Our boat tours

Most popular!

Canal Cruise Amsterdam Centre from Anne Frank House

Step aboard the city's best boat tour

  • Sailing time 75 minutes
  • Depart from the Anne Frank House
  • Glass roof (open in good weather)
  • Toilet on board
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361 reviews
From €17.99 per ticket
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Canal Cruise Amsterdam Centre from Central Station

Step aboard the city's best boat tour

  • Sailing time 60 minutes
  • Depart from Central Station
  • Glass roof (open in good weather)
  • Toilet on board
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361 reviews
From €17.99 per ticket
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Sloep rondvaart Amsterdam

Open boat tour Amsterdam

Step aboard the city's best boat tour

  • 75-minute canal cruise
  • Depart from the Anne Frank House
  • 360° view
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232 reviews
From €17.99 per ticket
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Evening Canal Cruise

Discover Amsterdam from the water by evening!

  • Sailing time 75 minutes
  • Depart from the Anne Frank House
  • Take great shots of the city's highlights
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164 reviews
From €17.99 per ticket
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Amsterdam Light Festival

Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise + unlimited drinks 🌟

Boarding location: Central Station

  • 75-minute canal cruise along the light art
  • Depart from Central Station
  • Unlimited drinks, mulled wine welcome drink, lounge back deck, panoramic roof and toilet on board
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150 reviews
From €39.75 per ticket
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Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise in Open Boat 🌟

Boarding location: Central Station

  • 75-minute canal cruise on an open boat
  • Depart from Central Station
  • One free mulled wine
  • Audio tour in Dutch and English
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150 reviews
From €29.75 per ticket
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Amsterdam Light Festival Canal Cruise 🌟

Boarding location: Central Station

  • 75-minute canal cruise along the light art
  • Depart from Central Station
  • One free mulled wine, lounge back deck, panoramic roof and toilet on board
  • Audio tour in Dutch and English
Tripadvisor icon
150 reviews
From €29.75 per ticket
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Evening Winter Lights Cruise

Experience beautifully illuminated Amsterdam on this atmospheric canal cruise, with one glass of mulled wine included ✨🍷

  • 90-minute canal cruise
  • Depart from Anne Frank House
  • One free mulled wine, lounge back deck, panoramic roof and toilet on board
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242 reviews
From €19.95 per ticket
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Through the eyes of our passengers

Thousands have cruised with us – read what they had to say about their experience.

Super experience with captain Dex! Highly recommended!

1 April 2025

What a wonderful boat trip I had with my 3 year old daughter! Captain Dex was really great - helpful, friendly and with a lot of knowledge of the canal belt - and showed us Amsterdam in a wonderful way. I can highly recommend a boat trip with Captain Dex and Circle Line!
Author photo Lars H
Lars H Amsterdam, Nederland

Highly recommended if you don’t want a standard cruise

1 April 2025    Couples

A very nice experience, partly because of the enthusiastic guide who told facts that I had not heard before while I have been to Amsterdam often. What is also very nice, was that it is not as massive as I see with other boat companies. Really recommended!
Author photo Astrid P
Astrid P

Relaxing and educational trip

1 April 2025    Families

What a nice Captain and a nice neat clean boat Were told a lot of fun facts and also humor Worth repeating
Author photo Nancy V
Nancy V

Experience the best of Amsterdam from the water

Amsterdam is a city you only really get to know from the water. The canals, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, offer a beautiful backdrop with historic bridges, monumental canal houses and iconic locations such as the Skinny Bridge and the Jordaan district. With a boat tour, you will discover Amsterdam’s unique charm in a relaxed atmosphere. At Amsterdam Circle Line, we have been making every cruise special since 2001. With skippers who know Amsterdam inside out, a sustainable electric fleet and a personal approach, we ensure an experience that goes beyond sightseeing.

Our boats and service are designed to make your experience as pleasant as possible:

  • 100% electric boats: cruise quietly and environmentally friendly through the canals
  • Flexible roof and sunny aft deck: enjoy the sunshine or stay warm inside, depending on the weather
  • Heated cabins: perfect for colder days
  • Multilingual audio guides: available in seven languages with fascinating stories and facts about Amsterdam
  • Child-friendly: including colouring pictures and fun facts for younger visitors
  • Hospitable skippers: personal stories and insider tips make every trip unique

With a wide range of canal cruises, Amsterdam Circle Line offers a suitable experience for everyone:

  • Standard boat tour (60 minutes): discover the most beautiful places in Amsterdam at a relaxed pace, with highlights such as the Golden Bend and the Anne Frank House
  • Hamburger dinner boat tour (75 minutes): a tasty (also vegan) burger and fries, combined with the charm of Amsterdam’s canals
  • Private and group cruises: an intimate boat tour for two or a cosy trip with friends or family. We offer customised cruises for every occasion
  • Seasonal boat tours: depending on the season, there are special boat tours. For example, there are Amsterdam Light Festival boat tours in winter.

Amsterdam Circle Line departs from two centrally located locations: at the Anne Frank House and Central Station. Thanks to these locations, our canal cruises can easily be combined with a day out in the city. Our Anne Frank boarding location also serve drinks and snacks to complete your cruise.

Amsterdam Canal Cruises • Smidtje Canal Cruises Amsterdam - Méér dan een Rondvaart
Smidtje Canal Cruises Amsterdam icon

Canal Cruises in Amsterdam with Smidtje Canal Cruises

Amsterdam is a city best experienced from the water. Its world-famous canal belt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, forms an unforgettable backdrop of historic bridges, iconic merchant houses, and hidden gems. A boat tour through Amsterdam lets you discover the unique charm of the capital in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

From Amsterdam Circle Line to Smidtje Canal Cruises

You might still remember us by our former name. Under the trusted banner of Amsterdam Circle Line, we have been making every boat tour special since 2001. Today, we carry on that proud tradition as Smidtje Canal Cruises.

What changed? Only the name. Everything that sets us apart has remained the same: a genuine passion for the city and a personal approach. We focus on true hospitality and taking the time to deliver an unforgettable experience. With experienced captains who know Amsterdam inside out, a sustainable electric fleet, and personal attention, we offer a relaxing journey that goes far beyond a standard sightseeing tour.

The best canal cruises in Amsterdam

Every trip to Amsterdam is different, which is why we offer a variety of boat tours. Find the experience that best fits your plans:

Classic canal cruise

Our most popular option! Board one of our comfortable, covered boats and enjoy the city’s key highlights. Prefer a bit of fresh air? These versatile boats also offer outdoor seating. You can easily board at two central locations in the city: directly opposite Central Station, or right next to the iconic Anne Frank House on the Prinsengracht.

Open boat tour

Soaking up a sunny day? Opt for our open sloops and boats. With no roof overhead, you’ll feel completely immersed in the city, enjoying the sunshine while taking unobstructed photos of the historic bridges and canal houses.

Evening cruise

As night falls, Amsterdam transforms into an enchantingly illuminated open-air museum. Offered during specific times of the year, our evening boat tours glide past beautifully lit bridges as the city lights shimmer on the water, the ideal start to a romantic evening.

Amsterdam Light Festival

During the winter months, Smidtje Canal Cruises is an official partner of the Amsterdam Light Festival. Sail past breathtaking light installations right on the water with several tailored options:

Amsterdam Canal Cruises • Smidtje Canal Cruises Amsterdam - Méér dan een Rondvaart
Smidtje Canal Cruises Amsterdam icon

What will you see along the way?

Depending on where you board, we offer two distinct main routes packed with sights.

Route from the Anne Frank House (Prinsengracht)

If you depart from the Smidtje Canal Café, your journey begins on the iconic Prinsengracht, offering immediate views of the imposing Westerkerk. Cruising via the picturesque Leidsegracht, we turn onto the Herengracht, where you can admire the opulent Golden Age merchant mansions along the famous Golden Bend.

The tour continues past the National Opera & Ballet (Stopera) building near Waterlooplein. Passing through the Oudeschansm where the historic Montelbaanstoren has stood watch for centuries, we enter the open waters of the Oosterdok. Here you will experience a striking contrast between past and present, from the historic VOC ship Amsterdam to the futuristic NEMO Science Museum. Finally, we sail past Central Station and venture briefly onto the open IJ via the Westertoegang before returning to the starting point via the charming Korte Prinsengracht.

Route from Amsterdam Central Station

Departing near Central Station takes you straight into the historic heart of the city via the Singel, Amsterdam’s oldest canal. We soon navigate onto the Herengracht and follow this stunning waterway past the lively Rembrandtplein area, surrounded by endless rows of classic stepped, neck, and bell gables.

Next, we glide past the National Opera & Ballet and continue along the wide Oudeschans. Passing historic warehouses and the iconic Montelbaanstoren, the route brings us out onto the open Oosterdok with sweeping views of the Maritime Museum, before gently returning to our docks at Central Station.

Discover more with Amsterdam Circle Line

Smidtje Canal Café

While many tour operators leave guests waiting on the pavement, we provide a complete, comfortable experience. Just steps away from the Anne Frank House boarding point sits Smidtje Canal Café de Dialoog, beautifully situated right on the Prinsengracht.

Drop by before or after your canal cruise to relax over lunch, dinner, or a refreshing drink—it’s the perfect spot to start or wrap up your day in Amsterdam.

Onboard Snacks

Feeling hungry during the tour? We have you covered. Before stepping aboard at the Anne Frank House location, you can pick up cold drinks and fresh snacks at our café to bring onto the boat. From the café, you’ll step straight onto the vessel for a charming boat tour that seamlessly blends history, flavor, and scenic views.

Please note: Onboard snack purchases are not available for departures from Central Station.

Our menu

Private canal tours

For those looking for an exclusive experience in Amsterdam, Smidtje Luxury Cruises by Amsterdam Circle Line offers unforgettable private boat tours on the iconic canals. These luxury cruises are perfect for events such as weddings, birthdays or business meetings. You cruise on classic, heated boats that are both stylish and comfortable, allowing you to enjoy the city in all weather conditions.

With options for bespoke catering, professional service and unique extras such as live entertainment, you can tailor your cruise to suit your needs. Whether you are an intimate party or a larger group, our fleet and professional service ensure a luxurious experience on the water.

Amsterdam Circle Line ensures that your day on the water is perfectly taken care of and organized down to the last detail. Request a quote via the button or email us at info@amsterdamcircleline.nl with your preferences and wishes.

Discover possibilities
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