Closed boat only from November 1st till April 1st.
Travelers' Choice Awards Best of the Best 2023, 2024 & 2025!
English not your first language; Free audioguide in 9 languages available!
Join us for a relaxed small-group canal cruise through Amsterdam, with a maximum of 24 guests. This open-boat tour is ideal for families, couples, friends, and travelers who prefer a more personal and comfortable way to discover the city.
Your local host will share stories about Amsterdam’s history, canal houses, hidden details, and everyday life in the city. Expect interesting facts, light humor, Dutch bites, drinks, and a warm atmosphere. This is a history-focused cruise, not a party boat.
Enjoy the UNESCO-listed canals from the water, away from the crowds of larger tour boats. Guests from more than 100 nationalities have joined us on board. Whether this is your first time or your return to our city, we would love to welcome you and show you the canals in a relaxed, personal, and memorable way.
What you’ll do
We dock right in front of the Rijksmuseum (Rijksmuseum departure) Take a moment to enjoy this amazing museum. Beautiful as a building and amazing expositions. And of course the master piece of the world famous Rembrandt called the Nachtwacht (Night watch).
Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, has more than one hundred kilometers of grachten (canals), about 90 islands and 1,500 bridges. The three main canals (Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht), dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, form concentric belts around the city, known as the Grachtengordel. Alongside the main canals are 1550 monumental buildings.[1] The 17th-century canal ring area, including the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Jordaan, were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010,[2] contributing to Amsterdam's fame as the "Venice of the North"
One of the three main canals of Amsterdam, named after the three prinses of Holland.
Construction started in 1612 on the initiative of Mayor Frans Hendricksz. Oetgens, after a design by city carpenter Hendrick Jacobsz Staets and city surveyor Lucas Jansz Sinck.
The part between the Leidsegracht and the Amstel was developed during the city explanation of 1658. The section to the east of the Amstel was constructed during the last expansion. This part was named Nieuwe Prinsengracht.
The Korte Prinsengracht is in the extension of the Prinsengracht between the Brouwersgracht and the Westerdok.
The Amstel is the biggest canal of all, and Amsterdam was founded from this canal which was originally a river. Fisherman builds a "dam" and called is Amsterdam. Amstel is also the name giver to the famous beer.
The Royal Theatre Carré (Dutch: Koninklijk Theater Carré) is a Neo-Renaissance theatre in Amsterdam, located near the river Amstel. When the theatre was founded in 1887, it was originally meant as a permanent circus building. Currently, it is mainly used for musicals, cabaret performances, and pop concerts.
Hermitage Amsterdam is a branch museum of the Hermitage Museum of Saint Petersburg, Russia, located on the banks of the Amstel river in Amsterdam. The museum is located in the former Amstelhof, a classical style building from 1681.
The Blauwbrug (English: Blue bridge) is an historic bridge in Amsterdam, Netherlands over the river Amstel. It connects the Rembrandtplein area with the Waterlooplein area and lies south to the Stopera.
Dutch National Opera (DNO; formerly De Nederlandse Opera, now De Nationale Opera in Dutch) is a Dutch opera company based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its present home base is the Dutch National Opera & Ballet housed in the Stopera building, a modern building designed by Cees Dam and Wilhelm Holzbauer which opened in 1986.
The Zuiderkerk is the first church designed for Protestant worship in Amsterdam. The church was built near the Sint Antoniesbreestraat in the Last, a neighborhood that was added to the city at the end of the 16th century. Today this is the Nieuwmarkt neighborhood. The church is located at Zandstraat no. 17.
Tucked away in the heart of Amsterdam’s inner city lies a small marvel: Our Lord in the Attic Museum: a uniquely preserved seventeenth-century house from the Dutch Golden Age. Explore the narrow corridors and climb the stairs to historically furnished living rooms, kitchens, and bedsteads, leading literally to the highpoint of the museum: an entire church in the attic.
One of the oldest markets in Amsterdam. An amazing location combining the Chinese area and red light district. Don't forget to visit the beautiful Waag. Now a restaurant but in the old days the western entrance of the old city. And the also hanged withes and criminals there.
The three main canals (Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht), dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, form concentric belts around the city, known as the Grachtengordel. Alongside the main canals are 1550 monumental buildings. The 17th-century canal ring area, including the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht, and Jordaan, were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, contributing to Amsterdam's fame as the "Venice of the North"
The three main canals (Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht), dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, form concentric belts around the city, known as the Grachtengordel. Alongside the main canals are 1550 monumental buildings. The 17th-century canal ring area, including the Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht, and Jordaan, were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, contributing to Amsterdam's fame as the "Venice of the North"
The Singel is a canal in Amsterdam which encircled the city in the Middle Ages. It served as a moat around the city until 1585, when Amsterdam expanded beyond the Singel. The canal runs from the IJ bay, near the Central Station, to the Muntplein square, where it meets the Amstel river. It is now the inner-most canal in Amsterdam's semicircular ring of canals.
Amsterdam Centraal is the largest railway station in Amsterdam, Netherlands. A major international railway hub, it is used by 162,000 passengers a day, making it the second busiest railway station in the country after Utrecht Centraal and the most visited Rijksmonument of the Netherlands.
The Basilica of Saint Nicholas (Dutch: Basiliek van de Heilige Nicolaas) is located in the Old Centre district of Amsterdam, Netherlands, very close to Amsterdam's main railway station. It is the city's primary Roman Catholic church.
The Amsterdam Public Library, OBA, is a cultural organization aimed to promote a free flow of knowledge and information within the community of Amsterdam. In addition, the OBA provides a center for dialogue and education for all sections of society.
One of Amsterdam’s many bridges is the beautiful Magere Brug, known to English speakers at the Skinny Bridge. This wooden drawbridge was once so narrow that it was hard for two pedestrians to pass each other. To cope with increasing traffic on the Amstel, a wider bridge replaced the narrow original in 1871. Also known as a love bridge, kiss on top or underneath and your love will be forever!
The Rembrandt House Museum tells the story of the multi-faceted Rembrandt. He is known above all as an artist, the maker of dozens of self-portraits, intriguing cronies, compelling history paintings and convincing portraits. But Rembrandt was much more than a talented painter, etcher, and draughtsman. In the museum, you will encounter Rembrandt the man, the teacher, the collector, the entrepreneur and the Amsterdammer. Come and meet him in his own home!
The collection of The National Maritime Museum is one of the largest and most prominent maritime collections in the world with approximately 400,000 objects, including paintings, ship models, navigation instruments and world maps. Discover 500 years of Dutch maritime history and how strongly this is connected to the society of today and of the future.
A beautiful building across central station. Build in 1912 as the head office of the 7 major harbor companies of Amsterdam. Nowadays it holds a 5* hotel. It is a perfect example of the local architectonical style called the Amsterdam school. In the '80 and '90 it was the main office of the Amsterdam Transport Company (GVB) responsible for all trams, subways and busses within Amsterdam.
It is very likely that you have heard about this neighborhood and to be frank, everything you have heard is probably true. From brothels to sex shops to museums, the Amsterdam Red Light District has it all. But contrary to what a lot of people might think, the Amsterdam Red Light District has a very friendly atmosphere and isn't as dangerous as it used to be.
The Munttoren (mint tower) was once part of the Regulierspoort which consisted of a gate with a tower on each side. It was built between 1480 and 1487 as part of the medieval city wall. Back in the 17th century, the tower was used to mint coins.
For centuries here, money has been earned, art created, feasts celebrated and life enjoyed. This is the story that the Museum of the Canals brings to life.
Amstelveld is a square in the center of Amsterdam, between Reguliersgracht, Prinsengracht, and Kerkstraat, close to Utrechtsestraat. The Amstelkerk, a predominantly wooden building, stands on the square. The characteristic plantation consists of 46 Caucasian wingnut trees
The Jewish Historical Museum in Amsterdam is a museum that highlights Jewish culture, religion, and history. The museum has been located on Jonas Daniël Meijerplein since 1987 in the heart of the old Jewish Neighborhood. A good alternative for the Anne Frank house as well.
The Kleine Komedie is a theater in Amsterdam located on the Amstel and was built in 1786. It is the oldest theater in Amsterdam and can accommodate 503 spectators. The theater that focuses on small art has since the 1980s become 'the cabaret temple of the Netherlands.
The Rokin is a water and a street in Amsterdam, located between Dam Square and Muntplein, part of the former course of the Amstel.
The Krijtberg or St Francis Xaverius church is a Roman Catholic rectorate church in the center of Amsterdam, dedicated to St Francis Xaverius. It is served by priests of the Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits.
The story of The Bulldog starts in 1974, in the middle of the red light district. Henk de Vries created a place where everyone is welcome. A place where people can enjoy the privilege of being themselves: The Bulldog coffeeshop. Inspired by his dog at that time, a bulldog named Joris. Even the company logo was inspired by Joris; a drawing of Joris’ head.
The Oude Kerk (English: Old Church) is Amsterdam’s oldest building and youngest art institutes (since 2012). The building was founded circa 1213 and consecrated in 1306 by the bishop of Utrecht with Saint Nicolas as its patron saint. After the Reformation in 1578, it became a Calvinist church, which it remains today. It stands in De Wallen, now Amsterdam's main red-light district. The square surrounding the church is the Oudekerksplein.
The Museumplein is a square and city park in the Amsterdam-Zuid district, just south of Amsterdam-Center. It owes its name to the Rijksmuseum, which opened in 1885 and is located on the square. The Stedelijk Museum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Moco Museum, and the Concertgebouw are also located on the Museumplein.
The Moses and Aaron Church, officially dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, is a Roman Catholic church on Waterlooplein in Amsterdam, in the Dutch province of North Holland.
The Amsterdam Museum, known until 2011 as the Amsterdams Historisch Museum, is an Amsterdam based museum, dedicated to the present and past of the city.
The Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is a botanical garden. The garden is located on Plantage Middenlaan, in the Plantage neighborhood. The garden is approximately 1.2 hectares and contains more than six thousand tropical and native trees and plants
The Willet-Holthuysen Museum on Herengracht 605 in Amsterdam is a canal house that is open to the public, with fully furnished period rooms. The museum gives a picture of life in a chic building on the Amsterdam canals in the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum is managed by the Amsterdam Museum.
The smallest house in Amsterdam is located at Oude Hoogstraat 22 in the old city center of Amsterdam, next to the Oost-Indisch Huis and the gate to the Walloon Church. The house, by some called the "Smallest house of Europe",[1] is 2.02 meters (6 feet 8 inches) wide and 5 meters (16 feet 5 inches) deep. With its distinctive spout gable, this house represents a miniature version of a typical Amsterdam canal house.
The smallest house in Amsterdam is registered as a national heritage site
The Pieter Cornelisz. Hooftstraat, usually P.C. Called Hooftstraat, is a street in Amsterdam. The street was named in 1872 after the historian, poet, and playwright Pieter Cornelisz. Hooft. Now it is know to have shope with the more expensive brands like Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, G-star, etc..
Waterlooplein is the oldest flea market in the Netherlands. Founded one hundred and thirty-three years ago, open six days a week and with about three hundred stalls, one of the nicest and nicest places in the heart of Amsterdam. You can wander around, watch and tap on something fun. From vintage cameras to second-hand books, to jewelry and the latest fashion for little
The Resistance Museum (Dutch: Verzetsmuseum) is a museum located in the Plantage neighbourhood in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.[1] The Dutch Resistance Museum, chosen as the best historical museum of the Netherlands[2], tells the story of the Dutch people in World War II. From 14 May 1940 to 5 May 1945, the Netherlands were occupied by Nazi Germany.
Permanent exhibits of the museum recreate the atmosphere of the streets of Amsterdam during the German occupation of World War II. Big photographs, old posters, objects, films and sounds from that horrible time, help to recreate the scene. The background of the Holocaust is also visualized to the visitor. This is an exhibition about everyday life during that time, but also about exceptional historical events and the resistance of the population against the Nazis and heroism.
What’s included
Free Audio Guide 9 languages
1.5-hour canal cruise in electric open boat
Unlimited Heineken Beer and Wine
Typical Dutch Snacks
Not included
Toilet, there is no toilet on the boat
Meeting point
Where to meet
Exit Central Station via the main entrance, turn right, and walk to tram stop B4 near the large tree. Look for the white boat with a pink flag and crew in pink shirts. Address: Stationsplein 18. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before departure.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Closed Boat only from November 1st till April 1st!
Due a lot of traffic at the dock, I can't wait more than 5 minutes. Please make sure you are at the dock 10 minutes before departure.
The tour is a historical canal cruise, it is not a booze cruise. So if you are looking for a bachelor party boat or any other booze cruise, this is not the cruise for you.
Captain Jack is collaboration between friends. Captain Jack is not himself on the boat.
Due Health regulations (regarding food) animals are not allowed (service animals excluded).
A fairly big step needs to be taken to get in the boat. Of course we will assist you.
Beware all my boats are open. So when it rains, you can get wet. But rebooking with rain is always possible
I always try to give the best tour possible (5*). But in rare occasion things don't go as you and me would like. Please let me know asap. Either direct or send me an email of text. I will contact you.
