75-minute Amsterdam Canal Cruise by Blue Boat Company
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75-minute Amsterdam Canal Cruise by Blue Boat Company

Active
(720 reviews)
1h
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Manual confirmation
Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

The number one attraction in Amsterdam and a must do for a first time visitor of our beautiful capital!

Amsterdam is best viewed from the water and during this 75-minute canal cruise, you'll understand why. You'll experience the best of the historic city center.

Discover the city's top highlights, iconic bridges and the 17th-century buildings lining the canals. You'll come across new architecture and bridges, showing a historical city that is rooted in history but continues to develop and change.

While you're enjoying the views that pass you by, you'll listen to an audio guide (available in 19 languages) that tells you everything you need to know about Amsterdam; the stories, legends and historical facts. You can buy snacks and drinks in the ticket office prior boarding or a dd a snackbox to your booking!

Did you bring the kids? Great! Let them be a 'Fresh water pirate' with the special kids audio commentary including a free goodie bag to enjoy themselves while on board.

Available options

Dock Hard Rock + Wine & Cheese

Dock Heineken Experience: Select this option to include a Wine & Cheese tasting box including other snacks to your cruise. <br/>Dock opposite Hard Rock Cafe: This cruise departs from our dock located at Stadhouderskade 501, opposite Hard Rock Cafe<br/>Wheelchair accessible: To confirm your wheelchair seat, please call +31206791370

Dock Heineken Experience

Dock Heineken Experience: Board at Stadhouderskade 550, opposite Heineken Experience. <br/>Starting point:<br/>Stadhouderskade 550, 1072 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands

Dock Hard Rock Cafe

Dock Hard Rock Cafe: Board at Stadhouderskade 501 opposite the Hard Rock Cafe.

Dock Hard Rock Café

Dock Heineken + Snackbox

Snackbox with sofdrink &snacks: This option includes a snackbox including 1 softdrink and a variety of sweet and savory snacks with your City Canal Cruise. <br/>Dock Heineken Experience: This cruise departs from our dock located at Stadhouderskade 550, opposite Heineken Experience<br/>Wheelchair accessible: To confirm your wheelchair seat, please call +31206791370<br/>Starting point:<br/>Stadhouderskade 550, 1072 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands

Dock Hard Rock + Snack Box

Snackbox with sofdrink &snacks: This option includes a snackbox including 1 softdrink and a variety of sweet and savory snacks with your City Canal Cruise.
<br/>Dock opposite Hard Rock Cafe: This cruise departs from our dock located at Stadhouderskade 501, opposite Hard Rock Cafe<br/>Wheel accessible: To confirm your wheelchair seat, please call +31206791370

Dock Heineken + Wine & Cheese

Wine & Cheese Box: Select this option to include a Wine & Cheese tasting box including other snacks to your cruise. <br/>Departure dock: Departure dock is opposite Heineken Experience, Stadhouderskade 550

What's included

Snackbox with sweet & savory snacks and 1 drink (if option selected)
Audio commentary in 20 languages
“Kids Cruise” audio story and booklet with every kids’ ticket bought
75-min Canal Cruise

Detailed itinerary

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Amsterdam is best viewed from the water. On this 75-minute canal cruise you’ll experience the best of our historical city.

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Cruise along the famous canals of the old city of Amsterdam

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This waterside hotel is perched above Amsterdam’s famous canals on the vibrant Leidseplein with many bars and music venues. Explore Vondelpark and the museum district with the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum just around the corner. Return to our historic Art Nouveau building and power up at the famous Café Americain. Unwind with signature cocktails at the iconic Bar Americain. More musical amenities await in your room with guitar program Picks®, Record player program Wax® and curated music with our Tracks® playlists. Let the set begin.

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The Westerkerk was built between 1620 and 1631 in Renaissance style according to designs by architect Hendrick de Keyser (1565-1621). He is buried in the church he designed earlier: the 'Zuiderkerk'. The building of the Westerkerk was finished and completed by his son Pieter de Keyser (1595-1676) and inaugurated on June 8, 1631. The church has a length of 58 meters and a width of 29 meters. The high nave is flanked by the two lower aisles. The three-aisled basilica has a rectangular plan with two transepts of equal dimensions. As a result, the plan for this church was given the form of two Greek crosses connected with each other.

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Cruising over the IJ river

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A’DAM LOOKOUT is an observation deck with an unrivalled panoramic view of Amsterdam. You’ll see the city’s historical centre, its pulsating port, the unique Dutch polder landscape and you’ll spot the famous canals which belong to the UNESCO World Heritage list. Complementing the experience is a state-of-the-art interactive exhibition and free audio tour about Amsterdam’s history and culture. A’DAM LOOKOUT is located on top of the A’DAM Tower in Amsterdam North.

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Amsterdam Centraal was designed by Pierre Cuypers, who is also known for his design of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. While Cuypers was the principal architect, it is believed that he focused mostly on the decoration of the station building and left the structural design to railway engineers

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NEMO Science Museum is an interactive, informal learning environment in which the general public comes into contact with science and technology. Visitors see, hear and experience how scientific phenomena and technology play an important part in their lives. NEMO works closely with the fields of science and education. NEMO is a registered museum and the owner of a significant historical collection.

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Cruising the Amstel river

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The famous skinny bridge on the Amstel River

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The InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam Hotel, commonly referred to as the Amstel Hotel, is a hotel in Amsterdam, capital city of the Netherlands, on the east bank of the river Amstel.

In 2007, it was the only hotel in the Netherlands on the list of World's Best Hotels, and was ranked in 90th place.[1]

The Amstel Hotel is part of the InterContinental Hotels chain. In 2006 the building was sold to Morgan Stanley. In 2011 the Lebanese businessman Toufic Aboukhater bought the hotel. In 2014 the hotel was acquired by Qatar-based Katara Hospitality, but is still operated by the InterContinental Hotels Group

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On a 1.5-hour self-guided tour you’ll learn about the company’s heritage, the beer brewing process, Heineken’s innovations, and about what it takes to serve a world-famous beer.

Find out the four natural ingredients that make this beer, and discover the brand’s sponsorship activities with Formula 1, the UEFA Champions League and the Rugby World Cup. And sure enough, at the end of the tour you can raise your glass with new friends.

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This iconic museum in the heart of Amsterdam is a must-visit for any culture lover. The Rijksmuseum houses more than 8,000 works of art from Dutch and European history, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh.

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Enjoy the legendary flavors of classic American dining in an energetic, modern setting right on the waterside at Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam. We're located on Max Euweplein, just a two minute walk from the Leidseplein entertainment area. We're just steps away from the Paradiso live music venue, the Holland Casino, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and plenty of other attractions. Our restaurant is not only the perfect spot to kick off any day or night, but we are also a museum of pop culture with authentic memorabilia from rock 'n' roll legends like Jimi Hendrix and Elvis Presley.

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Fancy an exciting evening out in a relaxed setting? Then come to Holland Casino Amsterdam Centre! You'll find us in the heart of Amsterdam, with the largest selection of table games in the Netherlands. Play a variety of exciting table games, such as American Roulette, Black Jack, Poker and Punto Banco or take a seat behind one of the many slot machines.

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What's not included

Gratuities

Available languages

Audio guide
DE RU KO PT CMN JA EN IT FR NL ES

Reviews breakdown

Viator 4.1
316 reviews
5★
151
4★
80
3★
53
2★
18
1★
14
Tripadvisor 3.9
404 reviews
5★
171
4★
126
3★
50
2★
27
1★
30

Important information

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
To reserve a wheelchair seat, please contact our reservations department.

Meeting point

Blue Boat Company, Stadhouderskade 550, opposite Heineken Experience.
Take tram 2, 5,and 12 stop at Rijksmuseum. from there the dock is a 5 minute walk or take metro No. 52 and stop at Vijzelgracht. From there the dock is only a 2 minute walk.

Important notes

• Please make sure to be at the dock for your canal cruise at least 10 minutes prior to departure.
• Blue Boat Company and Amsterdam Canal Cruises offer canal cruises daily. Seats are placed on a “first come, first serve” basis which means that you might not be able to get on board right away. If this is the case, our colleagues will inform you when the next available boat will depart.
• Our ticket office at Stadhouderskade 501 opposite Hard Rock Café is open daily from 09:00 until 18:00 hours.
• Our ticket office at Stadhouderskade 550 opposite Heineken Experience is open daily from 09:30 until 17:15 hours.

To move your timeslot, please contact our reservations department via +31206791370

Tour is wheelchair accessible To reserve a wheelchair seat, please contact our reservations department at +31 206791370

Valid from the time you exchange your voucher, for the duration selected.

About Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is renowned for its picturesque canals, historic architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. Known as the 'Venice of the North,' the city offers a rich blend of art, history, and modern innovation, making it a captivating destination for travelers.

Top Attractions

Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is the Dutch national museum dedicated to arts and history. It houses an extensive collection of paintings, including works by Rembrandt and Vermeer.

Museum 2-3 hours €20

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum is dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries. It houses the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings and drawings in the world.

Museum 1.5-2 hours €20

Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House is a biographical museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank. The building is where Anne Frank and her family hid from Nazi persecution during World War II.

Historical 1 hour €16

Dam Square

Dam Square is the central square of Amsterdam and a historic site. It is home to the Royal Palace, the National Monument, and various other landmarks.

Historical 1 hour Free

Jordaan

Jordaan is a picturesque and lively neighborhood known for its narrow streets, canals, and vibrant atmosphere. It is a great place to explore, shop, and dine.

Neighborhood A few hours to explore Free to explore, varies for shopping and dining

Must-Try Local Dishes

Stroopwafel

A thin, round waffle made from two layers of baked dough joined by a caramel-like syrup filling

Dessert Vegetarian, contains wheat and sugar

Bitterballen

Deep-fried, crispy balls filled with a creamy, spiced ragout, typically made from beef or veal

Snack Contains meat, gluten, and dairy

Haring

Raw herring fish, traditionally served with onions and pickles, eaten by holding the fish by its tail and lowering it into your mouth

Dish Contains fish, not suitable for vegetarians

Poffertjes

Miniature pancakes made from a batter of flour, eggs, milk, and yeast, served with powdered sugar and butter

Dessert Vegetarian, contains wheat, eggs, and dairy

Popular Activities

Canal kayaking Bike tours Escape rooms Canal cruises Visiting parks and gardens Spa and wellness treatments Museum visits Art galleries

Best Time to Visit

June to August

The peak tourist season in Amsterdam is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. This is the best time to enjoy outdoor activities and festivals, but it's also the busiest and most expensive period.

15°C to 22°C 59°F to 72°F

Practical Information

Language

  • Official: Dutch
  • Widely spoken: English, German, French
  • English: Widely spoken, especially in tourist areas

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Time Zone

GMT+1 (CET), GMT+2 (CEST) during daylight saving time

Electricity

230VV, 50HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe, with some areas requiring caution

Amsterdam is generally a safe city for travelers, with low violent crime rates and a welcoming atmosphere. However, petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bike theft, can occur, particularly in tourist areas and on public transport. Exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings, especially at night.

Important Precautions:
  • • Keep valuables secure and out of sight
  • • Be cautious of your surroundings, particularly in crowded areas and on public transport
  • • Use licensed taxis and agree on the fare before starting your journey

Getting there

By air
  • Amsterdam Airport Schiphol • 17.5 km from city center
By train

Amsterdam Centraal

By bus

Amsterdam Sloterdijk, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Getting around

Public transport

Amsterdam's tram system is efficient and user-friendly, with 14 day and night tram lines. A single ticket costs €3.20, and day passes are available.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Uber, Taxi Amsterdam

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Jordaan De Pijp De Wallen (Red Light District) Museumplein Amsterdam-Noord

Day trips

Zaanse Schans
20 km from Amsterdam • Half day to full day

A picturesque and open-air museum featuring traditional Dutch houses, windmills, and workshops, showcasing the history and craftsmanship of the region.

Haarlem
20 km from Amsterdam • Half day to full day

A charming and historic city known for its beautiful architecture, museums, and vibrant cultural scene, often considered a smaller and more relaxed version of Amsterdam.

Utrecht
50 km from Amsterdam • Full day

A vibrant and historic city known for its beautiful canals, medieval architecture, and lively cultural scene, with a unique and charming atmosphere.

Festivals

King's Day (Koningsdag) • April 27 (or April 26 if the 27th is a Sunday) Amsterdam Pride • Late July to early August Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) • Mid-October

Pro tips

  • Use the OV-chipkaart for seamless and convenient public transport
  • Rent a bike to explore the city like a local, but be aware of cycling rules and etiquette
  • Visit major attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds
  • Explore the city's neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and charm
  • Try local specialties, such as stroopwafels, bitterballen, and Dutch pancakes
From $25 per person

Price varies by option

Adults
Age 12-99
1
Childs
Age 5-11
0
Infants
Age 0-4
0
Booking requirements:
  • Min travelers: 1
  • Max travelers: 10
Secure booking
Free cancellation available

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