Amsterdam is one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world, and it’s no wonder why. The history alone is fascinating, but then incorporate its delicious food, endless nightlife activities, beautiful architecture, and stunning canals and it’s incredible.

We’re going to focus a bit on the latter today, as cruises along the canal are one of the most popular activities to do. However, there are also a lot of tours available, so which one is the best? No need to wonder, as we have all the top canal cruises in Amsterdam right here!

Best Amsterdam Canal Tours

	Amsterdam Small-Group Canal Cruise Plus Snacks and Drinks	Amsterdam Classic Boat Cruise with Live Guide, Drinks and Cheese	Amsterdam Private Canal Booze Cruise
	Best Value Tour	Best Tour w/ Drinks	Best Budget Tour
Departure:	Keizersgracht 106, 1015 CV	Prinsengracht 263	Jungle Dock
Start:	1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 6:30 PM	Between 10:30 AM & 10:00 PM	12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Duration:	2 hours	1 hour	1.5 hours
Includes:	Snack platter, unlimited drinks (open bar), professional guide, ll taxes, fees and handling charges, snacks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages	Expert tour guide and skipper, two different types of Dutch Cheese, Unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks and water	Live tour guide, transport for activity duration: sightseeing cruise, beer, wine, soft drinks
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 7 Best Amsterdam Canal Tours For 2025

1. Best Value Tour: Amsterdam Small-Group Canal Cruise Plus Snacks and Drinks
2. Best Tour w/ Drinks: Amsterdam Classic Boat Cruise with Live Guide, Drinks and Cheese
3. Best Budget Tour: Amsterdam Private Canal Booze Cruise
4. Best Evening Tour: Amsterdam Private Romantic Canal Cruise at Night
5. Best Private Tour: Private Boat Tour: Champagne Canal Cruise in Amsterdam
6. Best Family Tour: Amsterdam 90-Minute Private Family Canal Cruise
7. Best Small Group Tour: Amsterdam Small-Group Canal Cruise Plus Snacks and Drinks

Be sure to see our reviews of Red Light District Tours, Van Gogh Museum Tours and Windmill Tours.

Amsterdam Canal Tour Reviews

1. Best Value Tour: Amsterdam Small-Group Canal Cruise Plus Snacks and Drinks

The next one up is a bit longer than the other two we’ve covered so far. Clocking in at 2 hours, you’ll get to learn all about the local history, lifestyle, landmarks, and the canals, specifically.

Do it all while enjoying some delicious snacks and drinks on Amsterdam Small-Group Canal Cruise Plus Snacks and Drinks. If you’ve just arrived in Amsterdam, it’s one of the best ways to get an introduction to the city.

The ride is relaxing and beautiful, and ideal for a small group (maximum of 9 people) for a customized experience and the ability to ask any questions you may have to the skipper.

Start out in Jordaan, which is a great place to explore if you want to escape the crowds and general hustle-and-bustle of the city.

It’s a lovely area to sit back, relax, and take the views in. They’ll offer you all kinds of local eats like a snack platter with fruit, cheese, cookies, and sausages.

Wash it all down with some craft beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. Pass by the city’s oldest hat factory, called the Rode Hoed (Red Hat), which now serves as an event center. Your guide will tell you all about its interesting (and lengthy!) history.

They’ll continue offering an educational commentary on the canals’ history and heritage, and how important they are.

Not only that, but you’ll get to see the gorgeous side houses that line the canals, along with the enormous mansions that sit on the bigger main canals.

The route does vary a bit, depending on the weather and time of day you book for. However, each trip is a very enjoyable experience!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

2. Best Tour w/ Drinks: Amsterdam Classic Boat Cruise with Live Guide, Drinks and Cheese

One of the best ways to see Amsterdam is from a canal cruise. There’s just something magical about floating down the calm waters as you pass by centuries-old buildings and under beautiful bridges.

The Amsterdam Classic Boat Cruise with Live Guide, Drinks and Cheese is one of the best if you’re looking for a great way to spend time seeing the city while enjoying some food and drinks.

Being on the short site at an hour, it’s super easy to fit into even the busiest schedules. Whether you go day or night, it’s simply a magical experience you have to try at least once.

Meet up with your guide, and hop on board, where you’ll be acquainted with your local, certified skipper who is an expert in all things “Amsterdam”.

They’ll tell you all about the city’s history and specifically that of the canals. The district is UNESCO-listed, and it’s unique to just this area.

Not only that, but they provide insight into the locals’ way of life and how the canals are used present-day. There are many people who actually live in house boats docked at the sides of the canals, which is pretty cool!

As you’ll get to see so much of the city, once you’re on land you’ll find that navigating around is much easier.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Other Experiences You May Enjoy:

3. Best Budget Tour: Amsterdam Private Canal Booze Cruise

Amsterdam is a city that’s known for having a good time, and if you’re looking for one, you’re in the right place. The Amsterdam: Private Canal Booze Cruise lasts 1.5 hours and is a great way to start off the evening or day of sightseeing.

Take a break to relax, but cruising through the gorgeous canals with a refreshing beverage in hand! Sure, there are tons of bars in the city, but trust us when we say this way is much more fun! If it’s your first time in the city, it’s a must-do!

If you’re traveling in groups, this is a nice way to get everyone together from some simultaneous excitement and sightseeing. It’s available for groups of 10 people and under. Meet up with your guide near Central Station, which is easy to get to from just about any part of the city.

Board your boat, where you’ll be able to relax on the padded seats with plenty of leg room.  There’s also a restroom on board, which is ideal if you’re going to be drinking!

Crack open a cold beer, pop open a bottle of champagne, or some simple mixed drinks while you cruise around the canals. Think of it as like an open bar because you don’t have a limit on how many drinks you can have.

You’ll pass through the Amstel River, under 7 stunning bridges and some hidden gems your skipper will point out to you. It’s a fantastic way to learn about the city, where famous landmarks are, and will make it easier to plan excursions on land based on this.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Other Amsterdam Experiences To Try:

4. Best Evening Tour: Amsterdam Private Romantic Canal Cruise at Night

On the hunt for the perfect date night adventure? If so, there are a lot of choices to select from, but this next tour always seems to rank quite high.

The Amsterdam: Private Romantic Canal Cruise at Night tour is a great alternative to heading to a fancy restaurant, because you have it all right here on board! While the city is beautiful just about any time of day or with any weather, it’s really something different at night.

The city is all lit up, with the warm lights reflecting off of the rippling waters. It’s also a great way to preface dinner, as it won’t spoil your meal but will definitely satisfy any hunger pangs and quench your thirst.

Board your comfortable, private vessel for the next 50 to 90 minutes while you get settled and cruise down the canals. The glistening lights light the way, as your skipper tells you all kinds of fascinating stories about the city’s history, culture, and notable landmarks.

They’ll share facts about important people from here, as well as local legends that always are fun to learn about.

With cozy blankets provided, along with some sparkling champagne, wine, cheese, and waffles, we can’t recommend this tour enough if you really want to get in some quality time with that special someone.

It’s also perfect if you want to learn more about navigating the city and how to access certain tourist hot spots.

While it’s not required, you do have the option of having the guide play some romantic music as well. It’s all up to what you and your partner would like to do – they’re all very accommodating and there to ensure you have a wonderful romantic evening.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. Best Private Tour: Private Boat Tour: Champagne Canal Cruise in Amsterdam

This next tour is perfect for couples or groups of friends and family, alike. You can reserve the boat for up to 12 people, making it a great way to spend some quality time and have a blast while doing it!

The Private Boat Tour: Champagne Canal Cruise in Amsterdam lasts 1.5 hours full of laughs, adventuring, and learning about this unique city!

Start out by meeting down at the wooden dock next to the “Sea Palace” restaurant. We found the boats to look brand-new, and are in excellent condition. It actually is one of the more luxurious boats we’ve seen, with the wooden sitting area sporting traditional windows and padded seats.

Actually, this traditional vessel is one of just a few in all of Amsterdam that holds the title of “floating monument status” due to its historic traits! If you’re curious, your guide will tell you all about this beauty.

Enjoy unlimited champagne and sip the bubbly while you watch out over the gorgeous canals, as you cruise under bridges and past elaborately-designed homes that line each side.

The boat’s owner will tell you all about the history of the city and offer interesting anecdotes and personal stories, as well.

Enjoy attentive service as you cruise by important landmarks such as the Anne Frank House, Magere Brug, the Red Light District, National Maritime Museum, Heineken Experience, Café de Sluyswacht, Bridge of 15 Bridges, and much more.

We highly recommend checking at least some of those out once you’re on land, and now that you know how to get to them!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

6. Best Family Tour: Amsterdam 90-Minute Private Family Canal Cruise

If you’re looking for a fun and affordable excursion to take the entire family on, you’ve found it! The Amsterdam 90-Minute Private Family Canal Cruise tour is a fantastic way to explore the legendary Dutch canals, and see some of the most popular landmarks from a different perspective.

This is a must-do if you’re bringing the entire family along, and is great for all ages! With a max passenger limit of 10 people per boat, you can feel confident you’re going to receive personalized attention and be able to have any of your questions answered by a professional.

They captain will ask you if you have any specific interests, so they can tailor your cruise to them, too. While food and drinks aren’t served on the boat, you’re more than welcome to bring your own. After exploring, you may want to go grab some food, anyway.

This 1.5-hour tour offers quite a bit of flexibility with start times, making it easy to fit into busy schedules.

As you cruise down the charming canals, they’ll teach you all about the city’s history, modern-day attractions, and many stories with cultural relevance. They’ll show you some hidden gems that not many tourists get to see or even know about, too!

If you’re new to the city, they’ll offer some tips on places to visit later, including any restaurant recommendations! This is a fantastic way to learn about local lifestyles here, and how the canals impact them.

They’re an excellent mode of transportation and offer a bit of relaxation away from the crowds.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

7. Best Small Group Tour: Amsterdam Small-Group Canal Cruise Plus Snacks and Drinks

This next tour is always a blast, super affordable, and one of the most highly-rated canal cruises out there! The Amsterdam Small-Group Canal Cruise plus Snacks and Drinks tour is one everyone should try, even if you’ve already done a canal cruise before!

Lasting 2 hours long, it’s a fantastic way to have fun, eat some delicious traditional snacks, and enjoy the views without the crowds. Located right in front of the Museum for Photography, you’ll meet up with your guide where you and the rest of your group will be escorted to the boat.

Due to the space, you will be limited to groups of 12 people. We really enjoyed the configuration of this boat, which is open on the ends but has a glass covering to keep you protected just in case of rain (which can happen even in the summertime!).

It also offers unobstructed views of this gorgeous city, where you’ll be able to fully enjoy the incredible architecture and canal views.

To keep your thirst and hunger at bay, they provide mulled wine and authentic Dutch snacks like the “bitterballen” and “stroopwafel” which are delicious and perfect if you like sweets! Start out in the old quarter of the Jordaan, which is arguably one of the prettiest areas.

Cruise along and spot landmarks such as the Anne Frank house,  Red Light District, National maritime Museum, Hortus Botanicus, and even the East Indiaman ship dating from back to the Golden Age!

You’ll even get to see various “hidden gems” that not too many tourists know about, and can go back to visit them once you’re on land.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

What You Should Know About Amsterdam Canal Cruise Tours

Pick the Right Boat

Don’t just jump on the first boat you see at Central Station – those are usually the most crowded and expensive. Walk a few blocks away and you’ll find smaller operators with way more character. I always recommend the classic wooden boats over the big glass-top ones.

Sure, you might get a little wet if it rains (and it probably will, this is Amsterdam), but the experience is so much better. Look for boats that hold around 20-30 people max. Any bigger and you’re just cattle being herded around the canals.

Timing is Everything

Everyone says “golden hour” but honestly, that’s when every tourist and their mother is trying to get on a boat. Try these times instead:

• Late morning (10-11 AM): The city’s just waking up, locals are biking to work, and you’ll actually get good photos without crowds
• Early afternoon (2-3 PM): Perfect light, way fewer people
• Winter evenings: I know it sounds crazy, but Amsterdam in winter from the water is absolutely magical. All those cozy café windows glowing, way fewer crowds, and most boats have blankets and hot drinks

What Actually Matters

Skip the expensive “dinner cruises” unless you’re celebrating something special – the food is usually mediocre and you’ll be too distracted by the views to enjoy it anyway. A basic 60-90 minute tour is perfect.

Get a live guide, not an audio one. The good guides have been doing this for years and will tell you stuff you’d never learn otherwise. Like how to spot which houses are sinking (spoiler: most of them), or why there are literally thousands of bikes at the bottom of the canals.

Money-Saving Tips

• Book directly with smaller operators or GetYourGuide & Viator instead of through your hotel – they usually charge a markup.
• Avoid the boats right at Central Station and Dam Square – walk 10 minutes in any direction for better prices.
• Check if your I Amsterdam City Card includes canal cruises (it usually does).

What to Bring

• Light jacket, even in summer – it’s always cooler on the water.
• Phone/camera with a good strap – I’ve seen so many phones take a dive into the canals.
• Don’t bring a huge bag – space is limited on most boats.
• Maybe skip the big meal beforehand – some people get a bit queasy when larger boats pass by.

What You’ll See on the Cruise

Your guide will point out the Anne Frank House (you can’t miss the massive line), the narrowest house in Amsterdam, and all those Instagram-famous crooked houses. But here’s what’s actually cool: you’ll start to understand how this crazy city actually works.

Those weird hooks sticking out of buildings? People still use them to move furniture because the stairs are too narrow. Those houseboats? Real people live there with normal jobs and Netflix subscriptions. It’s not a museum – it’s a living city that just happens to be built on water.

Insider Stuff Your Guide Might Not Tell You

• The canals freeze maybe once every 10 years, and when they do, the whole city goes skating
• Amsterdam has more bridges than Venice
• The water level is controlled by a system of locks and pumps – it’s basically one giant bathtub
• Those fancy canal houses were built narrow to avoid taxes, which were based on street frontage

After the Cruise

Here’s the thing – once you’ve done the canal tour, walking around Amsterdam makes so much more sense. You’ll understand the layout, know which neighborhoods are which, and honestly, you’ll appreciate the city way more.

If you’re feeling fancy, grab a drink at one of the canal-side cafés afterward. Café de Reiger or Café Papeneiland are local favorites with great canal views.