After several attempts to book a private boat tour with a local, seeing excessive lines and wait times at the docks, and being told at the boat tour booking office that all the boat tours were full, I was afraid that a boat tour wasn’t going to work out for us. Mr. Meena decided we should just walk along the docks until we found one we liked, and so we did.
The tour cost €32 for both of us and lasted for an hour. At first I was disoriented because the man driving the boat didn’t talk to us at all, not even to say hello. But I can kind of understand because the audio guide did the talking for him (and came in 21 languages).
The tour was lovely from the very beginning. I slid open the window next to my seat so that I could stick my camera out and take photos, much to the chagrin of the woman behind me.
Throughout the tour my backseat companion alternated between trying to get me to move so that she could take a photo from my open window and getting angry when I wouldn’t close it all the way (it was pretty cold, but I paid to enjoy my tour and she could have moved to another seat). She made several demanding requests to me (in Spanish) and she even walked up to the front of the boat once, startling our driver, in order to snap some photos with her phone. Mr. Meena and I tried to laugh it off, but she drove us a little batty.
One of the first things we saw on our tour was the Montelbaanstoren tower, which was built in 1516 and incorporated into the defensive walls around Amsterdam as a watch tower. But when the walls were replaced with bulwarks the tower got an upgrade in the form of a decorative clock on its upper portion.
So pretty.
We saw the Opera House from the water (which we’d briefly experienced from land during our visit to the NAP Visitors Centre).
Next we passed by the Seven Bridges, where we stopped for a moment in order for everyone to go nuts taking photos (I was on the wrong side of the boat for a photo, but you can see what it looks like here).
The tour took us past mansions (or at least what qualifies as mansions in Amsterdam) occupied by various businesses since no one can afford to live in them anymore. We floated down wide canals and narrow ones, saw leaning houses, famously narrow houses, and houseboats.
We saw plenty of color, as well.
We even saw a DHL floating service center.
The tour took us by the aptly named “House of Heads”, which has six carved heads on its façade featuring six Roman gods. People like to say that six thieves who tried to rob the home and lost their heads to the kitchen maid, thus inspiring the decoration.
We saw the insides of many a canal bridge, including a few that were barely larger than our boat.
We saw some open water as we neared the harbor.
We saw one of the ferries provided by the city, which will take you across the harbor at no cost (and you can take your car for €1.20).
Or you could bike across.
Toward the end of the tour we saw the library (the building on the left below) which I’ve heard is beautiful and I’m sad that we ran out of time to see it.
At least we saw it from the water.
Nearby is this rather impressive three story floating restaurant, called the “Sea Palace”.
While we saw some wonderful sights in Amsterdam during our tour, we also saw some less savory things. Like trash in the water, green slime, decrepit boats, and even one intense duck fight.
The swan was nice.
While the audio guide didn’t give us the personal experience of a knowledgeable tour guide, we still learned a lot and it was nice to just sit and soak it all in. Especially for me, since the arthritis in my knees hit a new pain record during this trip. Overall, I recommend going for a boat tour if you’re visiting Amsterdam. You’ll learn a lot about the city and likely be grateful that you got to view it from the water.
Amsterdam from the water; photos from our canal tour. Click To Tweet
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I didn't even consider taking a boat tour while we were there, will definitely consider this next time!
You won't regret it!
Oooo, I love boat tours! We did one in Strasbourg, and it was nice to escape the cold, rainy weather with a warm hour on the boat. I've only been to Amsterdam briefly, but want to return with hubby in tow. Thanks for linking up!
I loved taking the boat tour in Strasbourg, France, but that's the only experience I've had with them. I visited Amsterdam once just briefly, but hope to return someday for a proper visit. Thanks for linking up!
The boat tour was one of or favourite things to do in Amsterdam. It gave us great photo ops and chance to jump off at various places. Never even considered doi a more private one – something to think about for next time
I think any boat tour in Amsterdam would be great, but a private one would probably be even more special.
I've been twice to Amsterdam and still haven't managed a canal boat tour! I'm definitely doing it the next time we make it there!
We had some similar problems with group of Spanish women when we were in Prague a while back. We did our first Hop On, Hop Off tour (not recommended in Prague) and a group of 4 Spanish women (two behind us and 2 to the side, in the row in front of us) were taking pictures like crazy and talking so loud over us we couldn't hear the audio guide. I had to tell them to be more quiet but to no avail. We got off and didnt get back on. #CityTripping
Aw, what a bummer. Sometimes it is best to simply get away from people who are acting that way… but sad that you had to leave your tour.
beautiful photos! I love canal boat rides. I really liked the one in Bruges!:) #city tripping
Thanks! I’d love to take one in Bruges. 🙂
I think a great way to see Amsterdam is by boat. Not so good seeing the green slime, though 🙁 #citytripping
Yes, you get eye level with some unsavory things at points, but it\’s still worth it. 🙂
I've always been tempted to do a boat tour in Amsterdam but never really had the chance to do so. It seems interesting to see all the buildings from that angle #citytripping
I thought it was very interesting, especially getting to learn about the specific places as you passed them.
Seeing Amsterdam from the water sounds like a wonderful idea.
#citytripping
What a bummer with that backseat companion. Good thing you guys didn't let her get to you and ruin your day. The floating restaurant was pretty unexpected. It reminded me of Hong Kong, not something I thought I would see in Amsterdam. #CityTripping
Right? I would be happy to sit on the water and enjoy a meal at that restaurant.
Amsterdam and Boats! I must not forget to put this on my itinerary. I read about AirBnB offering boat stays in the canal too! Oh that i have to try some day! #citytripping
Yes, a boat stay would be very appropriate in Amsterdam!
Such a great way to see Amsterdam! The opportunity to get a good look at lots of different buildings and it's interesting to get a different perspective. I do like boat tours. Same about the litter in the canal though. Thanks for linking to #citytripping
I agree!
I was in Amsterdam for only a few hours, as I was travelling on to Rotterdam. The canal boat tour was one of the two activities I did there and I enjoyed it a lot. Thanks for taking me back there, through your photos.
Happy to! And I’m glad you got to do it for real, as well.
I think a boat tour is one of the best ways to see the city, I loved ours too (although was also on the wrong side for the bridges). What a shame it wasn't quite what you'd hoped but such gorgeous photos as a result. #citytripping
I agree! I think a private boat tour would have been great, because I could have moved around more and had more time to take it in. But at least we got to take one.
That looks like a great tour! We are going to Amsterdam in October. Maybe we will take this tour!
You should definitely take a boat tour in Amsterdam – it’s a fantastic way to see the city. Have a great trip!
Amsterdam is a great place! Lots of amazing things to do like the Vondelpark, Rijksmuseum or visiting the Anne Frankhouse, just walking around will be amazing, there’s a surprise around every corner! A canal boat tour is always fun. I also would really recommend ‘Drie Graefjes’ which is this amazing bakery with the most delicious cake ever and it’s supercute and cosy. Also the foodhallen are worth a visit, it’s this indoor food market with foodstalls serving food from all over the world, really cool there! I made a short vlog about my trip there so maybe check that out and be inspired!
Thanks for all the tips. 🙂