Free cancellation
Food and drink Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam Canal Cruise and Optional Unlimited Cocktail
out of 5
21 reviews
About this activity
Glide through Amsterdam's enchanting canals on a scenic open boat cruise, soaking up historic architecture, charming bridges, and iconic houseboats. Departing conveniently near Amsterdam Centraal, it's the perfect relaxed way to see the city from its most beautiful angle, the water.
Your ticket also unlocks a digital city guide packed with local stories, insider tips, food recommendations, hidden corners, and self-guided audio tours to keep exploring long after you step off the boat.
Make it yours: choose the cruise on its own, sip an optional craft cocktail onboard, or add a separate ticket to the Moco Museum or Heineken Experience. Each attraction is enjoyed independently.
Highlights:
Scenic open boat cruise through Amsterdam's famous canals
Central departure point with friendly check-in support
Optional craft cocktails served onboard
Digital city guide with stories, tips, and audio guides
At a glance
- Duration
- one hour
- Confirmation
- Instant confirmation
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group
- Up to 36 people
- People per booking
- 1–15
- Audio guide
- German, English, Chinese, Italian, French, Dutch, Spanish
- Written guide
- German, English, Chinese, Italian, French, Dutch, Spanish
- Operated by
- Crown Tours
Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Children (3–11 years) · Adults (12–99 years)
What is included
Included
- Included: Access to the Crown Tours digital Amsterdam city guide
- Included: Crown Tours host assistance at check-in
- Included: Unlimited Cocktails (if option is selected)
- Included: Practical city tips and local recommendations in the app
- Included: Open Boat Canal Cruise
- Included: Moco Museum Tickets (if option is selected)
- Included: Self-guided audioguide content in the app
- Included: Heineken Experience (if option is selected)
Not included
- Not included: Food & drinks on board (if cocktails option is not selected)
- Not included: Hotel pick-up & drop-off
- Not included: Live guided commentary on board
Itinerary
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Amsterdam Centraal
Passing by
See Amsterdam Centraal Station from the water, a landmark built on artificial islands and thousands of wooden piles. Its towers, red-brick design, and waterfront position make it one of the city’s most impressive gateways.
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Stop 2
Passing by
Pass the grand Victoria Hotel, one of the first buildings many travelers notice near Centraal Station. Its most charming detail is the two small houses built into the facade, whose owners famously refused to sell.
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Passing by
Cruise past the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, dedicated to Amsterdam’s patron saint and protector of sailors. Its domes and towers stand as a reminder of the city’s deep connection to faith, trade, and the sea.
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Montelbaanstoren
Passing by
Spot the Montelbaanstoren, a former defensive tower later dressed up with an elegant Golden Age top. Its slight lean and old nickname, “Crazy Jaap,” make it one of Amsterdam’s most characterful waterside landmarks.
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Stop 5
Passing by
Pass the small leaning lock master’s house, once home to the person who controlled the nearby water lock. Its crooked charm and location near Rembrandt’s old neighborhood make it a favorite canal-view detail.
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Rembrandts Amsterdam Experience
Passing by
See the area around Rembrandt’s former home, where the artist lived, worked, and painted during some of his most important years. The house also tells the story of his success, bankruptcy, and lasting legacy.
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Passing by
Cruise near Waterlooplein, home to the Netherlands’ oldest flea market. The square carries a powerful history, from Jewish trade and daily market life to wartime silence and post-war renewal.
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Stop 8
Passing by
Pass close to the Portuguese Synagogue, one of the most important Jewish heritage sites in Amsterdam. Built in the 17th century, it is still known for its candlelit interior and remarkable survival through history.
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Stop 9
Passing by
Travel along the quiet Raamgracht, a canal linked to the city’s old textile trades. This area later became part of Amsterdam’s Jewish quarter, giving the waterway a deeper story of craft, community, and memory.
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Stop 10
Passing by
Pause beside the canal to admire the distinctive tower of the Zuiderkerk, Amsterdam’s first church built specifically for Protestant worship. Discover its connection to Rembrandt, whose home stood nearby and whose three children were buried here.
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Passing by
Cruise onto the Amstel River, the natural waterway that gave Amsterdam its name. While most canals were dug by hand, the Amstel is the river at the heart of the city’s origin story.
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Blauwbrug
Passing by
Cruise beneath or near the Blauwbrug, one of Amsterdam’s grandest bridges. Although its name means “Blue Bridge,” today it is a decorative stone bridge inspired by Parisian design.
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Passing by
See the H’ART Museum, a grand building that has lived many lives, from retirement home to major art museum. Its story reflects Amsterdam’s ability to preserve, adapt, and reinvent.
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Stop 14
Passing by
Look out for the famous Dancing Houses, a row of leaning canal houses that seem to tilt and sway together. Their playful appearance comes from Amsterdam’s soft ground, wooden foundations, and centuries of settling.
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Het Scheepvaartmuseum| The National Maritime Museum
Passing by
Pass the National Maritime Museum, housed in a former naval storehouse. This grand waterfront building reflects the city’s maritime power, trade history, and deep relationship with the sea.
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Passing by
See NEMO Science Museum, the striking green building shaped like a ship rising from the water. Its rooftop terrace is one of Amsterdam’s best free viewpoints.
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Kuuma Marineterrein
Passing by
Cruise past Marineterrein, a former naval area now known for innovation, waterfront spaces, and open-air swimming. It shows a more modern side of Amsterdam’s relationship with clean city water.
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Passing by
Pass beneath the elegant Magere Brug, one of Amsterdam’s most photographed bridges. Known as the “Skinny Bridge,” this charming white drawbridge spans the Amstel River and is surrounded by legends of love, local tradition, and classic canal views.
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Passing by
Cruise near the area of Hortus Botanicus, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. It began as a medicinal herb garden and later grew with plants brought through Amsterdam’s global trade routes.
Meeting point and pickup
Everyone meets at the meeting point.
Meeting point
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Meet your host at the dock at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 230, in the heart of the old city center, just a few steps down from the famous TheBulldog Coffeeshop. Look for your host waiting by the water in a blue uniform—you can't miss them.
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Meet your Crown Tours host at Stationplein 42, opposite Amsterdam Centraal Station. Look for the host in a purple uniform holding a Crown Tours flag near the waterfront steps - easy to spot. From Amsterdam Centraal Station, it's just a short walk across the square toward the waterfront steps.
End point
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Meet your host at the dock at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 230, in the heart of the old city center, just a few steps down from the famous TheBulldog Coffeeshop. Look for your host waiting by the water in a blue uniform—you can't miss them.
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Meet your Crown Tours host at Stationplein 42, opposite Amsterdam Centraal Station. Look for the host in a purple uniform holding a Crown Tours flag near the waterfront steps - easy to spot. From Amsterdam Centraal Station, it's just a short walk across the square toward the waterfront steps.
Using your ticket
Show your mobile or printed ticket to your host at the meeting point. Your host will be waiting by the dock in a purple uniform holding a Crown Tours flag, easy to spot. No need to exchange your voucher in advance, simply arrive at your selected departure time and check in on the spot.
For any add-on tickets to Moco Museum or the Heineken Experience, these are provided separately and redeemed directly at each attraction. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your cruise departure time.
If you need any assistance, please contact Crown Tours via the app's chat feature, respond to our latest message, or call +39 392 533 1594.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
| If you cancel | You get back |
|---|---|
| At least one day before | 100% |
| Less than a day before | 0% |
Good to know
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Public transportation options are available nearby
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Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
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Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
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Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Amsterdam’s weather can change quickly, so please dress comfortably and bring sunscreen and a light rain jacket. If bad weather is expected, the boat will have a suitable rain cover.
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Not recommended for travelers with motion sickness
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Not recommended for people with mobility impairments
Options
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Canal Cruise + Heineken Exp.
Heineken Experience: Add a separate Heineken Experience ticket for an interactive brewery tour and tastings. Visited independently from the cruise
Boat Tour: Boat cruise through Amsterdam’s historic canals, departing near Centraal Station with scenic views.
Starting point:
Stationsplein 42, 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Cruise & Open Bar + Heineken
Heineken Experience: Add a separate Heineken Experience ticket for an interactive brewery tour and tastings. Visited independently from the cruise
Boat Cruise + Open Bar: Canal boat with great views and photo opportunities, plus an onboard bar with drinks available to purchase.
Duration: 1 hour
Starting point:
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 230, 1012 GJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Canal Cruise + Moco Museum
Moco Museum: Add a separate Moco Museum ticket for modern and street art by Banksy and Warhol. Visited independently from the cruise.
Boat Tour: Cruise through Amsterdam’s canals with scenic views and drinks available to purchase onboard.
Starting point:
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 230, 1012 GJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
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1-Hour Canal Cruise
Boat Cruise: Canal boat designed for comfortable sightseeing, with great views and photo opportunities as you cruise Amsterdam’s waterways
Starting point:
Stationsplein 42, 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands
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1-Hour Canal Cruise & Open Bar
Canal Cruise + Open Bar: Enjoy scenic canal views and great photo opportunities, with an onboard bar offering drinks for purchase.
Starting point:
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 230, 1012 GJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Canal Cruise & Craft Cocktail
Evening Boat Tour: Scenic boat canal cruise through Amsterdam's historic waterways, with a relaxed evening departure near Red-light area.
Unlimited Seasonal Cocktails: Unlimited seasonal cocktail onboard, expertly mixed to sip as you glide through Amsterdam's scenic canals at golden hour.
Boat Cruise: Canal cruise with uncovered seating for the best views, photos, and fresh air as you glide through Amsterdam's waterways.
Starting point:
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 230, 1012 GJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Traveller ratings
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Amsterdam Canal Cruise and Optional Unlimited Cocktail
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