Amsterdam City Center Canal Cruise with Audio Guide

3.6 (898 reviews) one hour Free cancellation

out of 5

898 reviews

3.6

Amsterdam City Center Canal Cruise with Audio Guide — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Amsterdam City Center Canal Cruise with Audio Guide, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Step aboard a glass-topped sightseeing boat with this 1-hour Amsterdam canal cruise, and see the city sights by water. Then, cruise along the city’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed canals to see the "skinny bridge" of Magere Brug, the affluent Golden Bend district, the Anne Frank House and more, as you learn about Amsterdam’s history from an audio guide. Boats depart at frequent intervals from morning till mid-evening.

Each boat tour follows a different route, so not all sights are guaranteed to be seen every time. This way, every cruise offers a unique and surprising experience.

Day Cruises Private and Luxury Audio Guides City Tours Water Tours Canal Cruises Sightseeing Cruises Best Conversion

At a glance

Duration: one hour
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 60 people
People per booking: 1–30
Audio guide: Hindi, German, Russian, Korean, Portuguese, Chinese, English, Italian, Javanese, French, Spanish, Arabic, Thai, Japanese, Polish, Hebrew, Turkish, Dutch
Operated by: Tours & Tickets

Ages: Infants (0–3 years) · Children (4–13 years) · Adults (14–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: 1-Hour Amsterdam Canal Cruise
Included: Audio guide in several languages

Not included

Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off
Not included: Food and drinks

Itinerary

Stop 1

Passing by

Lovers Canal Cruises began offering boat tours in Amsterdam in the 1950s, becoming one of the city's most popular ways to explore its historic canals. With a fleet of glass-roofed boats, the company provides scenic and narrated cruises showcasing Amsterdam's architecture, bridges, and waterways.
Centraal Station

Passing by

The Central Station in Amsterdam was designed by Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers and constructed between 1881 and 1889 on three artificial islands in the IJ lake. Its Gothic/Renaissance Revival style and iron platform roof reflect both historical grandeur and modern engineering of the time.
Magere Brug

Passing by

The Magere Brug, or "Skinny Bridge," is a historic wooden drawbridge over the Amstel River in Amsterdam, originally built in 1691 and rebuilt in 1934 in the same traditional style. Known for its elegant design and nightly illumination, it has become one of the city's most iconic and photographed bridges.
Keizersgracht 319 - Amsterdam

Passing by

The Keizersgracht, named after Emperor Maximilian I, was constructed in 1612 as the widest of the main canals in Amsterdam's canal belt, showcasing grand merchant houses and reflecting the city's growing wealth.
Herengracht

Passing by

The Herengracht, also dug in 1612, was the most prestigious canal, home to the city's elite and lined with stately mansions known as the “Golden Bend.”
Prinsengracht

Passing by

The Prinsengracht, one of Amsterdam’s main canals, was dug in the early 17th century during the city’s major expansion known as the Grachtengordel project. Named after the Prince of Orange, it became a desirable residential area, lined with elegant canal houses and cultural landmarks.
Red Light District

Passing by

Amsterdam’s Red Light District, known locally as De Wallen, is the city’s oldest neighborhood, dating back to the 14th century when it served as a harbor area. Today, it’s a regulated zone combining historic buildings, legalized sex work, and a mix of tourism, nightlife, and cultural heritage.
Westerkerk

Passing by

The Westerkerk in Amsterdam, completed in 1631, is a prime example of Dutch Renaissance architecture and is famous for its tall, ornate tower known as the Westertoren. It has played a significant role in the city’s religious and cultural life, and is also famously near Anne Frank’s house.
De 9 Straatjes

Passing by

The 9 Straatjes (Nine Streets) in Amsterdam is a charming neighborhood of nine narrow streets in the canal belt, known for its unique boutiques, vintage shops, and cozy cafés. Developed in the 17th century, it has become a trendy area blending historic charm with modern culture.
The Amstel

Passing by

The Amstel River runs through Amsterdam and was central to the city’s founding and development, giving the city its name. It has historically been a vital waterway for trade and transport, lined with iconic bridges and historic buildings along its banks.
Het Scheepvaartmuseum| The National Maritime Museum

Passing by

The Scheepvaartmuseum in Amsterdam, housed in a historic 17th-century warehouse, showcases the rich maritime history of the Netherlands with a vast collection of ships, maps, and nautical artifacts. Renovated in 2011, it offers engaging exhibitions highlighting the country’s connection to the sea.
NEMO Science Museum

Passing by

NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, opened in 1997 with its iconic green, ship-like structure rising above the Oosterdok. It serves as an interactive science and technology center, especially geared toward children and families, promoting hands-on learning and curiosity.
Rijksmuseum

Passing by

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam was designed by architect Pierre Cuypers and officially opened in 1885, blending Gothic and Renaissance elements to house the Netherlands’ national art and history collection. It holds masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and other Dutch masters, making it a cultural landmark of international renown.
Nieuwmarkt

Passing by

The Nieuwmarkt in Amsterdam emerged in the 17th century as a bustling public square, built on the site of the former city wall after the demolition of the Sint Antoniespoort. Its centerpiece, the Waag building, originally served as a city gate and later as a guildhall, anchoring the square's historical and social importance.
Bloemenmarkt

Passing by

The Bloemenmarkt in Amsterdam was established in 1862 and is the world’s only floating flower market, with stalls set on houseboats along the Singel canal. Originally created to supply fresh flowers daily by boat, it has since become a colorful tourist attraction selling bulbs, souvenirs, and plants.
IJ

Passing by

Het IJ is a body of water and former bay in Amsterdam that connects the city to the North Sea, playing a crucial role in its maritime trade and development. Today, it serves as a vibrant waterfront area with ferries, cultural venues, and recreational activities.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Canal Cruise from Rijksmuseum: check in at Lovers Canal Cruises, Stadhouderskade 511, Amsterdam.
Canal Cruise from Anne Frank: check in at Lovers Canal Cruises, Prinsengracht 265, Amsterdam.
Canal Cruise from CS: Check in at LOVERS Canal Cruises, Prins Hendrikkade 25, in front of central station of Amsterdam

End point

Canal Cruise from Rijksmuseum: check in at Lovers Canal Cruises, Stadhouderskade 511, Amsterdam.
Canal Cruise from Anne Frank: check in at Lovers Canal Cruises, Prinsengracht 265, Amsterdam.
Canal Cruise from CS: Check in at LOVERS Canal Cruises, Prins Hendrikkade 25, in front of central station of Amsterdam

Using your ticket

Please check in at the departure location 10 minutes before departure.

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%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Check-in at Lovers 10 minutes before the reserved time
Children up to 3 years join for free

Options

Canal cruise from Rijksmuseum
From Central Station

Starting point:

Rederij Lovers B.V., Prins Hendrikkade 25, 1012 TL Amsterdam, Netherlands
From Anne Frank House

Starting point:

Lovers canal cruise Anne Frank, Leliegracht 51, 1016 GT Amsterdam, Netherlands
1 hr Canal Cruise Loetje

Departs from Loetje