After dark the bridges and canal houses are lit up. The city looks different from the water than it does by day — and it is quieter, too.
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Amsterdam lights up the arches of its canal bridges. Sail along the Herengracht in the evening and you see a chain of lit arches reflected in the water — which is why the evening cruise goes down better with many guests than the daytime version, even though the route is the same.
The right time depends on the season. In December it gets dark shortly after 16:30, in June not until after 22:00. If you want to catch the blue hour, book a late departure in summer and an early one in winter.
On the water it is noticeably cooler in the evening than in the city — in summer too. Open boats usually have blankets on board, but you should still bring a jacket.
From the inexpensive cruise on a large boat to a trip in a small boat with a bar on board.
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The best-rated evening cruise in the city. Small boat, live commentary, digital guide in eight languages; drinks can be added on as an option.
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The classic evening cruise on a covered boat — heated and weatherproof, with German recorded commentary. Wine and snacks can be added on.
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Saloon boat with a bar, live guide and three jetties to choose from. You pay for the drinks individually on board; they are not included in the ticket.
Evening cruise on a saloon boat with a live skipper, leaving from Westermarkt next to the Anne Frank House.
Blue Boat's longer evening version with German recorded commentary. Covered boat, so relaxed in the rain as well.
from €18.52
per personFree cancellation up to 24 hours before
Check availabilityBooked via Headout
An hour and a half with a selection of Dutch cheeses and matching wine. Starts at the Lovers Café by Centraal Station.
An open boat, so a clear view of the lit bridges — the better choice for photos than a glazed boat. Dress warmly.
A quiet evening cruise on a classic saloon boat from Amsterdam Centraal. Drinks and nibbles can be added on as an option.
from €23.95
per personFree cancellation up to 24 hours before
Check availabilityBooked via Headout
So that the cruise falls into dusk — then you see both: the city in the last of the daylight and the illumination. In winter that means a departure around 17:00, in high summer around 21:30. Cruises that start much earlier are, in summer, simply daytime cruises at an evening price.
It is cooler on the water than in the city, and the wind often picks up in the evening. The large covered boats are heated, so it is not an issue there. On open and half-open boats you should have a jacket with you even in summer; blankets are usually on board.
Yes, but open boats are far better for it. On glazed boats the interior lighting and steamed-up windows show up in every shot. If photos matter to you, book an open boat and sit by the edge. A tripod, incidentally, does not help — the boat moves.
Mornings are the quietest on the canals, and the soft light is good for photographs. Afternoons are the busiest — on the water and on the banks; that makes the cruise livelier, but also more crowded. In the evening the bridges are lit and the mood is quite different; that is the time most guests remember most fondly. Bear the season in mind: in December it gets dark shortly after half past four, in June not until after ten.
The classic one-hour cruise is the cheapest option. Small boats with a live guide sit a few euros above it. It gets considerably more expensive as soon as food or unlimited drinks are included — the price is then quickly three to five times as high. The current prices are shown with every tour on this site; we pull them straight from the providers' systems rather than entering them by hand.
For the classic cruise in the off season, not necessarily — you can walk to the jetty and buy a ticket for the next departure. In high season, at weekends and on public holidays you should reserve: the popular cruises regularly sell out then, and queues form at the ticket desks by Centraal Station. For all the smaller boats, for cruises with a live guide and for anything with food or drinks, one rule applies: book ahead without fail. These boats have twelve to thirty seats and are often full days in advance.
Most visitors are well served by the classic one-hour cruise — it is the cheapest and runs most often. If you want a bit more, take a small open boat with a live guide.
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