Best of Amsterdam: Canal Cruise and Heineken Experience

one hour Free cancellation

Best of Amsterdam: Canal Cruise and Heineken Experience, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover Amsterdam from the water on a relaxed open boat cruise, gliding past historic canal houses, charming bridges, colourful houseboats, and some of the city’s most recognisable waterfront sights. With a convenient departure near Amsterdam Centraal, it’s an effortless way to take in the city from one of its best viewpoints.

Your ticket also gives you access to a digital Amsterdam city guide filled with local stories, insider tips, food recommendations, hidden gems, and self-guided audio tours, helping you discover even more of the city after your cruise.

Choose the experience that best suits your plans: enjoy the canal cruise on its own, upgrade with a craft cocktail onboard, or add a separate ticket to the Heineken Experience. The Heineken Experience is visited independently, giving you the flexibility to fit it around the rest of your Amsterdam trip.

Day Cruises Private and Luxury Audio Guides Water Tours Sightseeing Cruises Short term availability Weather Dependent - Low

At a glance

Duration: one hour
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 36 people
People per booking: 1–30
Audio 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: Self-guided audioguide content in the app
Included: Heineken Experience (if option is selected)

Not included

Not included: Hotel pick-up & drop-off
Not included: Food & drinks on board (if cocktails option is not selected)
Not included: Live guided commentary on board

Itinerary

Amsterdam Centraal

Passing by

Admire Amsterdam Centraal Station from the water, an impressive landmark built across artificial islands and supported by thousands of wooden piles. Its striking red-brick façade, distinctive towers, and waterfront setting make it one of Amsterdam’s most recognisable gateways.
Stop 2

Passing by

Pass the grand Victoria Hotel near Amsterdam Centraal, one of the city’s most recognisable historic hotels. Look closely at its façade to spot two small houses built into the structure, a quirky detail linked to owners who famously refused to sell.
St. Nicholas Basilica

Passing by

Cruise past the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, dedicated to Amsterdam’s patron saint and protector of sailors. Its striking dome and twin towers reflect the city’s long-standing connection to faith, maritime trade, and life on the water.
Montelbaanstoren

Passing by

Spot the Montelbaanstoren, a former defensive tower later crowned with an elegant Golden Age top. Its slight lean and old nickname, “Crazy Jaap,” give this historic waterside landmark plenty of character.
Stop 5

Passing by

Pass the small leaning lock master’s house, once home to the person responsible for managing the nearby water lock. Its crooked shape and setting near Rembrandt’s former neighborhood make it one of the canal’s most charming little details.
Rembrandts Amsterdam Experience

Passing by

See the area around Rembrandt’s former home, where the artist lived and worked during some of the most important years of his career. The house reflects both his remarkable success and financial struggles, offering a glimpse into the life behind one of Amsterdam’s greatest artistic legacies.
Waterlooplein Market

Passing by

Cruise near Waterlooplein, home to the Netherlands’ oldest flea market. The square reflects layers of Amsterdam’s history, from Jewish trade and everyday market life to wartime disruption and the city’s post-war renewal.
Stop 8

Passing by

Pass near Waterlooplein, a lively square known for the Netherlands’ oldest flea market. Behind today’s market atmosphere lies a deeper story shaped by Amsterdam’s Jewish community, the impact of World War II, and the area’s later revival.
Stop 9

Passing by

Glide along the peaceful Raamgracht, a canal once closely tied to Amsterdam’s textile trade. Over time, the surrounding area became part of the city’s Jewish quarter, adding layers of craft, community, and history to this quiet waterway.
Stop 10

Passing by

Pause along the canal to admire the distinctive tower of the Zuiderkerk, Amsterdam’s first church built specifically for Protestant worship. Its history is closely linked to Rembrandt, who lived nearby and whose three children were buried here.
The Amstel

Passing by

Cruise onto the Amstel River, the natural waterway that gave Amsterdam its name. Unlike the city’s man-made canals, the Amstel is the river at the heart of Amsterdam’s origins and early development.
Blauwbrug

Passing by

Cruise beneath or alongside the Blauwbrug, one of Amsterdam’s most impressive bridges. Despite its name meaning “Blue Bridge,” the structure you see today is an ornate stone bridge with elegant details inspired by Parisian design.
H'ART Museum

Passing by

See the H’ART Museum, set inside a grand historic building that has served many purposes over the centuries. Once a retirement home and later transformed into a major art museum, it reflects Amsterdam’s talent for preserving the past while giving it new life.
Stop 14

Passing by

Look out for the famous Dancing Houses, a row of narrow canal homes that appear to lean and sway side by side. Their distinctive angles are the result of Amsterdam’s soft ground, wooden foundations, and centuries of gradual settling.
Het Scheepvaartmuseum| The National Maritime Museum

Passing by

Pass the National Maritime Museum, set inside a former naval storehouse on the waterfront. Its grand setting reflects Amsterdam’s long history of seafaring, global trade, and enduring connection to the water.
NEMO Science Museum

Passing by

See the striking NEMO Science Museum, its green ship-like form rising above the water. The building is one of Amsterdam’s most distinctive modern landmarks, and its rooftop terrace offers sweeping views across the city.
Kuuma Marineterrein

Passing by

Cruise past Marineterrein, a former naval site now transformed into a hub for innovation, public waterfront spaces, and open-air swimming. It offers a glimpse of Amsterdam’s more modern relationship with the water.
Magere Brug

Passing by

Pass beneath the elegant Magere Brug, one of Amsterdam’s most photographed bridges. Known as the “Skinny Bridge,” this graceful white drawbridge crosses the Amstel and is closely tied to local legends, romantic traditions, and classic canal views.
Hortus Botanicus

Passing by

Cruise near Hortus Botanicus, one of the world’s oldest botanical gardens. Originally created as a medicinal herb garden, it later expanded with exotic plants brought to Amsterdam through the city’s far-reaching trade networks.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

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.
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

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.
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.

Cancellation

Free 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

Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Not recommended for travelers with motion sickness

Options

1H Cruise + Optional Open Bar

Canal Cruise + Open Bar: Enjoy a scenic canal cruise with great views and photo opportunities, plus drinks available to purchase from the onboard bar.

Starting point:

Oudezijds Voorburgwal 230, 1012 GJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
1-Hour Boat Cruise

Boat Cruise: Comfortable canal boat offering clear views and plenty of photo opportunities as you cruise through Amsterdam’s waterways.

Starting point:

Stationsplein 42, 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands
Cocktail Cruise + Heineken

Heineken Experience: Add a separate Heineken Experience ticket for an interactive brewery tour and tastings. Visited independently from the cruise

Seasonal Craft Cocktails: Enjoy a seasonal craft cocktail onboard, expertly mixed to complement your cruise through Amsterdam’s canals at golden hour.

Starting point:

Oudezijds Voorburgwal 230, 1012 GJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
(AM)Boat + Heineken Experience

Heineken Experience: Add a separate Heineken Experience ticket for an interactive brewery tour and tastings. Visited independently from the cruise

Starting point:

Stationsplein 42, 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands
(PM)Boat + Heineken Experience

Heineken Experience: Add a separate Heineken Experience ticket for an interactive brewery tour and tastings. Visited independently from the cruise

Starting point:

Oudezijds Voorburgwal 230, 1012 GJ Amsterdam, Netherlands