The Best Canal Cruises In Amsterdam – 2026

Ahoy by Complete Amsterdam now offers a 1 hour city highlights and a 2 hour luxury canal cruise.A trip to Amsterdam is not complete without experiencing the canals. Voted one of the top things to do for travellers – a boat tour is a fantastic way to see the city. Lining the route you’ll see the sprawling network of canals,bridges, 17th century houses, world famous attractions and Amsterdam life.

Summer in Amsterdam with a picture of people in boats

A pulsating atmosphere, a luxurious canal boat twinned with excitement and curiosity as you take in the amazing views on UNESCO listed heritage canals.

 

Autumn Canal Cruises

In Autumn, you can sail right through the centre in a wonderful boat as leaves fall all around against a backdrop of almost symmetrical trees. It is a floating experience like no other with sights such as Anne Frank’s House, Rijksmuseum, Westerkerk and De Pijp on offer. You can also drift off to Amsterdam Zuid and soak up the picturesque neighbourhood including Lomanstraat. It is becoming the season to visit Amsterdam with the world famous Amsterdam Dance Event takes place during October and Halloween events such as Psychofest and Rave To The Grave growing in popularity to visitors and locals.

Central Station lit up during night

 

Winter Canal Cruises

There is no place like Amsterdam during Winter – Christmas decorations go up all around the city as we are await the arrival of Sinterklaas. A beautiful festive spirit fills the air as people shop, eat and be merry. During this period, we highly recommend booking an evening cruise and then making your way to the Christmas markets. The boats are comfortable with cosy seating areas, warm blankets, heaters, hot chocolate and mulled wine being served on board. A trip to the light festival in Amsterdam is a must as the canals are decorated with installations lighting up the dark canals.

Winter On The Canals of Amsterdam

Spring Canal Cruises

Spring time we see the blooming of beautiful flowers everywhere and the canal routes become decorated with many different varieties, especially Tulips, a stunning time to witness the city on a canal cruise. This time of the year we also celebrate King’s Day – the canals really become a spectacle, whether you are watching from dry land or on one of the thousands of boats that take to the canals for this special annual festival.

Spring time in Amsterdam with people celebrating on boats during King's Day

Summer Canal Cruises

Summer on the canals is a really special time. Blue skies, cocktails and tasty food is always on the agenda. Summer in Amsterdam is a peak time for all manner of festivals and parties. It is naturally one of the most popular times of the year to explore the canals. The canal cruises on offer are great value for money and  luxurious with great service on board. It’s the ultimate adventure for families, friends, couples and work colleagues. With a city guide expert providing you with insider knowledge on board one of our Ahoy tours.

Central Station departure point for boats

 

Where do I book my Amsterdam canal cruise tickets for 2026? 

Only on completeamsterdam.com 

 

Which canal trip is best to go on?

We of course recommend an open top boat if you can. The great thing is that the boats now have an adaptable roof which can be installed quickly and heaters. The semi-open top boats are another popular choice. The main reason you should choose an open or semi-open top boat is you can really experience the canals and get amazing photographs or videos. 

 

Is it worth doing a canal cruise in Amsterdam? 

Absolutely. It is the most unique way to view the city. There is no place like Amsterdam for canals and boats – it is the perfect location to enjoy a cosy, romantic and enjoyable day or evening out. 

 

What do you see on a boat tour? 

You’ll see the historic buildings, beautiful neighbourhoods and infrastructure of the city. You’ll learn how Amsterdam developed and how the city canals still play an important role in the development. 

 

What is the best time of the day for a boat cruise? 

Day time if you want to get the perfect photographs making use of the light however, our personal favourite is an evening time cruise. Amsterdam is simply incredible to gaze at during the night. 

 

What long should a canal cruise take? 

1 hour is a perfect length of time to see the canals of Amsterdam. The routes are planned to take in as many sights as possible. 

 

Which is the best season for a cruise? 

Any time of the year is suitable for a cruise along the canals. In Autumn and Winter, the boats are fully covered, with heaters and blankets making it extra cosy. In Spring and Summer, an open top boat is perfect for sailing along in the sun shine. 

 

Shall I book in advance for a canal cruise? 

Yes. All our canal cruises in Amsterdam require you to have a ticket in advance. 

 

Where do the boats depart from?

It departs from Central Station and Anne Frank House.

Where is the most beautiful canal in Amsterdam? 

You’re literally spoilt for choice. If you’re searching for pure perfection then we recommend a cruise along the Herengracht, Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Bloemgracht and Singel

 

How much does an Amsterdam canal cruise cost? 

The average price for a canal cruise ticket is €29 for a short trip whilst an all inclusive is around €80 per person. 

 

Frequently asked questions

What happens if it rains?

The vast majority of our fleet are open top, meaning they have no roof, this lets you really experience the number one canal cruise in the city. However, we are prepared for all weathers to sail on the calm waters of Amsterdam. We have an adjustable roof and heating – we can sail in almost any weather!

Can I bring food and drink on board during my canal cruise?

We do not allow any food or drink on board our boats. Our boats come with a fully stocked bar and we have options for food.

Do your boats have a toilet?

The vast majority of our boats have toilets, however we do have boats which do not have a lavatory. We cannot guarantee that your specific boat will have a toilet on board.

Where are the departure locations for the canal cruise?

Our boats leave from the most central locations, you can select your preference when booking. We offer the following departure location Centraal Train Station.

Where do we get off?

We will drop you off at the centrally located Anne Frank House.

Does the captain provide commentary during the boat tour?

Yes – our captains are local experts and provide a live guide. Expect to hear humour, history and general information about Amsterdam during your cruise.

Which languages do your boat crew speak?

We have an international boat crew on board our boats, on average we hire crew who are fluent in multiple languages such as Italian, Spanish, French, Mandarin, Portuguese, Danish, Russian, Ukrainian, Norwegian, Czech, Arabic, Thai, Hindi, Urdu, Turkish, Japanese, Finnish, Polish, Romanian, Slovak, German, Maltese, Hungarian, Greek, Czech, Croatian, Bulgarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Korean, Vietnamese, Indonesian.

Do I need to book the canal cruise in advance? Yes. We highly recommend booking in advance – our canal cruises regularly sell out.

I haven’t received my ticket?

Upon booking confirmation, you should have received your e-ticket to the address entered in during the booking process. Firstly, check your spam and junk folders. If you are still yet to receive a ticket after booking, you can contact us on support@completeamsterdam.com and one of our team will look into this for you.

My question is not listed here?

You can always reach out to us directly if your question is not listed here – feel free to contact us via email support@completeamsterdam or contact us through message on WhatsApp, telegram or our socials like Facebook, instagram, Tik Tok or Twitter.