90-min shared cruise on a classic canal boat · open bar, snacks & expert captain included
Exceptional
395 reviews
What guests loved most
Zach C.
“Pleasant experience. The Fonz was delightful.”
Book up to 6 min before departure
From €55
·1 hour & 30 mins
Small Group Max 6 • Hidden Canal Routes • All-Inclusive Cocktails
This small amsterdam canal cruise departs from Singel 5, just outside Hotel Estheréa, and winds through quieter stretches of the city's waterways over ninety minutes. With a maximum of six guests on board, the Pien offers something closer to a private outing than a typical group tour — enough space to settle in, enough company to make it sociable.
The cruise includes a full international open bar running throughout, alongside a small selection of sweet and savoury nibbles. You won't need to flag anyone down or reach for your wallet mid-route. The captain handles the commentary too, weaving in local history and neighbourhood anecdotes as you pass through the canal belt. It's informative without feeling scripted, the kind of storytelling that comes from actually living here.
The Pien steers away from the most congested tourist routes, which means fewer tour boats jostling for position and more time to take in the architecture, the houseboats, the small details you'd miss on a busier stretch. The pace is unhurried. Whether you're visiting Amsterdam for the first time or you've lived here for years, this amsterdam boat tour offers a slower, quieter way to see the city from the water. Cancellation is fully refundable up to 24 hours in advance.
“Pleasant experience. The Fonz was delightful.”
Zach C.
August 2026
“Pleasant experience. The Fonz was delightful.”
David A.
August 2026
“Fons is the absolute best!! Such a memorable experience :)”
Manuel U.
August 2026
“The tour was excellent and that day it didn’t rain, the weather was nice 🌞. The captain was super friendly 😊 and even spoke to us in Spanish 🇪🇸. Thank you very much! 🥂”
Nick D.
August 2026
“Amazing canal tour on a beautiful boat, plus Fons was a brilliant captain and host. Would highly recommend.”
Kelly G.
August 2026
“Fonz was fantastic! He made our cruise so enjoyable and really gave us a lot of info that made it memorable! Thank you Fonz!”
Lily S.
August 2026
“really amazing tour experience that focused on keeping the group small and the experience fun. will be telling all my friends this is the tour to do! Fons was an incredible guide”
Doğukan S.
August 2026
“Amazing tour, Mr Fons was very knowledgeable and kind. The tour is really informative and beats the generic touristy boat tours. Highly recommended!”
Jessica M.
August 2026
“We had a wonderful time aboard the Sophie! She’s a beautiful boat and so comfortable. The drinks and snacks aboard were great. Fons was super knowledgeable and he made the tour special for us! We got lucky with the weather but I think it’s awesome to have the option of sitting outside or in.”
Hafeez S.
August 2026
“Fons is as exceptional in navigating the canals as he is knowledgeable about the city's history and beyond. Highly recommended. Great value. He also allows for a curated experience based on the group.”
Martin H.
August 2026
“Took the group tour today. Really amazing, captain Fonzi was great fun and knowledgable. If your looking for something a little better that everything else, this is it!”
Sue
August 2026
“Fons was the best! He was so personable and truly understands the culture and history of Amsterdam. He shared o personal connections to the sites we passed. I really like that it was a small group. I went on my own to this canal tour and I felt welcomed by Fons and the other guests. There were beautiful sites to see and great laughs. I would 100% book again. I found this through an Instagram ad and liked that the experience was unique and affordable. Thank you so much and I'm glad I stumbled upon this experience. I would highly recommend to anyone. The booking was seamless through the website and I messaged the WhatsApp and called them to ensure I was in the right location and they helped me while staying on the phone until I found the boat. Thank you for a great time.”
joanne M.
August 2026
“Fons was a fabulous Captain/Tour Guide/Bar man. Small format canal cruise, really informative and a beautiful boat. Highly recommend.”
Michael S.
August 2026
“Wonderful canal tour. Fons was terrific. It really couldn’t have been any better! Enjoy!”
D P.
August 2026
“Amazing boat tour, entertaining and attracted a great group of people. 10/10”
Frank S.
August 2026
“Nick took great care of us. The boat was clean, good vibes, and perfect experience seeing the views from the canal.”
Jimmy S.
August 2026
“Best boat tour! The captain was fantastic and the full bar had everything you need, including garnishes.”
Chava W.
August 2026
“Wonderful cruise. Perfect way to spend time in Amsterdam. Jan, our captain, was engaging, funny, warm. He made everyone welcome. He shared lots of information and stories. Snacks and beverages were available and nice. Highly recommend.”
Barmak C.
August 2026
“Bow is the best person you can find for a private tour who knows and explains everything about the city. He is so nice, knowledgeable and explains everything you need to know. His boat is so clean, lots of refreshments, alcoholic drinks and non alcoholic drinks. Thank you so much for such an amazing experience!!”
Owen L.
August 2026
“Very fun ride, small groups, amazing skippers. Jane was the best he was the best, he was very informative and funny. The boat was nice and clean. Overall an amazing experience and would definitely do again.”
Victoria B.
August 2026
“Highlight of our 3 week European trip! Highly recommend!!!!”
Shared Cruise on the Pien • Hotel Estheréa departure departs from Singel 307, 1012 WJ Amsterdam.
The cruise lasts 1 hour & 30 mins.
Shared Cruise on the Pien • Hotel Estheréa departure is a shared cruise with a maximum of 6 guests on board, so you book per seat and travel alongside other guests.
Bow's Journeys
Bow's Journeys was started by Boudewijn, who began giving canal tours at 14 on his family's small boat and built the company around one idea: people don't want to be passengers, they want to be guests. The fleet is two fully electric boats — Sophie, a 1911 salon boat restored to her original elegance, and Pien, a sleek private cruiser — with Sophie running both the shared cruises and private charters, and Pien available for private charters only. Every tour caps at 12 guests and is led by a local captain — a mix of former photographers, historians, musicians and leadership coaches — sharing lived stories instead of a rehearsed script.
View all cruises by Bow's JourneysPrices for Shared Cruise on the Pien • Hotel Estheréa departure start at €55 per person.
This cruise includes Free Cancellation, Unlimited Cocktails and Roof in Case of Rain.
Yes — unlimited drinks are included in the price of this cruise.
Yes, there is a toilet on board this cruise.
This boat has rain cover, so you stay dry on board if the weather turns.
Yes, this is an open boat rather than an enclosed one, and it has rain cover for when the weather turns.
Yes, this boat has heating on board, which keeps it comfortable in colder weather.
Yes — this is a small-group cruise, capped at 6 guests on board.
Yes, this cruise is pet-friendly, so your dog is welcome on board.
Yes, this cruise offers free cancellation.
Shared Cruise on the Pien • Hotel Estheréa departure is operated by Bow's Journeys and can be booked directly through BoatLocal.
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.
Up to 12 guests · from €68
