On the water · CANAL CRUISES

Canal Cruises Worldwide: 15 Cities to Book

67 tours  ·  from $9 a head

Amsterdam wrote the format and half of Europe copied it. These 15 compare the open boats and the glass-roofed ones, the unlimited-drinks tickets and the plain hour, with the winter heating question answered for each.

Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks & Bites option - Anne Frank House and Westerkerk
Amsterdam Boat Tours, Boat Tours, Canal Cruises, Canal Cruises in Amsterdam, Canal Cruises in the Netherlands, Cruises with Open Bar, Cruises with Open Bar in Amsterdam, Cruises with Open Bar in the Netherlands, Netherlands Boat Tours, Tour Reviews

Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks & Bites option

1.Amsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks & Bites option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30,518 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $18Our pick

Cruise Amsterdam’s canals for about an hour with a skipper and live English guide. You’ll pass Jordaan, the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Magere Brug, and the Bridge of 15 Bridges. Choose the unlimited drinks and bites option if you want wine, beer, soft drinks, and a small snack while you sail.

“This is a wonderful your! Zet (not suit of his spelling) out your guide was incredible. He was fun, full of energy, entertaining and very knowledgeable. The captain (do not remember his name) was also knowledgeable and they both also answered questions with ease. The captain maneuvered the canals like a pro. Great tour especially during the Festival of Lights. Highly recommend!”

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Amsterdam: Heated Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Bite - The Skinny Bridge, Hermitage Museum, and Amstel Hotel
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Amsterdam: Heated Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Bite

2.Heated Canal Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Bite

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21,431 reviews · 1 - 1.5 hours · from $18

See Amsterdam from a warm, fully electric boat as your English-speaking skipper and host point out the Maritime Museum, Anne Frank House, Skinny Bridge, Hermitage Museum, Golden Bend, and Amstel Hotel. Choose unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and one portion of snacks. Boats may be open or enclosed depending on the weather.

“Fantastic tour with two amazing guides. Very knowledgable and fun! Would recommend.”

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Amsterdam: 75 Minute City Canal Cruise with Audio Guide - What you see during the 75-minute route
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Amsterdam: 75 Minute City Canal Cruise with Audio Guide

3.75 Minute City Canal Cruise with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 19,938 reviews · 1h 15m · from $18

Spend 75 minutes on Amsterdam’s canals, passing Westerkerk, the Anne Frank House area, Magere Brug, Rijksmuseum, and modern sights near the IJ. Choose an audio guide in 19 languages, or let children follow a Fresh Water Pirate story with a booklet and goodie bag. Snackbox sailings add sweet and savory bites plus a drink.

“We has a very nice experience. Very relaxed and nice view of the city both in the daytime and the advent of evening.”

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Amsterdam: City Centre Canal Cruise including Audioguide - Four starting points, four useful locations
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Amsterdam: City Centre Canal Cruise including Audioguide

4.City Centre Canal Cruise including Audioguide

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 16,901 reviews · 1 hour · from $17

Spend one hour cruising Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canal district from Central Station, Anne Frank House, Leidseplein, or the Rijksmuseum. Expect merchant houses, bridges, churches, and audio commentary in 19 languages. Captains may add jokes and local facts. Boats are heated, routes vary, and boarding can take longer at busy times.

“Loved it, the sailor was so friendly, not that much queue as they were well organised, just make sure to arrive on time, also they played music while everyone were trying to settle in, taking us round the major attractions of Amsterdam.”

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Copenhagen: Canal Cruise with Guide - Starting at Ved Stranden beside the old city
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Copenhagen: Canal Cruise with Guide

5.Copenhagen: Canal Cruise with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 9,115 reviews · from $26

Cruise Copenhagen’s harbor and canals for one hour with an English or Danish guide, passing Christiansborg, Amalienborg, the Opera House, the Stock Exchange, and the Little Mermaid. Guides such as Peter, Tony, Ali, and Kristian have brought plenty of humor to the ride. Boats may be open, so pack for the weather.

“It was a nice way to see Copenhagen! Our guide was very informative and kind.”

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Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride - Entering Thonburi through the canal locks
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Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride

6.Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,909 reviews · from $37

Meet your English-speaking guide near Wat Pho, then cross the Chao Phraya River by traditional longtail boat into Thonburi. Over about two hours, you’ll pass canal-side homes, Wat Arun, and Wat Paknam’s giant Buddha, with a 30-minute stop at Baan Silapin, the Artist’s House. Morning and afternoon departures are available.

“Nothing special , hot weather , hat , water , good pictures possible , no time to seat for a drink , special plaisant guide !”

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Amsterdam: Covered Canal Booze Cruise with Unlimited Drinks - Starting in the old center near the Red Light District
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Amsterdam: Covered Canal Booze Cruise with Unlimited Drinks

7.Covered Canal Booze Cruise with Unlimited Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 5,435 reviews · 1 hour · from $18

Cruise Amsterdam’s central canals and the Amstel River on a partly covered boat for one hour. Choose two drinks or an unlimited open bar with beer, wine, and soda. An English-speaking host such as Diana, Edward, or Sabrina shares city stories while the skipper handles the narrow waterways. The boat holds up to 26 people.

“Excellent tour. The day before, I received news that my schedule had to be changed. We changed it to the previous day for 8:30 p.m., and it was the best choice because we caught the daytime, sunset, and after dark, so we saw the city in sunlight and at night. Perfect, and I recommend this schedule. The guides were very fun and attentive.”

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Amsterdam: City Canal Cruise and Heineken Experience Ticket - Beginning at the Heineken Experience on Stadhouderskade 78
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Amsterdam: City Canal Cruise and Heineken Experience Ticket

8.City Canal Cruise and Heineken Experience Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,367 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Start with a timed visit to the Heineken Experience at Stadhouderskade 78, then take an open-ticket canal cruise from one of two nearby docks. Expect an interactive brewery tour, two complimentary drinks, historic canals, modern architecture, audio commentary in 19 languages, and fine views of the Rijksmuseum, Magere Brug, NEMO, and the IJ River.

“More information can be added to the boat cruise. The Heineken experience was very informative and highly recommended!”

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Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Open Boat with Unlimited Drinks Option - Westerkerk and the Jordaan from the water
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Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Open Boat with Unlimited Drinks Option

9.Amsterdam Canal Cruise in Open Boat with Unlimited Drinks Option

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,976 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $21

Spend about an hour on Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canals aboard a sleek electric boat with an English-speaking captain. You’ll pass Westerkerk, the Jordaan, and the Hermitage Museum, with time for photos and city stories. Open boats offer clear views, while blankets and umbrellas help in poor weather. An unlimited drinks upgrade is available, though service may vary.

“Very comfortable on the boat. It even started to rain and they had large umbrellas available for us to use. Our captain was great at maneuvering the boat in busy "traffic" and some sharp corners.”

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Amsterdam Newest Canal Cruise with local guide and small group - The canal ring from the water
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Amsterdam Newest Canal Cruise with local guide and small group

10.Amsterdam Newest Canal Cruise with local guide and small group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,735 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $21

Cruise Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canal ring for about an hour in a small boat with a local English-speaking skipper. Guides such as Mark, JJ, Eddie, and Alfred are praised for lively stories, while the boat can reach narrower canals than larger vessels. Open or half-covered seating depends on weather, with blankets, ponchos, and umbrellas available.

“I had heard that small boats were the best. That was certainly true of our experience today. Jasper was a great guide.”

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Manchester: Canal & River Cruise - Starting under the blue and white Millennium Lift Bridge
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Manchester: Canal & River Cruise

11.Manchester: Canal & River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,638 reviews · 1 hour · from $16Best value

Spend one hour cruising from Salford Quays along the Manchester Ship Canal and River Irwell. An English commentary explains Manchester’s industrial past as you pass MediaCityUK, Old Trafford, Imperial War Museum North, Pomona Docks, Stephenson’s 1830 railway bridge, and Hulme Lock. Choose indoor or outdoor seating, with light refreshments and a toilet on board.

“Great value and I was expecting something very basic. Didn’t realise there was going to be tables and a reasonably priced bar on board. Lady behind the bar friendly and chatty which is also nice.”

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Milan: Navigli Canal Boat Cruise - From Alzaia Naviglio Grande to the case di Ringhiera
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Milan: Navigli Canal Boat Cruise

12.Navigli Canal Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 4,502 reviews · 50 min · from $25

Spend 50 minutes on a small electric boat along Milan’s Naviglio Grande. An Italian and English-speaking host helps with boarding, while a QR-code audio guide covers the canal’s landmarks in five languages. You’ll pass working-class houses, San Cristoforo, Vicolo dei Lavandai, Darsena, and Leonardo da Vinci’s Conchetta.

“Really nice boat trip, it was very short but sweet trip a perfect activity to do when you have a little time, after a meal our or on a hot day want a little cruise along the canal it’s really beautiful.”

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Bangkok: Longtail Boat Canal Cruise - Starting near Wat Pho and crossing the river
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Bangkok: Longtail Boat Canal Cruise

13.Longtail Boat Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 4,076 reviews · 2 hours · from $36

Cruise Bangkok’s klongs with an English-speaking guide, passing Wat Arun and Wat Paknam’s giant Buddha before exploring Khlong Bang Luang and its 200-year-old Artist’s House. Guides such as Ken, Bella, Pam, and Neo add local stories, humor, and practical help. Expect about 40 minutes on foot, boat noise, and possible delays at a canal lock.

“Brilliant canal cruise, our guide was really informative. We only had a day in Bangkok so that was a great way to see plenty of sights. Would definitely recommend.”

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Prague: Canal Cruise Around Charles Bridge - Charles Bridge from below
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Prague: Canal Cruise Around Charles Bridge

14.Canal Cruise Around Charles Bridge

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,986 reviews · 45 min · from $26

Spend 45 minutes on a traditional boat along Prague’s Vltava River, with audio commentary in 19 languages. You’ll pass Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, the National Theatre, Rudolfinum, and the narrow Devil’s Channel. A drink, seasonal snack, and Charles Bridge Museum admission are included. Redeem your ticket downstairs at the museum first.

“Easy to find. Friendly staff. Nice touches be offered drinks - tea beer lemonade ice cream or gingerbread. Good commentary. Went gently up and down a relatively small section of the river. Glad to go up the Devil’s Channel as this was quirky. Relaxing. Popped into museum afterwards for an added bonus. Recommend.”

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Amsterdam: Van Gogh Museum Ticket and City Canal Cruise - Planning the museum before the boat
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Amsterdam: Van Gogh Museum Ticket and City Canal Cruise

15.Van Gogh Museum Ticket and City Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,899 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Visit the Van Gogh Museum at your reserved time, then take a flexible 75-minute cruise past Amsterdam’s canals, bridges, merchant houses, and modern architecture. The museum audio guide costs extra, while the cruise includes earphones and commentary in 21 languages. Some ticket options also include a snack box.

“Really enjoyable. Van Gogh Museum was really interesting and showed the best art as well as his life. The canal tour was great as well, the guide was really funny and added extra information from what was in the audio guide. Would recommend to anyone who wanted to learn more about Amsterdam.”

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New in Canal Cruises

★ 4.3Cruise on the Saint-Martin Canal and Seine RiverFrom $282,202 reviews
★ 4.3Seine River and Canal Saint-Martin CruiseFrom $281,445 reviews
★ 4.4Ottawa: Rideau Canal CruiseFrom $411,303 reviews
★ 4.5Middelburg: City Canal CruiseFrom $17527 reviews
★ 4.5Canal Boat Ride on Camden LockFrom $26877 reviews
★ 4.7Dochgarroch: Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal 2-Hour CruiseFrom $411,959 reviews
★ 4.6Leiden: Guided City Canal CruiseFrom $15724 reviews
★ 4.7Haarlem: Guided Highlights Canal Cruise on Open BoatFrom $20363 reviews
★ 4.3Haarlem: Sightseeing Canal Cruise through the City CenterFrom $19762 reviews
★ 4.3Groningen: City Canal CruiseFrom $20895 reviews
★ 4.7Gothenburg: City Canal Sightseeing CruiseFrom $30470 reviews
★ 4.6Giethoorn: Village & National Park Canal Cruise with CoffeeFrom $121,596 reviews
★ 4.4From Brussels: Day Trip to Amsterdam with Canal Boat CruiseFrom $811,243 reviews
★ 4.8Giethoorn Guided Day Trip with Canal CruiseFrom $80335 reviews
★ 4.4Durban Point Waterfront: Luxury Canal Boat CruiseFrom $9298 reviews

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