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• Amsterdam Attractions
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• Travel Guide

Book Blue Boat Amsterdam Cruise Tickets

Select Your Experience

Amsterdam Canal Sightseeing Cruise

• You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
• Fall in love with Amsterdam with this glass-roofed boat cruise sailing past iconic landmarks of the city.
• Get to know more about every attraction you see during the cruise via the audio guide. It’s available in 19 languages!
• Catch sight of popular landmarks like the Westerkerk church, Nine Streets, and Skinny Bridge, and admire the canal's Baroque architecture.
• You can board the cruise from various boarding points like Central Station, Hard Rock Cafe and more, choose yours in the next step.
• 1-hour Amsterdam Canal cruise
• Audio guide in Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Catalan, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Arabic, Polish, Portuguese, and Russian
• Facilities: free Wi-Fi and toilets.

This is Holland Pier

• 2-min walk from A'DAM Lookout and Eye Film Museum

Central Station

• 2-min walk away from Basilica of St Nicholas and Park Plaza Victoria

Heineken Experience Pier

• 1-min walk from Heineken Experience and Amsterdam, Weteringcircuit

Hard Rock Cafe

• 1-min walk from Rembrandts Amsterdam Experience

Anne Frank House Pier

• 2-min walk from Anne Frank House and Anne Frank Monument

Click here for a detailed map of the boarding points.

• Tip: Notice small gardens and green spaces along the canals. These hidden oases add to the city's charm and provide a refreshing touch of nature amidst the urban setting!

Amsterdam Canal Evening Sightseeing Cruise

• Board your cruise and explore the canals of Amsterdam in the warm glow of the city illuminated at night.
• You will be welcomed onboard the comfortable boat by the cruise staff and can kick off your journey by ordering a cold drink.
• As you explore the UNESCO-listed canal belt, listen to the onboard audio guide with your free headphones, available in up to 21 different languages.
• The cruise will also drift past the canals that run through the district where most day cruises do not go - the infamous De Wallen or De Walletjes.
• Upgrade your cruise to the luxury boat for cozy blankets and live guides. Depart from Central Station or Anne Frank House Pier for an enhanced experience.
• 1-hour or 90-min canal cruise
• Evening cruise with bar service
• Multilingual audio guide in 21 languages
• Snackbox (optional)
• 1-hour luxury boat cruise from Central Station/Anne Frank House Pier (optional)

Central Station Pier

Hard rock cafe pier.

Click here for the detailed map of the boarding points.

• Tip: Amsterdam is known for its vibrant street art scene. As you cruise along the canals, keep an eye out for colorful murals and graffiti artwork adorning the walls near the water.
• The audio guide is available in the following languages: English, French, Russian, Spanish, German, Chinese, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Japanese, Turkish, Thai, Polish, Czech, Croatian, Indonesian, Cantonese, Swedish, Korean, and Hindi.

Amsterdam Canal Open Boat Cruise with Optional Wine & Cheese

• Catch unobstructed views of the Amsterdam skyline on this open-boat cruise as you learn intriguing facts about the city from your guide!
• This cruise takes you past landmarks like Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge), one of the most beautiful bridges in Amsterdam.
• Choose your boarding point, Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, or Central Station, from where an open boat will you away from the city crowds.
• Wait there’s more! You can choose to elevate your cruising experience by choosing the ticket option with unlimited drinks and cheese.
• Live guide and local skipper
• 60-minute canal cruise
• Cheese delights (optional)
• Unlimited drinks: beer, wine, and soft drinks (optional)
• Drinks (see the menu here )

Rijksmuseum Pier

• 2-min walk fromRijksmuseum
• Tip: Bring a camera to capture the scenic beauty of Amsterdam's canals. You'll have stunning photo opportunities throughout the cruise!
• The cruise is suitable for pram/stroller users.
• Buggy is available on prior request.
• Pets are allowed.

Amsterdam Canal Dinner Cruise

• You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
• Date idea: an evening dinner cruise through the canals of Amsterdam. You get just that with this ticket!
• Enjoy a world-class 4-course dinner prepared by gourmet chef Frans Kelders, with vegetarian, meat and fish options.
• It gets dreamier than this, you also get drinks of your choice, from beer, wine and soft drinks, to make the experience even better.
• 2-hour evening cruise
• 4-course dinner (menu here )
• Complimentary drinks: beer, wine, soft drinks
• Hotel transfers

LOVERS Canal Cruises Amsterdam

• 5-min walk from Amsterdam Centraal Station
• The cruise is wheelchair accessible.

Amsterdam Canal Evening Luxury Salon Boat Cruise

• This post-sunset cruise on a luxury boat brings to life the city of Amsterdam, with brightly lit with all its bridges brightly illuminated.
• Your experienced English-speaking skipper and guide will tell you all about the city’s culture and fun places you can visit!
• Starting from the Anne Frank House, you’ll explore the stylish Jordaan neighborhood, the Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge), and the Golden Bend.
• To make things even more convenient, you can choose from 3 boarding points, Red Light District, Central Station Pier, or Anne Frank House Pier.
• 1-hour canal cruise on a luxury boat
• Local and experienced skipper and English-speaking guide
• Blankets available
• Departure from Red Light District/Central Station Pier/Anne Frank House Pier (as per option selected)
• Meal and drinks inclusions

Red Light District

• 2-min walk from Royal Palace Amsterdam
• Tip: If you need recommendations on how to explore more of the city, feel free to ask your guide!
• Pets are allowed onboard.
• Suitable for pram/stroller users.

Combo: Van Gogh Museum + Amsterdam Canal Cruise Tickets

• Get a healthy dose of Dutch history and art thanks to this pocket-friendly combo ticket with a canal cruise and an entry ticket to the Van Gogh Museum.
• Set sail on a 75-min cruise through Amsterdam's canals, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, aboard a Blue Boat Company vessel.
• Float past top Amsterdam attractions such as the Anne Frank House and City Hall while enjoying your snack box by upgrading your ticket.
• Enjoy entry to the Van Gogh Museum, where you can admire over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and 750 letters from the Dutch artist.
• Admire the famous works of Van Gogh's contemporaries such as Monet and Gauguin.
• 75-minute canal cruise
• Timed entry to the Van Gogh Museum
• Van Gogh entrance + 75-min canal cruise with snackbox (optional)

Van Gogh Museum

• Tip: Pay attention to the chronological arrangement of the artwork. The museum showcases Van Gogh's evolution as an artist, from his early dark and somber works to his vibrant and expressive later pieces.
• Your booked time slot will be your entrance time to the Van Gogh Museum.

Canal Cruise

• Tip: As you cruise through different neighborhoods, be on the lookout for street art and colorful murals adorning buildings and walls.
• The voucher for your canal cruise is an 'OPEN TICKET', which means that no time slot has been allocated and you can board any next available boat at the dock.
• These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

Combo: Rijksmuseum + Amsterdam Canal Cruise Tickets

• Tick off two major to-dos from your Amsterdam wishlist while saving quite a bit: The Rijksmuseum and a 60-min city canal cruise.
• Skip the lines and explore Rijksmuseum at your pace, admiring Dutch masterpieces including Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait and Vermeer’s Milkmaid .
• Set off on an Amstel River cruise, learning all about the iconic stops along the way with a multilingual audio guide.
• Upgrade your tickets to add some flavor to your adventure: a 75-min cruise with a snack box containing yummy bites and a drink.
• 60-min or 75-min canal cruise
• Entry to Rijksmuseum
• Audio guide in English, French, German, Hebrew, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Catalan, Chinese, Dutch, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Arabic, Polish, Portuguese, and Russian
• Snack box (optional)
• Free kids’ cruise and audio story with every kids’ ticket (optional)
• Earphones, if needed (optional)
• Entry to Vermeer Exhibition
• Multimedia museum tour (available for purchase at the museum for €5)

Rijksmuseum

• You need to enter the Rijksmuseum at the selected time slot, but you can stay as long as you like.
• The museum is wheelchair accessible. You can also borrow a wheelchair, rollator, pushchair, walking cane, or foldable museum stool from them.
• Guide dogs are welcome to join you at the museum and the cruise.
• There is no time slot allocated for the cruise. For exact redemption information, please follow the instructions on your voucher.

Combo: Heineken Experience Direct Entry + Amsterdam Canal Cruise Tickets

• This ticket is a brilliant combination of 2 truly Dutch experiences! Save time and money with this combo with a canal cruise and entry to the Heineken Brewery.
• Enjoy a 75-min cruise along Venice of the North and learn more about this UNESCO World Heritage site with an audio guide available in 14 languages.
• You can choose to upgrade your cruise to include a snackbox, which you'll receive before boarding the cruise.
• The ticket also gives you entry into the Heineken Experience; go on a 90-min self-guided tour of the gigantic brewery.
• Find out about the ins and outs of this massive beer producer while sipping on 2 complimentary drinks!
• 75-minute cruise down the Amsterdam Canal
• Skip-the-line Heineken Experience ticket
• 90-minute self-guided tour of the Heineken brewery
• A snackbox containing chips, popcorn, cheese biscuits, salted peanuts, and a soft drink of your choice (optional)
• Wheelchairs will be provided at the Heineken Experience once a reimbursable €100 fee is deposited.
• The cruise is also wheelchair accessible.

What is Blue Boat?

Take a Blue Boat Amsterdam Canal Cruise to immerse in a unique opportunity to capture the city highlights as you enjoy a full-course meal while witnessing some of the finest monuments created on earth. Pick your Amsterdam Canal Cruise with Blue Boat, one of Amsterdam's top boat tour companies. The company offers a fleet of luxurious, glass-canopy boats of two kinds, sightseeing boats, and dinner boats. A well-liked choice for the tour of the Amsterdam Canals, Blue Boat allows tourists to board and get off popular locations: This is Holland, Centraal Station, Heineken Experience, Hard Rock Cafe, and Anne Frank House. Blue Boat offers sightseeing cruises, evening cruise, cruises with meals and combo tours with audio commentary in up to 21 languages.

Why take a Blue Boat Amsterdam Canal cruise?

• Explore Amsterdam from an entirely new perspective: Explore the Venice of the North on modern glass-paneled boats with audio guide access, providing glimpses into its past. Blue Boat offers easy, scenic day transportation with a soothing ambiance.
• Savour delicacies as you sail along the Amsterdam Canals: Blue Boat's dinner cruises are renowned for promptly prepared authentic cuisines, superb five-star hotel-like service, and live music—ideal for a romantic evening on the Amsterdam Canals.
• Grab amazing deals with Blue Boat: Maximize value with Blue Boat's Amsterdam Canal cruise combos, offering access to a luxurious boat and admission to iconic sites like the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Heineken Experience.

Things to know before booking your Blue Boat cruise tickets

• Want a fun yet informational cruise ride? Consider booking a sightseeing cruise offering live commentary or audio guide facilities. 
• Most Blue Boat cruises can be canceled 24 or 48 hours before the experience. However, combo cruises cannot be canceled or rescheduled so be mindful before booking your tickets.
• Amsterdam in the evening looks immensely different than in the daylight. For a more romantic and magical experience, choose an evening cruise. 

Types of Blue Boat Amsterdam Canal cruise tickets

Sightseeing cruise

Capture the city’s top attractions all in one go by hopping on the Blue Boat sightseeing cruise experience. Step away from the crowded streets to discover the mesmerizing monuments at your own pace as you pass by each of them one after the other while sailing through the Amsterdam Canals.

Cruises with meals

Make the most of your visit to Amsterdam by getting onboard the Blue Boat Amsterdam Canal cruise as you indulge in a full-course luxurious dining experience or a cruise with snacks. Sip some wine as you cruise by some of the eye-catching buildings while spending a lazy evening relaxing with your loved ones.

Combo cruise

make the most of your busy schedule by booking combo tickets. Dive into the authentic Amsterdam experience while exploring some iconic Dutch landmarks. Immerse in an unforgettable ambiance as you admire the glorious city and its atractions. 

Sights covered on your Blue Boat cruise

Anne Frank House

Blue Boat cruise timings

• Amsterdam Canal Sightseeing Cruise Timings: 10am to 8pm Duration: 1 hr - 1 hr 15 mins
• Amsterdam Canal Evening Sightseeing Cruise Timings: 5:15pm to 10pm Duration: 1 hr 30 mins

• Amsterdam Canal Open Boat Cruise with Optional Wine & Cheese Timings: 10am to 10pm Duration: 1 hr
• Amsterdam Canal Dinner Cruise Timings: 7:30 pm Duration: 2 hr
• Amsterdam Canal Booze Cruise with Unlimited Drinks Timings: 10am to 10:15pm Duration: 1 hr

• Van Gogh Museum + Amsterdam Canal Cruise Tickets Timings: 9am to 9pm Duration: 1 hr 15 mins
• Rijksmuseum + Amsterdam Canal Cruise Tickets Timings: 9am to 5pm Duration: 1 hr 15 mins
• Heineken Experience Direct Entry + Amsterdam Canal Cruise Tickets Timings: 10:30am to 6:45pm Duration: 1 hr 15 mins

Blue Boat boarding points

Address:  Badhuiskade, Amsterdam

• By ferry:  F3 Nearest stop:  Buiksloterweg

Address:  Prins Hendrikkade 25

• By metro:  51, 53, 54 Nearest stop:  Central Station
• By train:  Intercity, Sprinter Closest stop:  Central Station

Address:  Stadhouderskade 550

• By tram:  1, 7, 19, 24 Closest stop:  Vijzelgracht
• By metro:  52 Closest stop:  Vijzelgracht

Address:  Stadhouderskade 501

• By tram:  1, 3, 7, 19 Closest stop:  Rijksmuseum

Address:  Prinsengracht 261A

• By metro:  51, 53, 54 Closest stop:  Central Station
• By tram:  13, 17 Closest stop:  Westermarkt

Visitors tips

• Amsterdam Canal cruises are always in high demand and remain booked for months. Hence, it is recommended to make a booking quite in advance to ensure that your slots are reserved on time.
• You can listen to the commentary in the language of your choice by connecting to the WiFi service made accessible within the boat. Guests are advised to carry their headphones to limit direct contact. 
• If you are making an on-site booking, contactless payment is preferred over cash.
• It is highly recommended to carry a jacket or sweater as it can get a little chilly in the evening.
• You are also required to dress modestly. Short skirts, bermuda shorts, etc. are not entertained.
• The cloakroom on board may not allow for bigger luggage, so plan accordingly before you head for the cruise. 

Frequently asked questions about Blue Boat Amsterdam Canal cruises

The Blue Boat Amsterdam Canal cruise offers three types of tickets: Sightseeing cruises, cruises with meals, and combo experiences.

Most Blue Boat Amsterdam Canal cruises offer a flexible cancellation and modification process. However, it can vary for different experiences, so check each ticket individually.

The Blue Boat Amsterdam Canal cruise tickets will only be valid for the date and time that you book for.

Yes. In sightseeing cruises, guests can avail of audio commentary available in 21 languages as they board the cruise. Ensure that you carry headphones before arriving at the venue.

Your Blue Boat cruise timings vary depending on the type of ticket and experience you book. Check your ticket information before booking your experience.

While it depends on each experience, most cruise tours are suitable for individuals with reduced or impaired mobility.

Blue Boat Canal Cruise from Leidseplein

The Blue Boat Company offers a 75 minute highlights cruise with optional snack box on board. Their location is close to the popular Hardrock Cafe, Leidseplein, the Museum Quarter and the Vondelpark.

• Amsterdam Canal Cruise Blue Boat
• Access for disabled
• Audio guide
• Groups allowed

Description

Amsterdam boat tour.

If you’re looking for the best way to see Amsterdam, a canal cruise is the answer. You’ll get an up-close look at the city’s stunning architecture and canals, and learn about its history and culture. Plus, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take photos from the boat! Book a canal cruise today and explore Amsterdam like never before.

Amsterdam Canal Cruise With Blue Boat

Take a seat and relax in a comfortable, glass covered boat. On the Amsterdam canal cruise blue boat you get to enjoy the specular views along Amsterdam’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal ring . This sightseeing cruise lasts 75-minutes and is perfect for getting a nice overview of the city and its history. An informative audio tour in included in the ticket which gives you the information you’ll need to get the most out of those beautiful sights.

Along the way you’ll pass some major city attractions like the City Hall and the Anne Frank House , leafy canalizes, gabbled townhouses and beautiful bridges . Enjoy Amsterdam from the peaceful serenity that the water brings. A boat tour through Amsterdam’s canal is a must-do for first time visitors to Amsterdam.

Amsterdam Canal Tour Day

Amsterdam Canal Cruise Blue Boat company has their boats departing during the day between 10 am and 5 pm . During the daytime is without a doubt the best period to see Amsterdam from the water-side. Look how all the locals cycle next to the beautiful canals. Admire the centries-old Dutch architecture. And find out why everyone loves this city so much.

This organization has several boats and they depart every hour .

Wheelchair Accessible

The Amsterdam Canal Cruise Blue Boat is wheelchair accessible too. If there is a wheelchair bound person in the group, a reservation must be made in advance. That way they can ensure that you will be scheduled to a boat that is wheelchair accessible. Blue Boat also kindly requests that the person in the wheelchair be present at least 15 minutes in advance. That way they can bring him or her on board when it isn’t too busy.

Looking for a shorter duration tour or a more personal boat tour? Check out these two alternatives: Lovers & Those Dam Boat Guys .

What’s Included

• A 75-minute duration canal cruise through Amsterdam’s beautiful canals
• The Westerkerk – the church where Rembrandt is buried
• The Golden Bend
• Amsterdam’s City Hall and Anne Frank House
• Glide around Amsterdam’s UNESCO-protected canals .
• House of Amsterdam’s mayor
• Prinsengracht, Herengracht & Keizersgracht.
• Get front-row views of the 16th and 17th-century gabled houses, bridges and leafy canal paths
• Hear the stories of Amsterdam’s heritage via the free audio tour that’s available in 19 different languages

Get Tickets

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Home Canal cruises City Canal Cruise

City Canal Cruise

• Wheelchair accessible
• Family friendly

About activity

Important information.

A visit to Amsterdam should always start with a city canal cruise. The luxurious canal boats from Blue Boat Company are ready to guide you through Amsterdam’s many canals, along all the highlights of Amsterdam. The Amsterdam canals have been awarded UNESCO’s World Heritage status and taking part in this 75-minute City Canal Cruise will reveal why. During the city canal cruise you will be passing all of the city’s highlights, from the famous 17th century canal houses in the historical city center to the the modern, urban areas at the IJ. Spot the Montelbaanstoren, the Skinny Bridge and way more! Board the boat and experience Amsterdam like never before during our Amsterdam tour.

See Amsterdam in all its glory during the City Canal Cruise

At Amsterdam Canal Cruises, we’ve been showing people from all over the world the beauty of the Amsterdam canals for years. You can’t visit Amsterdam without seeing 17th century buildings lining the canals and gorgeous bridges glide by during one of our canal cruises! You’ll see beautiful historic buildings, such as the Montelbaanstoren and the Skinny Bridge. You’ll also see the 21st century city that Amsterdam has become – there are some truly impressive new buildings along the river IJ, for example.

At Amsterdam Canal Cruises, we offer city canal cruises with audio in 19 languages and we even offer a kids cruise so you can enjoy your city canal cruise with the whole family. While you listen to our interesting facts about Amsterdam, kids enjoy a pirate story and answer questions in a booklet with games that go with the audio story.

Optional: add a snackbox to your booking and enjoy some snacks and drinks during your canal cruise! The snackbox includes chips, popcorn, stroopwafels, salted peanuts and a drink of your choice (soft drink, beer or wine).

Practical information about our Amsterdam City Canal Cruise

Are you interested in booking a ticket for one of our boat tours in Amsterdam? Then read along for all the practical information!

Audio guide Blue Boat Company offers audio commentary in 19 languages on every daytime departure (English, French, Russian, Spanish, German, Chinese, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Japanese, Turkish, Polish, Czech, Croatian, Indonesian, Cantonese, Korean, Hindi).

Departure location We offer two different departure locations. You can choose your preferred location when booking your city canal cruise.

• Location Hard Rock Cafe: our dock is located at Stadhouderskade 501 (opposite Hard Rock Cafe)
• Location Heineken Experience: our dock is located at Stadhouderskade 550 (opposite Heineken Experience)

Wheelchair accessibility If there’s a wheelchair user among your company, it is necessary to make an online reservation beforehand. Select one of the following time slots to ensure that you’ll be on a boat that is wheelchair accessible: 10:30 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM, 3:30 PM and 5 PM. Then contact our reservations department to inform us that there is a wheelchair in the group as we can only have 3 wheelchairs on board at the same time. Our reservations department can be reached via + 31 20 676 0302. You can also send us an email on workdays at [email protected] .

Please note: our wheelchair accessible boats only depart from our dock opposite Hard Rock Cafe (Stadhouderskade 501). We have priority boarding for wheelchair users, so we kindly request you to be present at least 15 minutes in advance.

More must-do’s at Amsterdam Canal Cruises

As our name suggests, Amsterdam Canal Cruises sells cruises in the canal ring, but we offer so much more on our website! From bike tours to day trips to the Zaanse Schans and museum tickets for e.g. the Van Gogh Museum , check out our website now!

Order your tickets

City canal cruise - dock heineken experience.

A maximum of 10 city cards can be bought per booking.

City Canal Cruise - dock Hard Rock Café

Customer service

• Guided tour

River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat

• Description
• Choose date

Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

Choose your dates

Who's going.

• Excursion River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat
• Date and time:
• Who's going:

See photo of the meeting point

Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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Home Rondvaarten Amsterdam Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise

Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise

• Family friendly
• Wheelchair accessible

About this activity

Important information.

Are you looking for tickets for the Amsterdam Light Festival? Then you’ve come to the right place! We offer the official Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise, where you’ll explore Amsterdam in a heated, covered canal boat. During this cruise, you’ll not only experience the unique atmosphere of Amsterdam at night, but also spot the most beautiful light artworks.

For Amsterdam Light Festival 2023-2024, artists have been asked to consider the effects of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) on our everyday lives. The ways in which we communicate, engage and create are all impacted by technology and AI. What is the impact on the human condition? How does society change because of this digital evolution? And where are the boundaries? The different perspectives will be highlighted during Edition 12, with the theme: LOADING… Revealing Art, AI and Tech.

From the comfort of our heated boats, you’ll enjoy a 90 minute canal cruise past all of the light artworks. During the cruise, you’ll listen to the official Amsterdam Light Festival audio guide which we offer in English and Dutch.

NB; some of the photos used show artworks from previous editions.

What can you expect during our Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise?

Amsterdam is already magical at night – the city is just a bit quieter and the lights of the bridges give it a beautiful atmosphere, but during the light festival there’s even more magic. The beautifully lit artworks will pass you one after another during our 90-minute canal cruise. So keep your camera ready, because you’ll be photographing a lot of beautiful sights!

During our Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise, you can listen to the official audio story which tells you all the stories about the artworks and the artists.

When does Blue Boat offer the Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruises?

During the entire period of the Amsterdam Light Festival (November 30, 2023 to January 21, 2024), we offer our Amsterdam Light Festival cruises. Our boats depart from our dock opposite Hard Rock Cafe at Stadhouderskade 501. Please check our booking widget for the actual departure times.

Please note: we do not offer cruises on Christmas Day (25-12-2021) and New Year’s Eve (31-12-2021).

Optional: add a snackbox or our wine and cheese offer to your booking and enjoy some snacks and drinks during your canal cruise! The snackbox includes chips, popcorn, stroopwafels, salted peanuts and a drink of your choice (soft drink, beer or wine). The wine and cheese offer includes two cans of wine, cheese biscuits and Dutch cheese.

Are the Amsterdam Light Festival cruises wheelchair accessible?

Yes! Blue Boat is the only canal cruise company with wheelchair accessible boats. However, not all our boats are wheelchair friendly. This means that if there’s a guest in a wheelchair in the group, a reservation must be made in advance. Select one of the following time slots to get on a boat that is wheelchair accessible: 7 PM or 9 PM. Then indicate during the booking process via the ‘note’ field that there is a wheelchair in the group or contact our reservations department to inform us of this. Our reservations department can be reached by email at [email protected] . You can also call us daily between 9AM and 5PM at 020 – 679 1370.

Is the Amsterdam Light Festival also fun for kids?

Yes, kids love watching the beautifully lit up artworks in the canals of Amsterdam!

If you are looking for a cruise specifically for children, we also recommend our Kids Cruise . Please note: this is a regular Kids Cruise that doesn’t pass by the Amsterdam Light Festival artworks.

Where can I buy tickets for the Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise?

You can easily buy your tickets for the Amsterdam Light Festival on our website days or hours in advance. After your booking, download our app and you’ll have your tickets directly on your phone. You can simply show this at the ticket office, so you don’t even have to print your tickets. Handy, right?

Of course, you can also decide at the last minute to buy tickets at our ticket office. However, to avoid crowds, we always recommend booking your tickets in advance.

Where do I hop on for my Amsterdam Light Festival cruise?

Our Amsterdam Light Festival cruises depart from Stadhouderskade 501, opposite Hard Rock Cafe.

Are you ready to cruise through the canals and see stunning works of light art? Book your Amsterdam Light Festival cruise tickets now at Blue Boat!

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