Take the Lovers Canal Cruise the next time you’re in Amsterdam, and you’ll be in for a delightful surprise. See Amsterdam in a way that is unique and serene.
We experienced it and wanted to share our story with you so that you can take advantage of this fun and blissful hour long voyage.
Amsterdam canal boat tours expose visitors to a different perspective and can even display things that may otherwise be missed by tourists.
Boathouses, churches, bridges, and historic buildings are just some of the magnificent views you’ll enjoy from the comfort of your seat as you watch them glide by and get the full details on the audio tour that is included.
Keep reading to find out why we believe that this boat ride will be the best canal cruise you’ll enjoy in Amsterdam.
Canals In Amsterdam
It’s no question in our minds that the canals of Amsterdam are the highlight of this incredible city.
In fact (even previous to visiting Holland), visions of tulips, clogs, cheese, windmills, and canals came to mind whenever we talked about traveling to The Netherlands.
The city’s name itself has its roots in the canals and how they were originally formed.
Part of the name comes from the Amstel River that runs through the city (which, incidentally, the beer shares its name with as well).
Put that together with the dam that was built to control flooding, and there you have it: Amsterdam!
Part of the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2010, the concentric circular waterways were originally part of the small fishing village in the 13th century that later became the city of Amsterdam.
The canals allowed goods to be delivered easily to merchants who occupied the “Dancing Houses,” serving both as their home as well as their place of business.
There exists over 160 canals that connect and more bridges (1281!) over them than in Venice!
With the iconic grachtenhuizen that are now homes or museums with cafes, restaurants, and shops on the lower levels of some them, the canal-side is nothing short of a picturesque fairy tale vision.
While that alone can create the charming and even romantic setting, there are also over two thousand houseboats that hug the edges of the canals throughout the 100 kilometers that they encompass.
Some of these houseboats have been a part of the canals for over a century!
If you weren’t convinced of the influence of these magnificent Amsterdam canals before, we hope that we’ve at least helped you understand a bit more about them.
I can tell you that the gravity of these waterways didn’t hit me until I started roaming the city on that first night after arrival. I couldn’t help but stop and gasp at almost every turn.
With my camera in hand, rushing from one side to the next, trying to capture everything that I could before walking away as if it was so magical that it could disappear at any given moment.
Fortunately, the canals are there and have been there for many centuries, but don’t delay your trip because of this. You must get there and experience the beauty of these canals ASAP!
It is evident that the locals cherish both the houses and the canals that contribute to the country’s rich history so take advantage of making sure to take it all in with a canal tour on a Lovers Cruise.
Amsterdam’s Best Canal Tour – Lovers Cruise
It is our assessment that seeing Amsterdam from the water will be a surprising and delightful experience for visitors.
The exposure to the charm and elegance of the canals and all that accompany their beauty is a must bucket list item in our opinion.
Families, couples, and solo travelers alike are sure to enjoy this very unique tourist attraction in Amsterdam.
The casual and tranquil nature of this cruise is the best way to loosen up and get into the chill vibe of this phenomenal town. It may even end up being one of the highlights of your trip just like it was for us!
What you can expect to spot as you cruise meanders through the unique UNESCO World Heritage canal district:
- merchant houses dating back to the Golden Age
- graceful churches
- famous bridge: Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge)
- boathouses
- the Old Harbour
- 16th and 17th-century warehouses.
- other hidden treasures that you may not see by foot
Not only will you see some fascinating sights, but you’ll also have a chance to learn about them as you listen to the audio tour on the boat!
Why It’s The Best Canal Cruise – Top Reasons We Loved Lovers
1. Quick And Easy
You can book your tickets right on their website. The tours run often, so you have lots of choices for when you want to get on one.
With this canal cruise you can avoid the hassle of having to go through too much planning and fuss.
When booking tours don’t weigh you down on your travels, you’re probably going to make better use of your time and get maximum enjoyment out of your holiday.
Efficient reservations are always a plus for us when we travel!
2. Get Away From The Crowds
We visited Amsterdam in the summertime and experience the peak tourist season.
During this time, the streets are buzzing with locals on the bikes and tourists making their way around town.
While it’s fun to be a part of the hustle and bustle, it’s also a relief to spend a bit of time away from it all.
Going on a Lovers Cruise does just that. You get one hour of just you with a few people on the boat enjoying the views as they pass you by.
3. Amazing Views
There is just no other way to see Amsterdam the way you can see it riding on a boat and meandering through the canals.
Sure, you can walk along the canals and see the beautiful architecture and charming neighborhoods, but sitting in a boat and gliding by is an experience completely different.
The fact that you don’t even have to look where you are going allows total focus on everything that passes you by. It’s almost like watching a movie, but you are there for the real 3D experience!
You’ll definitely notice things that you may otherwise miss just walking by, not to mention; you won’t get tired!
4. Relaxing And Low Effort
For us, taking the canal cruise allowed us some time to turn off our phones and not have to worry about what to do, where to go, and how to get there.
We just sat back, plugged in our headphones and listened to the audio guide as we floated away on the boat. It was a great one hour of stress-free sightseeing.
Details Of The Canal Boat Tour
Now that we’ve talked up the tour so much, you must be curious for more information.
Well here are the specifics of this canal cruise in case you are in Amsterdam and want the best way to experience the city:
- Pickup/Drop Off: Prins Hendrikkade 25 (opposite the bicycle park at the central station). It’s hard to miss the bright orange Lovers boats covered with glass windows.
- Duration of Tour: 1 hour
- Hours and Operation and Seasons:
- Winter season (October 30 to March 22):
- Daily from 09:30 am till 09:00 pm
- Every 30 minutes
- Summer season (March 23 to October 29):
- Daily from 09:00 am till 10:00 pm
- Every 20 minutes
- Winter season (October 30 to March 22):
Pro-Traveler Tip: If you get motion sickness (I get it bad on planes, boats, and even on long car rides), try not to eat too much before going on the boat. I would even suggest you wait an hour or two after eating so that you don’t have too much in your stomach while on the ride.
I made sure not to look too quickly from one place to another but tried to have a steady gaze in the distance.
Looking down at the passing water is definitely a no-no! I didn’t feel nauseous at all during the ride due to the fact that it was pretty smooth with hardly any turbulence.
This was not the case when we went snorkeling in Koh Lanta, Thailand!
What To Bring With You
Make sure to have your ticket/voucher when you arrive at check-in. Don’t forget your camera because there are some great photo and video opportunities on this tour!
Since this is a water-related tour, we recommend having a waterproof camera (we brought our GoPro Hero 5).
You’ll also want to strap that selfie stick to your wrist, so you don’t accidentally drop the camera in the water!
Website to Check Itinerary and pricing: Amsterdam City Tours
Want to know more fun things to do and places to see? Check out this article on our favorite top things to do in Amsterdam.
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