Are you planning to take a canal tour in Amsterdam? Take advantage of our 8 useful tips for a successful canal tour:

1. Familiarize yourself with the different types of canal tours

There’s nothing wrong with a standard canal cruise. However, it’s good to check if that’s really what you want. There are so many other likable options, ranging from pedal boats and self-drive electric boats to luxurious private boat tours and dinner cruises. So take some time to choose the canal tour that fits your budget, the available time, and the group you’ll be cruising with.

2. The early bird catches the worm

Most canal tours depart at fixed times. If you’re late, you’ll literally miss the boat. But if you arrive early, you’ll have the best seats to choose from: right by the window or on the outdoor deck in good weather. Even customized boat tours have specific start and end times. By arriving well in advance, you won’t waste precious cruising time.

3. Do you prefer crowds or tranquility?

The timing of your canal tour can make a large difference:
– Mornings are usually very calm on the canals, even on weekends;
– Saturday and Sunday afternoons are bustling, lively, and sometimes even a bit chaotic;
– For a romantic tour with your loved one, evenings are best when the canals are beautifully illuminated.

4. Prepare for sunshine and rain

At the risk of sounding like your mother: dress appropriately! It’s usually cooler on the water than on land. If the sun is shining, it can be quite intense without a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. And trust me, you’ll be glad you brought that raincoat or umbrella when a sudden summer downpour leaves you with nowhere to seek shelter on an open boat.

5. A canal tour makes you hungry (and thirsty…)

I’m not sure what it is, but sailing tends to make you crave delicious food and drinks! So make sure to arrange some snacks and beverages for the journey. For private boat tours, dinner cruises, and luxury canal cruises, you won’t need to bring anything yourself. However, for most other boat tours, it’s best to stock up on provisions in advance and bring them on board.

6. Capture the moments!

If there’s one city that’s photogenic, it’s Amsterdam, especially from the water. Colorful, vibrant, diverse, idyllic, historical, and distinctive. Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged and/or bring your camera along. Seize the right moments, and you’ll have beautiful memories for later and great content for your social media.

7. Save time and money: combine your canal tour with other attractions

Except for the hop-on hop-off canal cruise, most canal tours don’t take up the entire day. Combining your canal tour with other activities is not only efficient, but often more cost-effective than buying separate tickets. Some obvious combinations include:

1. Canal cruise with onboard dining
2. Blue Boat canal cruise + Heineken Experience + De Pijp district + Albert Cuyp Market
3. Blue Boat canal cruise + Van Gogh Museum + Vondelpark
4. Lovers canal cruise + Rijksmuseum + De Pijp district
5. Friendship canal cruise + Red Light District
6. Flagship canal cruise + Anne Frank House + Jordaan district
7. Harbor cruise + NDSM area
8. Hop-on hop-off canal cruise + everything

8. Reserve your canal tour in advance

Amsterdam keeps getting busier, and canal tours are incredibly popular among both locals and tourists. Especially during good weather, weekends, and holidays, it can be challenging to arrange a last-minute canal tour. Don’t want to miss out on your favorite cruise? Make a reservation in advance. In most cases, you can easily do this online.