Take a Canal Tour of Amsterdam: With Wine and Cheese!

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During our recent family trip to Europe, we had the opportunity to visit the iconic city of Amsterdam, Netherlands. One of our favorite activities was taking a canal tour of Amsterdam.

In fact, we did it twice during our three-night stay! Once was a daytime canal boat tour, and the second was an evening Amsterdam canal cruise complete with wine and cheese. We loved Amsterdam, and I am excited to share more with you today.

Visiting Amsterdam, Netherlands in 2023

Amsterdam is a bustling city steeped in history. It exudes a unique energy that’s hard to quantify. It’s a fascinating blend of old-world culture, art, and architecture, infused with a modern, youthful exuberance. The city has a latticework of canals that crisscross everywhere, creating an entirely separate set of routes that link the city by water. In fact, Amsterdam has three different types of commuter routes – paths for bikes (the busiest), streets for cars, and canals for boats.

Amsterdam has been named “Venice of the North” because of these canals. The city has 165 canals that create hundreds of small island neighborhoods. Spanning these canals and connecting the city are over 1,900 bridges. You can travel over 100 km on the Amsterdam canals. I can’t imagine taking a trip to Amsterdam and not booking a canal cruise! The canals are such an inherent part of the city’s culture.

Flagship Canal Tours Amsterdam

Matt and I knew we wanted to take a canal tour of Amsterdam and looked at numerous options. We did not book this outing in advance. After already traveling for a week in both Paris and Belgium, we wanted to leave our time in Amsterdam flexible and allow for rest if needed.

As a matter of fact, we ended up booking both of our canal tours only a few hours in advance. Get Your Guide makes it so easy to book outings while on the go!

I read all of the reviews, so you don’t have to! By far, the most raved-about and highly rated canal tours were provided by a company called Flagship Amsterdam, a major canal tour operator in the area. Additionally, they were rated by TripAdvisor as the #1 Best Day Cruise Trip in the World. What an accomplishment!

We went on a canal trip with them during the day with the kids on our first full day in the city. Matt and I had so much fun we decided to take a second tour the next evening for just the two of us.

The magical scenery, a warm summer evening, and unlimited wine and cheese made it a fantastic date night! It made for a romantic evening and gave us a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of the family trip. The kids stayed back at our Amsterdam apartment and enjoyed some well-deserved screen time.

Booking Your Canal Cruise Amsterdam

Flagship Amsterdam offers cruises throughout the day and night. Their different departure points at Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, or Central Station make it easy to find one near you. The first two were each a 5-12 minute walk from our rental apartment. We took the day cruise from the Rijksmuseum location and the evening cruise from the Anne Frank House departure point.

There is a cruise for everyone, and Flagship offers both public and private Amsterdam canal tours. Choose from a covered, uncovered, or partially covered boat, open bar, wine and cheese, and much more. The boat rides range from 1 hour to 2 hours long, and there is even a private Prosecco cruise that sounds wonderful for a sunny day! Hungry? Choose a BBQ Cruise with a private chef or opt for a pizza or burger cruise.

Flagship Amsterdam Tickets and Availablity

Check rates and availability for each of the tours below. Even without selecting dates or participants, you can click on Check Availablity, and it will take you to detailed information about that specific Amsterdam canal cruise.

Additionally, from there, you can read countless reviews from real travelers like me! Once you book, I recommend making sure you have the Get Your Guide app downloaded onto your smartphone. It makes managing your tours easy while on the go.

And make sure to keep reading because next, I share everything you should expect to see on your canal tour of Amsterdam!

Flagship Amsterdam Tours and Tickets

What to Expect On The Canal Tour of Amsterdam

Each Flagship Amsterdam open boat tour is slightly different because the crew and offerings differ. So, pay attention to the listing description for each to know what’s included in your canal tour.

Still, I wanted to cover what to expect generally. The standard model is that each tour is crewed by a skipper and a guide. The skipper was local on both cruises, and the guide narrated in good English. The skipper and guide were friendly and accommodating, making the experience pleasant. They were especially interactive on the wine and cheese tour, cracking jokes, getting to know the passengers, and making everyone feel welcome. It is the perfect before or after dinner cruise!

Details Of The Flagship Boat Tour

The Flagship boats are lovely and well-maintained. On average, they hold around 30 passengers, so they aren’t overwhelmingly big. The deck was lined with comfortable cushioned seats and didn’t feel cramped. The boats have electric, instead of gas motors, eliminating smelly fumes and loud noises.

Our daytime canal cruise was in an open boat, totally uncovered and exposed to the sky. It allowed for excellent viewing by everyone as we enjoyed the warm June sunshine. The seats at the end where we sat are slightly elevated, so you must bend over under some of the lower bridges!

Our evening wine and cheese canal tour was on a boat that was maybe 50% covered. It’s perfect because passengers can sit protected from the beating sun or work on their tan. The evening wine and cheese cruise offered white and red wines and Dutch cheese cut into cubes on a platter. The guide quickly offered us new bottles when they had been emptied, and extra cheese was available upon request.

Some cruises offer an open bar, which includes beer, soft drinks, and spirits. Blankets are available if you start to get chilly or are visiting Amsterdam during the colder months.

The canal tour of Amsterdam cruises we took were each one hour long. This was the perfect length, allowing us to get a feel for the canals and see some memorable sights. But it still left plenty of room in the day to catch dinner or explore other city attractions.

What Will You See On A Canal Tour of Amsterdam?

Amsterdam boat tours will take you along the enchanting canals in the city’s heart. The guide will point out interesting buildings, architectural features, and bridges. In addition, they’ll use these places to paint a picture of the city’s past, adding fascinating vignettes about cultural, economic, and political issues over its 800-hundred-year history.

The cruise is a lot of fun because it feels interactive. It was educational for Abby and Jake, as well as the adults, too! You’ll float down narrow boat canals, close enough to touch the canal walls, and glide effortlessly under ancient stone bridges covered in moss. You’ll pass groups of teenagers hanging out, couples kissing, and people tending to their vibrant tulip gardens.

It’s an immersive way to embrace Amsterdam and meet its magnetic energy, beauty, and eccentricity. Trust me; do it once, and you’ll understand why we did it twice!

Here are the prominent locations and talking points that were covered by the guides during our canal tours. You may not see each and every one on your canal tour of Amsterdam, but there is a pretty good chance you will see most of these.

Seven Bridges in Amsterdam

The Seven Bridges refers to the view on the Reguliersgracht, where seven arched bridges can be seen in a row. This picturesque sight is best viewed from the bridge at the intersection with Herengracht. At night, the bridges are illuminated, creating a magical scene. I was able to capture a photo as we passed by it!

Narrow Houses And Modest Taxes

On the cruise, we learned why the houses in Amsterdam are so tall and narrow. In the city’s early years, taxes were levied based on the width of the home’s frontage. This meant wider houses had to pay more taxes. As a result, the homes began to be built narrow and multi-story to maximize space and minimize taxes. Furthermore, if you had a wide house, it was a sign that you were among the wealthy.

The Amsterdam Dancing Houses

Amsterdam’s Dancing Houses are a famous row of leaning houses along the Damrak. These houses are often called “dancing” because of their slight tilt and uneven alignment. The tilt is due to the wooden foundation, which has shifted over time as it settled into the soft soil. Did you know that Amsterdam is actually built upon 11 million poles? This is to help avoid the sinking, as the city is only 3 meters above sea level.

Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug)

The Skinny Bridge is one of the most recognizable bridges in Amsterdam city. This wooden drawbridge spans the Amstel River, connecting the city’s two sides. Its current structure dates back to 1934, but a bridge has existed at this location since the 17th century. We went under this bridge on both of our Amsterdam boat tours.

Plague Houses in Amsterdam

We found this one very interesting! They told us that some of the canal houses are painted black, a tradition from the time of the plague. People say that families who fell ill with the disease would mark their front doors in black to alert others. Tar was often used as the paint. Subsequently, it was almost impossible to clean off, so the entire door, or even the whole house, was painted black.

Hermitage Amsterdam on the Amstel River

The Hermitage Amsterdam is a branch of the world-famous Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. Located on the Amstel River, this museum showcases art and cultural exhibits, often highlighting Dutch-Russian relations. The building is a beautiful example of 17th-century architecture visible from a boat canal cruise. Did you know that Amsterdam has the highest capita of museums per square meter in the world?

Cantilever Hooks on Houses

Many canal houses in Amsterdam feature cantilever hooks on their facades. These hooks were historically used to hoist goods into the upper floors of buildings, as the narrow staircases made it challenging to carry items by hand. Today, they remain an iconic feature of the city’s architecture. Many are still used to this day!

Houseboats Everywhere

Amsterdam’s canals are lined with a wide array of houseboats. They’re parked in the water and moored to the canal wall, accessible by ramps. Some are gorgeous, new, and large. Contrarily, others are floating junkers in a state of disrepair.

Over 2,500 houseboats line the waterways, ranging from traditional barges to modern floating homes. Initially an answer to housing shortages, houseboats have become a sought-after form of living for some. A few are available for rent, offering tourists a novel and immersive living experience.

Recovering Bikes From The Canal Bottom

Amsterdam is famous for its bicycles, but many end up in the canals, accidentally or through vandalism. Regular operations are conducted to salvage these bikes from the canal bottom, and tens of thousands are retrieved yearly. It’s a peculiar yet fascinating aspect of life in a city where bikes and waterways are ubiquitous.

Prinsengracht Canal And Anne Frank House

Prinsengracht is the longest of the main canals in Amsterdam. It’s lined with charming buildings, including the Anne Frank House. The canal is named after the Prince of Orange and is the outermost of the three main channels that make up the city’s historic canal ring. In fact, one of the three Flagship Amsterdam departure points is right here in front of the Anne Frank House.

Herengracht Canal And Golden Bend

Herengracht is another of Amsterdam’s primary canals. It’s part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal ring and features stunning 17th and 18th-century architecture. Notable sections include the Golden Bend, which showcases some of Amsterdam’s most magnificent canal houses.

Golden Bend Amsterdam

The Golden Bend (Gouden Bocht) is a segment of the Herengracht Canal featuring some of Amsterdam’s most opulent canal houses. Built during the Dutch Golden Age, these grand mansions were the residences of wealthy merchants and are known for their ornate facades and interiors. You’ll want to snap a photo of these!

9 Streets (De Negen Straatjes)

The 9 Streets, or De Negen Straatjes, is a trendy neighborhood comprising nine narrow streets that cross Amsterdam’s main canals: Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht. Also, this area is famous for its chic boutiques, vintage shops, art galleries, cafes, and restaurants.

Making Memories On The Water With A Canal Tour of Amsterdam

Amsterdam canal cruises are a spectacular way to experience the city’s rich history, architecture, and cultural vibrancy. These sights provide a window into the city’s unique heritage, from the mansions along the Golden Bend to the quirky cantilever hooks and the somber black-painted doors. And how better to experience this but with wine, cheese, a comfortable seat, and a special friend or family member?

Floating the Dutch canals will make you marvel, smile, and sometimes wonder. It will also leave you with an unforgettable memory of a city lost in time, a place with an ancient voice, a wandering spirit, and a welcoming embrace for travelers far and wide.

Book Your Canal Tour of Amsterdam with Flagship Amsterdam

If you would like to book a tour with Flagship Amsterdam, I highly recommend using Get Your Guide!

CLICK HERE TO BROWSE THE FLAGSHIP AMSTERDAM CANAL TOURS ON GET YOUR GUIDE

Likewise, there are also countless other Amsterdam activities and day trips available that are sure to please anyone in your group! Here are a few that look fun and have great reviews.

PIN This Canal Tour of Amsterdam Blog Post Guide