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The Amstel

The Amstel: Our most recommended tours and activities

Amsterdam: Classic Boat Cruise with Cheese & Wine Option

1. Amsterdam: Classic Boat Cruise with Cheese & Wine Option

Relax on a canal cruise through the UNESCO Heritage listed Golden Age Canals of Amsterdam. View city highlights like the Skinny Bridge, the Red Light District, and the Old Harbor. Have the option to choose standard tour or a tour with unlimited delicious Dutch cheese, wine, and other drinks. Board the ship and let your local skipper tell you about local history as you sail past sights in the Jordaan district and the Skinny Bridge on the the Amstel River. Admire views of parts of the Red Light District, the former city locks, and Old Harbor. Capture pictures of the stately architecture of the Maritime Museum and the prestigious Gold Bend neighborhood. See pieces of history as you sail by places like the Anne Frank House. Ask your guide questions about the city and get recommendations for things to do and places to eat.

Amsterdam: Smoke and Lounge 70-Minute Boat Cruise

2. Amsterdam: Smoke and Lounge 70-Minute Boat Cruise

Enjoy one of the most relaxing smoke-friendly lounge boat tours in Amsterdam. Sip on your favorite drink, smoke, or enjoy one of the hookah/shisha's onboard for an extra cost.   Start out in the heart of the Red Light District, one of the most popular locations in the city, and sail through the central area, the Herengracht and Prinsengracht canals, the Seven Bridges, the river Amstel, the Skinny Bridge, and the Dancing Houses before returning to where you started. Enjoy Amsterdam's stunning Light Festival from December 1st 2022 until January 2023 Mix the city highlights boat route with the light tour route, so you have the best of both worlds. The boat can accommodate up to 22 people. Whatever the weather, the boat is set up so passengers will have an enjoyable time. In summertime all windows can be opened, ensuring full visibility of Amsterdam’s iconic landmarks and monuments. In winter all windows can be closed, and we have heated seats to keep you warm. 

Amsterdam: Canal Booze Cruise

3. Amsterdam: Canal Booze Cruise

You can drink in a bar in any city in the world, but for a true Amsterdam experience, you can’t do better than a boozy canal cruise along the world-famous waterways, taking in the sights with a cold beer in hand. Choose from a private or shared cruise. Depart from the city center and cruise through some of the city's main canals. Make your way onto the Amstel River, under the 7 bridges, and discover hidden gems that only a local skipper and host will know how to find. Your cruise will eventually return to the same spot in which you started, right in the city center, exactly where you will want to be after a cruise with an open bar.

Amsterdam: Luxury Canal Cruise with Onboard Bar

4. Amsterdam: Luxury Canal Cruise with Onboard Bar

Admire Amsterdam’s picturesque waterside landmarks on a 100% electric cruise. Take in incredible views of the city’s famous landmarks from an open boat and experience a relaxing way to sightsee, free of traffic. Learn informative and entertaining insights about the sites along the route. See the 17th-century buildings lining the famous canals, as well as new stylish buildings showcasing the influential 21st-century city that Amsterdam has become. Sail by the Hermitage Museum, then glide past the Skinny Bridge, the posh Amstel Hotel, and the charming neighborhood of Grachtengordel. Enjoy an open-air boat experience on a sunny day or stay warm with a protective covering on cooler days. In the winter months, relax on an enclosed boat to keep you warm. Benefit from the flexibility of a one-use ticket that can be used on any one of the cruises departing within the hour you booked.

Amsterdam: City Canal Cruise and Rijksmuseum

5. Amsterdam: City Canal Cruise and Rijksmuseum

Take in Amsterdam on a 75-minute canal cruise that offers stunning views of the 17th-century buildings lining the city canals. Uncover 21st-century city that Amsterdam has become as you pass by new architecture and bridges. Visit the Rijksmuseum for 800 years of Dutch art and history. Hop onboard a comfortable boat while listening to your personal audio system. This offers audio commentary in a choice of 19 languages (free earphones are supplied). Pick the option with the snack box to enjoy chips, popcorn, stroopwafels, salted peanuts and a drink of your choice (soft drink, beer or wine) as you glide through the city. Use your ticket to Rijksmuseum's internationally revered collections which features some of the nation’s most famous works, including historic art by Vermeer, Frans Hals, and perhaps most notably Rembrandt’s ‘The Night Watch ’w hich takes pride of place in a beautifully lit hall. Enjoy 800 years of Dutch art and history through 8,000 objects in 80 galleries and see world-famous masterpieces by Dutch masters like Vermeer, Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Jan Steen in the Gallery of Honor. Admire the Rijksmuseum’s expansive, evocative collection that also includes Delftware, sculptures, archaeological artifacts, clothing, Asian art, prints, items from Dutch maritime history, and many other culturally significant items.

Amsterdam: Rijksmuseum and Canal Cruise Combo Tour

6. Amsterdam: Rijksmuseum and Canal Cruise Combo Tour

Combine 2 of Amsterdam’s must-do experiences with this tour of the Canal Belt by boat and entry to the legendary Rijksmuseum. Admire the beautiful canal boats and merchant houses from the water on a 1-hour canal cruise that takes you along some of the historic waterways. Dug in the Dutch Golden Age spanning the 17th century, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. Feast your eyes on the decorative façades of the canalside buildings, and marvel at all the different styles of gables, such as clock, spout and neck gables. Pass iconic architecture, including the Skinny Bridge over the Amstel River, the legendary home of the World War 2 diarist Anne Frank, the imposing Westerkerk, and the old Port of Amsterdam. Then, disembark to enjoy skip-the-line entry to the Rijksmuseum. See masterpieces by the Dutch masters of the 17th century, including Rembrandt’s “The Nighwatch” and Vermeer’s “The Milkmaiden.”

Amsterdam: Culture & History Walking Tour in German

7. Amsterdam: Culture & History Walking Tour in German

Visit famous sites of Amsterdam downtown and get an overview of the city on this walking tour dedicated to culture and history. Profit from tips every adventurous traveler needs to know and make the best of your trip. Find out which food you should taste and which districts can be discovered independently by bike. Listen to your guide telling you which architectural designs were popular in the past and get an idea of the people of Amsterdam. Hear stories about how merchants, salesmen, and the poor used to live in the Middle Ages, why the world of art blossomed in the Golden Era, how World War II has changed the people of the city and what it feels like to live in the tolerant, multicultural city today. Start your tour in the heart of the city at Dam Square, where Amsterdam was founded. The tour leads you past the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, the New Church Nieuwe Kerk, and past the former main post office, to Torensluis Bridge. See one of the tiniest houses of the city and learn more about the colonial times at the statue of Multatuli on Torensluis Bridge.  Stroll past romantic canal-side houses and cross Spui Square to get to the pearl of Amsterdam – Begijnhof. With its entrance hidden in a narrow side street, this very special hofje is waiting for you to be discovered. On the way back to Dam Square you will see the river that the city owes its name to: the Amstel. The city tour ends at the national monument that was originally built to remember the victims of World War II but is now a memorial to all victims who lost their lives in any war worldwide.

Amsterdam: Pizza Cruise with Drinks

8. Amsterdam: Pizza Cruise with Drinks

When you board the Amsterdam Pizza Cruise, cruise for 30 minutes then dock shortly to enjoy the fresh, hot homemade pizza you pre-ordered when you booked, served straight from the chef’s kitchen to you at your table. A delicious homemade brownie slice compliments your meal including drinks. Pizza Choices Pizza Margherita: Tomato sauce, mozzarella and garlic oil on the edge of the pizza Pizza Pepperoni: Tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni and garlic oil on the edge of the pizza Pizza Hawaii: Tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham (turkey), pineapple and extra mozzarella and garlic oil on the edge of the pizza Pizza Chilli Chicken: Tomato sauce, 100% mozzarella, hot chicken, iceberg lettuce, sweet chili sauce and garlic oil on the edge of the pizza Pizza Californian Veggie (vegetarian): Tomato sauce, mozzarella, red onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, olives and extra mozzarella. With garlic oil on the edge Vegan Pizza Margherita (vegan cheese): Tomato sauce, vegan cheese and garlic oil on the edge of the pizza Pizza Margherita 20 cm (for children): Tomato sauce, mozzarella and garlic oil on the edge of the pizza

Amsterdam: City Center Walking Tour

9. Amsterdam: City Center Walking Tour

Explore Amsterdam with a local Italian guide who knows all the city’s secrets. During the 2.5-hour walking tour, you’ll learn about the city’s heritage as you visit popular sites as well as some hidden corners and treasures along the way. This tour is for city lovers and travelers wanting to experience Amsterdam through its history and stories of daily life. Your Italian guide will provide an introduction about the city and take you to see some of its most popular attractions such as the Dam Square, New Church, Royal Palace, an important hidden/secret courtyard, the Flower Market, and the Amstel River together with the canal area. Your guide will suggest places for you to try typical Dutch street food like haring and fries so you can experience the best of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam: Evening Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks

10. Amsterdam: Evening Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks

Drift through Amsterdam's canals on a boat suitable for all weather conditions. Sit back and relax with a drink in hand and discover some of the city's most iconic monuments and memorials. Cruise along the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Golden Age canals of Amsterdam, traversing the narrow canals of the trendy Jordaan, an area flanked by indie boutiques, hip eateries, and cozy pubs. Learn about the city and get insider tips on hidden gems and the best bars in town from your knowledgeable skipper and hostesses. Explore some of the most popular areas of Amsterdam as you travel down the famous Prinsengracht before sailing towards to most romantic bridge in the city, the Margere Brug. Learn about the Amstel River which this bridge crosses and find out about its connection to the Dutch beer trade. Cruise past the Golden Bend, a stretch of the Herengracht famous for its grand manor houses built during the Dutch Golden Age. Continue from here past the Nine Streets and to the Anne Frank House.

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Other Sightseeing Options in The Amstel

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What people are saying about The Amstel

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 18,967 reviews

We had such an amazing tour. It was lovely doing it at night and seeing Amsterdam under beautiful light. Anthony was an amazing tour guide. Would 100% recommend and would do it again.

A very nice team! Stories about Amsterdam are told with fun and the atmosphere on board was really friendly.

The best thing to do in Amsterdam, the guides were amazing. Highly recommend.

Great experience if you’re looking for a fun time with some friends!

Great hosts, chilled atmosphere. Would recommend x