Going on an Amsterdam Canal Cruise Tour

Known as the “Venice of the North”, Amsterdam is one of the best cities to take a canal cruise. It is a great way to get to know the city and one of the best ways for an orientation. Come with us on during our one-hour canal cruise for a different perspective of this beautiful city.  

We visited for Amsterdam and surrounding Dutch cities for a few days last month. My husband and I did a similar canal cruise a few years ago during a November visit when it was quite rainy. So, I’m glad we had the chance for this “do over trip” with much better weather. What a big difference!

Many of the cruises start right outside of Centraal Station. This was the start/endpoint of many trams, bus and train lines.

Most of these cruises were on similar type boats with large windows. They come with audio guide narratives available in several languages. This was the boat we were on.

We first sailed out of a narrow canal and into the Het IJ or the river behind Central Station. There were river boat cruise ships and one can see the busy maritime activities of the port. Apparently, there were also 60 different species of fish residing here.  

Amsterdam is the world’s most bicycle friendly city. Some recent figures indicated that there are 1.91 bicycles per household. A majority of its residents own at least one bike. We also found many parked along the canals.

And when they’re not parked on the canals, they were on these multi-story garages. Can you imagine trying to find your bike here?  On a side note, we found out that between 12,000 to 15,000 bikes are “fished out” of the canals.   

It also makes one wonder how many cars have fallen into the canals considering where they park them. Some further research showed that an average of one car a week falls into the canals. This was a little surprising considering how close they park to the side of the canals. Some fall in due to accidents but other times, vandals push cars into the canals.

The Canals

It didn’t take long to enter one of the city’s many canals. Amsterdam has 165 canals with a combined length of about 60 miles (100 km). This first section had some interesting modern architecture that looked like it was suspended in the air. 

With all the canals, there are also many bridges crossing them. Though, not as many as Venice. Amsterdam has about 1,753 bridges. But, many open and rise to let ships or boats pass through. It was actually pretty neat to see a couple of them operate.

Amsterdam’s iconic narrow townhouses lining its many canals are one of the things that makes this city so picturesque and appealing. Many of these buildings were built during the Dutch Golden Age when wealthy traders moved to Amsterdam in the 1600s. These new citizens had land plots but were mostly narrow due to the housing shortage.

These houses also became the homeowners’ warehouses and offices. The hooks/pulleys are still visible in front of the buildings. These were used to lift goods from the canals and the ground through the windows so as not to damage the buildings. These days they’re used for moving large pieces of furniture.

We learned that the homeowners built these long, narrow houses with larger windows at the top to make them seem larger. Some had ornate facades to show off the owner’s wealth. These ornate canal houses are now offices, museums and even hotels. So, visitors can actually see how these look inside.

We didn’t notice until the audio guide pointed it out. But, some buildings were also built slightly tilting forward to make it easier to hoist up the goods from the canals. As the years progressed, some of the buildings tilted forward due to foundation issues.

The Houseboats

It was hard to miss the many houseboats anchored along the canals. There are about 2,500 of these houseboats around Amsterdam. No new ones are currently allowed.

Houseboats gained popularity after World War II as solutions to a housing shortage. Permits to permanently moor these houseboats at specific locations are highly restricted and in high demand.

It was wonderful to cruise past some of these house boats and have a glimpse of their interior. Some also had gardens and terraces. I’m not sure I can live in one with the constant traffic of boats cruising at all hours of the day. Visitors can also stay at some of these house boats for a fantastic experience of living like a local.

Another great thing about this cruise was discovering places we wanted to explore later. We passed by the Tulip Museum which we visited a few hours later. We got lucky that it was next to the Cheese Museum too which had free samples.   

In the midst of rows of the canal houses were some modern buildings. One that particularly stood out was the NEMO Science Museum. Located in the Eastern Docklands, the green copper building seems to rise out of the water resembling a ship.

It is five floors of science and technology exploration perfect for families. I wish we had time to have explored this museum. Its roof also serves as an outdoor terrace with many plants growing on it.  

Sure, the canal cruises may seem quite touristy. But, it really is the best way to get an orientation of Amsterdam especially for first time visitors.

In a city of canals, what better way to go under the bridges and see its architectural gems from below. You’ve got plenty of cruise options so don’t hesitate to go on one.  

 Tips for Doing an Amsterdam Canal Cruise

• If you’re staying for several days, look into the Amsterdam discount cards and city passes that include transportation and admission to some museums and attractions. These usually include canal cruises too. Look into Amsterdam Holland Pass or the I Amsterdam City Card.
• We went on the Lovers Canal Cruise and would recommend it. They also have a Hop-on, Hop-Off option.
• Try to buy your tickets online or at your hotels. We saved about 20% per ticket through our hotel concierge.
• Various cruises are available from dinner, candlelight to ones that include specialty ones like hamburger, pancake or pizza.
• Wi-fi is usually free and available on board.
• Bring some water with you. While the cruise may only be an hour, there are no food or drink concessions sold on the boat.

*Have you done canal cruises?

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Where to Stay in Amsterdam

• Hampton by Hilton Amsterdam / Arena Boulevard – We stayed for four nights at this hotel. Located about 15-20 minutes by train from the airport and the central area, it is a convenient location and a great price point. It is located right by the Arena train stop with restaurants and an IMAX theater nearby. We enjoyed the complimentary buffet breakfast and the spacious rooms.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Amsterdam Centraal Station – Several friends have stayed at this hotel and recommend it. Located near the Centraal Station and within walking distance to the heart of Amsterdam and its many attractions. Its SkyLounge offers great city views. Of course, they have the delicious and famous chocolate chip cookies.
• INK Hotel Amsterdam – MGallery – A friend was looking at this hotel and brought it to my attention. I would love to stay here next time. It is housed in an old newspaper building and the rooms look so neat. The hotel looks so interesting. It is also located in a great central location with a tram stop outside and within walking distance to many attractions.

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