13 Boat Tours in Haarlem to Build a Day Around

1.Sightseeing Canal Cruise through the City Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 762 reviews · 50 min · from $19Our pick

Set out from Smidtje Canal Cruises beside Teylers Museum for a 50-minute ride through Haarlem’s old center. Your skipper shares stories in Dutch, English, or German, while an audio guide adds French and Spanish. Expect views of De Adriaan, Jopenkerk, the Spaarne, and handsome canal houses.

“So fun! Our guide was very engaging and funny, the ride was relaxing, and it was a wonderful introduction to the city during our first day in Haarlem.”

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2.Sightseeing Boat Tour with Snacks and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 398 reviews · 1h 15m · from $34

Join guide Mo for a 75-minute Haarlem canal cruise aboard a covered 1954 sloop. Pass Teylers Museum, Molen de Adriaan, Jopenkerk and St. Bavo while enjoying cheese, snacks, chilled soft drinks, beer and wine. Expect an easygoing English or Dutch tour with local stories.

“This tour was wonderful. Very informative and a beautiful view of Haarlem from the water. Mo was an excellent host providing snacks and beverages as well as sharing his own personal history and experiences. If you are in Amsterdam it is only a 20 minute train ride away !”

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3.Guided Highlights Canal Cruise on Open Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 363 reviews · 50 min · from $20

Start beside Haarlem’s 1779 windmill, De Adriaan, and spend 50 minutes on a quiet electric sloop with a friendly English and Dutch-speaking guide. Expect city views, stories about Haarlem’s 900-plus-year past, comfy pillows, and drinks or snacks for purchase. Guides such as Peter, Frederique, Mees, and Warden have earned warm praise.

“We had a really lovely experience on a sunny afternoon. Our guide, Frederike was very knowledgeable, friendly and fun to be with. We enjoyed a glass of wine and chatting with other guests. Thank you!”

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4.50 minutes Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 272 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.) · from $22

Set out from Spaarne 11A for a 50-minute Haarlem canal cruise. Your skipper and English audio guide point out Teylers Museum, De Adriaan windmill, the railway station, Jopenkerk, and the Frans Hals Museum. Boats may be covered and heated, with space for up to 40 people.

“Really well informed captain made the trip enjoyable and informative. Plenty to see outside of the centre of town. Would have liked to have gone around the town a bit more, hut I think that's covered on the 50 minute cruise.”

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5.Haarlem Open-Boat Canal Cruise with Live Guide (Electric Boat)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 233 reviews · 50 to 55 minutes (approx.) · from $22Top rated

Spend about 50 minutes cruising Haarlem’s canals and the Spaarne River in a quiet, open electric boat. Your captain guides and narrates the ride in English, points out historic buildings, and offers local tips. Cushioned seating, an onboard toilet, and drinks for purchase make this a relaxed city introduction.

“Warden is the best! We learned so much and saw so many cool 😎 things around d Haarlem. This tour is a must for all!!”

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6.Dutch Windmill & Spaarne River Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 152 reviews · from $20

Set out from the boathouse opposite Teylers Museum for a 90-minute Spaarne River cruise. Your skipper points out Haarlem sights, including De Adriaan, The Unicorn, the Weighing House, and Amsterdamse Poort. Choose a semi-open or covered heated boat, with drinks and snacks available to buy.

“the friendly boat's captain, Al had to move us from our boat because the engine was overheating. he kindly arranged for another boat to take the group of us onto the windmill. great service😃”

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7.Private Haarlem Canal Cruise with Captain (Electric Boat)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Take a 90-minute private electric-boat cruise through Haarlem with a local captain such as Allard, Joost, Boris, Floris, or Willem. See the Spaarne, city canals, and Molen De Adriaan from the water. The boat holds up to 15 people, and food or drinks may be arranged for your group.

“It was great. Thank you Allard! It was a good experience, thank you so much. We had pizza and saw the city from a different side.”

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8.De Adriaan Windmill Tour + Open Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 66 reviews · 1h 40m · from $28

Start at Windmill De Adriaan for a guided English tour and a climb to its balcony. Then board a cushioned open sloop for a 50-minute electric cruise past Haarlem’s bridges, canals, Teylers Museum, and old riverside buildings. Drinks and snacks cost extra.

“interessant en leuke mensen. voor koude dagen, als gisteren, adviseer ik om dekens te verstrekke n”

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9.Self-Drive Private Electric Boat Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 59 reviews · 2 hours

You captain a private electric boat from Industrieweg 7 for two relaxed hours. A local host gives safety instructions, route tips, and a map, pointing you toward Haarlem’s old canals, open water, nature, swimming lakes, and views of Molen De Adriaan.

“Hat super viel Spaß gemacht und das lenken hat man nach paar Minuten raus . Es gibt für das Boot Parkplätze , wo man es abstellen kann um sich einen Kaffee oä zu holen .”

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10.Local Cheese and Wine Cruise through Haarlem

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 10 reviews · from $40

Spend 90 minutes aboard Smidtje Canal Cruises, gliding through Haarlem while a host serves Dutch cheeses and three wines. You’ll have a heated boarding location, bar, toilet, and personal skipper. The cruise is for ages 18 and up and runs only in July and August.

“Nice atmosphere on the boat, good cheese and wine. A little more information about the city would have been great.”

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11.90-minute Beer Tasting Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 8 reviews · from $84

Start at Spaarne 11A and cruise Haarlem’s old center and the Spaarne River for about 90 minutes. You get an audio guide, a skipper at the helm, and food or drinks for purchase. The pass is described as valid for 24 hours across four central boarding points.

“Had bought a 24 hour Hop on Hop off ticket for our trip to Haarlem and was looking forward to using it to get about and visit the sites however...on arrival at their main dock at Spaarne we were told that my wheelchair is not allowed on the boat! I can be helped on and off Read more”

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12.Haarlem Cheese and Wine Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Board at Spaarne 11A for a 90-minute evening cruise with wine, cheese, a host, and skipper. You’ll pass De Adriaan windmill, Haarlem’s center, the Frans Hals Museum, Jopen Church, and Teylers Museum while recorded commentary explains the sights.

“Excellent reception and draft. Clear explanations and tasty snacks / drinks. Nice to see the city this way for once.Auto-translated”

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13.BBQ on Board Haarlem Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 2 hours · from $77

Set out from Nieuwegracht 80 for a private two-hour Haarlem canal cruise with BBQ meats, veggie skewers, drinks, and views of the Grote Kerk and Molen de Adriaan. Guides may include Mo, Jelle, Sam, or Yannick, with tours in English or Dutch.

“Mo en Jelle hebben ons een prachtige avond bezorgd met lekker eten, veel leuke weetjes over Haarlem. Het was top.”

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