Amsterdam Canal Cruise with Local Guide and Small Group
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Amsterdam, Netherlands
+10
- 1 hour (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Cruising down Amsterdam’s iconic canals is one of the most popular activities in the city. Join this exciting small-group cruise guided by local skippers who share the city's most beautiful spots. Sip on an optional drink (alcoholic or soft drink), as you pass highlights like The Dancing Houses and the Skinny Bridge. The skipper provides commentary in English, with digital guides available in multiple languages.
- Enjoy unobstructed views from the open boat
- Enrich your visit with an explanation of historical highlights from your skipper
- The tour conveniently departs from Amsterdam Central Station
- Cruise with the proud winner of TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice 2025 award
What's Included
- English speaking guide
- Digitial booklet in 8 languages: English French,German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian,Dutch & Chinese
- Cruise with the proud winner of TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice 2025!
- Snacks
- Alcoholic BeveragesA (Non) alcoholic beverage can be booked as optional
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Stationsplein 18, 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands
Our location is right in front of Amsterdam Central Station, directly in front of the tram stops by the water. You can recognise us by our dark green beach flag and staff wearing blue shirts/jackets with 'Eco Boats' on it. Please use Google Maps to find the correct location, not Apple Maps.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Canal Ring (Grachtengordel)
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
St. Nicholas Basilica (Pass By)
Sea Palace Restaurant (Pass By)
Montelbaanstoren (Pass By)
Oudeschans (Pass By)
The Amstel (Pass By)
Blauwbrug (Pass By)
H'ART Museum (Pass By)
The Dancing Houses (Pass By)
Oude Kerk (Pass By)
Red Light District (Pass By)
Zeedijk (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Departure point right in front of Central Station
- The route may vary each time depending on external factors.
- On the day itself (depending on the weather conditions) we decide to cruise with an open or half open boat (with shelter for rain).
- On sunny days, please wear sunscreen, as cruising on water can get hot
- On cold days, please wear warm, clothes, as cruising on water can get cold
- We only serve alcoholic drinks for travellers 18 years old and above (proof of ID can be asked for). Minor travellers below 18 years old will be served non-alcoholic drink
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 28 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
P_C
Taking a canal tour in Amsterdam was easily one of the highlights of my trip. Nould was knowledgeable without being overwhelming, sharing interesting stories about the city’s history, architecture, and culture in a way that felt engaging and natural.
The staff were all very friendly and kind! I highly recommend their tour.
Reviews
5.0
based on 6,418 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Ryan_J, Aug 2026
It was super fun and informative I very much enjoyed the experience and would recommend it to anyone who is interested
Emma_A, Aug 2026
Was nice and peaceful, good way to start out our trip! Very nice boat as well, would recommend your boat tour to be with this company!
Asheley_J, Aug 2026
If you want to hear the guide book a private canal cruise. The two guides were good; however, it was a large group and most of the guests were from a bachelorette party. They talked to each other the whole time and we could not hear the guides. Very frustrating. Perhaps the tour company should ask who was in the party or the tour guides could have asked them to please not talk over them.
Sharon_E, Aug 2026
Instructions to get to the correct spot on canal were unclear. Google maps didn’t work so we had to take time to look for boat. There were numerous boats, some to the right hand side, some to the left. Ended up missing our slot even though Eco Tours rang us to see where we were. Their telephone instructions were poor! Call made to us at 8.30 as we were looking for them. They left a minute later so gave us no time to find them after the phone call was made. Amsterdam has several canals so it would have helped more if a map had been provided in email confirmation. The lady on the telephone also failed to be clear in her directions. We have requested a refund but are still awaiting a reply.
We felt company were more than happy that we got lost as they then were able to resell our tickets!!
We have used Viator several times in the past so really disappointed that Eco Tours were not as good as other companies we have booked through them.
Denise_H, Aug 2026
Very nice canal ride. Jack was our captain and he was a blast. It was a beautiful evening and would definitely suggest it to people as something fun to do.
Joseph_P, Aug 2026
Had a fantastic boat tour of Amsterdam’s canals with skipper Jack! He was a great guide, full of local knowledge, and kept us entertained the whole trip with a steady stream of dad jokes. Somehow they got funnier the more he told them. Great mix of history, sightseeing, and laughs. Highly recommend if you want a tour that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Ask for Jack!
Nelly_P, Aug 2026
Sebastian had a lot of knowledge which he shared with a great sense of humour. He made us fall in love with the city! Thank you!
Peter_C, Aug 2026
Fantastic. Informative, fun and relaxing. Will come and do it again.
Well worth the money. Great captain.
Erin_C, Aug 2026
David S was our tour guide, he is part historian, part comedian & tells it like it is! We had a great trip!!
Rachel_P, Jul 2026
This was a great tour. The guide, Davids, was great and super funny and knowledgeable. The boat was comfortable and the tour was awesome, we recommended it to other family in the city.
Kellie_G, Jul 2026
Lovely evening cruise. Relaxing, with lovely views. Interesting, entertaining and informative thanks to our guide, Captain K. Highly recommend and excellent value for money.
Eric_O, Jul 2026
Captain B was amazing and provided history of the city and its canals with a personal touch. He made everyone on the boat feel welcome. He answered everyone's questions and gave an insight into the city.
Kanisorn_S, Jul 2026
Wonderful canal tour with a very knowledgable skipper Captain B. Boat was a little crowded, but overall okay.
Natalie_W, Jul 2026
Great service and guide! Hospitable and kind staff. Mark was especially responsive to questions and telling about the history of Amsterdam.
Jenny_R, Jul 2026
Relaxing and lovely. We did the last cruise of the day and the sun was going down. Our guide was chill and relaxed. Not a party vibe.
Angela_D, Jul 2026
Great cruise to do at 930. We got to see sunset and the lights. Pedro was a great skipper and was very funny !
HappyCan, Jul 2026
Captain B was a great guide, very informative and he’s a real local born and bred in Amsterdam. This open top boat is definitely the way to go compared to other crowded covered ones we saw (but bring a hat if sunny). Smaller boat also allowed us to see the quieter and smaller canals. Truly magical!
Helen_E, Jul 2026
Captain Emma was very knowledgeable of the history of Amsterdam. Really engaging and an extremely competent Captain.
Umbrellas were available on the boat, which was handy as very sunny 😎
Lovely relaxing way to see Amsterdam.
Graig_B, Jul 2026
My family really enjoyed the cruise. There was a lot of great information provided. The view from the canals offered a different perspective of the city. It was also a great value.
Michele_L, Jul 2026
We arrived half an hour early for our tour and they were able to accommodate us! This tour was very informative and relaxing on a warm summer’s day.
Benjamin_H, Jul 2026
The boats were easy to find, the staff were incredibly friendly. Relaxing cruise. Would highly recommend!
Cheryl_H, Jul 2026
Hit or miss with guides... but beautiful ride. Fire only pointed out buildings but gave little history and background that we really wanted.
kristin_b, Jul 2026
Quick canal tour- good to get yourself acquainted with the city. Paying for the drink was nice, especially since it was hot.
Katherine_K, Jul 2026
It goes fast! Beautiful, easy cruise- perfect length and very informative. Not very entertaining for younger kids (which is clear at booking), but because it’s not long, wasn’t a problem.
David_S, Jul 2026
Five stars for the boat ride itself. My only qualm was that it was hard to find their boats. We went to where my phone app said to go. Not there. Went to where my wife's phone app said to go. Not there. We finally figured it out but almost missed the boat.
Brad_S, Jul 2026
Great experience and opportunity to learn more about Amsterdam. Pedro was a great guide and captain. Will do again when I return.
Alison_W, Jul 2026
Fabulous canal boat trip with guides Gabriella and Baz very knowledgeable , we thoroughly enjoyed it. Would recommend.
Hayley_M, Jul 2026
Lovely boat ride. Informative, relaxing and a good way to see the city. The kids appreciated not having to walk.
Sandra_C, Jul 2026
Enjoyable way to get acquainted with Amsterdam. Captain B was friendly, knowledgeable and entertaining. Great photography moments from the open boat.
Katherine_M, Jun 2026
We loved this! Just the perfect mix of sightseeing, history and comfort. Yurien skippered our boat and he was informative, funny, skillful, and attentive. We highly recommend this tour.
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