Open Boat Canal Tours in Amsterdam: The 15 Best Trips

1.Open Boat Cruise option Unlimited Drinks & Bite

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 15,046 reviews · from $22Our pick

Cruise Amsterdam’s historic canals on a fully electric boat with an English-speaking skipper and host. See the Skinny Bridge, Hermitage Museum, Amstel Hotel, and Anne Frank House area. Choose unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and a small snack, with open or enclosed boats depending on weather.

“Our captain and Steffy were great, the guide was humorous and informative. Would highly recommend - since our booking was the last of the night, it did get quite cold so dress accordingly. And tip your hosts!!!”

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2.Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Open Boat with Unlimited Drinks Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,976 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $21Top rated

Spend about an hour on Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canals in a sleek electric open boat. Guides such as Luuc, Matt, Detrik, and Jaro share local stories while you pass Westerkerk, Jordaan waterways, and the Hermitage Museum. Blankets and umbrellas help in cool or wet weather.

“I waited for 20-25 mins for the boat. It didn’t show up. Asked around and tried calling too. I need a refund. As I did not get to the canal cruise. I was short on time and had to leave.”

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3.Canal Cruise in Open Boat with Drink Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,040 reviews · from $22

Spend an hour on Amsterdam’s canals with a local skipper such as Jaro, Sebastian, or Dirk. Expect an open electric boat, live Dutch or English commentary, landmark views, and an optional drink. Departures may be near Central Station or the Anne Frank House.

“Very interesting! Informative, but at the same time chill and fun, relaxing”

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4.75 minute Open Boat Canal Cruise with Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 930 reviews · from $22

See Amsterdam from a small open boat with an English-speaking captain at the helm. The 75-minute route passes Westerkerk, Prinsengracht, the IJ, Magere Brug, and the Museum Quarter. You can reach smaller canals than large cruise boats, take clear photos, and hear local stories along the way.

“It was a unique experience through which we discovered the most prominent landmarks of Amsterdam. The atmosphere was fantastic and the guide was knowledgeable with the information about the city, in addition to being friendly with everyone. We really liked this experience me and my wife and I advise everyone to try it”

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5.Amsterdam Canal Tour by Open Boat – 90 min Small Group Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 812 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36

Spend 90 minutes on Amsterdam’s canals in an open boat for up to 12 people. Guides such as Gus, Eddie, Aaron, Joao, and Attila share stories about leaning houses, De Wallen, canal architecture, and local life. Heated seats, blankets, and a rain canopy help with changeable weather.

“The canal tour was great, especially if you only have a few hours in Amsterdam or a layover at Schiphol. It’s an easy, relaxing way to see the city. The captain was friendly, knowledgeable, and shared fascinating insights about Amsterdam’s architecture, history, and canal system. We saw many landmarks from the water, which made for a calm and scenic experience. Drinks and wine were available as an optional add-on, but never pushed. Whether you ordered or not, the captain made everyone feel welcome and respected. Awesome tour. thank you!”

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6.Amsterdam Open Boat Cruise with Live Guide and Two Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 542 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $32

Cruise Amsterdam’s canals for an hour from Amstel 51F, with a live English-speaking guide, two drinks, and changing city views. Expect a small boat, personal stories, and sights such as Magere Brug, the Jordaan, Anne Frank House, and the Amstel. Boats may be covered in poor weather.

“Was not an open boat and the windows we fogged up a lot of the time (we used our gloves/scarves to try to clear). Guide was having to take really loud because there was a group of 6 drunk dudes laughing and being loud the whole time. Enjoyed the sights and somewhat relaxing ride. Drinks were plentiful.”

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7.Guided Highlights Canal Cruise on Open Boat

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

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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8.Open Boat City Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 250 reviews · 1 hour · from $27

You’ll cruise Groningen with an English-speaking skipper such as Jan, Dheis, or Paulina, passing the Martinitoren, Noorderhaven, AA-church, and canal warehouses. The open boat offers close views and unlimited drinks, but it has no cover, requires a step aboard, and is not suitable for children under 12 or wheelchair users.

“Captain Paulina was great fun and very knowledgeable. Loads of drinks on the boat included.”

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9.Guided Open Boat Canal Cruise Including Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 239 reviews · from $26

Settle into an electric open sloop or classic tugboat for a one-hour cruise through Amsterdam’s historic center. Your Dutch or English-speaking guide points out canal houses, the Amstel, Skinny Bridge, Anne Frank House, and seven bridges. Choose the unlimited-drinks option if you want a more social ride.

“Fantastic tour of the canals and a great guide and skipper thanks 😊”

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

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

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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11.Amsterdam 1h Canal Cruise by Semi-Open Boat with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 197 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $21

Cruise Amsterdam from near Centraal Station in a solar-powered semi-open boat. For about an hour, you’ll pass merchant houses, Anne Frank House, Magere Brug, the Golden Bend, houseboats, and major museums, with commentary in 19 languages and regular departures.

“People were helpful directing us to the right boats. Unfortunately, they were unable to take the tickets I'd printed upon booking, requiring us to go to their office to get official tickets. The boat was comfortable, information via headphones good though sometimes it was difficult it identify sites mentioned, and provided a beautiful and extensive view of the city.”

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12.Guided Open Boat Canal Cruise Unlimited Drinks Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 196 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $23

See Amsterdam from an open, quiet electric boat in about an hour, passing the Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House, Magere Brug, Jordaan, and seven illuminated bridges. An English-speaking guide provides live commentary, while the optional unlimited drinks package lets you sip beer, wine, or soft drinks as you cruise.

“One of my favourite things we did in Amsterdam, relaxing whilst seeing the sights of Amsterdam & our guide made it interesting with humour.”

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13.Open Boat City Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 156 reviews · 1 hour · from $21

You’ll cruise Gouda’s canals for about an hour aboard a traditional open boat, guided in English or Dutch by a skipper. The route follows the old north-south passage toward the Dutch IJssel, reaches places other boats miss, and includes a map of nine historic sites.

“Heel enthousiaste gids met veel weetjes over de geschiedenis van Gouda. Echte aanrader!”

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14.Open Boat City Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 154 reviews · 1 hour · from $26

Spend an easy hour on Groningen’s canals aboard the spacious electric Pronkjewail. You’ll see sights including the Martini Tower, Groninger Museum, and old waterways while enjoying one included drink. Dutch, English, and German audio commentary explains the city’s past.

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15.Amsterdam Open Boat Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 137 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $27

Spend about an hour on an open boat with an English and Dutch speaking captain who guides you through Amsterdam’s historic canals. Expect the Bridge of Love, seven-bridge views, local stories, and a relaxed ride for up to 30 people. Bring a warm layer, since the boat is open.

“Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly! Really enjoyed the experience and can’t recommend this enough!”

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