Amsterdam Boat Tour of the Old City Center - Shared Cruise
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 €27.10
·1 hour & 30 mins
About this tour
BYO Drinks Welcome • Small Group • Hidden Canal Routes
Shared Canal Cruise on Amsterdam Boat Tour of the Old City Center
This 90-minute amsterdam canal cruise begins where the city itself began — in the oldest quarter, near the Nieuwmarkt and De Waag building. From there, your captain steers the electric open boat along the quieter stretches of Kromboomsloot and Geldersekade, waterways too narrow for the big tour vessels. You'll share the deck with a maximum of eleven other guests, which leaves plenty of room to stretch out and actually hear the commentary without straining.
Eastward, Then Back Through the Canal Belt
The route pushes east toward the docklands, passing the full-scale VOC ship replica at the Maritime Museum and the copper-green hull of the Nemo Science Museum. On the return leg, the boat threads through Nieuwe Herengracht, where Wertheimpark and the Hortus Botanicus gardens line the banks, before finishing along Reguliersgracht and its famous seven-bridge sightline — a view that genuinely does look as good in person as it does in photographs.
Onboard Comfort
The boat runs fully electric, so the only sounds are water against the hull and your captain's stories about the buildings sliding past. Blankets and heated cushions are standard; a retractable roof goes up if the weather turns. There's a small bar on board — Heineken for three euros, wine for four, soft drinks and water for two-fifty — and you're welcome to bring your own snacks or drinks if you'd rather. Dogs are allowed too, one per sailing, at no extra charge.
Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours in advance. The Amsterdam Boat Tour of the Old City Center departs from Nieuwe Keizersgracht and runs from March through December — a small amsterdam boat tour that covers genuine ground without rushing.
“The best! We loved our canal cruise so much. The boat is lovely and comfortable and our guide Attila was great, relaxed and full of interesting facts. Highly recommend.”
Food & drinks on board
Snacks & Bites
- Feel free to bring your own snacks
Drinks & Bar
- Bar on board at regular café prices
- Bringing your own drinks is allowed
- Heineken Beer - €3
- Glass of Wine - €4
- Soft Drink & Water - €2,50
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
- Change date or time up to 24 hours before departure
- Add guests up to 1 hour before departure
- Cancellations less than 24 hours before departure are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled, unless Cancellation Flexibility (Tour Protection) was added at checkout
- No-shows and late arrivals are not eligible for a refund or rescheduling; shared tours depart on time
- To cancel, use the "Cancel booking" link in your confirmation email, or contact the operator by phone or WhatsApp on +31648464743 or at info@amsterdamboatadventures.com
- Weather: tours run in most weather, including rain and snow, and the boats have a cover. A tour is only cancelled in unsafe conditions (severe weather warnings or technical issues); then you can reschedule or get a full refund
- Mild weather such as clouds or regular rain is not a reason to cancel, unless you chose Cancellation Flexibility
- Cancellation Flexibility (Tour Protection) must be added at checkout, not later. With it you can cancel or reschedule up to 15 minutes before departure for any reason: full refund of the ticket price minus the Tour Protection and booking fees, or one free reschedule subject to availability. Contact the operator as soon as possible to use it
What guests say
Rebecca J.
October 2026
“The best! We loved our canal cruise so much. The boat is lovely and comfortable and our guide Attila was great, relaxed and full of interesting facts. Highly recommend.”
Daniela R.
October 2026
“Eddie was the best captain!! Amazing tour and experience on board”
James S.
October 2026
“The cruise was a wonderful and relaxing way to see Amsterdam from the canals. Skipper Adam was a terrific guide - personable and knowledgeable with a great sense of humour. Highly recommended.”
Dave T.
September 2026
“This is a great tour. The only one that lasts for 1.5 hours and you don’t have to pay for drinks upfront. Eddy our driver and guide was super cool and full of information in a relaxed manner. Discussion in the group came easy and the pace was really comfortable as were the cushions on the boat. Highly recommended!”
Raewyn J.
September 2026
“We had a wonderful relaxing tour with Jamie. He was very knowledgeable and hospitable, and the boat was elegant and small enough to get to know your fellow passengers. Lots of fun.”
Kariz M.
September 2026
“Captain Joao did an excellent job navigating, educating and entertaining every passenger on board. I especially appreciated his specifically curated notes for each passenger who mentioned a personal connection or interest to different parts of our voyage. It was an excellent way to start our first visit to Amsterdam!”
Russell B.
September 2026
“Great to be on an electrical boat. So quiet and peaceful on the water. Capt Eddy was a great guide.”
Maria W.
July 2026
“Grand canal tour with Captain Adam. An absolutely kind and humorous guy with a lot of interesting knowledge about Amsterdam and its history. A very pleasant atmosphere in perfect weather. I would book it again right away. Highly recommended.”
Roy G.
July 2026
“This canal tour was one of the highlights of our time in Amsterdam. Captain Julia was warm, engaging, and shared plenty of interesting facts and stories throughout the cruise, making the city come alive from the water. The route covered an incredible variety of Amsterdam's iconic landmarks, including the beautiful Amstel River, the famous Skinny Bridge, the Dancing Houses, Waterlooplein, the Red Light District, Oude Kerk, De Waag, Montelbaanstoren, NEMO, the Maritime Museum, Hortus Botanicus, and the stunning Seven Bridges Canal. We also loved exploring the Eastern Docklands and learning about Amsterdam's rich maritime history while cruising through parts of the UNESCO-listed Canal Belt. The pace was relaxed, the views were spectacular, and seeing the city from the canals gave us a completely different perspective than walking the streets. If you're looking for an informative, scenic, and enjoyable way to experience Amsterdam, I highly recommend taking a canal tour with Captain Julia!”
Bettina J.
June 2026
“Adam was great! We had a lot of fun and learned a lot about the city in the 1.5 hours that we didn't know yet, even though we were in Amsterdam for the sixth time and have always done a canal tour. Thank you very much for that! We took your card with us and will be back! Betty & Florian”
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.”
Who This Is For
Great for
- Solo travellers and couples happy to share the boat with a few others
- Travellers who want a small, quiet group (max 12 guests)
- Guests who would rather bring their own drinks on board
- Rainy days — the boat is covered
Maybe not for
- Anyone wanting a private boat — this cruise is shared with other guests
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this cruise depart from?
Amsterdam Boat Tour of the Old City Center - Shared Cruise 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 Boat Tour of the Old City Center - Shared Cruise is a shared cruise with a maximum of 12 guests on board, so you book per seat and travel alongside other guests.
How much does this cruise cost?
Prices for Amsterdam Boat Tour of the Old City Center - Shared Cruise start at €24 per person.
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.
Is this a small-group cruise?
Yes — this is a small-group cruise, capped at 12 guests on board.
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 Boat Tour of the Old City Center - Shared Cruise is operated by Amsterdam Boat Adventures and can be booked directly through BoatLocal.
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