The weather’s been absolutely gorgeous lately, and I’ve been craving something summery—so I finally went on one of Amsterdam’s classic tourist experiences: a canal cruise!
It was actually my very first time on an open-boat tour in Amsterdam, and honestly, I can’t believe I waited this long.
It was amazing.
Sightseeing Canal Boats
Living in Amsterdam often feels like a vacation in itself.
But once you get used to the city, it’s easy to forget to do the “touristy” things.
I’ve seen plenty of canal boats cruising by, but I’d only been on one once—when a friend visited from Japan and we took a standard sightseeing boat with an audio guide.
It’s a great way to explore the highlights of the old city center, and a solid choice for first-time visitors.
Classic Canal Cruise with Audio Guide >>
Canal Cruise Experience
Since the weather was perfect, I skipped the audio guide this time and hopped on an open-air boat to just relax and enjoy the ride.
I booked a 1-hour open boat cruise operated by Flagship Amsterdam.
They have multiple departure points—Central Station, Red Light District, Rijksmuseum, and near the Anne Frank House—which makes it super convenient.
The seats were cushioned and really comfortable.
I booked online the same day, and the boat ended up being full—but the seats I booked online the same day, which was super convenient—but the boat ended up being full.
If you’re planning to go, I’d recommend booking in advance just to be safe.
Luckily, the seats were spacious and comfortable, so even with a full boat, it didn’t feel crowded at all. It was a chill and relaxing experience from start to finish.
Some open boat cruises even offer drinks onboard!
On my tour, drinks weren’t included in the ticket price, but they were available for purchase on the boat.
There was a good variety—beer, wine, and cocktails—so I treated myself to a cold drink while cruising through the canals. It really added to the chill summer vibe.
There were two crew members onboard—one steering the boat, and the other serving drinks and throwing in some light, funny commentary along the way.
It wasn’t a formal tour guide, but it was super fun and I even learned a few things I didn’t know about the city. Still discovering new sides of Amsterdam!
For example, we passed a jet-black houseboat near Amsterdam City Hall—it’s actually the first official houseboat in the city.
They call it “Amstel One” because it’s the original one on the Amstel River.
I just thought, “Oh, interesting!”
We also cruised by a famous canal spot in the old town where you can see seven bridges lined up in a row.
I’ve often looked at the view from the bridges, but seeing it from the water was a completely different experience.
The view from underneath the bridges was unexpectedly beautiful and serene.
Seeing the city from the water gives you a fresh perspective—it’s like stepping into a whole new version of Amsterdam.
There was barely any rocking since we were on a canal, and the breeze while riding the open boat felt amazing.
It honestly felt like I was chilling on a beach. I was so relaxed I nearly fell asleep!
Now I totally get why locals love to hop on a boat the moment the sun comes out.
Doing something a little different in your usual neighborhood can really make it feel like you’re on vacation.
This felt like a mini summer break.
So if the weather’s nice, I’d totally recommend spending a slow afternoon cruising the canals.
It’s such a simple pleasure—but a really good one.
Search for Amsterdam Canal Cruises >>
Search for Rotterdam Harbor Cruises >>
Cruise Tours Across the Netherlands