Amstel River Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Amstel River. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Amsterdam Classic Saloon Boat Cruise, Drinks and Cheese Option
• Amsterdam Canal Cruise With Live Guide and Onboard Bar
• All-Inclusive Amsterdam Canal Cruise by Captain Jack
• Amsterdam: Luxury Canal Cruise with Onboard Bar
• Amsterdam: Luxury Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks Option

While it’s free to stroll along the Amstel River while exploring Amsterdam, plenty of affordable tours can help you learn more about the river with an expert guide — and have some fun along the way. See the river by boat, with cruises starting at around US$20.

Multiple bridges and roadways cross the Amstel River. In Amsterdam, the Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug) is a popular historic bridge for pedestrians and cyclists only. It’s a double-swipe wooden bridge that replaced the original Skinny Bridge in 1871. The bridge is famous for its nightly illumination and is a popular photography spot.

Yes, there are walking and cycling trails at various points along the Amstel River. Amsterdam is a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly city, so most parts of the riverside have at least one accessible route. Both sides of the river have paths to Martin Luther Kingpark, Amstelpark, and beyond.

Yes, some people enjoy stand-up paddleboarding on the Amstel River. Locals may go independently, while most visitors will either join a guided SUP tour or rent the equipment from an adventure tour company. It’s a unique way to experience Amsterdam from the water without joining a typical canal tour.

The Amstel River flows from Amsterdam’s center and out of the city, passing by multiple landmarks. In the city center, you can see the Dutch National Opera and Ballet, H’ART Museum, Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug), and the Royal Theater Carre. Farther south, it passes by Natuur Tuinpark Amstelglorie and Amstelpark.