Amsterdam Canal Cruises by Night

If there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that Amsterdam wouldn't be Amsterdam without its beautiful canals and no city tour would be complete without a tour to admire the facades of the beautifulhouseboats. But have you considered admiring the beauty of the city by starlight? With the sunset, the blanket of night and Amsterdam's stunning architecture spectacularly illuminated by artificial lights, it's well worth taking one (or maybe two) of the night-time cruise options on offer in this idyllic destination.

The classic night cruise takes you along the city's canals to explore the beautiful sights of Amsterdam by night in a relaxed, leisurely stroll. This type of experience is usually available in English, sometimes with a live guide on the more expensive options and with pre-recorded audio on the budget options. When choosing a group boat tour of Amsterdam it is important to assess the number of passengers allowed; conventional options accommodate a maximum of 25 passengers but the more economical options include up to 60 people on a larger boat.

What do these excursions include?

The itinerary generally includes: the Grachtengordel canal ring and other important canals in the city; passing important monuments such as the Rijksmuseum, the Westerkerk Church, Anne Frank's house, the Royal Theatre Carré, the Amsterdam Opera & Ballet and many more. The traditional tour can take in about 20 important destinations.

As a general rule alcoholic drinks or snacks will not be included in the price of the Amsterdam canal cruises, but you will have a bar on board the boat where you can buy them. As these are group excursions smoking may be prohibited mainly to avoid disturbing other passengers.

Useful information

• Price: From €15 for the cheapest options.
• Duration of the excursion: Between 60 and 90 minutes.
• Recommended if... You want to take the classic tour of Amsterdam's waters and you certainly don't mind sharing the space with more people. It's a fun and inexpensive way to enjoy the sights of the city at night.
• Can it be done with children? Yes, children under 11 years of age generally get a reduced rate.

A favourite cruise for couples in love visiting Amsterdam, on a romantic and tranquil cruise on the waters you will hear romantic local love legends narrated by the boat captain who will usually be your guide for the entire journey. These tours are usually available in English, Spanish and of course Dutch.

What do these tours include?

The itinerary usually includes: boating on the Grachtengordel canal ring; visiting Amsterdam's famous 7 bridges including Monet's "Bridge of Love" and Magere Brug; additionally you will see historical monuments such as the beautiful Prinsengracht houseboats on the Belt canal, the Montelbaanstoren tower, the South Church (featured in Claude Monet's paintings), the National Opera and Ballet building, and many more. A tour can see up to 20 depending on the company and duration of the trip.

Snacks are also included in the romantic evening, usually including the famous Dutch waffle, a small tasting of Dutch cheeses, with fruit and biscuits to nibble on, all accompanied by some wine or prosecco.

Useful information

• Price: This type of experience averages around €150.
• Duration of tour: The canal boat tour takes between 50 to 90 minutes depending on the company you hire.
• Recommended if... you are looking for intimacy and romance at its best. It's ideal if you're in town celebrating a special occasion or even planning a romantic marriage proposal.

This cruise experience is a favourite with young adventurers who visit Amsterdam attracted by the nightlife and fun this city has to offer. Since it combines a 1.5 hour boat ride with an entry ticket to the city's best clubs and nightlife, it's also a fantastic way to save money on your trip to Amsterdam. The best part? The club tickets will be valid for at least two days so you'll have at least two nights of fun, dancing and music.

What do these tours include?

The itinerary usually includes: A classic canal tour to see the most interesting historical sites and monuments; a complimentary drink or cocktail is included on the boat. Finally, you will get admission tickets to an average of 12 to 20 nightclubs in Amsterdam including: Club Panama, Club Escape, Club Smokey, Club Prime, Bar 't Hartje Amsterdam B.V., Club Candela, Cafe Bubbels

Useful information

• Price: This type of experience is available from €26 per person.
• Duration of the excursion: The cruise will last between 50 and 90 minutes, tickets to the clubs are valid for two days so you have time to visit them all.
• Is it possible to do it with children? No, it is preferable to evaluate other options on the list or take a daytime cruise with museum tickets.
• Recommended if... your goal in Amsterdam is to see the best of the city's nightlife. It's a particularly fun experience if you're travelling with friends, but if you're on your own you'll also meet other young and adventurous travellers.

Christmas time in Amsterdam is a serious affair, with celebrations, markets and events filling the agenda, the city buzzes with the festive atmosphere of festivities. One of the most anticipated is the Amsterdam Light Festival, an immersive art exhibition where light sculptures of all sizes take over major areas of the city. Of course, one of the best ways to tour the gigantic light park and admire the artists' works is from the perspective of the night cruises.

What do these tours include?

The itinerary generally includes: Please note that the Light Festival will only be available in Amsterdam during the months of December in Amsterdam and January in Amsterdam as part of the celebrations. The works are by leading artists from the local and international scene, where their art takes the form of sky projections and illuminated sculptures. With the price many companies also include some tasting snacks and drinks on board the ship; the guide is often provided via pre-recorded audio in several languages including English.

Useful information

• Price: Available from €27 per person
• Duration of the tour: The whole tour usually takes a little over an hour.
• Can it be done with children? Yes, the light show is particularly enjoyable for children.
• Recommended yes... If you visit Amsterdam during the months of the exhibition and want to enjoy a one-of-a-kind spectacle.

This type of experience puts a lot of focus on personalised service, so it tends to handle a small and limited group of tourists. If you want to enjoy this tour but your stay in Amsterdam is short, such as two days in Amsterdam or three days in Amsterdam, don't hesitate and make your reservations in advance. Otherwise you might run out of space, especially in busy seasons.

What do these tours include?

The itinerary usually includes: cruising along the calm waters of Amsterdam's canals to see the most important sights. During the tour you will visit the historical monuments located on the canals, including the Anne Frank House, the seven bridges, Amstel, Wallen and many more.

The tour takes place on a beautiful and luxurious Dutch boat and during the tour snacks are served including an open bar equipped with a selection of wines, soft drinks, fruit juice and local craft beers; the tasting of delicious cheeses made in different corners of the country is the most delicious of the whole selection.

Useful information

• Price: An average of €50 per person is charged for this type of experience.
• Duration of tour:
• Can it be done with children? No, a minimum age of 18 is required.
• Recommended if... You want to combine several experiences in one tour. The Dutch cheese tasting offers you a similar selection to other food tours in Amsterdam, all for a fully compensated price. Highly recommended if you are visiting the city with your partner.

One of the best cruises to do in Amsterdam include a delicious pizza or burger dinner while cruising the canal waters, as well as the Heineken Experience is a fun way to while away the hours in the city when visiting Amsterdam with friends; this combined with the beautiful lights of Amsterdam at dusk will be an experience to remember, especially if it's your first time visiting the city.

What do these excursions include?

The itinerary generally includes: A tour of the three main canals; a sightseeing tour of the highlights with monuments such as theAnne Frank House, the Maritime Museum, the Houseboats and many more.

As for the food available it can vary a little depending on the company you hire, some offer travellers a selection of different pizza options with a Dutch twist, while others offer a selection of burgers and homemade hotdogs. Drinks are always included, usually wine, soft drinks and beer, and are usually limited to two or three drinks per person.

Useful information

• Price: This type of tour is available from €35 per person.
• Duration of tour: You should book at least 1.5 hours for this experience.
• Is it possible with children? Yes, a selection of non-alcoholic drinks is available for minors.
• Recommended if... You are looking for a simpler, but still delicious, boat ride experience. Highly recommended if you are visiting Amsterdam with a group of friends or family.

Should I take a canal cruise in Amsterdam?

The short answer to this question is yes, definitely! When visiting this beautiful city it is important to keep in mind that its canals are just one more tourist attraction in the whole of what you can see and do in Amsterdam. The canal system of more than 75 kilometres of canals, all connected by almost a thousand bridges, is an impressive work of engineering and human talent. A daytime canal cruise is the best way to get acquainted with the city before embarking on a more interesting route that might include cycling in Amsterdam or tours of the cities around Amsterdam. Bon voyage!