Best of Amsterdam: Canal Cruise and Heineken Experience

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• Amsterdam Centraal (Pass by)

  Admire Amsterdam Centraal Station from the water, an impressive landmark built across artificial islands and supported by thousands of wooden piles. Its striking red-brick façade, distinctive towers, and waterfront setting make it one of Amsterdam’s most recognisable gateways.

  Admission ticket free
• Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam (Pass by)

  Pass the grand Victoria Hotel near Amsterdam Centraal, one of the city’s most recognisable historic hotels. Look closely at its façade to spot two small houses built into the structure, a quirky detail linked to owners who famously refused to sell.

  Admission ticket free
• St. Nicholas Basilica (Pass by)

  Cruise past the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, dedicated to Amsterdam’s patron saint and protector of sailors. Its striking dome and twin towers reflect the city’s long-standing connection to faith, maritime trade, and life on the water.

  Admission ticket free
• Montelbaanstoren (Pass by)

  Spot the Montelbaanstoren, a former defensive tower later crowned with an elegant Golden Age top. Its slight lean and old nickname, “Crazy Jaap,” give this historic waterside landmark plenty of character.

  Admission ticket free
• De Sluyswacht (Pass by)

  Pass the small leaning lock master’s house, once home to the person responsible for managing the nearby water lock. Its crooked shape and setting near Rembrandt’s former neighborhood make it one of the canal’s most charming little details.

  Admission ticket free
• Rembrandts Amsterdam Experience (Pass by)

  See the area around Rembrandt’s former home, where the artist lived and worked during some of the most important years of his career. The house reflects both his remarkable success and financial struggles, offering a glimpse into the life behind one of Amsterdam’s greatest artistic legacies.

  Admission ticket free
• Waterlooplein Market (Pass by)

  Cruise near Waterlooplein, home to the Netherlands’ oldest flea market. The square reflects layers of Amsterdam’s history, from Jewish trade and everyday market life to wartime disruption and the city’s post-war renewal.

  Admission ticket free
• Portuguese Synagogue of Amsterdam (Pass by)

  Pass near Waterlooplein, a lively square known for the Netherlands’ oldest flea market. Behind today’s market atmosphere lies a deeper story shaped by Amsterdam’s Jewish community, the impact of World War II, and the area’s later revival.

  Admission ticket free
• Raamgracht (Pass by)

  Glide along the peaceful Raamgracht, a canal once closely tied to Amsterdam’s textile trade. Over time, the surrounding area became part of the city’s Jewish quarter, adding layers of craft, community, and history to this quiet waterway.

  Admission ticket free
• (Pass by)

  Pause along the canal to admire the distinctive tower of the Zuiderkerk, Amsterdam’s first church built specifically for Protestant worship. Its history is closely linked to Rembrandt, who lived nearby and whose three children were buried here.

  Admission ticket free
• The Amstel (Pass by)

  Cruise onto the Amstel River, the natural waterway that gave Amsterdam its name. Unlike the city’s man-made canals, the Amstel is the river at the heart of Amsterdam’s origins and early development.

  Admission ticket free
• Blauwbrug (Pass by)

  Cruise beneath or alongside the Blauwbrug, one of Amsterdam’s most impressive bridges. Despite its name meaning “Blue Bridge,” the structure you see today is an ornate stone bridge with elegant details inspired by Parisian design.

  Admission ticket free
• H'ART Museum (Pass by)

  See the H’ART Museum, set inside a grand historic building that has served many purposes over the centuries. Once a retirement home and later transformed into a major art museum, it reflects Amsterdam’s talent for preserving the past while giving it new life.

  Admission ticket free
• The Dancing Houses (Pass by)

  Look out for the famous Dancing Houses, a row of narrow canal homes that appear to lean and sway side by side. Their distinctive angles are the result of Amsterdam’s soft ground, wooden foundations, and centuries of gradual settling.

  Admission ticket free
• Het Scheepvaartmuseum| The National Maritime Museum (Pass by)

  Pass the National Maritime Museum, set inside a former naval storehouse on the waterfront. Its grand setting reflects Amsterdam’s long history of seafaring, global trade, and enduring connection to the water.

  Admission ticket free
• NEMO Science Museum (Pass by)

  See the striking NEMO Science Museum, its green ship-like form rising above the water. The building is one of Amsterdam’s most distinctive modern landmarks, and its rooftop terrace offers sweeping views across the city.

  Admission ticket free
• Kuuma Marineterrein (Pass by)

  Cruise past Marineterrein, a former naval site now transformed into a hub for innovation, public waterfront spaces, and open-air swimming. It offers a glimpse of Amsterdam’s more modern relationship with the water.

  Admission ticket free
• Magere Brug (Pass by)

  Pass beneath the elegant Magere Brug, one of Amsterdam’s most photographed bridges. Known as the “Skinny Bridge,” this graceful white drawbridge crosses the Amstel and is closely tied to local legends, romantic traditions, and classic canal views.

  Admission ticket free
• Hortus Botanicus (Pass by)

  Cruise near Hortus Botanicus, one of the world’s oldest botanical gardens. Originally created as a medicinal herb garden, it later expanded with exotic plants brought to Amsterdam through the city’s far-reaching trade networks.

  Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Not recommended for travelers with motion sickness

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