way to increase your knowledge about Amsterdam and snap a few photos, but it is also a fantastic way to uncover hidden gems and cute street corners that you can go back to later in your trip.
We took the boat trip on our very first day in the city, and it felt as if the unique architecture came alive when we viewed it from the water and therefore left a great impression.
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Save Money With an Amsterdam City Card
The I Amsterdam City Card is a great way to save money, as with this card, you get to see many of the city’s attractions and also go on a canal boat ride.
Yes, in addition to free bike rental for one day and free access to public transportation around central Amsterdam, the card also includes a free canal ride, which is a perfect opportunity to sail through the city’s vast canal system.
You also get the freedom to choose which boat operators you’d like to pick. The ones included are Canal Tours Amsterdam, Lovers Canal Cruises, Blue Boat Company, 100 Highlights Cruise and Stromma.
You can get your Amsterdam card by visiting the iamsterdam.com website and then picking it up in the city at the I Amsterdam Store, which is located on the north side of Amsterdam Central Station.
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Final Thoughts on the Amsterdam Boat Cruise
I hope this post will give you a better idea of what to expect and help you plan a truly memorable boat tour.
Over the years, we’ve been on various boat tours in Amsterdam and can vouch that it is a true adventure for the mind and body. So, if you find yourself in this beautiful city, don’t hesitate to book a boat tour experience.
Just make sure you follow the rules, avoid drugs and alcohol during the boat trip, and stay safe on the water.
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Now, over to you!
Have you been on a boat tour in Amsterdam? Let us know in the comments!
Let us know if you are planning a visit to Amsterdam and have travel-related questions!
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