Amsterdam Old City Center Boat Tour - Private Tour
Discover the oldest parts of town in an intimate setting
Exceptional
2,848 reviews
What guests loved most
Canada G.H.
“Thank you, dear Adam. My family and I, who came from Canada, really had a great time on your boat an…”
Book up to 15 min before departure
From €286
·1 hour & 30 mins
About this tour
Private Electric Boat • BYO Drinks • Up to 12 Guests
Private Boat Tour on Amsterdam Old City Center Boat Tour
This ninety-minute private canal cruise takes you and up to twelve guests through Amsterdam's old city centre aboard a quiet electric boat. Departing from Nieuwe Keizersgracht, the route threads through the medieval canal network, past the narrow waterway of Kromboomsloot, and out toward the Eastern Docklands where the VOC ship replica sits at the Maritime Museum. The captain can adjust the route to suit your group — more historic canals, a swing past modern architecture near Nemo, or a slower drift along Nieuwe Herengracht by Wertheimpark. It is your boat for the duration.
Just Your Group on Board
Whether this is a birthday, a family visit, or a few hours away from a work trip, having the boat to yourselves changes the pace. The captain offers commentary in English but will happily keep quiet if you would rather catch up with your group. Dogs are welcome. The boat seats twelve comfortably and carries blankets for cooler weather, with a canopy that goes up if rain arrives. It runs from March through December, so late-autumn bookings are as easy as summer ones.
Drinks and Snacks
There is a small bar on board — Heineken for three euros, wine for four, soft drinks and water for two-fifty. You are also welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks, which keeps things flexible for larger groups or specific tastes. Free cancellation applies up to twenty-four hours before departure, so plans can shift without penalty. A private boat tour in Amsterdam does not need to be complicated; this one keeps it simple and lets the canals do the work.
“Thank you, dear Adam. My family and I, who came from Canada, really had a great time on your boat and I wanted to share my experience with you.”
Things You Need To Know
Food
- Feel free to bring your own snacks
Drinks
- Bar on board at regular café prices
- Heineken Beer - €3
- Glass of Wine - €4
- Soft Drinks & Water - €2.50
- Bringing your own drinks is allowed
More Benefits
- Unique Perspective
- Historic Canals
- Intimate Cruise
- Hidden Gems
- Medieval parts discovery
- Harbor Exploration
- VOC Ship
- Modern Architecture
- Relaxed Atmosphere
- Escape Crowds
- Photo Opportunities
- Friendly Captain
- Electric Open Boat
- Comfortable Boat
- Customizable Route
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation 24h before departure time
- Change time & day 24h before departure
- Increase guests 1h before departure time
What guests say
Canada G.H.
August 2026
“Thank you, dear Adam. My family and I, who came from Canada, really had a great time on your boat and I wanted to share my experience with you.”
Natalie P.
August 2026
“Captain Adam was great! Funny, engaging and shared awesome info about the city. It was very cool to learn some history and see the city from a different viewpoint. Highly recommend!”
Michael S.
August 2026
“This was a fantastic canal cruise without the crowds and commercial crap! Bring your own snacks and drinks (if you want) and enjoy the ride. Great history and cultural information about Amsterdam that wasn't blasted over a loudspeaker Much more intimate setting and interactive experience. A very personal tour and low-key experience. Highly recommended!”
Johanna B.
August 2026
“It was our first time in Amsterdam and we were looking for a good tour with an open cruise and with a little group. Then we found this. It was really really beautiful. We loved it! It was easy to come to the start and Jamie our Tourguide was really nice and friendly. He talked about Amsterdam and the history and showed us some special places. U could ask him anything and it was really chill. So it’s worth the money!”
Masha F.
August 2026
“Adam was awesome. We loved the tour.”
Leslie C.
August 2026
“We had the best experience with Captain Griffin! He was so knowledgeable and made the whole experience memorable!”
Danielle S.
August 2026
“Perfect canal tour. Interesting commentary. Leisurely pace. Personalized service.”
C P.
August 2026
“We had an enjoyable and informative canal tour with Captain Gus. It is smaller than some which is what we wanted offering a more interactive experience.”
Lyndsey H.
August 2026
“Artilla, our tour guide, was wonderful and had a lots of interactive stories vibing off our chats. It made for a personal and relaxed style tour in a quiet and eco friendly electric boat. Would recommend it over the larger boats and we also enjoyed having our own food whilst others had the on board offering. It was chill and a great morning. Do it.”
Fabio D.
August 2026
“Wonderful experience. Captain Joao was great, gave us a lot of interesting information and was replied to every question we had. It was like having a cruise with a friend from Amsterdam.”
Diane W.
August 2026
“We had a fantastic 1 1/2 hour boat trip with Attila who was very friendly and had a great sense of humour. He was very knowledgeable and interesting and clearly loves his job. Would highly recommend this if you want a smaller group (12 people max) as you get to explore some of the smaller canals too. Would give 10 stars if we could 😊”
Peter
August 2026
“Captain Eddie took me and some friends around on a canal tour and shared plenty of history and stories. He's friendly and knowledgeable. Was a great addition to our visit to Amsterdam.”
Stefania G.
August 2026
“Eddie is very friendy and funny, he knows the story of the city of Amsterdam very well, recommended!”
Justin O.(.
August 2026
Sierra E.
August 2026
“Captain Guys was great! We had a wonderful night tour 10/10”
Claire N.
August 2026
“We had a fantastic trip with Captain Gus. Very relaxed, lots and lots of interesting sights and stories! It’s a little boat which enables you to see the smaller canals. The start point is away from the crowds which is also a bonus! We were warmly welcomed aboard. Highly recommended”
Ben W.
August 2026
“We stumbled across this tour when walking around Amsterdam. Captain Eddie was very friendly and answered all our questions about Amsterdam and Dutch culture. It felt like an authentic tour with a local. We would recommend for anyone looking to experience the iconic Amsterdam canals.”
Diana D.
August 2026
“Attila was a lively and informative guide and driver who managed our unruly group of nine (three families) with grace. It was a wonderful way to finish off our trip. I love the sophisticated boat without loudspeakers or gimmicky decoration. Being able to bring our own food was really nice as well though beer is very affordable at €4 a can if I remember right. Must do if you can!”
Katie M.
August 2026
“Excellent small boat trip. Really friendly local guide guss very funny and knowledgeable. Recommend.”
James L.
August 2026
“My family and I loved the trip around Amsterdam with Guus! Very informative, great humour and a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Would highly recommend to anyone.”
Boat Tour Departure Location
Who This Is For
Great for
- Groups who want the whole boat to themselves
- Celebrations and group outings (up to 12 guests)
- Guests who would rather bring their own drinks on board
- Rainy days — the boat is covered
Maybe not for
- Anyone hoping to join an existing group — the whole boat is booked at once
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this cruise depart from?
Amsterdam Old City Center Boat Tour - Private Tour departs from Nieuwe Keizersgracht 1, 1018 DS Amsterdam.
How long is this cruise?
The cruise lasts 1 hour & 30 mins.
How many people can join this cruise?
Amsterdam Old City Center Boat Tour - Private Tour is a private charter for up to 12 guests — you have the whole boat to your own group.
How much does this cruise cost?
Prices for this private charter start at €286.
What is included on this cruise?
This cruise includes Free Cancellation, Roof in case of rain, On board bar, BYO drinks allowed, Pet friendly, BYO snacks and Small group.
Can I bring my own drinks on board?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your own drinks on board this cruise.
What happens if it rains?
This boat has rain cover, so you stay dry on board if the weather turns.
Is this an open boat?
Yes, this is an open boat rather than an enclosed one, and it has rain cover for when the weather turns.
Can I bring my dog on this cruise?
Yes, this cruise is pet-friendly, so your dog is welcome on board.
Can I cancel this cruise for free?
Yes, this cruise offers free cancellation.
Who operates this cruise?
Amsterdam Old City Center Boat Tour - Private Tour is operated by Amsterdam Boat Adventures and can be booked directly through BoatLocal.
Can we customize our route, or celebrate a special occasion on board?
Yes — as a private charter, you have the boat to yourselves and can work with the captain on the route within your booked time. Celebrating a birthday or other occasion? Let us know in advance (or in the booking note) and we'll do our best to help set things up.
Can I book last-minute, and how fast is my booking confirmed?
Yes, as long as a time slot is still open for booking on this page. Every booking is confirmed instantly online — no waiting to hear back. Each available time shows its own booking cutoff, so grab a spot before it closes if you're booking for the same day.
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About Amsterdam Boat Adventures
Amsterdam Boat Adventures
Captain Jamie and Bente founded Amsterdam Boat Adventures in the spring of 2018, after Jamie secured the official permit to run canal cruises in the city. What began as a single boat has grown into a two-boat, family-run company with a small team of captains — each one guiding personally, choosing the narrow inner canals the big glass-roofed boats can't reach.
View all cruises by Amsterdam Boat Adventures