Tour Details
Duration
2 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
Amsterdam Canal Belt
Photos & Highlights
- Cruise through Amsterdam’s world-famous canal belt in a private saloon boat, accompanied by a local historian
- Bask in local history, culture, and architecture and engage every member of your group
Select a date
Tour Description
Step aboard an historic saloon boat, joining a local historian for a 90-minute cruise along Amsterdam’s world-famous Canal Belt, itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While aboard, your expert will unlock the secrets to the urban planning that created a city built on water. This intimate experience blends stunning views with rich storytelling, offering the perfect balance of architecture, history, and discovery.
The boat itself is part of the magic. These historic, beautifully restored, fully-electrified saloon boats were once the traditional means of commuting for Amsterdam’s wealthier inhabitants. Today, they can transport you through smaller waterways the larger commercial boats can’t reach. With this flexibility, you will cover much more ground than you could with a walking tour.
Enjoy an uninterrupted look at Amsterdam’s many canal houses, houseboats, and historic buildings from this fitting vantage point, without the noise and distractions of street traffic and bicycles. The route is thoughtfully curated to showcase iconic spots, notable historic buildings, different aspects of the city’s growth, and the fascinating history of its canals. You’ll focus on the Amsterdam Canal Belt area, but also explore some of the oldest parts of the city, uncovering all the different layers of Amsterdam’s history.
Choose this tour if…
- You’re interested in an intimate exploration of the city from a unique perspective away from the crowds
- You’re an architecture buff curious about urban planning and want to know more about how and why Amsterdam developed its iconic waterways
- You’re a history lover interested in exploring Amsterdam’s economic past
- You’re traveling with family who may prefer the leisure of a boat tour
- You’re looking for an activity at the start of your trip, to get yourself orientated
Experts
Discover the history, architecture, and urban planning that makes Amsterdam unique
“We love the great academic 'context' and passion the Context tour guides possess. Maja is bubbly and overflowing with wonderful information about history, art and for this tour the significance of the dams and canal system in 'shaping' this Amsterdam land. We also got to view and better understand the architecture and related business and residential underpinnings. And discovered some 'hidden gems' along the walking part. Beautiful historical boat to top off the charm of the canals.”
Luxuriate while you're regaled with captivating histories
“By far this was one of our favorite parts of our trip, the boat was beautiful and very comfortable and both Henk and the Captain shared lots of good stories and history of Amsterdam. Henk is a wealth of knowledge and very engaging. We saw and experienced things that we would never have been able to do on our own. 5 Stars all the way!”
Create memories for the whole family
“Barend was an excellent guide during our canal cruise. He has a warm personality and has many insights into Dutch history, culture and politics. We were a group of five ranging in age from 14 years to 82 years and he managed to keep it interesting for everyone. The boat was lovely and the captain was pleasant. Thank you Barend and crew for making the trip memorable and enjoyable.”
Your journey begins on land, where a local historian will set the scene with an introduction to Amsterdam and its canal system.
Setting out on the water along the carefully-curated route, your expert will bring the canals to life with engaging stories and fascinating insights into the city’s architecture, urban planning, cultural life, and economic past.
Uncover the ingenuity behind Amsterdam’s Golden Age canal expansion: the Canal Belt area, an ambitious feat of engineering born from trade prosperity, immigration, and the Dutch mastery of water management. Learn how to see beyond the postcard-perfect scenery to uncover the role of the Amsterdam Canal Belt in shaping the city’s social and economic fabric over the last 400 years.
Finish where you began, now seeing the city with new eyes. Amsterdam’s charming views are no longer just pretty scenes; they’re filled with stories, history, and hidden details that you’ll find yourself spotting again and again.
This thoughtfully crafted experience connects the dots between past and present, grand history and small details. Whether you’re an architecture lover, a history enthusiast, or simply curious, you’ll leave with a richer appreciation for Amsterdam and the history of its canals.
- Amsterdam’s Canal Belt - 17th-century network of waterways and canals winding through the city center
This is an all-outdoor boat tour. We currently offer an optional private transfer service from your hotel to the meeting point.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Wheelchair accessibility
The boats are unfortunately not fully wheelchair accessible. If you use a folding wheelchair and are able to walk with assistance onto the boat and sit on the couch of the boat, rather than in the wheelchair, the boat will be suitable for you. If you have any mobility concerns, please feel free to contact us before booking; we can help you decide if this tour will suit you.
Service dog accommodations
Service dogs are welcome and can be accommodated on this tour.
For more information about Context tours, please visit our FAQ page.
Can we request a different pick-up location?
Yes, when booked privately, this tour can begin from other locations. Please contact us for specific requests.
Yes, when booked privately, this tour can begin from other locations. Please contact us for specific requests.
Is it safe to take children on board?
Yes, although the boat is partially open. Parents should keep close watch over their children while boarding/disembarking and during the cruise.
Yes, although the boat is partially open. Parents should keep close watch over their children while boarding/disembarking and during the cruise.
Where You'll Start
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118 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
We had the absolute pleasure of doing a canal tour in Amsterdam with Lora, which was truly one of the highlights of our trip. Lora holds a PhD in art history, teaches at the University of Amsterdam, and has an impressive curator background in Istanbul and Texas. Beyond her credentials, she was incredibly down-to-earth, engaging, and fun.
Lora’s deep personal connection to the city made this tour extra special; she’s lived in several of the neighborhoods we toured and shared stories and insights you won’t get from a guidebook. Her knowledge of Amsterdam's art, architecture, and history was remarkable, and she tailored the experience beautifully, even offering advice and helpful information to our soon-to-be university student considering studying abroad here.
The boat was stunning, our captain was warm and welcoming, and we lucked out with gorgeous weather. It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon, relaxing, educational, and beautiful.
If you’re visiting Amsterdam, I highly recommend booking a tour with Lora early. It gives you a true sense of the city, and there’s no better way to experience it than from the water.
Amy
Reviewed on:
Jun 18, 2025
Wow!! What an incredibly knowledgeable, generous guide!! We learned so much from Henk about the history of Amsterdam and the worldwide exploration of the Dutch and the role of canals. He also explained the role(s) of windmills and their effect on the Industrial Revolution. We felt so lucky to have him as our guide!!
Janet
Reviewed on:
May 25, 2025
Great experience. Very educational and informative. Calm boat ride gliding along the canals while learning is a great way to open one's eyes to Amsterdam.
Katherine
Reviewed on:
May 22, 2025
