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A Short Scenic Cruise Through Amsterdam's Canals

  • Writer: Brooke
    Brooke
  • Nov 18
  • 4 min read
Quaint canal houses with ornate facades line a waterway under a blue sky. Amsterdam, Netherlands


Amsterdam is famous for many things, but one major highlight is seeing the city from its canals. When Ben and I, joined by two friends, decided to take a Rhine River cruise out of Amsterdam in December 2022, we were fortunate to have a canal cruise included as an excursion.


Seeing the city from this perspective allows you to really get a sense of how impressive it was that the Dutch decided to conquer the sea and create little islands to build their charming communities. Amsterdam is named after its namesake dam, the Amstel Dam, and that dam allowed these various waterways to come into being.


Note that I had taken a canal cruise a few years prior using a smaller, open air boat that only included about 8 guests total, and we had a much different experience (one I would recommend over these larger style boats). If you would like to read about it, please visit this page here: Cruising Amsterdam's Canals


Lastly, because I had already done a canal cruise in the past, I spent more of my time videotaping this excursion than taking pictures. Therefore, the pictures below are not the best, so be sure to watch the video I'm posting here at the top first.


Regardless of the time of year, any opportunity to see Amsterdam by boat is worth it. Come check out what we experienced that chilly December day.


Amsterdam Canal Tour Video




Amsterdam Canal Tour Photos


People in winter coats walk by a waterfront at sunset, under grey skies. One holds a blue umbrella. Bare trees line the wet pavement. Amsterdam, Netherlands

We started off our adventure by walking from our ship's cruise port at Westerdoksdijk and took a quick stroll to Haarlemmerbuurt, where our pleasure vessel was waiting for us. Since this was a part of an excursion, the only work we had to do was to sign up for it in advance, and then walk the few minutes to its location.


People in jackets walk along a riverside path at sunset, with boats moored nearby. A sign and text reading. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Once at the boat, we were boarded and found our seats along the starboard side of the boat. The disadvantage to this type of sight-seeing vessel is you can really only catch views of that side of your ship. Perhaps if the roof wasn't on, we might have been able to have a more 360 degree view, but I can't confirm at present. Something to note should you look into taking an independent canal cruise, or just join your ship's excursion. (If I were doing this trip again, I'd look into doing both - take the free offering, but also try to find a more intimate experience).


I will say I did enjoy the narration on this trip, as the local captain did offer interesting tidbits, some of which you can hear in the video above. All of which is to say that any canal cruise is better than no canal cruise, though your mileage may vary depending on what your priorities are.


Waterfront view with modern buildings under a cloudy blue sky. A dock extends into the calm water. Urban skyline in the background. Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Once aboard, it was time to set sail around the city's famous canals. We passed by a number of important sights, from the Jordaan neighborhood, Anne Frank's House, Amsterdam Centraal Train Station, and other interesting locales. Below, enjoy a collection of images of the city as seen from its canals.


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Canal view in Amsterdam with a bridge, bicycles, and historic buildings. Overcast sky, winter trees, and a calm water reflection.

Canal view with houseboat and historic buildings in the background. Graffiti on the brick wall, leafless trees, and a clear sky. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Canal view in Amsterdam with classic buildings, parked boats, and reflections on water. Cloudy sky creates a calm atmosphere.

Canal lined with historic buildings and parked boats, under a blue sky with clouds. Bare trees and a white van in the urban scene. Amsterdam canal cruise.

Below, you can see the insides of the ship with the roof on. The views from the other side of the boat are not completely obscured, but are more challenging to see from across the vessel.


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As you likely saw in the video above, the picture below captures the famous spot where there is a straight line view down several bridges.


Brick bridge over a canal with a yellow construction vehicle on top. Leafless trees and historic buildings under a clear blue sky. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Canal with white houseboats, brick buildings, and a bridge under a partly cloudy sky, creating a serene urban scene. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Canal scene with a stationary white boat, arched bridge, and row of brick buildings. Clear sky with clouds; calm, reflective water.

Stone bridge with ornate pillar and lantern above a canal. Water reflects under a cloudy sky. A red sign displays the number 6. Amsterdam, Netherlands

People sit inside a glass-roofed boat on a canal tour, wearing masks and winter clothing. The sky is partly cloudy with raindrops visible. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Canal lined with colorful Amsterdam-style buildings, boats docked, clear blue sky. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Canal scene with boats docked along traditional European buildings. Calm water, blue sky, and bare trees. Sign with red stripe in view. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Canal view with a bridge, historic buildings, and trees under a sunny blue sky. Calm water reflects the scene in a peaceful urban setting. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Quaint canal houses with ornate facades line a waterway under a blue sky. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Canal scene in Amsterdam with boats docked near historic buildings under a cloudy sky. A DPD van is parked by the water. Calm and serene. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Modern buildings reflecting on water under blue skies in Amsterdam. "Conservatorium van Amsterdam" text visible on one building.

Below, the Sea Palace, a floating Chinese restaurant. Something to look into the next time I swing through this city...


Pagoda-style restaurant on water, framed by modern buildings under a clear blue sky. Rippling water in the foreground adds serenity. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Red and green building on water with ornate details, backed by modern apartments. A seagull flies in clear blue sky. Energetic urban scene. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Once we neared Amsterdam Centraal Station, seen below on the right, it meant that the trip was nearing its end.


Historic brick building and canal in Amsterdam under a blue sky. A cruise boat labeled "LOVERS canal cruises" reflects on the water. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Historic waterfront building under blue sky, with Dutch flags and a boat named "Jan Steen" on the canal, conveying a serene vibe. Amsterdam, Netherlands

We passed by the MASSIVE bike hotel, an impressive bike storage facility that speaks to how passionate Amsterdamers (and the Dutch in general) are about using pedal power to get around.


Elevated bike parking structure over water, filled with bicycles, against a blue sky. Modern buildings in the background; calm urban scene. Amsterdam bike hotel.

After docking back where we started, it was time to head back to our own ship, the AmaPrima. We had finished our time in Amsterdam, and it was time to set sail up the Rhine to some parts unknown, some more familiar places. This was the start of our first ever river cruise, and we couldn't wait to see all the beautiful cities still to come. In the meantime, though, a canal cruise was the perfect way to end our time in Amsterdam, seeing the city from its famous canals, and bidding it adieu until next time.


Canal Cruise Details



Our canal cruise left out of the docks near Amsterdam Centraal. We were not told what company was used, so I cannot provide that specific information. However, there are a ton of boats floating through Amsterdam's canals, one of the most prolific ones is Lovers Canal Cruises. I can't speak to their particular pros and cons, but their website could be a good starting point to learn more about different experiences and prices. Be sure to check out my blog post about our more intimate canal cruise experience, and see which experience is right for you.


To learn more about our Christmas Market Rhine River Cruise on AmaWaterways, be sure to check out my itinerary blog posting.

Day of travel: December 6, 2022

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Brooke

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